Karen Papi, MS, RD, LDN, CDE practices at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice and is accepting new patients of all ages. Her responsibilities include assessing patients’ nutritional needs, then helping them to develop individualized eating plans and set achievable goals. Karen also conducts diabetes self-management and prevention classes and serves as a preceptor to Marywood University dietetic students. Currently, she and Rosemary Takacs, director of diabetes, cardiovascular risk and weight management, host PreventT2, a year-long program that helps participants learn skills like healthy eating, incorporating physical activities into their routine, managing stress and solving problems that can get in the way of healthy changes.

Karen says her goal during every patient interaction is “to provide support and encouragement to make lifestyle changes and meet patients where they are on changes they could immediately start making.” The most rewarding parts of her job include when she has the opportunity to witness changes within her patients and hear their expressions of gratitude.

Karen earned her degree in dietetics in 1978 from Marywood University. In 1988, she attained a master’s degree from the same institution in Foods, Nutrition and Related Services. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator, a licensed dietitian and a lifestyle coach for the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Karen lives in Old Forge with her husband, two children and cat, Mac. She has been a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for over 20 years. In her free time, she loves listening to music from the ’60s, reading, cooking, playing board games, fishing and watching movies. She also loves telling jokes and making people laugh.

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