Karen attended the University of Connecticut, where she received her undergraduate degree. She then earned her nursing degree from Yale University School of Nursing.

A certified nurse midwife, Karen joined Candlewood Center for Women's Health in 1973. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives, the Connecticut Perinatal Association, the North American Menopause Society and the International Lactation Consultant Association. She was one of the first certified nurse midwives in the United States to be employed by a private Ob/Gyn practice. She helped pioneer family centered birthing in the Danbury area and has a wealth of experience as a certified lactation consultant and a childbirth educator. She was also instrumental in the development of the doula program at Danbury Hospital, and currently has a busy practice in well woman gynecology.

Karen has two daughters.