Karen Hallmark, MD

OB/GYN

"The mark of a civilized society is the care it affords its mothers and newborns." It is with this philosophy of care that Dr. Karen Hallmark meets and cares for each patient. Underscoring that thought, she is proud to be a part of a group with such integrity and high standards of patient care. Dr. Hallmark believes Mount Pleasant OB/GYN is truly a special place where the entire team contributes greatly to the care of every patient.

Dr. Hallmark grew up in the Charleston area where she earned her undergraduate degree at the College of Charleston, with a BS in Psychology. While working as a social worker at Charleston Memorial Hospital, surgeons she worked with encouraged her to pursue Medical School at MUSC. She then did her internship and residency at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and stayed in Pennsylvania to continue in private practice for the following nine years.

After some time, Dr. Hallmark and her husband, Clayton Hallmark, decided to return with their children to Mount Pleasant in 1999 so that their children could grow up near family. Dr. Hallmark finds particular joy in seeing all of the kids who were part of the Snee Farm Swim Team, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Youth Group, and Wando High School Band with her kids now becoming responsible adults with growing families. She finds particular joy in her own children, a son and a daughter, living close by with their own families. Dr. Hallmark is also pleased to be back in the Charleston area where she sees so many patients with whom she was raised, went to school, or shared mom experiences. Dr. Hallmark is truly an asset to Mount Pleasant OB/GYN and is excited to accept new patients as part of East Cooper Medical Group.

Services or expertise

  • General gynecologic
  • Complicated laparoscopic procedures
  • Pelvic floor procedures
  • Hormonal issues
  • Complicated pregnancies

Education

  • Internship and Residency at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 1987-1991
  • MD from Medical University of South Carolina, 1987
  • BS in Psychology from College of Charleston, 1981
  • Graduated from Summerville High School, 1977

Certification

  • Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology 1991-present
  • Licensed physician in Pennsylvania 1987-1999
  • Licensed Physician in South Carolina 1999-present

Honors

  • Roper Saint Francis Physician Partners
  • Five Star Excellence Overall Quality of Doctor’s Care (2011-2019)
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Psychiatry Core Honors
  • Family Medicine Core Honors
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Core Honors
  • MUSC Gives Back Volunteer Award
  • Gold Humanism Society Nominee
  • College of Charleston
  • Presidential Honors Scholarship
  • South Carolina Life Scholarship
  • W. James Briston Endowed Scholarship
  • Anne Marie Kathryn White Memorial Scholarship
  • Highly Distinguished Faculty Honor’s List
  • Graduation Marshall

Presentations/Research

  • Predictors of Successful Induction in Nulliparous Patients at Term, research at Medical University of South Carolina 2006-2009.
  • Vitamin D Levels in Lactating Mothers’ Breast Milk as a Function of Skin Pigmentation, Bachelor’s Essay College of Charleston 2001/2002. Advisors Carol Wagner, MD, Medical University of South Carolina; Bruce Hollis, PhD, Medical University of South Carolina; James Smiley, PhD, College of Charleston.

Professional Organizations

  • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists
  • The Medical Society of South Carolina
  • South Carolina Medical Association
  • Roper Saint Francis Xavier Society
  • Residency at Medical University of South Carolina
  • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists
  • American Medical Association
  • South Carolina Medical Association
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • American Medical Association
  • America Medical Women’s Association
  • South Carolina Medical Student Association
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group
  • Family Medicine Interest Group
  • Pediatric Student Interest Group
  • Emergency Medicine Interest Group
  • Class Volunteer Organizing Committee
  • College of Charleston
  • Golden Key National Honors Society
  • National Collegiate Scholars
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society