Karen Jerome-Zapadka, M.D., DABOM

Dr. Jerome-Zapadka is a native of Ellwood City, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Health-Related Professions with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. She earned her Medical Degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, graduating with honors, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

She performed her Internal Medicine residency and subspecialty fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, maintaining board certification in Gastroenterology. A practicing gastroenterologist since 1993, Dr. Jerome-Zapadka joined Valley Gastroenterology Associates in 2000. She currently serves as President of the organization. She’s also Medical Director of the VGA Center for Obesity Medicine, where patients enroll in a structured, comprehensive program to improve metabolic disease, Obesity and NAFLD.

Dr. Jerome-Zapadka has an interest in inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. She also has a special passion for metabolic health and obesity and associated medical complications, particularly Non–Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). As a result of these interests, she attained board certification in Obesity Medicine. She is also pursuing certification through the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners.

Aligned with these interests, Dr. Jerome-Zapadka serves as co-chair of the Metabolic Task Force at the Heritage Valley Health System. She is a co-chair of the Fatty Liver Coalition of the Community Liver Alliance (formerly the American Liver Foundation), serves on the Board of Directors of NASH kNOWledge, and recently joined forces with the Global Liver Institute. All these organizations focus on raising awareness about NAFLD; she speaks at numerous events for these groups.

Dr. Jerome-Zapadka serves on the Board of Directors of the Heritage Valley Health System. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Beaver County Medical Society, the American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. She has received training in CRH O’Regan Hemorrhoidal Banding and maintains certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Her personal interests include fitness, baking, tennis, and especially time spent traveling with family.