Karen Loring

I pursue providing the highest quality care in a friendly, professional clinic. My experiences in global health, US military service, and in clinical care have taught me the value of providing patients with evidence-based management options that best fit patients’ overall needs. This includes striving for clear, detailed, patient friendly information about a patient’s disease and the risks and benefits of treatment options so the patient and I can come to the best management plan at each stage of their disease. I practice General Dermatology, including skin cancer, acne, allergic contact dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis and eczema, as well as treatment of skin cancer and removal of “lumps and bumps”. In addition, I coordinate clinical trials for our section, working with our providers to bring cutting-edge treatments to our community for such diseases as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. My areas of non-pharmacological research interest include infectious diseases and epidemiology of skin diseases. I am an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology and, most recently, the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

I enjoy working in partnership with my patients. I listen to their concerns and ask about their goals and expectations. Whether their goal is to hike Mt. Moosilauke or to play with their grandchildren, I want to be help them get back to what brings them joy and returns them to the life they want. Quality of life is important! Recovering from an injury can take time. If a patient feels discouraged about their progress, I can help show them how far they’ve come by referring them back to their own statements about how they were feeling earlier in treatment. By using patient-reported outcomes, I can say, “This is where you were, and this is where you are now” so they can clearly see their progress. My patients and I work collaboratively to help return them to the highest level of function possible based on their health issue and the evidence-based treatment options. Please note: Dr. Sparks does not provide patient appointments at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD). He performs surgery at both Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and APD.

As a practicing physician for over 25 years, I have found that medicine is not a precise science. While it is important to keep current with the latest evidence, there is usually more than one option when ordering diagnostic tests or prescribing treatments. My role is to provide my patients with options to choose from that are supported by best evidence and to be present at times when my patients feel vulnerable due to a health condition.