Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: My name is Kari Emerson, and I’m 33 years old, originally from Fargo, ND. I graduated from Fargo South High School in 2009 before earning my bachelor’s degree in nursing from Concordia College. I began my career in the ICU at Essentia Health, where I gained valuable experience in critical care. Eventually, I transitioned to my family’s business, Lillestol Research, taking on the role of study coordinator while also returning to school at North Dakota State University to pursue my doctoral degree and become a nurse practitioner.
Currently, I work as an Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner at IMA Healthcare, and I continue to work part-time at Lillestol Research, overseeing Phase 3 and 4 pharmaceutical trials. I’ve been married to my husband, Zach, for the past 10 years. Together, we have two children—Finn, 7, and Isla, 3—as well as two long-haired Chihuahuas who keep life interesting!
Q: Who are some people who have been influential in your journey?
A: My father, an internal medicine physician, has been my greatest teacher and mentor. His influence has shaped both my career and personal values, inspiring me to pursue medicine while instilling a deep commitment to patient care, ethics, and empathy. His unwavering support and wealth of knowledge have made me a more compassionate and skilled healthcare professional, significantly shaping the person I am today.
Q: What drives you?
A: My family is my greatest driving force—my children and husband will always be my top priority. It’s essential to me to work for companies that recognize and value this commitment in their employees. Beyond that, I’m deeply motivated by empathy and a desire to make a positive impact. In medicine, empathy is a vital quality—it allows me to build meaningful relationships with my patients and support them in making positive changes in their health and lives.
Q: What do you think can be improved in our business community?
A: Being part of the medical community here is unique compared to many other areas. I feel that many patients are unaware of the smaller, independent medical resources available to them. I’ve always been passionate about independent medicine and wish more people in our community knew about the options beyond the two major healthcare systems.
Independent practices allow providers greater autonomy, giving us the ability to spend more time with patients, build stronger relationships, and provide personalized care. I believe this approach fosters a deeper connection and a more meaningful healthcare experience. .
