Kara Khanh-Ha D. Nguyen, M.D., M.P.H.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Medical Genetics
Wexford Location Wexford, PA
Mechanicsburg Location Mechanicsburg, PA
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
Dr. Nguyen was patient, kind, and knowledgeable. She took her time at each appointment.

Not only is Dr. Nguyen extremely knowledgeable about her profession, she is one of the most compassionate and kind people I have ever met.

When we found out we were pregnant, Dr. Nguyen was genuinely so excited for us. If we decide on a second child, I will be going back to her care, for sure.

Dr. Nguyen is an incredible mix of knowledge and genuine care for her patients.

Dr. Nguyen is extremely professional and she answered all of our questions thoroughly.

Dr. Nguyen is THE BEST. She is engaged and truly cares about your journey.

Dr. Nguyen explained each procedure thoroughly, answered our questions and most importantly, is very kind and skilled clinically.

Biography

Kara Nguyen, MD, MPH, FACMG, FACOG, is one of only a few physicians who is triple-board certified in obstetrics & gynecology, reproductive endocrinology & infertility, and medical genetics. She earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and her Master in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. After an accelerated 3-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Christiana Care Hospital in Delaware, Dr. Nguyen completed her subspecialty training in medical genetics at the National Institutes of Health. At the Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, she was the first OB/GYN to be accepted into the competitive Clinical Investigator Training Program where her research in stem cells was funded by grants from the New England Fertility Society, National Institutes of Health, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute. She serves as the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division Director at UPMC Pinnacle for Central Pennsylvania and plays an active role in the OBGYN quality assurance committee.

She is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships and has been an invited speaker for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, Good Day PA, and ABC27 News. Dr. Nguyen is actively involved in OBGYN residency education at UPMC Pinnacle and Christiana Hospital in Delaware.

Dr. Nguyen joined Shady Grove Fertility in 2017 and now serves the greater central Pennsylvania region. Her professional areas of expertise include oncofertility, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, in vitro fertilization, donor egg, donor embryo, and fertility preservation. Her signature approach to patient care has earned her the Patients’ Choice and Compassionate Doctor awards on Vitals.com and Honor Roll on Healthgrades.com.

Dr. Nguyen is married with three children and enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and trying new foods. Her family is actively involved in missionary work overseas and she supports organizations focused on the rehabilitation of trafficked persons.

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Education

  • Masters: Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Christiana Care Hospital in Delaware
  • Fellowship: Medical Genetics, National Institutes of Health
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Boston IVF/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
  • UPMC Pinnacle, Lecturer of the Year, 2018
  • Honor Roll, HealthGrades.com
  • Patients’ Choice and Compassionate Doctor Award, Vitals.com
  • Clinical Investigator Training Program Award, Harvard Catalyst, 2012
  • New England Fertility Society/Ferring Pharmaceuticals Research Grant, 2010
  • NIH Extramural Contraception and Infertility Research Grant, 2010
  • ACOG/JSOG Shingo Exchange Program, 2009
  • NIH Intramural ACGME Grant, 2008-2010
  • Christiana Care Health System Medical-Dental Staff Clinical Discussion Award, 2008
  • William H. Slate Research Award, 2008
  • NIH/American Society of Reproductive Immunologists Travel Award, 2008
  • Student Apple Teaching Award, 2007
  • Nguyen KHD, Zimon AE, Thornton KL. Preimplantation genetic screening and diagnosis. In: Bayer SA, Alper MA, Penzias AS, eds. The Boston IVF Handbook of Infertility. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare, 2012: 107-116.
  • Brezina P, Christianson MS, Nguyen KHD, Siegel A, Benner AT, Kearns WG. Maternal XX/X chromosome mosaicism in donor oocyte in vitro fertilization (IVF). Middle East Fertility Society Journal. In press (accepted 3/6/12).
  • Nguyen KHD and Alper MA. Pre-IVF evaluation of the infertile woman. In: Ginsburg ES and Racowsky C, eds. In Vitro Fertilization: A Comprehensive Guide. 1st ed. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag, 2012: in press.

Q&A

Being a doctor allows me to take on different roles, all of which are challenging. Science was always fascinating to me and medicine is a very gratifying application of it. There are so many ways to make a difference and help improve a person’s quality of life. As a doctor who specializes in helping patients build their families, it is a privilege to help them achieve their goals for health and ultimately fulfill their identities as parents.

I have a son and twin girls who inspire me every day to be a better person for them and for myself. They remind me every day of what is important and to take time to really be present in the moment. They make sure there is plenty of laughter in my life!

My family loves to travel and giving back is very important. My husband grew up overseas and I have worked in Africa, South America and Asia on several projects. We both would love to return to the countries in which we grew up.

I love to watch movies, learn salsa dancing, and practice power yoga. I like learning new languages and trying new foods. I also have dabbled in sailing but don’t trust me to tie a proper knot!

I was planning to be a gynecologic oncologist because I loved the surgery but late in my application process a very close mentor told me to withdraw my application because my skill set was a better match as a fertility specialist. I have been thanking him ever since! I love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Shady Grove Fertility exhibits excellence on every level. Every team member is committed to provide the most compassionate and patient-centered care while incorporating the most evidence-based reproductive medicine available. Shady Grove Fertility has been a leader in patient advocacy, proven research, and innovative approaches to building a unique culture that continues to redefine how fertility care is delivered.

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