Lydia Karlsson, MD

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is pleased to recognize Lydia Karlsson, MD, recent graduate and administrative chief resident of The Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Center Family and Community Medicine Residency Program, as the recipient of the 2026 Resident Leadership Award. Dr. Karlsson has spent her training redefining what it means to lead in family medicine; not from a position of authority, but through service, mentorship, and a relentless drive to improve the systems around her.

Dr. Karlsson’s path to medicine began at OSU, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences before entering the university’s Primary Care Track, an accelerated medical school program. As the first physician in her family, she has spoken openly about the uncertainty she felt early on and the mentors who invested in her along the way. That experience, she says, instilled a lasting sense of responsibility to do the same for others.

That responsibility has defined her residency. As Administrative Chief Resident, Dr. Karlsson managed the program’s academic scheduling, resolved conflicts, and served as the primary liaison between residents and program leadership. Colleagues describe her as a calm, trusted presence who leads with humility rather than authority.

“While her accomplishments are numerous and impressive, what truly sets Dr. Karlsson apart is her personality and energy,” explained Colleen Reidy, DO. “She brings positivity, encouragement, and optimism to every environment she is part of.”

Her leadership footprint extends well beyond administrative duties. Dr. Karlsson co-lead her program’s Social Media and Recruitment Committee, represented the residency at national conferences, and helped shape recruitment events aimed at building a more diverse family medicine workforce. She also served on the Resident Advisory Committee and, at the national level, contributed to the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine’s Competency-Based Medical Education Task Force, where she helped create an AI-assisted individualized learning plan tool now used to support resident goal-setting.

Dr. Karlsson is also a builder of curriculum. She developed a Lifestyle Medicine elective and a Sexual Health and Pelvic Pain elective, both now part of her program’s regular offerings, and designed a six-month faculty development longitudinal curriculum for senior residents interested in academic medicine. She advanced that project further through a competitive fellowship with the Harvard Macy Institute’s program for future academic clinician-educators. Looking ahead, she hopes to help establish a formal Faculty Development Fellowship at OSU to prepare future family medicine faculty as both physicians and educators.

Her commitment to teaching has been formally recognized, as well. Dr. Karlsson received the Outstanding House Staff Teaching Award from the OSU College of Medicine’s Class of 2025, an honor voted on by medical students themselves. She has also led several quality improvement initiatives, including efforts to expand lifestyle medicine access for new mothers, improve postpartum visit completion rates, and strengthen stroke care protocols on the inpatient service; work that has translated into measurable gains in both patient outcomes and resident confidence.

“At the heart of all of this work is a simple belief: meaningful care and meaningful teaching are inseparable, and that both require the same quality of leadership—one that listens, empowers, and stays endlessly curious,” said Dr. Karlsson.

The OAFP congratulates Dr. Karlsson on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to her continued contributions to family medicine in Ohio and beyond.

To learn more about the Family Physician of the Year award, please visit the OAFP website.

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide, professional association with more than 4,400 members, including practicing physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, and every disease entity. Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family. For more information, visit the OAFP website.

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