Karin VanBaak, MD

Assistant Adjoint Professor, Orthopedics


FacultyPhoto
Medical School
  • MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine (2012)
Undergraduate School
  • BS, Calvin College (MI) (2008)
Internship
  • University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program
Residency
  • University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program, Chief Resident, Family Medicine (2015)
Fellowships
  • University of Minnesota Program, Sports Medicine (2016)
  • University of Minnesota Program, Faculty Development Fellowship (2016)
Department
Orthopedics

Professional Titles

  • Sports Medicine Fellowship Associate Program Director
  • Family Physician - Boulder Health Center
  • Team Physician - University of Colorado Boulder

Research Interests

Bone health in athletes, womens' health sports medicine, care of endurance athletes.

Publications

  • Weinstein S, Khodaee M, VanBaak K. Common Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019 Nov;18(11):394-400. PubMed PMID: 31702721
  • VanBaak KD, Nally LM, Finigan RT, Jurkiewicz CL, Burnier AM, Conrad BP, Khodaee M, Lipman GS. Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Management. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019 Dec;30(4S):S121-S140. PubMed PMID: 31753543
  • VanBaak K. Pelvic Fracture and Low Bone Density in a Long Distance Cyclist With a History of Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Podium Presentation. 6th Annual Congress in Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports., Cape Town, South Africa, October 11-13 2019.
  • Khodaee M, VanBaak K. Epidemiology of Cycling Related Injuries on the Roads and Highways Treated at United States Emergency Departments Between 2009 and 2018. Poster Presentation. 6th Annual Congress in Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports., Cape Town, South Africa, October 11-13 2019.
  • VanBaak K, Tirabassi J, Aerni G. Shoulder Conditions: Clavicle and Acromioclavicular Joint Conditions. FP Essent. 2020 Apr;491:27-32. PubMed PMID: 32315146
  • Khodaee M, Riederer M, VanBaak K, Hill JC. Ultraendurance athletes with type 1 diabetes: Leadville 100 experience. Wilderness Environ Med. 2015 Jun;26(2):273-5. PubMed PMID: 25676658
  • VanBaak K, Aerni G. Shoulder Conditions: Rotator Cuff Injuries and Bursitis. FP Essent. 2020 Apr;491:11-16. PubMed PMID: 32315143
  • Khodaee M, Riederer M, VanBaak K, Hill JC. In Reply to Dr Lankford. Wilderness Environ Med. 2015 Dec;26(4):589. PubMed PMID: 26432424
  • VanBaak K, Barrow W, Tirabassi J, Khodaee M. Recurrent finger swelling. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2015 Mar;15(1):109-10; quiz 111. PubMed PMID: 25730659
  • Khodaee M, Spittler J, VanBaak K, Changstrom BG, Hill JC. Effects of Running an Ultramarathon on Cardiac, Hematologic, and Metabolic Biomarkers. Int J Sports Med. 2015 Nov;36(11):867-71. PubMed PMID: 26134662
  • VanBaak K, Olson D. The Female Athlete Triad. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2016 Jan-Feb;15(1):7-8. PubMed PMID: 26745160
  • Khodaee M, Grothe HL, Seyfert JH, VanBaak K. Athletes at High Altitude. Sports Health. 2016 Mar-Apr;8(2):126-32. PubMed PMID: 26863894
  • VanBaak K, Aerni G. Shoulder Conditions: Rotator Cuff Injuries and Bursitis. FP Essent. 2020 Apr;491:11-16. PubMed PMID: 32315143
  • VanBaak K, Tirabassi J, Aerni G. Shoulder Conditions: Clavicle and Acromioclavicular Joint Conditions. FP Essent. 2020 Apr;491:27-32. PubMed PMID: 32315146
  • Khodaee M, Roy D, VanBaak K, Bafus BT. An unusual knee mass in a soccer player. Asian J Sports Med. 2014 Sep;5(3):e23187. PubMed PMID: 25520771
  • Armento A, VanBaak K, Seehusen CN, Sweeney EA, Wilson JC, Howell DR. Presence and Perceptions of Menstrual Dysfunction and Associated Quality of Life Measures Among High School Female Athletes. J Athl Train. 2021 Feb 24. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33626156
  • Goodrich JA, Frisco DJ, Kim S, VanBaak K, Holliday M, Rueda M, Poddar S, Byrnes WC. Iron Status and Homeostasis Across 2 Competitive Seasons in NCAA Division I Collegiate Cross-Country Runners Residing at Low Altitude. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022 Dec 1;17(12):1716-1724. PubMed PMID: 36343619
  • Armento AM, VanBaak KD, Seehusen CN, Howell DR. Differences in Training and Health Characteristics Between Trail Ultrarunners and Shorter Distance Runners. Wilderness Environ Med. 2023 Jun;34(2):182-186. PubMed PMID: 36764885

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), member
  • American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), member
  • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), member

Practice Locations

UCHealth Family Medicine Clinic - Boulder
5495 Arapahoe Avenue
UCHealth Boulder Health Center
Boulder, CO 80303
720-848-9200

CU Sports Medicine and Performance Center
2150 Stadium Drive
2nd Floor
Boulder, CO 80309
303-315-9900

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital
  • Denver Health Medical Center

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Family Medicine, Board Certification
  • Sports Medicine, Board Certification
Clinical Interests
My many clinical interests include primary care for all ages, sports medicine, pediatric care, women's health, care of endurance athletes, and care of female athletes.

Care Philosophy
As a primary care and sports medicine physician, I believe in caring for my patients as a whole person, in focusing on injury and illness prevention, and in working with a multidisciplinary care team. I am passionate about physical activity promotion and in keeping my patients active throughout their lifetime.