Karen graduated from McMaster University in 1993 on the Dean's Honour roll, after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science and Phys Ed at Wilfrid Laurier University. Karen continues to be most interested in orthopaedics and sports medicine.

She has completed numerous post graduate courses, which include certification in acupuncture and training in advanced manual therapy.

Karen performs Running Assessments for both competitive and recreational runners.  This includes a complete physical assessment, video gait analysis on the treadmill, recommendations on footwear and exercises designed to maximize fitness and prevent injuries, as well as instruction on running programs.  

She is a certified level 2 hockey trainer, and treats and provides training programs for recreational to elite athletes at the University, Provincial and National level, in a variety of sports including soccer, curling, hockey, track and field and gymnastics.

She has run in the Chicago Marathon in 2013, the Marine Corps Marathon in 2015, and the New York City Marathon in 2017.
In the summer of 2015, Karen worked as a physiotherapist for the PanAm games for the white water kayak/canoe event where she worked closely with Olympic level paddlers. She continues to enjoy yoga, back country kayaking/camping and walking her dogs.