Karen Anne Yeh, Md

Karen Anne McKibben Yeh, 60, of Augusta, GA passed away on July 18,2023 after a brave and valiant battle with chronic lung disease.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Rev. Dr. Joe Bowden officiating. Interment will be private.

She was born on September 9, 1962 to Dr. Thomas Jui-ting Yeh and Doris McKibben Yeh in Augusta, Georgia. She grew up in Savannah, Georgia and graduated from Savannah Country Day School in 1980. She then went on to pursue dual bachelor of science degrees in biology and anthropology at Duke University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1984. She returned to Augusta to earn her medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia and graduated in 1988. She completed her general surgery residency at MCG as well before moving on to complete a surgical oncology fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. She returned home to Augusta for good in 1995 as an attending physician at the Medical College of Georgia for the surgical oncology service. Her dedication to the education of her medical students and residents was deeply rooted in the teaching she herself had received at the hands of the many physicians who taught her, whom she respected so deeply, and whom she was honored to call her colleagues. Over her 27 years in practice, Karen received numerous teaching awards and accolades from the medical students and residents she taught and by whom she was loved and respected.

In the midst of her academic career, she was blessed with the arrival of her two children, Katy Frost and Thomas. She transitioned to private practice so she could balance the demands of motherhood, medical practice and her patients. Despite her already full plate, Karen was committed to her additional roles as Chair of Piedmont Augusta Cancer Committee, a driving force behind and founder of Piedmont Augusta’s Cancer Survivorship Program, career long volunteer for the Miracle Mile Committee, passionate supporter of Augusta’s Relay for Life walk, and liaison for the American Cancer Society. With the support of what she always graciously referred to as “her village” of friends, family and even many of her patients, she made all the many things she did look effortless. She lived her life by her closely held belief that “every day is a gift.” She was the combined embodiment of fortitude, integrity, loyalty, grace, kindness, and selfless generosity – an understated hero who spread light wherever she went and gave joy to whomever she touched. She is survived by her two children Kathryn Frost (22) and Thomas (20), parents Thomas and Doris Yeh, brother Dr. Thomas Yeh, Jr., sister Dr. Jennifer Yeh (Daniel) and nephew Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to Miracle Mile Piedmont Augusta Foundation.

The family will receive friends at Platt’s Crawford Avenue Chapel on Friday afternoon, July 21, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM.