Karen began her nursing career in 1987 after graduating from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, TN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Prior to rheumatology, she worked as a RN in labor and delivery and pain management. She returned to school in 2012 and graduated from Walden University with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 2014. Since 2016, she has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in rheumatology and in 2018, joined Low Country Rheumatology in the Charleston, SC area as the Infusion Director to continue leading and cultivating the growth of the infusion department. Karen is currently the Advocacy Chair for Rheumatology Nurses Society and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Association of Rheumatology Professionals.