Meet Our Staff
Tariq Abdelkarim M.D., FCCP,FAASM -President/CEO
Dr.Karim currently treats patients in the Coldwater location Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and Hillsdale on Thursday/Friday.
Dr. Karim completed his medical residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He completed an additional three years of fellowship (and is Board Certified) in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine (also at University of Missouri-Kansas City). Dr.Karim is Quadruple Board Certified in Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Internal medicine.
Dr. Karim has been providing medical care to the residents of Hillsdale and surrounding areas since 2004.
Dr.Karen Klein, M.D
Dr.Klein currently treats patients in the Coldwater Location every Monday/Tuesday and every other weekend
Dr.Klein started with Karim Healthcare in March of 2024.
Barry Strain, FNP
Barry currently treats patients in the Quincy Location Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Reading on Tuesday/Thursday as well as Hospital inpatient services in Coldwater, MI.
Barry started with Karim Healthcare in November of 2016. During his career, Major Strain served as a Hospital Corpsman in Camp Pendleton from 2003-2006. Deployed to Landstuhl, Germany, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 2007 changed service to the U.S Army at the rank of First Lieutenant. Served with the 322nd Med Co. from 2007-2013. Deployed to Iraq in 2009, participating in Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Conus duties included Physical Security officer from 2011-2013. Committee Chief for 1-334th B Co, Richmond, IN. Currently, Commanding officer of 1-3344th B Co. Milwaukee, WI. Civilian: FNP-C at Karim Healthcare in Coldwater, MI.
Military and Civilian education include: BOLC 2008, Fort Sam Houston, Physical Security Program, Ft Knox (2012), Family Nurse Practitioner, 2016, Simmons College, Boston, MA. Pediatric Advanced Life-support Instructor, 2012, Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI.
Awards Include: Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Navy Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Device.
Joanna Branham, PA-C
Joanna currently treats patients in our Cement City office Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Hillsdale office on Tuesday/Thursday.
Joanna started with Karim Healthcare in January of 2021. She was born and raised in Michigan Center. She graduated in 2017 from Detroit Mercy University with her Master degree and she is board certified as a Physician Assistant. She also has a Masters degree in Forensics and realized that she wanted to be a part of preventative care during this time. Joanna has worked in urology in the past and takes special interest in her current position with any urological conditions. She enjoys going on vacations, traveling abroad, family time, and enjoying the lake with her two rescued dogs, Jax and Beau, that keep her on her toes. She is excited to meet and grow a rapport with all her patients.
William “Bill” Leslie, FNP
Bill currently treats patients in our Jonesville Office on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Pittsford office on Tuesday/Thursday. He also provides Hospital Inpatient services in Coldwater, MI.
Bill started with Karim Healthcare in August of 2021. He was raised in Somerset Township, MI where he continues to raise 3 children with his wife Kelly. His educational background includes graduating from Spring Arbor University with a Masters Degree in nursing-FNP focus. Before that he brings with him over 9 years of Registered Nursing experience, mainly at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson. He also has past experience as a Fire Fighter, EMS and Paramedic. Bill has experience in caring for patients of all ages and he looks forward to building more relationships as he promotes greater health in the communities he is serving.
Betsy Cramer, FNP
Betsy currently treats patients in our Hillsdale office on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Litchfield office on Tuesday/Thursday. Betsy also provides Hospital Inpatient services in Coldwater, MI.
Betsy started with Karim Healthcare in October of 2024.
Betsy has been in healthcare as an ER/ICU nurse since 2004, most recently graduating from Spring Arbor University with a masters of science in nursing for family practice. She has two children who both graduated from Coldwater High School and she been married to her wonderful husband for 23 years. She is family focused and enjoys traveling and reading.
Penny Wallman, NP
Penny currently treats patients in the Bronson Office Monday-Friday and is in Sturgis every Thursday morning.
Penny started with Karim Healthcare in November of 2017. She was born in Sturgis, Michigan. She graduated from Burr Oak High School and studied at Glen Oaks Community College where she obtained her LPN in 1977. Penny went back to school in 1986 for her RN at Kellogg Community College. After graduation she worked for 30 years in the emergency room department acquiring advanced training in Adult and Pediatrics conditions.
In 2015 she began taking NP classes through South University of Savannah Georgia. Penny graduated in 2016 with a Masters in Nursing with Family Practice specialty.
Angela Ball, FNP
Angela currently treats patients in the Coldwater Office Every other Wednesday, Every Thursday and Friday, and Every other weekend.
Angela started with Karim Healthcare in May of 2023. She was born and raised in Northern Indiana. She graduated from Southwestern Michigan college with an Associates Degree and previously worked in a level 2 trauma center. She spent her time there working in Orthopedics and Neurosurgery before transitioning to Critical Care. During her time in Critical Care she became a preceptor and earned her advanced trauma certification. She then earned her Bachelors Degree during her time in critical care and then started her Masters Degree. She graduated in 2021 with her Masters of Science in Nursing. She then spent time working in Home Care and Addiction Medicine before joining Karim Healthcare in 2023. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and her huge puppy. She adores patients and loves getting to participate with their care.
Benjamin Marshall MSN, FNP-BC, CPHQ
Benjamin will be treating patients in the Coldwater Office every Monday and Tuesday, every other Wednesday and every other weekend beginning in February 2025.
Benjamin Marshall is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals and families across all stages of life. He graduated from Western Michigan University as a nurse and Purdue University Global as a nurse practitioner. With a strong background in management of chronic medical conditions, Ben is dedicated to continuous education and implementation of the latest research and best practices to treat conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Ben worked as a float nurse for the Battle Creek VA Medical Center delivering care to veterans while serving as a clinical instructor for Western Michigan University’s nursing program. He has joined Karim Healthcare as a primary care provider and continues to round in skilled nursing facilities in the local community.