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Karen L. Newcomer, M.D.

  1. Physiatrist
  2. Sports Medicine Specialist

Dr. Newcomer is board certified in both PM&R and Sport Medicine and balances her time between the musculoskeletal clinic and teaching at the Mayo Clinic Medical School. Dr. Newcomer focuses her clinical practice on musculoskeletal medicine. Dr. Newcomer's goal with each patient that she sees in clinic:

  • Establishing a specific diagnosis and ensuring they understand their diagnosis
  • Developing an individual management plan
  • Incorporating a long-term, personalized exercise program into the patient's rehabilitation plan
  • Empowering patients to have the confidence to manage their musculoskeletal condition

Dr. Newcomer is passionate about teaching the next generation of learners. She has been awarded the "Excellence in Teaching Recognition" and the "Certificate of Distinguished Service as Program Director."

Dr. Newcomer regularly presents across the United States as an expert on musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries.

  1. Achilles tendinitis
  2. ACL injury
  3. Arthritis
  4. Arthropathy
  5. Axial spondyloarthritis
  6. Back pain
  7. Baker's cyst
  8. Biceps tendinitis
  9. Bursitis
  10. Calcific tendinitis
  11. Cartilage injury
  12. Cervical herniated disk
  13. Cervical myelopathy
  14. Cervical radiculopathy
  15. Cervical spinal stenosis
  16. Cervical spondylolisthesis
  17. Cervical spondylosis
  18. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy
  19. Discogenic back pain
  20. Frozen shoulder
  21. Golfer's elbow
  22. Hip labral tear
  23. Hip tendinitis
  24. Hip tendon tear
  25. Joint hypermobility
  26. Knee arthritis
  27. Knee bursitis
  28. Knee loose body
  29. Knee pain
  30. Kneecap subluxation
  31. Kyphosis
  32. Lateral collateral ligament sprain
  33. Little Leaguer's elbow
  34. Lumbar herniated disk
  35. Lumbar pain
  36. Lumbar radiculopathy
  37. Lumbar spinal stenosis
  38. Lumbar spondylosis
  39. Medial collateral ligament sprain
  40. Muscle atrophy
  41. Muscle weakness
  42. Myelopathy
  43. Myopathy
  44. Neck pain
  45. Osteoarthritis
  46. Osteopenia
  47. Osteoporosis
  48. Patellar tendinitis
  49. Patellar tendon tear
  50. Patellofemoral instability
  51. Rotator cuff injury
  52. Rotator cuff tear
  53. Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
  54. Rotator cuff tendinitis
  55. Ruptured disk
  56. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  57. Sacroiliac pain syndromes
  58. Sacroiliitis
  59. Sclerosis
  60. Separated shoulder
  61. Shoulder arthritis
  62. Shoulder impingement syndrome
  63. Shoulder instability
  64. Shoulder subluxation
  65. Spondylolisthesis
  66. Spondylolysis
  67. Sports injury
  68. Sprain
  69. Sprained ankle
  70. Stenosis
  71. Strain
  72. Swollen knee
  73. Tendinitis
  74. Tendinopathy
  75. Tendinosis
  76. Tendon pain
  77. Tennis elbow
  78. Torn meniscus
  1. Arthritis rehabilitation
  2. Back pain management
  3. Exercise therapy
  4. Joint examination
  5. Musculoskeletal exam
  6. Outpatient clinical consultation
  7. Physical examination
  8. Rehabilitation therapy
  9. Sport specific rehabilitation
  • Musculoskeletal Medicine
  • Sports Medicine
  • Exercise as medicine
  • Patient education and empowerment
  1. 1996
    Fellow - Sports Medicine RehabilitationMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 1995
    ResidentPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 1995
    Resident - Physical Medicine and RehabilitationMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. 1992
    ResidentPreliminary Internal Medicine, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 1992
    Post-Grad - Internal Medicine preliminary yearMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  6. 1991
    MDUniversity of Minnesota Medical School
  7. 1987
    BA - BiologyLuther College

Certifications

  1. 2008
    Sports MedicineAmerican Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  2. 1996
    Physical Medicine & RehabilitationAmerican Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Awards and honors

  1. 2008
    Certificate of Distinguished Service as Program DirectorMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  2. 2002
    Excellence in Teaching RecognitionMayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  3. 1999
    Athena Neurosciences Award (for best paper, young faculty division)Association of Academic Physiatrists
  4. 1995
    Physiatrists ScholarshipResearch Enrichment Program
  5. 1987
    Graduated Magna Cum LaudeLuther College
  6. 1987
    Graduate ScholarshipIntercollegiate Tennis Conferences of America

Professional memberships

  1. 2022 - present
    Diversity LeaderDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  2. 2022 - present
    ChairDiversity, Education, and Inclusion Committee
  3. 2022 - 2024
    VolunteerAssociation of Academic Physiatrists
  4. 2022 - present
    MemberPMR Diversity and Community Engagement Committee
  5. 2021 - present
    Meeting Co-DirectorAAP Diversity Committee
  6. 2020 - present
    MemberMinnesota MCASOM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
  7. 2014 - present
    MemberAmerican Medical Society of Sports Medicine
  8. 2008 - 2009
    MemberContinuous Improvement Group, Spine Center
  9. 2008 - 2021
    LeaderLongitudinal Musculoskeletal Course
  10. 2008
    MemberMusculoskeletal Education for Medical Students Task Force, Association of Academic Physiatrists
  11. 2008 - present
    ChairUndergraduate Education Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  12. 2008 - present
    MemberClinical Experiences Theme Committee, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
  13. 2007 - 2008
    Oral Board ExaminerAmerican Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  14. 2003 - 2005
    JudgeAmerican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  15. 2003 - 2005
    MemberResearch Advisory and Advocacy Committee, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  16. 2002 - 2008
    MemberOrgan Curriculum Committee, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
  17. 1999 - 2000
    MemberScholarly Activities Enhancement Task Force, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  18. 1999 - 2000
    MemberRecruitment Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  19. 1999
    TreasurerMinnesota Physiatric Society
  20. 1999 - present
    MemberExecutive Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  21. 1999 - present
    FellowAmerican College of Sports Medicine
  22. 1998 - 2013
    MemberPM&R Research Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  23. 1998 - present
    MemberMinnesota Physiatric Society
  24. 1997 - 2008
    Co-DirectorSports Medicine Fellowship, Sports Medicine Center
  25. 1996 - 2007
    Co-ChairResearch Committee, Sports Medicine Center
  26. 1996
    DiplomateAmerican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  27. 1996
    Item WriterAmerican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  28. 1996
    DiplomateRecertification Committee, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  29. 1996
    Item WriterRecertification Committee, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  30. 1996 - present
    MemberUndergraduate Education Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  31. 1996 - present
    MemberAmerican Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  32. 1995 - 2012
    MemberResearch Committee, Sports Medicine Center
  33. 1995 - 2009
    MemberPhysiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
  34. 1994 - 1996
    Resident RepresentativeMedical Laboratory Specialty Committee, Graduate Medical Education, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences
  35. 1994 - 1996
    Resident RepresentativeUndergraduate Education Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  36. 1994 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Sports Medicine
  37. 1993 - 1995
    Resident RepresentativeResident Selection Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  38. 1993 - present
    MemberResident Selection Committee, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  39. 1993 - present
    MemberAssociation of Academic Physiatrists
  40. 1992 - 1994
    MemberResident Physician Council, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  41. 1992 - 1993
    Resident Representative and Vice ChairMarketing Committee, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  42. 1991 - present
    MemberAmerican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
  43. 1991 - present
    MemberAmerican Medical Association
  44. 1991 - present
    MemberZumbro Valley Medical Society, Minnesota Medical Association
  45. 1986 - present
    MemberPhi Beta Kappa Honor Society

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.