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Karen L. Weis, PhD, RNC-OB, FAAN

Karen Weis portrait
Professor, Christine A. Hartley Rural Health Nursing , School of Nursing- Salina
kweis2@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Dr. Karen Weis is a Professor and the Christine A. Hartley Rural Health Nursing Endowed Professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. She received her Baccalaureate from Wichita State University, her Masters’ Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and her PhD in Nursing from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Previously, Dr. Weis was Professor and the BG Lillian Dunlap Endowed Chair at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX., following a 29-year career in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps.

Dr. Weis’ program of research focuses on perinatal mental health, birth outcomes, and associated maternal and fetal physiologic responses. Her work has led to the development of the Mentors Offering Maternal Support (M-O-M-STM) intervention. She has been funded as principle investigator by the TriService Nursing Research Program, DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, as well as other federal and professional organizations.

Dr. Weis is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, is on the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Research Advisory Board, and reviews for multiple nursing and interdisciplinary journals.

Dr. Weis has received both military and civilian recognition and honors. Her highest military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Aerial Achievement Medal. Other military awards include the United States Air Force’s (Air Education and Training Command) Clinical Researcher of the Year award, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, 711th Director’s Award among other clinical and nursing awards. She received the Rebecca Sealy Distinguished Alumnus Award, and was inducted into the University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Nursing, Hall of Fame.


Research

Overview

Maternal Perinatal Mental Health and Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: My primary research interest is maternal perinatal mental health and its affect on maternal and fetal/infant health. Funding for this work has included large studies that tracked maternal, pregnancy-specific anxiety and depressive symptoms from first trimester through delivery assessing pregnancy complications and poor birth outcomes. Funding also included the affect of prenatal maternal mental health on postpartum maternal adaptation and maternal-infant bonding. We are now studying the affect of anxiety and depressive symptoms on maternal and fetal inflammatory responses.