Accepting new patients

Kara Ester San Joaquin, M.P.H., M.S.N., AGACNP (she/her)

Accepting new patients

  • Instructor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine

Specialty

  • Cardiology

Locations and contact

I see patients at
Tall building with the ariel tram to its left
Center for Health & Healing, Building 1
503-494-8311
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OHSU Beaverton
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About me

Kara Ester San Joaquin is an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner who provides outpatient cardiovascular care to patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure and arrhythmia.

Kara strives to provide trauma-informed care, to help her patients feel respected and listened to, to answer their questions and to empower them to be active participants in their health care.

In her free time, she enjoys playing piano, going to concerts, traveling and drawing.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 2007, Washington University
    • M.P.H., 2009, University of Oklahoma College of Public Health
    • M.S.N., 2016, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

  • Certifications

    • American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2016

Memberships and associations:

  • American College of Cardiology
  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners
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Insurance

Before scheduling an appointment

  1. Check your network. If you have health insurance,  call your company to find out if the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is part of your network.
  2. Ask what you will pay. Your insurance company can tell you what your costs are likely to be.

If you schedule an appointment and your health insurance does not include OHSU Health, you may have to pay more than if you go to a provider in your insurance network. 

Visit our billing and insurance page for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 (173 Ratings, 74 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Professional, thorough, attentive, warm, empathetic

  2. This Dr like all Doctors time is constrained and tightly scheduled. She took time to focus on what I was there for, also patient and concise. I could clarify some symptoms better if I were able to, nut that is on me. I have another annual appointment coming soon and I can make that clarification then. I have "white coat syndrome" having had bad experiences an trauma related to past medical Interventions. The Dr did a good job of accommodating and reassuring me. She has a good bedside manner, relaxed and confidant without seeming arrogant. All the staff at OHSU have been very professional. I understand that medicine on some level Is a bit of a crapshoot, things can go well or very poorly. Medicine Is an evolving hypothesis, OHSU Is on the leading edge of medical science. It attracts and demands talented dedicated professional scientists and healers.

  3. She's got that rare combination of really knowing her field, and still listening and respecting the patient's input.

  4. Very knowledgeableVery good at explaining pertinent information

  5. Kara San Joaquin is kind, communicative, intelligent, and treats me like a person. She is a rare gem. She is also incredibly knowledgeable, not just about cardiac process, but other things that may affect it. I have complete trust in her abilities and feel very lucky to have found her.

  6. Very excellent

  7. Kara was very professional and thorough. Took time needed to answer all my questions.

  8. First time meeting with her-I was very pleased and would highly recommend her.

  9. She listens she investigates researches ask me questions. I love her to death!!!

  10. Very professional covered all the issues and gave us a recommendations.

  11. She was very knowledgeable and compassionate.

  12. Kara is wonderful, she takes time to address concerns about my health and explains diagnoses. She spends time talking with me and is not rushed.

  13. My cardiology nurse practitioner Kara is absolutely caring and amazing

  14. Outstanding follow up appointment. Although all the new was not good, the staff was outstanding in helping me understand the condition and how I can help myself!!!!

  15. She listened to me and explained things carefully. I felt like I mattered to her.

  16. A very good experience, good work by the whole team

  17. Kind efficient and professional.

  18. She is thorough

  19. Good communicator. I felt respected. Seemed confident and relaxed.

  20. Very happy with her.

  21. The NP was excellent, listened to my concerns, and responded effectively

  22. Outstanding professionalism and attention to my concerns.

  23. Karla was very knowledgeable and was very responsive to our questions.

  24. She is the best member of the cardiology staff!

  25. Excellent cardiologist! Very caring and intelligent

  26. She always hears my needs. :-)

  27. Listened to concerns and experiences. Provided good support

  28. Easy to talk to-listen well & answering questions

  29. Very professional and excellent knowledge regarding her area

  30. Loved talking with Kara. It felt like she spent a lot of time with me and was extremely caring and thorough. Took my issues seriously!