Dr. Sarraf completed her Medical Degree and Master of Public Health at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine. She left the practice of medicine more than a decade ago to launch genHkids, a public health initiative in Central Illinois. Dr. Sarraf and her genH team designed and implemented numerous evidence-based programs that teach children and their grownups to “Eat Real. Move More” in their schools, communities and homes.

In 2013, Dr. Sarraf noticed unusual bruising in on her eldest son. A childhood leukemia diagnosis came quickly, followed by 3.5 years of daily treatment. Dr. Sarraf took a leave from her work at genH to care for him. During that time she completed professional coach training certification. Her background in trauma and the trauma-informed approach led her to create a unique coaching paradigm particularly well-suited for frontline professionals working in environments of chronic toxic stress and exposed to high levels of secondary trauma. 

Kemia often comments that, "trauma-informed isn't something I do, it is the way I move through the world." She founded Lodestar in 2017, responding to a growing need for trauma-mitigation subspecialty coaching methods for physician colleagues who were reporting high levels of toxic stress, burnout, vicarious trauma and moral injury. The compounding crises of 2020 rapidly increased demand for her coaching services. She responded by expanding the Lodestar team and scope of services and offering advanced coach-training programs in her trademarked trauma-informed and trauma-mitigation methods.

In addition to her private coaching practice, Dr. Sarraf serves as adjunct faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, working in the office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Her work includes bringing a trauma-informed lens and trauma-mitigation approach to Diversity and Anti-Racism work.

Kemia is an authentic, compelling storyteller and powerful keynote speaker. She is renowned for her willingness to bring endless compassion, wisdom, joy and humor to her coaching, teaching and public speaking. She and her physician-husband have been married for more than twenty years, and the two live on a small farm in Central Illinois with their four sons and "too many critters to count."