Entrepreneur Award | Dr. Jennifer Harader

Dr. Jennifer Harader is a Kansas native who grew up in western Kansas, graduated from Colby High School, then Ottawa University with a double BS in Chemistry and Biology. She studied medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at The Washington Hospital, Washington, PA, where she served as Chief Resident. She worked as an employed Family Medicine physician for over 7 years before co-founding Oasis Family Medicine Associates, LLC in 2015 with her business partner, Holly Cobb, APRN-C. Oasis Family Medicine is Topeka’s first Direct Primary Care clinic, bringing a unique payment model to the healthcare system in Topeka. Direct Primary Care (DPC) has allowed her to practice the way she feels medicine should be, making things better for her community as well as for her own professional life. DPC has also allowed her to enjoy more of her leisure activities – family, reading, gardening, church, traveling and cooking. 

Dr. Harader is married to Matt, who also works at Oasis, and she has two fabulous boys Jackson, 12, and Blake, 9.

TK Business Q&A

TK: Who has had a tremendous impact on you? How did this person impact your life?
JENNIFER: My husband and sons have had the most tremendous impact on me. As any parent knows, family changes your life in myriad ways but the biggest impact of parenthood for me was adding the great responsibility of raising good humans. I want to show them through my actions how to be a good citizen of the world.                                                                                                                   

TK: What inspires you?
JENNIFER: I want my kids to see someone who works hard, has empathy and serves others. At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back and know I did my best with the gifts that were given to me. 

What advice do you have for others?
JENNIFER: I have learned that in running a business, just like in medicine, it is important to know what you don’t know, and use your resources to learn it.  Don’t get discouraged when people look at you like you are crazy, if you are sure what you are doing is the right path for your business.

What drives your commitment for the health your patients? 
JENNIFER: The way our current mainstream healthcare system is set up leaves many individuals on the fringe, unable to access routine health care. In medicine, we know that regular follow up and unfractured care can lead to better outcomes for individuals, and that is what we work to provide at Oasis Family Medicine. 

TK: If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and why?
JENNIFER: I would ask John Williams to dinner. He is one of the most prolific composers of modern movie soundtracks and his music is so inspiring to me. His classic themes have provided a kind of soundtrack for major events/times in my life as well.