Dr. Kara Hartl is a highly accomplished individual with notable contributions to the medical field, particularly within ophthalmology, telemedicine, technological innovation, and global health. Educated at esteemed institutions Harvard University and University of California-San Diego Medical School, she further honed her skills at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute before going on to establish several key establishments in medicine. As an entrepreneurial visionary, Dr. Hartl founded a multi-specialty medical center in an underserved Alaskan community, showcasing her passion for equitable healthcare access. This commitment is further demonstrated in her efforts to raise ophthalmic medicine standards in Alaska to levels unprecedented within the state.

Leveraging the power of technology, Dr. Hartl founded Troy Medical, a novel telehealth company that provides long-term specialty medical care to remote areas through an innovative hybrid model, thereby setting a new standard for telemedicine in rural America. In addition, she has also launched Virtual Optix, a company at the forefront of using extended reality technologies to solve critical medical problems. Her philanthropic endeavors include the co-founding of the international nonprofit 'Gift of Sight', committed to curing blindness worldwide. Dr. Hartl's expertise, innovation, and endeavors have clearly established her as a leading figure in expanding quality healthcare access through novel means.