Frannie Koe, MD

Dr. Frances Koe, MD, MPH, is a licensed family physician. Inspired by a lifelong passion for nutrition and an interest in everything self-sufficient and regenerative, she set out to educate Alabamians about health, emphasize the importance of the connection between mind and body, and provide information about the interconnected topics of food, farming and medicine.

When she was 31 years old, Dr. Koe decided on a career in medicine. Dr. Koe first took a detour into the School of Public Health and earned a Master's of Public Health (MPH) in Health Behavior.

After earning her Master's degree, Dr. Koe took the MCAT and applied to medical school. An advisor introduced her to the Rural Medical Scholars Program. This had always been her dream, so she applied and was selected for the number one spot out of all the applicants.

As an older student, it can be harder to stand out, so this was an incredible achievement. Dr. Koe was 39 years old the summer she entered her first year of medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She was likely the first grandmother who was also a medical student!

Dr. Koe had independently studied nutrition and prevention for years before entering school, and this was her passion. In order to become a successful family practice physician in a rural area, it is important to have a wide knowledge base. The University of Alabama School of Medicine prepares their students well.

Because she was part of the Rural Medical Scholars Program, Dr. Koe finished her medical training in Tuscaloosa. There was a strong focus in family medicine, and she was accepted into the family medicine residency program. She graduated from Tuscaloosa Family Medicine residency in 2007.

Dr. Koe had her choice of practicing anywhere in Alabama, as long as it qualified as rural. She looked north of I-59, as most of her family, friends, and colleagues were in the northern part of the state. Dr. Koe decided that wherever a piece of land and a clinic were both available, she would make her home. She was very lucky to find her current property, which was exactly four miles and one stop sign away from an empty clinic.