Karen Edwards, MD MPH is Vice President for Education, Training and Research at Westchester Institute for Human Development in Valhalla , NY, where she also serves as co-UCEDD Director (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities).    She is Professor of Practice at the New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice.   She was previously the program director of Leadership Education and Developmental Disabilities (LEADD) Distance Learning Program at the Westchester Institute of Human Development and the School of Health Science and Practices at New York Medical College in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands.  She was also the Director (2011-2013) and Assistant Director (2010-2011) of the University of Cincinnati University Center for Excellence in Developmenal Disabilities. Dr. Edwards also served as the Director of Training, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cinicannati Children's Hospital (2010-2013).   Her career has focused on education and training of health professionals, medical students, residents, and health professions graduate students in the areas of communication skills, pediatric medicine, leadership  and teaching skills, and developmental disabilities.

Selected Publications 

• Edwards KS, Towle P, Levitz B. Incorporating Life Course Theory and Social Determinants of Health into the LEND Curriculum. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2013.  Epub before print: doi 10.1007/s10995-013-1283-0.
• Richards J, Edwards KS, Lackey M, Wallace L, Calleson J, Barber C, Long T, Lin S, and Farel A.  Collaborative Learning and Technology Skills Development:  Evaluation of an Online Annual Grantee Meeting.  Maternal and Child Health Journal 2012; 16:  1549-1552.
• Leib S, Liberatos P, Edwards KS.  Pediatricians experience with and response to parental vaccine concerns and vaccine refusals:  A survey of Connecticut pediatricians.  Public Health Reports 2011; Supplement 2 / Volume 126: 13-23.
• Osband YB, Altman RL, Patrick PA, Edwards KS. Breastfeeding education and support in pediatric residency programs.  Academic Pediatrics 2011; 11: 75-79.
• Sriraman NK, Patrick PA, Edwards KS.  Children's Drinking Water:  Parental Preferences and Implications for Fluoride Exposure.  Pediatric Dentistry 2009; 31:310-315.
• Harrington JW, Patrick PA, Edwards KS, Brand DA.  Parental beliefs about autism:  implications for the treating physician.   Autism: the International Journal of Research & Practice 2006; 10(5):  453-463.
• Brand D, Altman R, Purtill K, Edwards KS.  Yield of diagnostic testing in infants who have had an apparent life-threatening event. Pediatrics 2005; 115: 885-893. 
• Harrington JW, Brand DA, Edwards KS. Seizure disorder as a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Clinical Pediatrics 2004; 43:557-562.
• Edwards KS, Gardner T, Altman RL, Brand DA.   Urinary tract infection presenting as an ALTE: report of three Cases. Clinical Pediatrics 2004; 43:  375-377.
• Edwards KS.  Short Stops:  peer support of scholarly activity.  Academic Medicine 2001; 77:  939.
• Edwards KS, Woolf PK, Hetzler T.  Pediatric residents as learners and teachers of evidence-based medicine.  Academic Medicine 2002; 77: 748.
• Juster F and Edwards KS.  A rotation in chronic care pediatrics:  focus on children and their families in the community.   Academic Medicine 2001; 76:  568.

Education and Training

POST-GRADUATE TRAINING

• Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (1985-1987)
• Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, Department of Medicine
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA - Resident in Pediatrics (1983-1985)
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA - Intern in Pediatrics (1982-1983)

EDUCATION

• New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY - MPH (1989-1991)
• University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT - MD (1978-1982)
• University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT - BS (1971-1975)

Professional Experience and Appointments

• Board of Directors, Association of University Centers on Disabilities (2009-present)
  • Board Secretary (2011-present)  
  • Legislative Affairs Committee (2011-present)
• Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (2012-2013)
  Employment First Advisory Committee, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (2012-2013)
• Advisory Board, OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence)(2011-2013)
  Community Advisory Committee, Nisonger UCEDD (2011-2013)
  Ohios Act Early Team (2010-2013)
• Served as Ohios Act Early Ambassador (a joint program of the Centers for Disease Control and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resource and Services Administration) (2011-2012)
• Advisory Board, Sarah Lawrence College, Human Genetics (Genetic Counseling) Graduate Program (2009)
• New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education, New York State Department of Health (2009-2010)
• Childrens Issues Committee of the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (2009-2010)
• New York State Developmental Disabilities Network (2008-2010)