SARANAC LAKE – Adirondack Health has welcomed a new member to its Associate Medical Staff, a Saranac Lake native who returned to provide primary care in the region she calls home.

Kristeen Colby, a certified physician assistant, is caring for patients at Adirondack Health’s community health centers in Keene, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Tupper Lake.

Most recently she worked at Medical Associates in Saranac Lake, in addition to working per-diem in the Emergency Department at Adirondack Medical Center.

After graduating from Saranac Lake High School, Colby went to Union College in Schenectady where she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology. She later spent a year in Spain on the island of Mallorca where she worked as an Au Pair for a family providing English instruction to the daughters and perfecting her Spanish speaking skills in the process.

Colby returned to Saranac Lake briefly and became a volunteer firefighter and EMT, while working in the lab at AMC as a phlebotomist. After a year studying Medical Technology at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn., she attended Physician Assistant School at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., receiving a dual master’s and bachelor’s degree.

Between her time in Florida and now back home in Saranac Lake, Kristeen has worked as a surgical physician assistant, provided urgent care, primary care and emergency care.

Colby has two daughters, ages 4 and 6. Her oldest is a budding ski jumper. Kristeen plays rugby for the Saranac Lake Mountaineers, and enjoys all sports including ice hockey, snowboarding and skiing.

To schedule an appointment at Adirondack Health’s Community Health Centers, call 518-897-2778.