Cara Alane Oliver

Cara Alane Oliver, MD, 47, of Tanzania, Africa, passed away on July 28, in Seattle, WA. Born in Butte, MT, on March 18, 1977, to Dr. Joseph and Margaret (Leising) Oliver, Cara grew up in Rock Springs, WY, and graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1995.

Cara received a BS in zoology, physiology, and animal biology from the University of Wyoming in 1999 where she was a collegiate athlete. She earned an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2003 with a residency in internal medicine and fellowships in nephrology and transplant nephrology. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa. She received the Excellence in Research Award from Western Student Research, the Sweetwater Medical Society Education Scholarship, and a Resident Teaching Award from the University of Washington.

Dr. Oliver honed her nephrology experience in Seattle with Valley Nephrology Group, receiving a Praise Award from Valley Medical Center, the Swedish Hospital Medical Group, and Minor and James Medical. She also had a love of medical aesthetics and was the founder of Oliveri Aesthetics and served as medical director for both the Aesthetic Laser Center of Seattle and Elizabeth Myrick, RN Aesthetic Injector.

Combining her love of medicine and travel, Cara volunteered as a medical ambassador and physician for International Medical Relief, which provides access to medical services and health education to underserved and vulnerable communities across the world. She served patients in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

In all the places Cara traveled, a trip to Africa changed her life. She fell in love with the beauty of the continent and the welcoming people. In 2020, she planted roots in Africa and founded VISIT54, which promotes African travel and tourism and supports local economies.

In addition to Cara’s many accomplishments, she was deeply loved by her family and many others. Cara always found a way to connect with people, creating beautiful friendships across the globe. Her family will remember her passion for travel, her love of fashion, the arts, dancing and a unique style that was all her own.

Cara is survived by her husband January Ching’enya of Tanzania, Africa; parents Dr. Joseph and Margaret (Leising) Oliver of Rock Springs, WY; siblings Chris (Amie) Oliver of Waco, TX, Carla (Jeremy) Carrell, and Cate Oliver (Mason Giem) of Seattle, WA; nephew Jac Carrell and nieces Mckenna Carrell, Althea Giem, and Viola Giem, all of Seattle, WA. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins who greatly loved her. Cara was preceded in death by grandparents Carmen and Grace Oliver of Silver Creek, NY, and Clarence and Mary Leising of Angola, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

• National Alliance on Mental Health Seattle

• The Nature Conservancy, Protect Nature Fund Tanzania

• International Medical Relief