Katherine M. Fitting, MD FACP

Dr. Fitting has been practicing medicine since 1987 – the first 17 years in the specialty of Nephrology (kidney disease) in Denver; and since 2003 in General Internal Medicine in Fairplay, Colorado.  She grew up in Denver, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School and Colorado College.  She received her medical training at the University of Tennessee; internship and residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; and fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Michigan.  While in Denver, Dr. Fitting was the Medical Director of the Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Program at Presbyterian – St. Luke’s Hospital.  Additionally she served as the Associate Medical Director of the Internal Medicine Training Program and as Chief of Staff at Presbyterian – St Luke’s.  In 2003 Dr. Fitting and her husband Dale moved to Fairplay, and became the only practicing physician in Park County.  Working closely with the not for profit organization, Rocky Mountain Rural Health, she is dedicated to providing high quality health care to this severely underserved area.

For more information regarding Dr. Fitting’s credentials please click on Curriculum Vitae link.

What is Internal Medicine?

Internal Medicine is the specialty which provides medical care to adults.  Physicians in the specialty deal with complex medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), chronic kidney disease, gastro intestinal diseases, and infectious illnesses.  A large part of an Internist job is educating their patients on how to maintain good health through diet and exercise, screening and identification of illness, and regular physical exams for men and women.  Emotional health is also a focus of Internal Medicine; helping patients deal with anxiety, depression, stress and disability.  As primary care providers, Internists help coordinate referrals to specialists such as surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists (lung disease), and oncologists (cancer) when needed by their patients.  South Park Medical Group is proud to offer all of these services to the residents of Park County as well as to visitors to the area.

What is F.A.C.P.?

F.A.C.P. stands for Fellow of the American College of Physicians.  It is an honor awarded to physicians in the field of Internal Medicine who have demonstrated excellence in their practice of medicine, dedication to lifelong learning, and contributions to their communities.

What is Nephrology?

Nephrology is the specialty dealing with kidney disease.  Nephrologists diagnose and treat diseases of the kidney and diseases that affect the kidney.  Conditions such as lupus, hypertension, diabetes and others have major impacts on kidney function.  Early diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease can often result in prevention of failure.  If a patient does develop kidney failure the nephrologists arranges for dialysis treatments or kidney transplant.  A Nephrologist has board certification in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology which requires at least six years of additional training after graduation from medical school.