Karen Koziol, M.S. '07

Karen Koziol is a distinguished nursing professional with a rich and diverse background spanning various facets of healthcare and education. Graduating with distinction from Mercy College in 2007 with a Master of Science in Nursing Education, Karen's career is marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence. Karen was a recipient of the J. Mae Pepper Award, in 2007, a merit based scholarship established in memory of the former chairperson of the Nursing Department, Dr. Jessie Mae Pepper. 

With over three decades of experience at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in NYC's Greenwich Village, she provided compassionate care to premature babies and their families in the neonatal ICU. Karen's expertise extends beyond clinical practice, encompassing leadership roles, patient safety, and simulation in acute care and educational settings.

As an International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) fellow, Karen brings a wealth of simulation expertise. She played a pivotal role in designing three simulation labs for Mercy College, contributing significantly to educational infrastructure. Her consultancy for Dominican University's simulation lab planning underscores her dedication to advancing nursing education and giving back to her alma mater.

Karen's commitment to education extends globally, evident in her collaborative efforts with the Travancore Foundation in Kerala, India, where she contributed to establishing a simulation lab focusing on innovative geriatric care practices. She has won recognition from Sigma Theta Tau International for her support to the Zeta-Omega-At-Large Chapter of the honor society of Nursing. A member of Mercy University's Interprofessional Education (IPE) committee, Karen champions interdisciplinary simulation as a vital tool in preparing healthcare practitioners for optimal patient outcomes through effective teamwork.

Her extensive contributions to nursing education include presentations on simulation's role in enhancing care quality and safety, culminating in a keynote address at North Central Bronx Hospital's 2023 Nurses Week Celebration. Karen's expertise extends to publishing chapters in nursing textbooks, emphasizing technology, nursing informatics, and simulation's impact on education and decision-making.

Karen's teaching experience spans ADN, BSN, and MSN levels, where she excels in simulation development and implementation, faculty training, and fostering simulation-based learning. Her dedication to improving healthcare practice through simulation aligns with her passion for creating a supportive and safe learning environment for students.

With a focus on interprofessional collaboration, patient safety, and effective communication, Karen Koziol's work ensures better patient outcomes by nurturing a new generation of healthcare professionals adept in the complexities of modern healthcare delivery. Her dedication to innovation, education, and improving healthcare practice through simulation underscores her impactful contributions to the field of nursing.