Kara M. Hessel, D.O., F.A.C.S., R.P.V.I.

Professional Background

Dr. Kara Hessel is a vascular surgeon who cares for patients of all ages. Among the many diagnoses she treats are aortic aneurysms and dissections, carotid artery disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), end-stage renal disease, deep vein thrombosis and wound care. She is skilled in endovascular and open aortic aneurysm repair, aortoiliac occlusive disease surgery, lower limb arterial disease surgery, dialysis access creation and dozens of other procedures and surgeries. Dr. Hessel is passionate about advocating for equitable access to healthcare. She recognizes that many members of our community have limited access to insurance and resources for procedures, medications and transportation. She strongly believes all patients should have access to this care, and she’s working to address this problem in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Dr. Hessel is certified by the American Board of Surgery. She earned her medical degree at Kansas City University and completed her general surgery residency at The University of Kansas Hospital. She then completed her vascular surgery fellowship at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center before returning to Kansas City in 2021. She is also a member of the American College of Surgeons, Society for Vascular Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Society, Midwest Vascular Surgical Society, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, Association of Women Surgeons and Alpha Omega Alpha. In her free time, Dr. Hessel loves to read fiction, historical books and autobiographies. She also enjoys spending time with her family, taking trips and decorating living spaces.

• BS, Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• BS, Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• DO, Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansa, Kansas City, Missouri
• Residency, General Surgery, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas
• Clinical Fellowship, Vascular Surgery, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

• Advent Health Shawnee Mission, Cardiovascular Quality Improvement Committee, Member, 2022 - 2025
• Alpha Omega Alpha, Ad-Hoc Member, 2019 - Present

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Research

Overview

Dr. Hessel has multiple research interests including: limb salvage with multidisciplinary management, surveillance and treatment of aortic aneurysms, utilization of AI for patient education and disparities in access to vascular care.

• IMPROVE-AD, NIH, Co-PI

• Hessel Kara, Lehmkuhl Haley, Gage Daniel, Sarac Timur, Orion Kristine. 2020. A Comparison of Bleeding Risk Between 100 Vascular Surgery Patients Based on Postoperative Heparinization: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 72 (1), e120-e121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.214
• Ebaugh Eric Paul, Hessel Kara, Udobi Kahdi. 2016. Appendiceal perforation, necrotizing groin infection and spermatic cord necrosis in a case of Amyand’s hernia. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 24 (C), 172-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.05.026
• Kim Tanner, Hessel Kara, Orion Kristine. 2020. Characteristics of Aneurysmal Disease in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 72 (1), e130-e131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.234
• Wessel Erich Matthew, Hessel Kara, Olinger Anthony B. 2012. Characterization of the Radial Artery for the Purposes of Catheterization. The FASEB Journal, 26 (S1). https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.lb21
• Hessel Kara, Haurani Mounir. 2021. Complications of cervical, thoracic, and abdominal interventions for trauma, 276-282. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429434464-33
• Hessel Kara. 2021. Follow up compliance is not contingent on insurance provider, race, socioeconomic status or patient co-morbidities in AAA surveillance
• Heller Aaron, Hessel Kara, Wright Barth. 2012. Gender differences in the lateral pterygoid muscle: Implications for the etiology of temperomandibular disorder. The FASEB Journal, 26 (S1). https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.lb7
• Hessel Kara, DiPasco Peter, Kilgore Lyndsey, Shelley Casey, Perry Alvin, Wagner Jamie. 2017. Have We Come as Far as We Had Hoped? Discrimination in the Residency Interview. Journal of Surgical Education, 74 (6), 939-945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2017.04.003
• Hessel Kara. 2026. Left Common Iliac Artery Dissection During Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Identified by Somatosensory Changes: A Case Study. The Neurodiagnostic Journal. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21646821.2026.2632516
• Beaulieu Robert, Gobble Alexandra, Mirza Amber, Hessel Kara, Orion Kristine, Haurani Mounir, Sarac Timur. 2021. Lower Hospital and Operating Room Charges for Patients Undergoing Carotid Repair With Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Transcervical Carotid Artery Revascularization. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 74 (4), e358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2021.07.047