Dr. Kris Kuper, MD, FAAP, CPE

Media Releases

Serving children of all ages, Dr. Kuper is a personable, enthusiastic pediatrician, one who always goes the extra mile for families and colleagues. She enjoys patient-centered, full spectrum pediatric care, including attending deliveries and continuity of care if the child ever needs to be hospitalized. She works up complex medical problems in a detailed fashion, educates the patient/family on the diagnosis and treatment plan, and keeps meticulous, timely records so as to maximize efficiency and provide the optimal patient experience. For those patients who need to see a specialist, those thorough records then serve to assist the consultant to continue further treatment, after which time, Dr. Kuper enjoys co-managing the problem in her local community. She considers it a great way to stay current on best practices.

Her most recent position was as a straddle physician: working 50% time as a pediatrician and 50% as the Chief Medical Officer of Kaniksu Health Services in Sandpoint, Idaho. She had to go on medical leave in January of  2019 to address two serious medical conditions, with which she is still battling. She is not currently working but hopes to return when her health improves.

Academically, Dr. Kuper graduated with her medical degree from Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver, University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1993. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Minnesota in 1996.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), she attained board certification in pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) in 1996. The mission of the ABP is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

Subsequent to her medical education, Dr. Kuper pursued formal leadership training through: 

• The Studer Group in 2008;
• The Montana Medical Association, Physician Leadership Effectiveness Program in 2014;
• The American Association of Physician Leaders in 2016, culminating in becoming a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) in 2019;
• The Happy MD, Physician Burn-Out Certificate in 2020

Her Leadership Philosophy is based on the core values of:

–          Authenticity,

–          Integrity,

–          Emotionally Intelligent Communication,

–          Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Her Vision is to create a healthy organization where all employees are actively engaged in meaningful and fulfilling work.  All voices are heard, contributing and working synergistically at the top of their licenses to find new solutions. “Together, we strive toward becoming a highly reliable organization, and achieving the Quadruple Aim with a stable financial future.”

Her Leadership Style is a combination of Servant, Democratic, and Transformational Leadership.

On a more personal note, Dr. Kuper lives with her husband on their dream horse property in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Recommended Articles

• Cold vs. Allergy: How to Tell the Difference

  It is very common to assume that anyone with the sniffles is contagious. Very often, however, those sniffles are not linked to anything contagious at all--they can be related to other factors. The first thought of many individuals when they suffer from a runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, or...

• Influenza B: What You Need to Know

  Influenza Influenza, also commonly called as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by viruses, particularly influenza A or influenza B. These viruses usually infect the throat, nose, and lungs. Although the flu causes mild symptoms in most people, it can also cause severe...

• What Is Cyanosis and Why Does It Occur?

  IntroductionCyanosis is the medical term for a bluish discoloration of the skin, nails, toes, and mucous membranes. It is generally caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood. Normally, blood appears bright red when it is fully oxygenated. However, when blood does not have enough oxygen, it turns...

• What Are the Causes of Conjunctivitis?

  What is conjunctivitis?Conjunctivitis, also commonly called as “pink eye”, is an eye infection caused by either bacteria or viruses. You can also develop a "pink eye" if you are exposed to certain allergens that can irritate your eyes. When you have a pink eye, the conjunctiva of your eye is...

• Why Should I Breastfeed My Baby?

  Whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed a baby is one of the toughest choices that any expectant mothers and new parents have to make. Although the choice is personal, it is better to know a few pros and cons of each feeding method to help parents make the best choice for their babies.It is highly...

• What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

  This mild viral disease most commonly seen in children is caused by enterovirus. Hand, foot, and mouth disease may happen in adults as well. It is characterized by sores in the mouth, hands, and legs and usually lasts for a few weeks. The disease is more common during the summer and fall. This...