Caring for Women, Families, and the Community: Meet Dr. Kali Olson

Dr. Kali Olson provides obstetric and gynecological services at the Door County Medical Center Sturgeon Bay Clinic Women’s Center. For her, obstetrics and gynecology felt like the best fit from the very beginning.

“After deciding to practice medicine, I was drawn to becoming a provider who cares for people throughout their life and establishes long-term relationships,” she says. “During my training, I also found myself drawn to the operating room and the fast pace of labor and delivery. Obstetrics and gynecology fulfilled all these interests. After completing residency training, I couldn’t see myself in any other specialty.”

Her philosophy of care reflects that same balance of expertise and connection. “From my point of view, my job as a doctor is to help solve a problem by listening and then providing management options based on the training I have received and the current evidence-based medicine,” she explains. “Much of what I do is centered around patient education and shared decision making. Sometimes the textbook answer will be the best solution, but often we’ll need to tailor the solution to best fit the patient’s needs. I believe in meeting patients where they are and partnering with them in their care.”

That partnership is especially meaningful in women’s health. “Although these experiences are very personal and meaningful, they can also be scary and overwhelming,” Dr. Olson says. “Putting patients at ease during these times, giving them autonomy, and providing the best care for them is the most meaningful part of this work for me. I love hearing my patients say that things went better than they thought they would.”

A Wisconsin native, Dr. Olson grew up in De Pere in a more rural part of town. “The closest hospital system to our home at the time was about 25 minutes away,” she recalls. “After deciding to practice medicine, I hoped to serve a rural community similar to the one I grew up in.” That background, she explains, helps her connect with patients here in Door County. “I have found that patients, especially in rural settings, can be afraid to seek regular care until a health problem becomes severe. An annual checkup is a great place to establish a relationship with a provider, so patients can feel more at ease coming in with their concerns. This checkup can also help prevent serious issues by completing regular screenings.”

“One of the things I’m most passionate about in ob/gyn is the prevention of cervical cancer through recommended screening and HPV vaccination,” she notes. “I’m also passionate about women’s health care in rural settings, given the continued closures of labor and delivery units in these areas, putting people at greater risk.”

Dr. Olson trained in the Wisconsin Academy of Rural Medicine during medical school, completing some of her core clerkships here in Door County. “I already knew that I loved the area, having visited with my family growing up, and my spouse fell in love with the area during my medical school training,” she says. “All that being said, I’m excited to give back to a community much like the one I grew up in.”

Outside the clinic, Dr. Olson and her family are settling into life in Door County. “We’ve been enjoying the sweet outdoor life this past summer by exploring different trails and parks,” she says. “We’ve also been working on some house projects as we’ve settled into our new home. We love hosting family and friends and showing them the many attractions here. Next year, we hope to take more advantage of the water that surrounds us!”

Looking ahead, her goal is simple: “I hope to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for patients to feel welcome and seek care,” she says.