From Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Karl Ahlswede is a passionate Palliative Care Physician with more than three decades of experience in the healthcare industry. When he has time to himself in his busy life, Karl enjoys a number of pastimes. He likes to keep active physically and likes competing in ultramarathons. He’s also interested in bonsai plants as well as photography, the latter of which is a particular passion of his. Karl even has a photography site where he often shares his favorite photo of the week. 

In his career, Karl Ahlswede is an Attending Physician with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at the UPMC Susquehanna branch, where he’s been for nearly two years. He has previously worked in several roles, including Medical Director, Palliative Care Physician, ICU Intensivist, and Surgeon. Karl even spent time as the owner of Advance Care Planning, where for four years, he met with patients and their families to establish their goals and wishes for any future difficult medical procedures or developments. 

Throughout his career in healthcare, Karl Ahlswede has cultivated a number of skills from his work in Palliative Care, Surgery, Pharmacy, and Medical Directing. He has garnered recognition for his expertise in areas that include Informatics, healthcare management, clinical research, electronic health and medical records (EHR and EMR), critical care, healthcare consulting, advance care planning, patient safety and education, healthcare information technology, home care, and more. Karl also has experience in medicine, healthcare, medicare, surgery, ICU, hospitals, and palliative medicine.

Karl built the foundation of his career in academics and education, starting as a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1979. While enrolled, Karl Ahlswede was a member of the track and field team – continuing his love for aerobics and physical activity. He graduated from the university in 1984 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and enrolled that same year at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Karl served as an intern Pharmacy Student with the National Pharmaceutical Council for McNeil Pharmaceuticals and the United States Pharmacopoeia. He completed his research residency at the Jefferson Medical College Department of Surgery, his General Surgery Residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Department of Surgery, and his Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship for the Bryn Mawr Hospital. 

Learn more about Karl’s love for photography by visiting his blog page, and check out his advanced care planning website for information about palliative care!