Karen Guice

Karen Guice is a retired general surgeon who became a full-time resident of Orcas Island in 2020. She earned her M.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Washington. She also holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University. Her career includes serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, where she was responsible for the Military Health System's policies and budgets. She has also worked as Chief Medical Officer for Ernst and Young's Government and Public Sector practice and has been a member of the surgical faculties at several universities, including Duke University and the University of Michigan. She currently serves as the President of the Defense Health Board, an advisory committee to the Secretary of Defense.