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Highlight on Hobbies: Cathy Koger, DO

June 2017

Hobby: Triathlons

Cathy Koger, DO, is a dermatologist with Kallgren Dermatology Clinic, PC, located in Boulder, CO [https://www.kallgrenderm.com/about-us/]. “I am in a private practice with one other physician and 3 physician assistants. We are primarily medical dermatology, but I do a lot of surgeries and we do have a smaller cosmetic focus (I do fillers, Botox, IPL [intense pulse light], and laser),” she said.

Dr Koger graduated with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and worked as an engineer for more than 6 years at Raytheon Systems Company and IBM. In 2003, she coached Diane Kallgren, MD, in running through a Boulder Training Club program. Dr Kallgren’s love and enthusiasm for medicine and her patients convinced Dr Koger to retire at an early age from engineering and pursue medical school. In 2006, prior to starting medical school, Dr Koger was one of the first medical assistants at Kallgren Dermatology. Dr Koger attended medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, MO, from 2006 to 2010. She was accepted into dermatology residency at Northeast Regional Medical Center/Cleaver Dermatology from 2010 to 2014. She specializes in medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetics, and pediatric dermatology.

Dr Koger has been a runner, cyclist, and triathlete for over 15 years as well as a running/triathlon coach when not in medical school. “Hobbies keep me balanced and focused. When I’m running, or hiking, or mountain/road biking, or swimming, that is my time to think, reflect, work out cases, be thankful, and enjoy the world around me. I don’t train nearly as much as I used to, as family and work are a priority, but I treasure the time I have outside when I get it,” she said.

She started riding a bike in the late 90s when she became injured racing marathons. “I loved it, learned to swim, and my triathlon passion was born. I started racing in Dallas, TX, where I worked as an engineer. I got transferred to Boulder, CO, in 2001 for a job and trained for Ironman distance triathlons. I also raced for a triathlon team in Boulder. I coached a running group on the side with a friend of mine and Dr Kallgren was one of my first runners. She was such an amazing woman, she essentially talked me into going back to medical school at age 32. I now am lucky enough to work with her,” she said.

Dr Koger notes that racing/training for triathlons is a way she has met some of her best friends. “I have also had some of my most memorable adventures. Racing has taught me perseverance, patience, and persistence. Racing also, in a lot of ways, led me to medicine,” she said.

“Most dermatologists I have met are pretty driven and multifaceted. I feel lucky our specialty allows for hobbies and family to fit in with our work. Balance, learning new things, keeping sharp, and getting out of your comfort zone are nice things that hobbies offer,” she added. “It is sometimes hard to fit everything in. I try very hard to be in the moment. When I am at work I try to be 100% there, and same when I am at home being a mom and a wife. Then, when those nice windows open up for a little time to myself, I try to enjoy every bit of them. All in all, I am a very fortunate woman to have so many wonderful things and people in my life, and that I am healthy enough to enjoy life. That is really key.”

If you have a hobby you would like to share with fellow dermatologists, dermatology nurses, and dermatology physician assistants, please contact dermeditor@hmpcommunications.com.

Hobby: Triathlons

Cathy Koger, DO, is a dermatologist with Kallgren Dermatology Clinic, PC, located in Boulder, CO [https://www.kallgrenderm.com/about-us/]. “I am in a private practice with one other physician and 3 physician assistants. We are primarily medical dermatology, but I do a lot of surgeries and we do have a smaller cosmetic focus (I do fillers, Botox, IPL [intense pulse light], and laser),” she said.

Dr Koger graduated with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and worked as an engineer for more than 6 years at Raytheon Systems Company and IBM. In 2003, she coached Diane Kallgren, MD, in running through a Boulder Training Club program. Dr Kallgren’s love and enthusiasm for medicine and her patients convinced Dr Koger to retire at an early age from engineering and pursue medical school. In 2006, prior to starting medical school, Dr Koger was one of the first medical assistants at Kallgren Dermatology. Dr Koger attended medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, MO, from 2006 to 2010. She was accepted into dermatology residency at Northeast Regional Medical Center/Cleaver Dermatology from 2010 to 2014. She specializes in medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetics, and pediatric dermatology.

Dr Koger has been a runner, cyclist, and triathlete for over 15 years as well as a running/triathlon coach when not in medical school. “Hobbies keep me balanced and focused. When I’m running, or hiking, or mountain/road biking, or swimming, that is my time to think, reflect, work out cases, be thankful, and enjoy the world around me. I don’t train nearly as much as I used to, as family and work are a priority, but I treasure the time I have outside when I get it,” she said.

She started riding a bike in the late 90s when she became injured racing marathons. “I loved it, learned to swim, and my triathlon passion was born. I started racing in Dallas, TX, where I worked as an engineer. I got transferred to Boulder, CO, in 2001 for a job and trained for Ironman distance triathlons. I also raced for a triathlon team in Boulder. I coached a running group on the side with a friend of mine and Dr Kallgren was one of my first runners. She was such an amazing woman, she essentially talked me into going back to medical school at age 32. I now am lucky enough to work with her,” she said.

Dr Koger notes that racing/training for triathlons is a way she has met some of her best friends. “I have also had some of my most memorable adventures. Racing has taught me perseverance, patience, and persistence. Racing also, in a lot of ways, led me to medicine,” she said.

“Most dermatologists I have met are pretty driven and multifaceted. I feel lucky our specialty allows for hobbies and family to fit in with our work. Balance, learning new things, keeping sharp, and getting out of your comfort zone are nice things that hobbies offer,” she added. “It is sometimes hard to fit everything in. I try very hard to be in the moment. When I am at work I try to be 100% there, and same when I am at home being a mom and a wife. Then, when those nice windows open up for a little time to myself, I try to enjoy every bit of them. All in all, I am a very fortunate woman to have so many wonderful things and people in my life, and that I am healthy enough to enjoy life. That is really key.”

If you have a hobby you would like to share with fellow dermatologists, dermatology nurses, and dermatology physician assistants, please contact dermeditor@hmpcommunications.com.

Hobby: Triathlons

Cathy Koger, DO, is a dermatologist with Kallgren Dermatology Clinic, PC, located in Boulder, CO [https://www.kallgrenderm.com/about-us/]. “I am in a private practice with one other physician and 3 physician assistants. We are primarily medical dermatology, but I do a lot of surgeries and we do have a smaller cosmetic focus (I do fillers, Botox, IPL [intense pulse light], and laser),” she said.

Dr Koger graduated with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and worked as an engineer for more than 6 years at Raytheon Systems Company and IBM. In 2003, she coached Diane Kallgren, MD, in running through a Boulder Training Club program. Dr Kallgren’s love and enthusiasm for medicine and her patients convinced Dr Koger to retire at an early age from engineering and pursue medical school. In 2006, prior to starting medical school, Dr Koger was one of the first medical assistants at Kallgren Dermatology. Dr Koger attended medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, MO, from 2006 to 2010. She was accepted into dermatology residency at Northeast Regional Medical Center/Cleaver Dermatology from 2010 to 2014. She specializes in medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetics, and pediatric dermatology.

Dr Koger has been a runner, cyclist, and triathlete for over 15 years as well as a running/triathlon coach when not in medical school. “Hobbies keep me balanced and focused. When I’m running, or hiking, or mountain/road biking, or swimming, that is my time to think, reflect, work out cases, be thankful, and enjoy the world around me. I don’t train nearly as much as I used to, as family and work are a priority, but I treasure the time I have outside when I get it,” she said.

She started riding a bike in the late 90s when she became injured racing marathons. “I loved it, learned to swim, and my triathlon passion was born. I started racing in Dallas, TX, where I worked as an engineer. I got transferred to Boulder, CO, in 2001 for a job and trained for Ironman distance triathlons. I also raced for a triathlon team in Boulder. I coached a running group on the side with a friend of mine and Dr Kallgren was one of my first runners. She was such an amazing woman, she essentially talked me into going back to medical school at age 32. I now am lucky enough to work with her,” she said.

Dr Koger notes that racing/training for triathlons is a way she has met some of her best friends. “I have also had some of my most memorable adventures. Racing has taught me perseverance, patience, and persistence. Racing also, in a lot of ways, led me to medicine,” she said.

“Most dermatologists I have met are pretty driven and multifaceted. I feel lucky our specialty allows for hobbies and family to fit in with our work. Balance, learning new things, keeping sharp, and getting out of your comfort zone are nice things that hobbies offer,” she added. “It is sometimes hard to fit everything in. I try very hard to be in the moment. When I am at work I try to be 100% there, and same when I am at home being a mom and a wife. Then, when those nice windows open up for a little time to myself, I try to enjoy every bit of them. All in all, I am a very fortunate woman to have so many wonderful things and people in my life, and that I am healthy enough to enjoy life. That is really key.”

If you have a hobby you would like to share with fellow dermatologists, dermatology nurses, and dermatology physician assistants, please contact dermeditor@hmpcommunications.com.