A Lifetime of Care: Dr. Karen Broaders

Originally from Danville, Ill., Broaders came to Millikin with a clear goal: attend medical school. What set Millikin apart was its strong track record of preparing students for that next step.

“At the time, Millikin had a 95% acceptance rate for their Pre-Med students getting into medical school,” she said. “That, combined with the small, private setting, made it the right choice for me.”

That decision proved pivotal — not only for her academic journey but also for her personal life. On her very first day on campus, she met fellow freshman Ron Broaders ’91, who helped carry her luggage into the residence hall. More than three decades later, the couple still reflect on that moment as the beginning of a lifelong partnership.

“I got a wife out of the deal,” Ron said with a smile. “Millikin brought us together — and it’s given us a lot.”

At Millikin, Broaders found both rigorous academic preparation and a supportive learning environment. Faculty members like Dr. Neil 

Baird ’65, Dr. Thomas Mcquistion, and Dr. Homer Smith played key roles in her development, offering mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities.

“They made learning fun and were always willing to help,” she said.

One memorable experience involved hands-on parasitology work — an example of the type of immersive learning that would later define ���������� Performance Learning approach.

That preparation paid off.

“When I was accepted into medical school, there was only one class I hadn’t already taken at Millikin,” Broaders said. “I was extremely well-prepared.”

She went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College and completed her Family Medicine residency at Indiana University/Methodist Hospital. Dr. Broaders is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Millikin, with an expected graduation date of May 2027.

Today, Broaders serves as a Family Medicine Physician and Associate Medical Director at Carle Health in Danville, where she has built a career spanning nearly three decades.

While she initially considered specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, she ultimately chose Family Medicine for its breadth and variety.

“I take care of patients from birth to death,” she said. “You never know what you’re going to see when you walk into a room, and I love that.”

In addition to her primary care work, Broaders has spent nearly 20 years specializing in wound care, helping patients recover from complex, non-healing conditions.

Her work is deeply personal and often spans generations.

“It’s something when you end up taking care of a baby that you delivered — and then later seeing them grow up,” she said. “There are students currently enrolled at Millikin that I delivered.”

Beyond clinical care, Broaders is a leader in healthcare administration, medical education, and public health. She trains future physicians and healthcare professionals, serves on multiple boards and committees, and works to address social determinants of health — ensuring patients have access to the resources they need to live healthier lives.

Though their careers have taken them back to Danville, the Broaders have remained closely connected to Millikin, returning for Homecoming, supporting campus events, and maintaining friendships formed during their college years.

For Broaders, that connection is something she hopes other alumni will rediscover.

Joining the Millikin Board of Trustees was a natural extension of a lifelong commitment to service.

“When I reflect on my time at Millikin, it was such a positive experience,” she said. “The question becomes: how can you give back some of what it gave to you?”

Her answer is to share her time, expertise, and perspective, particularly in areas such as healthcare education and workforce development.

“I gained an excellent education, lifelong friendships, and a great college experience,” she said. “Being able to give back now is very rewarding.”