Karen M. Gunning
Rating: 5.0 of 5
( out of 21 reviews )

Karen M. Gunning, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, FCCP

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Sugar House Health Center

1280 E. Stringham Avenue
Salt Lake City , UT 84106
801-581-2000
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  • Dr Gunning received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Utah and completed a postgraduate residency in Family Medicine at the University of Washington. She is a Professor (Clinical) of Pharmacotherapy, Associate Dean of Community Engagement, Adjunct Professor of Family & Preventive Medicine, and clinical pharmacist for the Family Medicine Residency Program at University of Utah Health. Dr Gunning has received the College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award three times, and Specialty Teacher of the Year for the Family Medicine Residency Program twice; as well as receiving the Utah Society for Health System Pharmacist of the Year Award. In 2016, she received the University of Utah Distinguished Teaching award.

    As a clinical pharmacist working directly with the Family Medicine Care team at the Sugarhouse Clinic, Dr Gunning has interests in broad areas in family medicine drug therapy; with special interest in the care of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; and in managing drug therapy for contraception, menopause, osteoporosis and gender related health issues.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties
    Board of Pharmacy Specialties (Sub: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy)

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 5.0 out of 5
    5.0 /5
    ( out of 21 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    October 22, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    I really liked talking to her. She answered all my concerns .

    October 05, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Gunning is an excellent example of the great people at the University of Utah in Sugar House.! she works with Dr. Sullivan and between the two keep me on the right track! I've never had better care!

    August 31, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Without Dr. Gunning, my sugar would be out of control! I cannot tell you how muchshe has helped me ! She is so positive and everybody around her benefits from her positivity! Thank you, Dr. Gunning

    August 17, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Gunning is very knowledgeable, professional, caring, and personable. She was very thorough and helpful during the appointment. She made me feel valued as a patient.

    April 20, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very thorough and easy to understand - better so than my physician

    April 19, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    She rocks! No, she rules! No, she rocks!

    April 13, 2025
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    If anybody gets a chance to work with Dr. Denning, take it, take that time and find out how much better your life will be with diabetes. She is awesome.

    November 03, 2024
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Gunnison helps me more than you'll ever know! She puts me on the right track helps me know the wrong track and it's just a lovely person to work with! Everyone should be so lucky to have a doctor Gunnison!!!

    July 13, 2024
    SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    As I said, I would not be in this better health if it were not for Karen and Dr. Sullivan!!!

  • Dr Gunning received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Utah and completed a postgraduate residency in Family Medicine at the University of Washington. She is a Professor (Clinical) of Pharmacotherapy, Associate Dean of Community Engagement, Adjunct Professor of Family & Preventive Medicine, and clinical pharmacist for the Family Medicine Residency Program at University of Utah Health. Dr Gunning has received the College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award three times, and Specialty Teacher of the Year for the Family Medicine Residency Program twice; as well as receiving the Utah Society for Health System Pharmacist of the Year Award. In 2016, she received the University of Utah Distinguished Teaching award.

    As a clinical pharmacist working directly with the Family Medicine Care team at the Sugarhouse Clinic, Dr Gunning has interests in broad areas in family medicine drug therapy; with special interest in the care of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; and in managing drug therapy for contraception, menopause, osteoporosis and gender related health issues.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Pharmacotherapy -Professor (Clinical)
    Family & Preventive Medicine -Adjunct Professor
    Board Certification
    Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties
    Board of Pharmacy Specialties (Sub: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy)

    Education history

    Residency Family Medicine/Primary Care Pharmacy - University of Washington, Departments of Pharmacy and Family Medicine Resident
    Doctoral Training Pharmacy - University of Utah Pharm.D.
    Undergraduate Pharmacy - Oregon State University B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. McAdam-Marx C, Tak C, Petigara T, Jones NW, Yoo M, Briley MS, Gunning K, Gren L (2019). Impact of a guideline-based best practice alert on pneumococcal vaccination rates in adults in a primary care setting. BMC Health Serv Res, 19(1), 474. (Read full publication)
    2. Gunning K, Kiraly B, Pippitt K (2019). Lice and Scabies: Treatment Update. Am Fam Physician, 99(10), 635-642. (Read full publication)
    3. Trovato A, Gunning K, Pippitt K (2017). Vaccination Rates in Patients With Medical Indications for the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in a Family Medicine Clinic. J Pharm Pract, 32(2), 154-157. (Read full publication)
    4. Tak CR, Gunning K, Kim J, Sherwin CM, Ruble JH, Nickman NA, Biskupiak JE (2018). The effect of a prescription order requirement for pharmacist-administered vaccination on herpes zoster vaccination rates. Vaccine, 37(4), 631-636. (Read full publication)
    5. Tak CR, Kessler LT, Scott MA, Gunning KM (2019). Pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception: A review of the current landscape. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), 59(5), 633-641. (Read full publication)
    6. Westberg SM, Beatty SJ, Corona AR, Deines S, Gunning KM, Gurgle HE, Holtan HS, Marciniak MW, McConnell KJ, McGivney MAS, Patel RJ (2017). Residency pathways to ambulatory care practice: Essential insights for students, residents, and educators. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), 58(4), 372-376. (Read full publication)
    7. Cox N, Tak CR, Cochella SE, Leishman E, Gunning K (2017). Impact of Pharmacist Previsit Input to Providers on Chronic Opioid Prescribing Safety. J Am Board Fam Med, 31(1), 105-112. (Read full publication)
    8. Brown K, Fortenberry K, Gren L, Gunning K, McAdam-Marx C (2017). Achievement of Adequate Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Comorbid Mental Health Conditions Treated in a Primary Care Setting. Diabetes Spectr, 30(4), 277-287. (Read full publication)
    9. Nyman H, Pippitt K, Hansen A, Gunning K (2016). Bone disease in patients with kidney disease: A tricky interplay. J Fam Pract, 65(9), 606-12. (Read full publication)
    10. McAdam-Marx C, Dahal A, Jennings B, Singhal M, Gunning K (2015). The effect of a diabetes collaborative care management program on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Manag Care Spec Pharm, 21(6), 452-68. (Read full publication)
    11. Unni S, Yao Y, Milne N, Gunning K, Curtis JR, LaFleur J (2014). An evaluation of clinical risk factors for estimating fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporosis using an electronic medical record database. Osteoporos Int, 26(2), 581-7. (Read full publication)
    12. Farrell TW, Tomoaia-Cotisel A, Scammon DL, Brunisholz K, Kim J, Day J, Gren LH, Wallace S, Gunning K, Tabler J, Magill MK (2015). Impact of an integrated transition management program in primary care on hospital readmissions. J Healthc Qual, 37(1), 81-92. (Read full publication)
    13. Robinson M, Gunning K, Pippitt K, McAdam-Marx C, Jennings BT (2013). Team-based approach to addressing simvastatin safety concerns. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), 53(5), 539-44. (Read full publication)
    14. Gunning K, Pippitt K, Kiraly B, Sayler M (2012). Pediculosis and scabies: treatment update. Am Fam Physician, 86(6), 535-41. (Read full publication)
    15. Saffel-Shrier S, Gunning K, Van Hala S, Farrell T, Lehmann W, Egger M, Miniclier N (2012). Residency redesign to accommodate trends in geriatrics: an RC-FM variance to establish a patient-centered medical home in an assisted living facility. Fam Med, 44(2), 128-31. (Read full publication)
    16. American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Cheang KI, Ott C, Garner S, Campbell H, Hansen L, Ma Q, Nazeri E, Gunning K, Wermeling D (2008). Research in women and special populations. Pharmacotherapy, 28(9), 1203. (Read full publication)
    17. Kiraly B, Gunning K, Leiser J (2008). Primary care issues in patients with mental illness. Am Fam Physician, 78(3), 355-62. (Read full publication)
    18. American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Hatton RC, Chavez ML, Jackson E, Maurey J, Barriere SL, Couchenour R, Evens RP, Gunning K, Hume AL, Hutchison LC, Matzke GR, Noviasky JA, Rospond RM, Kelloway JS, Stevenson JG, Vanderveen RP, Verme-Gibboney CN, Walters D (2008). Pharmacists and industry: guidelines for ethical interactions. Pharmacotherapy, 28(3), 410-20. (Read full publication)
    19. Kiraly B, Gunning K (2009). A case of pancreatitis associated with aripiprazole in the absence of hyperglycemia. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry, 10(6), 484-5. (Read full publication)
    20. LaFleur J, McBeth C, Gunning K, Oderda L, Steinvoort C, Oderda GM (2007). Prevalence of drug-related problems and cost-savings opportunities in medicaid high utilizers identified by a pharmacist-run drug regimen review center. J Manag Care Pharm, 12(8), 677-85. (Read full publication)
    21. Magill MK, Gunning K, Saffel-Shrier S, Gay C (2003). New developments in the management of hypertension. Am Fam Physician, 68(5), 853-8. (Read full publication)
    22. Prunuske J, Cochella S, Gunning K (2003). Is single-dose levonorgestrel as effective as other emergency contraception regimens? J Fam Pract, 52(4), 268, 271-2. (Read full publication)
    23. Campbell BG, Ketchell D, Gunning K (2003). Clinical inquiries. Do calcium supplements prevent postmenopausal osteoporotic fractures? J Fam Pract, 52(3), 234, 237. (Read full publication)

    Letter

    1. Pippitt K, Gunning K, Traylor K (2016). Re: The Diversity of Providers on the Family Medicine Team. [Letter to the editor]. J Am Board Fam Med, 29(3), 424. (Read full publication)
    2. Pippitt K, Gunning K (2014). Lidocaine for Pain Control During IUD Placement. [Letter to the editor]. Am Fam Physician, 90(9), 612. (Read full publication)
    3. Kiraly B, Gunning K, Pippitt K (2013). Additional techniques for diagnosing scabies. In reply. [Letter to the editor]. Am Fam Physician, 87(8), 536. (Read full publication)

    Other

    1. Nyman H, Pippitt K, Hansen A, Gunning K (2017). Erratum. J Fam Pract (65(11), pp. 754-756). United States. (Read full publication)