About Us

Karen LaFace, MD is a board certified Family Physician with expertise in primary care, women’s health and menopause medicine. She has been practicing medicine in Ithaca since 1999.

Dr. LaFace graduated from The Ohio State University where she earned the distinctions of Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude. She attended medical school and was a 21st Century Medical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and thereafter completed the residency program in Family Medicine at Brown University. 

She was inspired to create Gorges Health to provide comprehensive, holistic healthcare to women. She believes that a person’s health is multifactorial, encompassing physical, emotional and social well-being. Patient education and science based information are key components of her practice, enabling patients to make informed choices for their best health. 

Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. LaFace represented the United States National Springboard and Platform Diving Team for over 10 years, her last competition being the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where she placed 9th in the 3 meter springboard competition. She lives with her family in Ithaca, NY where they enjoy all the beauty and outdoor adventures the Finger Lakes Region has to offer.

Meet our amazing office manager, Julie Howell! Originally from Corning, New York, she has lived all over the place, including Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. In 2023, she moved back to Upstate NY to be close to her family.

With extensive experience working in medical settings across the country, she keeps our office running smoothly. Her skills and patience help everyone feel at ease.

Outside of work, she loves creating beautiful art, from painting to all kinds of crafts. She also enjoys going on walks with her adorable golden doodle, Finnegan.