Karen McDonnell

Dr. Karen McDonnell, an Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health at George Washington University, is a distinguished public health program evaluation and implementation specialist with over two decades of experience collaborating with community groups, public health agencies, and healthcare systems globally. Her expertise lies in utilizing mixed methods to address complex public health challenges, particularly in maternal and child health. Dr. McDonnell's recent work includes fostering health equity in maternal health outcomes in Washington DC and developing community-centered FGM/C prevention projects. As a faculty member in the MCH program, she teaches Program Evaluation and Maternal and Child Health courses, sharing her extensive knowledge with students and medical residents. Her exceptional teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the ASPPH Early Career in Public Health Teaching Award and the Milken Institute SPH Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. McDonnell is also a member of the ASPPH Academy of Distinguished Teachers and contributes to the NASEM Global Forum on innovation in health profession education, further solidifying her role as a leader in public health education and research.