Karen M. Katon, PA-C, serves as the Assistant Program Director for Carlow University’s Physician Assistant Program. Her leadership at Carlow is characterized by a commitment to enhancing curriculum quality, supporting faculty development, and ensuring the program’s alignment with ARC-PA accreditation standards.

She also serves as the Director of Simulation and Director of Assessment for the program. She has played a pivotal role in designing and managing simulation experiences that expose Physician Assistant students to complex medical scenarios. These immersive simulations are tailored to help students refine their critical thinking skills, apply their medical knowledge, and practice patient-centered care in a controlled, learning-focused environment.

Karen’s academic work at Carlow is underscored by her commitment to fostering the development of students as they transition from learners to medical providers. She has an interest in utilizing technology to enhance student learning and engagement. She has taught courses including Current Topics in the PA Profession, Research and Evidence Based Medicine, Patient Assessment and Transition to Practice. She is also an experienced clinician who has practiced in urgent care and neurology settings. Her contributions to research in pediatric and cardiac anesthesia have resulted in multiple published works and presentations at national conferences.

Karen is passionate about healthcare education and patient safety, constantly striving to create meaningful change within both her teaching and clinical practice. At Carlow, she continues to inspire and shape the next generation of healthcare providers, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern medical practice.

Education

• DPAS – Physician Assistant Studies, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (2023)
• MS – Physician Assistant Studies, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (2020)
• MAS – Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (2019)
• BA – Mathematics and Secondary Education, Pace University, New York, NY (2010)

Professional Memberships

• The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
• Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates (PSPA)
• Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)

Research

• Utilizing technology to enhance student learning and engagement
• Improving patient safety within healthcare systems
• Promoting advancement for the PA profession

Publications

• Miller KM, Hall B, Tobias JD. Sugammadex to reverse neuromuscular blockade in a child with a past history of cardiac transplantation. Ann Card Anaesth. 2017 Jul-Sep;20(3):376-378.  
• Miller KM, Raman V, Winch P, Tobias JD. Perioperative Care of a Child With Williams Syndrome. J Med Cases. 2016; 7(10): 420-425.  
• Barry N, Miller KM, Ryshen G, Uffman J, Taghon TA, Tobias JD. Etiology of postanesthetic and postsedation events on the inpatient ward: data from a rapid response team at a tertiary care children’s hospital. Paediatr Anasth. 2016; 25(5): 504-511. *Denotes co-first authorship
• Miller KM, Ruda JM, Tobias JD. Perioperative care of an adolescent with platelet storage pool disorder. Pediatric Anesthesia and Critical Care Journal. 2015; 3(2): 140-144.
• Miller KM, Kim AY, Yaster M, Kudchadkar SR, White E, Fackler J, Monitto CL. Long-term tolerability of capnography and respiratory inductance plethysmography for respiratory monitoring in pediatric patients treated with patient-controlled analgesia. Paediatr Anaesth. 2015 Oct; 25(10): 1054-1059. 

Awards & Recognition

• Landacre Research Honor Society
• Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society
• Alpha Chi National Honor Society