PITTSBURG, Kan. — From the time she was a young girl growing up in Frontenac, Ascension Via Christi Hospitalist and 2023 Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Woman of Distinction Dr. Katie Falk always had a curious mind. She said she was constantly asking her parents questions and always furthering it with “but why?” When her childhood friend passed away following a battle with leukemia in the 5th grade, Falk decided she wanted to become a doctor. She said her friend, Aaron Mueller, was diagnosed when he was in kindergarten then went into remission and relapsed when they were in 5th grade.