April 29, 2024

AsMA staff were saddened to hear that Karen A. “Skim” Rupp, M.D., M.P.H., BSN, Lt.Col., died in mid-April.

She served as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine at the 354th Medical Group, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, AK. Before that, she was Chief of Aerospace Medicine at Shaw AFB, NC. She was a native of Alaska and was awarded a Health Professions Scholarship to study medicine at Indiana State University School of Medicine in 2004. She received her M.D. in 2009, completed an internship at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL, and was awarded her flight surgeon wings in 2010. She earned her M.P.H. at Wright State University, Dayton, OH, and served residencies in Aerospace Medicine at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, and in Family Medicine at Wright State University. 
   Dr. Rupp was board certified in both family and aerospace medicine and was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists, and the Aerospace Medical Association. Her awards included the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal. She authored several publications and had been preparing to become a Squadron Commander later in 2024. An online obituary can be found at https://www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/dr-karen-rupp.