Olympic gold medalist and physician Eric Heiden found love and professional synergy with fellow medical expert Karen Heiden at university.
Eric Heiden (born 1958) is a multi-talented American athlete turned physician who achieved extraordinary success in both sports and medicine.
His most notable accomplishment was winning all five individual speed skating gold medals at the 1980 Winter Olympics – a feat no one else has matched. He set four Olympic records and one world record during those games, winning more medals individually than most nations did in total.
In speed skating, he dominated both sprint and long-distance events, winning multiple World Championships and breaking several world records.
He held the top ranking in long-track speed skating for over 1,400 days and remained the only athlete to win the prestigious Oscar Mathisen Award four times.
After retiring from speed skating, Heiden transitioned to professional cycling.
Following his athletic career, Heiden pursued medicine at Stanford University. He became an orthopedic surgeon and has served as a team physician for various professional sports teams.
He currently practices sports medicine in Utah and has co-authored a book on exercise science.
Eric Heiden, the legendary Olympic speed skating champion and orthopedic surgeon, is married to Dr. Karen Heiden, a distinguished orthopedic hand surgeon.
Their journey together began in the mid-1980s at Stanford University, where their paths first crossed.
As their relationship blossomed, their shared interests and values led to their marriage in 1995, and they became a powerhouse couple in orthopedic medicine.
Karen’s medical career began with her studies at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1994.
She then pursued advanced training in orthopedic surgery, completing her residency at UC Davis Medical Center.
She further specialized by completing a hand fellowship, allowing her to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in treating complex hand and upper extremity problems.
After completing her training, Karen worked at The Orthopedic Specialty Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 2006 to 2008.
In 2008, Karen and Eric co-founded Heiden Davidson Orthopedics, a private practice that has become a leader in orthopedic care, with locations in both Park City and Salt Lake City.
The practice specializes in cutting-edge treatments for hand and upper extremity issues, combining Karen’s expertise in hand surgery with Eric’s background in sports medicine.
Karen’s influence extends beyond her clinical work.
She has made significant contributions to medical education, holding faculty positions at UC Davis Medical Center, where she trained residents and fellows.
Together, Eric and Karen’s combined expertise and shared passion for medicine have allowed them to provide exceptional care to both athletes and individuals with complex orthopedic issues.
Her dedication to mentoring future orthopedic surgeons has had a lasting impact on the field.
Their professional success is mirrored in their personal life, where they balance their careers with raising their daughter, Zoe, born in 2001, and their son, Connor.
Eric and Karen are deeply committed to helping others, supporting each other’s careers, and maintaining a strong family life.
Their partnership reflects mutual respect, shared values, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
However, Karen has largely kept her personal life out of the public eye, focusing instead on her distinguished career as an orthopedic hand surgeon.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Eric won five gold medals, set four Olympic records, and one world record at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
- His father, Jack Heiden, was also an orthopedic surgeon in Madison.
