NED Planning Team Member
Karen Lawson
Karen Lawson is the Director of Integrative Clinical Services at the Center for Spirituality and Healing at University of MN (www.csh.umn.edu) She is a physician, board-certified in both Family Medicine and Holistic Medicine. She is the 2003/5 President of the American Holistic Medical Association, and a founding Diplomat of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. She serves on the education committee for the Consortium of Academic Health Centers in Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM), and represents AHMA and CAHCIM on the National Education Dialogue. Karen holds undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University in Biochemistry and Physiology, and completed her medical training at the University of Michigan. Karen received her residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Dr. Lawson has research experience in neuropharmacology and cancer. "CAM" trainings have included meditation techniques (including MBSR), yoga, dance/movement therapies, nutrition, homeopathy, mind/body medicine, and shamanic practices. She is a trained facilitator for Lee Lipsenthal's Finding Balance in a Medical Life program for medical students and residents. Professionally, Dr. Lawson practiced both family medicine and emergency medicine before moving full-time into the Holistic healthcare arena. She is the previous Medical Director of both Lamat Medical Corporation in San Diego CA, and the Wege Institute for Mind, Body and Spirit, at St. Mary's Mercy Medical Center in Grand Rapids MI. In her current position, Dr. Lawson is active in undergraduate and graduate medical education, collaborative clinical services, and integrated medicine research. Dr. Lawson is a published author and researcher, does consulting work for healthcare institutions, and speaks nationally to diverse audiences on the power and potential of integrated and holistic health care practices. (lawsonk@umn.edu, (612) 626-3817, Asst.: Tracy Dimond (612) 624-9459)