ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State University alumna Paige Kruckenberg will return to her alma mater as the commencement speaker on Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. inside Percefull Fieldhouse.
Kruckenberg graduated from Northwestern in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, health science option and a minor in chemistry. She graduated magna cum laude and was named a Northwestern Outstanding Senior. During her time at Northwestern, she was actively involved in campus life, serving as Student Government Association vice president her senior year. She also participated in the Medical Sciences Club, Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors, and served as a Ranger Connector and Peer Leader. She was a member of the university’s women’s cross-country team, which initially brought her to Northwestern.
Kruckenberg continued her education at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, earning a Master of Health Science in 2017.
She began practicing medicine in 2018 in family medicine and urgent care at Share Medical Center in Alva before transitioning to dermatology in 2021. She is now a dermatology physician associate with U.S. Dermatology Partners, providing medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology services to patients in Woodward, Alva and surrounding communities. Her commitment to serving patients in rural Oklahoma has remained a central part of her career.
“The kindest people in the world live right in Northwest Oklahoma,” Kruckenberg said.
After pursuing specialized dermatology training under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Hall in Stillwater, Kruckenberg expanded her practice to include skin cancer screenings and treatment, surgical procedures, acne and chronic skin condition management, cosmetic treatments and other dermatological services.
Her dedication to healthcare and her community was recognized early in her career when she received the Alva Citizen’s Choice Healthcare Professional of the Year award in 2018, her first year practicing as a physician associate.
Giving back to the community remains important to Kruckenberg. Each May, in recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, she provides free public skin cancer screenings, offering medical evaluations regardless of patients’ insurance status.
Kruckenberg credits her Northwestern experience and the faculty who encouraged her along the way as important influences on her professional journey. She especially remembers Dr. Venkata Moorthy, professor emeritus of biology, as a favorite professor and mentor who challenged her academically and supported her goal of attending physician associate school. Moorthy also wrote a letter of recommendation for her graduate school application.
When asked about her favorite Northwestern memory, Kruckenberg said meeting her husband, Sammy, was at the top of the list. The couple has been married for eight years and lives in Alva with their two dogs, Lincoln and Presley.
Originally from Edmond, Kruckenberg graduated as salutatorian of Edmond Memorial High School before coming to Northwestern. She has embraced life in northwest Oklahoma and developed a strong appreciation for the people and communities she serves.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Kruckenberg is an avid runner who regularly competes in half and full marathons. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, wildlife photography, reading and gardening. Her travels have taken her around the world, including a recent trip to Africa. She is also a passionate Oklahoma City Thunder fan.
A livestream link for the commencement exercises can be found at the Northwestern Athletics YouTube Channel, YouTube.com/NWOSURangers.
-NW-