Karen began her healthcare career as an intensive care nurse in a rural West Michigan, Medical Center. Three years later, she became a Flight Nurse Specialist helping to establish the first aeromedical transport service in Southwest Michigan. She completed over 1000 helicopter transports of critically ill patients where she learned systems management and team building processes. Next, she served as an infection prevention specialist where she helped create, develop, and execute infection control programs during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, SARS-CoV-1 outbreak, and bioterrorism-related anthrax release. During her management, the program expanded to include ambulatory clinics, long term care centers and community hospitals. Karen started at Vanderbilt in 2005 in the Department of Emergency Medicine to help the physician scientists establish a research program and where she currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Research Division. She directs the execution of research in the emergency care settings and the operations of the research laboratory. Her research interests are focused on investigator initiatives to improve patient care. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Masters in Public Administration. She holds 2 graduate certificates; one in Holistic Health from Western Michigan University, and one in Business Excellence from Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management. Additionally, she completed the Vanderbilt Health Coaching program. She lives with her husband, Brent, and family in the Nashville area of Tennessee.