PROFESSOR & HEALTHCARE EXPERT
Bringing cutting-edge health research to the people who need it most
I help you understand why the healthcare system sometimes hurts more than it helps, and what you can do about it.
AS SEEN ON
Book in Progress
I am excited to be writing a book about why end-of-life healthcare is so difficult and how to make it work for you! Expected 2027.
WHY KAREN?
I Get What You’re Up Against.
Struggling to get clear, timely, and compassionate information from the healthcare system? Feel dismissed or gaslit when you raise your concerns? It’s not just you—there are systematic reasons this happens. Here’s how I tackle the big challenges:
Giving you tools to resist gaslighting
Teaching you about types of end-of-life care
Showing you why communication breaks down
I share information that can help you get better care
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Follow me on Instagram
Teaching you how to resist gaslighting and get better care
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Subscribe to my Newsletter
Subscribe to my Substack (free!)
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Learn from my media appearances
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
25+ Years of Academic Experience
Check out my published research on clinical decision making and end-of-life healthcare
Hi There! I'm Karen.
I am a professor and sociologist studying medical decision making, doctor-patient relationships, and health disparities—especially how inequality shows up in our healthcare systems. For the past decade I’ve focused why our lived experiences of death and dying are so often at odds with healthcare ideals, and how we can get the care we want (and deserve!)
MEET KAREN
COMMENTS PEOPLE SHARE WITH ME
Testimonials
“Thank YOU for sharing this information [about how few people have advanced directives]! I’m 32 and talk to my friends about this often. I say, ‘So,hey, y’all are married and have kids. What’s your plan?!’ And it’s almost always, ‘Never thought about it.’”
-Instagram follower
“This post from Karen was so good I couldn’t help but reshare it. If you are interested in medical decision making and the research behind the options, Karen is a valuable follow.”
-Instagram follower
“My sister and I used the 5 Last Wishes workbook with my parents [as you suggested] and it was a HUGE help! We laughed, we cried, we laughed a lot more. Most importantly, we know what our parents want when the time comes.”
-Instagram follower
STAY IN THE KNOW