![Karen Dinger](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/1771bc36-c288-4534-a19b-590f934978b0/10_DINGER-Karen?width=1200&height=619&ext=.jpg&uh=19f8b5c01c44e00c7ae8ffa808e57dc7c88076a000831a172e317dba7c677c1b&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
May 04, 2020 / Spotlight
Get to Know our Staff: Karen Dinger, Ambulatory Care
What is your role at Scottish Rite for Children? ![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/7b3bf6d3-67f6-4662-a941-9629196613bc/karen-IMG_3464?uh=8183f7a203336475f3aa5b35d56f599ee86d0294fdfd8b21cea50cbc30a299e2&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
I am the nurse coordinator for Dr. McIntosh's orthopedic service at the Dallas campus. I split my time between busy clinic days where I see patients with Dr. McIntosh, and time at my desk, helping to coordinate all aspects of patient care. The nurse coordinators are responsible for clinic work-up - making sure orders are in, collaborating with other teams, pre-op clearances, patient education and a triage of many patient calls. No day is ever the same.
What led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you been here?
I had a friend, who at the time was a nurse at Scottish Rite, that told me about the opening in ambulatory care. We had previously worked together, and she thought I might like it. I have done a variety of pediatric nursing jobs throughout my 36-year nursing career and once I visited Scottish Rite and met with the nursing director, I was hooked. I love the organization's mission of giving children their childhood back. I think it is special that Scottish Rite started by taking care of polio patients. My father, who is now deceased, had polio as a child and I wish he had a place like Scottish Rite where he grew up. I have been here for 12 years.
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
The teamwork and positive attitudes are amazing. I also love getting to know families, watching their kids grow up and having the ability to be a resource for them.
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/9e1fe337-bb49-4748-98ea-9f5e5e5780f6/k-dinger-RIC_8542.jpg?width=350&height=231&uh=e830dba6dc2080a3a8f8591b476c1effd484a1b47fecd5205b6532c338ebee93&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
When I was in high school, I worked at a daycare and also volunteered at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. My favorite part about volunteering at the hospital was when I was able to deliver flowers to patient rooms. Due to my dad’s experience with polio, he always had a high esteem for the nursing profession. With his encouragement, I decided to attend nursing school at TWU. During my college years, I continued to have summer jobs at Presbyterian Hospital. Following graduation from nursing school, my love of children led me to pediatrics. I also love the teaching aspect of nursing and pediatrics was the perfect fit for me.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my family - husband, two sons, one daughter and two grandsons. I also enjoy yoga, Zumba, Bible study, cooking and listening to live music.
Three words to best describe you:
Caring, conscientious, good humored
What would you do if you were not doing this?
Not totally sure. I have always loved nursing and have never been sorry that I picked it for a career. Arranging flowers in a flower shop might be fun and relaxing.
What is the most adventurous think you’ve ever done?
My husband and I took a helicopter ride over the island of Kauai for our 30th wedding anniversary. We even flew down into a volcano.
I am the nurse coordinator for Dr. McIntosh's orthopedic service at the Dallas campus. I split my time between busy clinic days where I see patients with Dr. McIntosh, and time at my desk, helping to coordinate all aspects of patient care. The nurse coordinators are responsible for clinic work-up - making sure orders are in, collaborating with other teams, pre-op clearances, patient education and a triage of many patient calls. No day is ever the same.
What led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you been here?
I had a friend, who at the time was a nurse at Scottish Rite, that told me about the opening in ambulatory care. We had previously worked together, and she thought I might like it. I have done a variety of pediatric nursing jobs throughout my 36-year nursing career and once I visited Scottish Rite and met with the nursing director, I was hooked. I love the organization's mission of giving children their childhood back. I think it is special that Scottish Rite started by taking care of polio patients. My father, who is now deceased, had polio as a child and I wish he had a place like Scottish Rite where he grew up. I have been here for 12 years.
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
The teamwork and positive attitudes are amazing. I also love getting to know families, watching their kids grow up and having the ability to be a resource for them.
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/9e1fe337-bb49-4748-98ea-9f5e5e5780f6/k-dinger-RIC_8542.jpg?width=350&height=231&uh=e830dba6dc2080a3a8f8591b476c1effd484a1b47fecd5205b6532c338ebee93&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
When I was in high school, I worked at a daycare and also volunteered at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. My favorite part about volunteering at the hospital was when I was able to deliver flowers to patient rooms. Due to my dad’s experience with polio, he always had a high esteem for the nursing profession. With his encouragement, I decided to attend nursing school at TWU. During my college years, I continued to have summer jobs at Presbyterian Hospital. Following graduation from nursing school, my love of children led me to pediatrics. I also love the teaching aspect of nursing and pediatrics was the perfect fit for me.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my family - husband, two sons, one daughter and two grandsons. I also enjoy yoga, Zumba, Bible study, cooking and listening to live music.
Three words to best describe you:
Caring, conscientious, good humored
What would you do if you were not doing this?
Not totally sure. I have always loved nursing and have never been sorry that I picked it for a career. Arranging flowers in a flower shop might be fun and relaxing.
What is the most adventurous think you’ve ever done?
My husband and I took a helicopter ride over the island of Kauai for our 30th wedding anniversary. We even flew down into a volcano.