Kathryn was born to Robert E. Tschiegg and Mary Jean Weeman on April 30, 1956. She graduated from Orrville High School in 1974. She completed her nursing degree in 1978. Kathy joined the Peace Corps as a Registered Nurse. After witnessing two years of preventable deaths, Kathy returned to the U.S. for the following fifteen years. She worked as an Emergency Room and Surgical Intensive Care Unit nurse at Aultman Hospital. During that time, she was recognized as Employee of the Year and received the Outstanding Alumni Award.

But the memories of Honduras continued to follow her, and she became determined to develop a system that would deliver sustainable quality care to the poor of Central America. She returned to college for her business degree, and upon graduation, she founded Central American Medical Outreach, Inc. (CAMO USA) and incorporated it as a 501(c)3 in May 1993. With her goal of bringing health care to the poor, CAMO’s Counterpart Model has become a template for successful aid work in western Honduras. She has been recognized by many for her life’s work.