DO YOU KNOW: Karen Lemacks Gadol

BIRTH DATE AND PLACE: January 1961, in Columbia.

RESIDENCE: Summerville.

OCCUPATIONS: Physician's assistant working part time at Lowcountry Women's Specialists in North Charleston and Summerville; a certified therapeutic laser therapist working part time with Dr. Jackie McKool at McKool Lifetime Chiropractic in West Ashley. I also work in medical product sales with my husband at Avanti Medical in Summerville.

FAMILY: Husband, William "Bill" Gadol; stepchildren, Billy, Heather and Sarah; and Bayside, my 15-year-old calico cat.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in physician assisting from the Medical University of South Carolina; Bachelor of Arts in business administration from the College of Charleston.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Helping people lead healthier lives and instilling hope no matter what the situation.

MOST FULFILLING ASPECT OF MY JOB: Helping people with the most personal aspects of their health; helping them get out of physical pain and helping doctors do the same through the sales component of my job.

MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF MY JOB: Restrictions placed by insurance companies, and trying to help people who do not want to help themselves.

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: Faithful, honest, hard-working, dedicated, focused.

TALENTS/HOBBIES: Scuba diving, staying fit and healthy, learning more about alternative/natural medicine.

AN UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT IN MY LIFE: I served as an honorary commander with the Charleston Air Force Base, assigned to a medical squadron. A few weeks ago, I was in the cockpit of a C-17 during a midair refueling exercise.

ON TV, I WATCH: Discovery Health, HGTV and "Glenn Beck."

FAVORITE BOOK: The Bible.

FIRST JOB: McDonald's. Hard to believe this die-hard fast-food opponent sold burgers and fries.

FAVORITE LOCAL PLACE TO EAT: Mustard Seed because they offer fresh, healthy, vegetarian options.

SOMETHING IMPORTANT LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME: None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Live ready to leave this world today.

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF WHICH I AM MOST PROUD: Completing three marathons (Honolulu, Nashville, San Diego).

DREAM VACATION: Any place with blue water offering 100-foot visibility for diving.

FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX OR DE-STRESS: Sitting on our back porch on a rainy afternoon with a good book, a cup of tea and my cat in my lap.

PERSON I ADMIRE THE MOST, AND WHY: My mom, Betty Lemacks. She can do anything and is always willing and available to help. She is always positive, her glass is always half-full and she shares her joy and love with every person she encounters. I love her!

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE: A "Solid Gold" dancer.

PHILOSOPHY ON LIFE: Don't let the sun go down on your anger.

-- Edward C. Fennell