Nursing Director Perioperative Services Main 3 I Dunn 6
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States
Karen Y. Edwards is a highly accomplished nursing leader with over 37 years of experience in perioperative services and a proven track record in management. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida, Tampa, and an MBA in Health Care Management from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. A dedicated member of AORN for 34 years, Karen has made significant contributions to advancing patient safety and quality of care in the perioperative setting.
Currently, Karen serves as the Nursing Director for the Main 3 and Dunn 6 Perioperative Services at Houston Methodist Hospital. Her leadership roles include an appointment to the AORN Foundation Board Trustee (2025), severed a term on the AORN National Board of Directors (2021-2023), where she served on the Finance and Audit Committee. She also served as Chair of the AORN Nominating Committee (2008-2009). Additionally, she has held positions on the board of the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI), including Vice President and President from 2012 to 2014. Karen has also twice served as President of the AORN Greater Houston Chapter #4407, demonstrating her commitment to the nursing perioperative community.
In 2024, Karen was honored with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative of the Year award from AORN. She has received accolades for her excellence in mentorship, teaching, and leadership, and was recognized as one of the top 200 nurses in Houston by the Houston Chronicle. In 2017, she received the I CARE Award from Houston Methodist Hospital, and in 2022, she was among 4,000 exceptional employees recognized with the Humanitas Award for her demonstration of kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outside of her professional achievements, Karen is a proud mother of two adult children, Thomas and Brooklynn, and a grandmother to Tamia.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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