Karen Vargo, MD
Additional Locations
Treatment & Services
- Adolescent Development
- Adolescent Health
- Adolescent Issues
- Care for Children with Disabilities
- Child Development
- Childrens Primary Care
- Contraception
- General Adolescent Care
- General Pediatric And Adolescent Medicine
- Menstruation
- Newborn Care
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Pediatrician
- Pediatrics
- Preventive Pediatrics
- Primary Care Pediatrics
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Abdominal Pain
- Acanthosis Nigricans
- Achalasia
- Acne
- Allergies
- Amenorrhea
- Anemia
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism
- Back Pain in Athletes
- Birth Defects
- Bronchitis
- Burns
- Cellulitis
- Chickenpox
- Cold Sores
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Croup
- Cushing's Syndrome
- Dermatitis
- Dermatitis - Contact
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Dry Skin/Itchy Skin
- Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
- Eczema
- Egg Allergy
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Fish Allergy
- Flatfoot in Children
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
- Growth Failure in Children with Kidney Disease
- Hay Fever
- Head Lice
- Headaches, Children
- Hemorrhoids
- High Cholesterol
- Hives (Urticaria)
- Influenza (Flu)
- Insect Sting Allergies
- Latex Allergy
- Lead Poisoning
- Learning Disabilities
- Liver Disease
- Malrotation
- Measles
- Medication Allergies
- Menstrual Disorders
- Microcephaly in Children
- Middle Ear Infection
- Migraine Headaches
- Milk Allergies
- Nausea
- Nosebleed
- Obesity
- Overuse Syndrome
- Pediatric Allergies
- Pediatric Bronchiolitis
- Pediatric Cellulitis
- Pediatric Constipation
- Pediatric Croup
- Pediatric Dehydration
- Pediatric Disorders
- Pediatric Hearing Loss
- Pediatric Hydrocele | Hernia
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Knee Injuries
- Pediatric Knee Pain
- Pediatric Neonatal Disorders
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Pinworms
- Pneumonia
- Primary Care
- Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- Respiratory Illness
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Ringworm
- Rotavirus
- Scabies
- Shingles (Varicella-Zoster Virus)
- Skin Problems in Children
- Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- Strep Throat
- Sunburn
- Swallowing Disorders
- Tension Headaches
- The Poison Plants: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
- Tick Bites
- Tonsillitis
- Treating Heartburn with Surgery
- Trichinosis Overview
- Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Vaginal Discharge
- Warts
- Yeast Infections
Insurance
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View All PlansAbout Karen Vargo, MD
Karen S. Vargo, MD, is Staff Pediatrician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Department of General Pediatrics. In addition to her clinical appointment, Dr. Vargo is actively involved with Cleveland Clinic’s Fit Youth Family Weight Management Program, which is a 12-week family weight management program for parents and their children ages 7 to 18. It is designed to help families embrace healthier eating habits, improve fitness, and better manage stress.
Dr. Vargo is board certified in general pediatrics as well as adolescent medicine. She completed an undergraduate degree in nursing at The Ohio State University in Columbus, and she earned her medical degree from Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. Her post-graduate training includes a pediatric internship and residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Vargo is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Society for Adolescent Medicine, and the Academy for Eating Disorders. She has contributed research abstracts and presentations at a number of professional association meetings.
Her specialty interests include adolescent medicine, menstrual disorders, eating disorders, obesity, acne and other dermatologic problems.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
1999
Education & Fellowships
Residency - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pediatrics
Pittsburgh,
PA USA
1990
Internship - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pediatrics
Pittsburgh,
PA USA
1988
Medical Education - Medical College of Ohio at Toledo
Toledo,
OH USA
1987
Undergraduate - The Ohio State University
Columbus,
OH USA
1979
Certifications
- Pediatrics
- Pediatrics - Adolescent Medicine
Specialty Interests
General pediatrics, newborn care, adolescent medicine, menstrual disorders, acne, dermatologic problems, infectious diseases, respiratory infections, obesity, eating disorders
Awards & Honors
- Top Physicians, Cleveland magazine
Research & Publications
See publications for Karen Vargo, MD.
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.
To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.
As of 10/27/2020, Dr. Vargo has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
72 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.
| Overall | Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.8 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.9 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.9 |
26 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Apr 5, 2021
*Dr. Vargo was professional & kind - she let us know what she was going to do, before doing it, and she checked frequently during the procedure that my daughter was OK.
Reviewed on Mar 26, 2021
Dr. Vargo is always thorough and takes time to listen. My shy daughter said that although Dr. Vargo asks a lot of questions, she always feels comfortable responding. She attributed this to Dr. Vargo's tone and demeanor.
Reviewed on Mar 2, 2021
I went to *Dr. Vargo which is why I bring Isabelle to her. She's great.
Reviewed on Mar 1, 2021
our newborn had a very cold temperature at her initial visit and the degree to which everyone in the office from the nursing assistants to nurses and doctor helped to try to warm her and coordinate care with her going to the ER was exceptional
Reviewed on Feb 3, 2021
customer care and providers are wonderful but there's a long process just to connect to person or department you want to reach
Reviewed on Jan 5, 2021
we are fortunate to have Dr karen Vargo as a pediatrician for my kids. She is competent, empathetic and compassion. We appreciate her care.
Reviewed on Jan 4, 2021
I'm so happy that you have a good services and a good doctors ,especially doctor Karen vargo who my kids love her a lot.
Reviewed on Dec 4, 2020
Dr. Vargo has been very easy to work with.
Reviewed on Oct 23, 2020
Phenomenal dr. - great communication really cares.
Reviewed on Oct 20, 2020
Dr. Vargo is amazing- for every appointment!
Reviewed on Oct 16, 2020
LOVE Dr. Vargo, Ginger, Mary & clinical staff!Personable and professional!
Reviewed on Oct 9, 2020
*Dr. Vargo is very professional, thorough, friendly & an amazing pediatrician. She has GREAT communication skills which is extremely important for parents & explains everything clearly & easy to understand!
Reviewed on Sep 29, 2020
Dr. Vargo is THE BEST!!!
Reviewed on Sep 28, 2020
Absolutely love Dr. Vargo!!!!
Reviewed on Sep 8, 2020
Dr. Vargo is always so caring and attentive to my daughter since she was a baby and now a teenager.
Reviewed on Sep 1, 2020
Dr. Vargo gets to know my sons and is a very good listener.
Reviewed on Aug 24, 2020
Appreciate *Dr. Vargo and all nurses at pediatrician in Cleveland Clinic Strongsville.
Reviewed on Aug 18, 2020
Dr. Vargo is exceptional and her whole team is awesome as well. She takes her time to speak to parent and the kid. you never feel rushed with her.
Reviewed on Aug 18, 2020
dr vargo is the best.
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2020
Dr. Vargo is wonderful and she also remembers details about her patients like what instruments they play and she can engage on a personal level with each family and also listens genuinely to any parent concenrs. Always a wonderful experience!
Reviewed on Jul 28, 2020
We could not be happier with the care we have received from Dr. Vargo.
Reviewed on Jul 27, 2020
ability of getting an appointment to Dr. Vargo for when I wanted is pretty hard because she's always booked. that's why I try to make the appointment months ahead for the kid's well care visit so she can see them at least once a year.
Reviewed on Jul 27, 2020
my children love Dr. Vargo. they grew up with her. my 20 year olds started seeing her when they were 3 years old I think
Reviewed on Jul 27, 2020
ease of getting the care has always been excellent if you're okay on being seen by other providers but if you prefer a specific doctor for example Dr. Vargo, it won't be easy because she's always booked months ahead. but I'm okay on seeing other providers especially if my child is sick and I need urgent care
Reviewed on Jun 30, 2020
Dr Vargo took the time to talk to wyatt, fully examine him, determine he had swimmers ear and prescribe the proper care. Dr. Vargo was very kind and patient as always. it was almost like being there in person. she even got to meet our pets! The use of a zoom visit relieved our anxiety about going to the physical office.
Reviewed on Jun 12, 2020
my daughter loves Dr. Vargo. she is knowledgable and cares about our well being.