Reaching out to others comes naturally to Dr. Petra Ketterl. Not only is she a supportive and compassionate medical oncologist and intake physician, she is also actively involved in providing medical care and education to the community at large.
"I think we can really make a difference for our patients," says Dr. Ketterl. "Our holistic services help with everything from nausea to relationship issues. I came to CTCA because we’re experts at providing these integrative services, which allows me to focus on what I do as an oncologist."
Dr. Ketterl appreciates the camaraderie at CTCA, among both patients and clinicians. She has seen the built-in support network many patients discover here, as they travel from places across the country, eat meals together and become friends.
Another feature that sets CTCA apart for Dr. Ketterl is the proximity of clinicians, which she says improves the quality of patient care. "If I think someone needs to be seen by another specialist, I can walk to their office and make that happen," says Dr. Ketterl. "Things just work a lot faster here."
Prior to joining CTCA, Dr. Ketterl ran a private practice in Tennessee. She completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in oncology at East Tennessee State University, where she also earned her medical degree.
Dr. Ketterl’s greatest joy is her family. She has a son and a grandson who live in Tennessee. She also enjoys visiting her family that lives in Germany, where she grew up. Dr. Ketterl participates in medical mission outreach in Latin America and Africa. She also enjoys reading, cooking, gardening and kayaking on the lake.