Nathan J. Kessler, DO., FAAP

Specialty

Pediatrics

Location

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

Profile

Nathan Kessler, DO., FAAP is a pediatric hospitalist who brings compassion, curiosity, and a thoughtful, family-centered approach to caring for children. Originally aspiring to be an airline pilot, he discovered his passion for medicine while working as a college researcher and later served as an EMT and volunteer firefighter before pursuing medical school. Drawn to pediatrics by children’s remarkable resilience and ability to heal, Dr. Kessler enjoys carefully thinking through every possibility for a sick child and partnering with parents to make shared decisions. He was attracted to Foundation Health Partners for its commitment to evidence-based care and clinical excellence within a community-focused organization, and to Alaska for its natural beauty, self-reliance, and strong sense of community. 

Interests & Activities

Outside of work, Dr. Kessler enjoys a wide range of interests that blend creativity, strategy, and adventure, from historical reenacting, computer games, and Dungeons & Dragons to outdoor activities such as four-wheeling, target shooting, and spearfishing. He and his wife also love international travel—an enthusiasm that led to a particularly memorable chapter of their Alaska journey when, while traveling in the western Pacific, they received an offer to move to Fairbanks in December. The nearest place to buy truly cold-weather gear turned out to be Mongolia, so while some doctors arrive in Patagonia or Columbia, they will be embracing Alaska in authentic style with furs and sheepskins.

Medical Education

Western University of Health Sciences COMP-NW

Internship & Residency

University of New Mexico-General Pediatrics

Board Certification

Pediatrics

Affiliations

Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Member AOA, AAO