
Karen Balerna RN, BSN
Karen Balerna RN, BSN is the Founder and Clinical Director of the private advocacy firm, Nurse Advocate Partners,LLC. She is a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and received a Dementia Specialist Certificate from The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health.
Karen graduated cum laude from Boston College, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Connell School of Nursing. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society for Nursing. After graduation, Karen became a licensed Registered Nurse and took a nursing position at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, caring for critically ill patients. She is experienced in supervising staff, facilitating inter-disciplinary communication and coordinating patient care.
When Karen's father became seriously ill, she accompanied him to his various doctors appointments, coordinating his care and helping him to make the right healthcare choices for him. She started to think about all the healthcare decisions people make every day, sometimes not understanding the ramifications of these decisions. Patients often make choices based on a doctor's suggestion, but it may not be the best decision for them. Or, the patient may forget what the doctor told them once they left the office, which can have serious consequences on their health. That is when Karen decided to found Nurse Advocate Partners. As a nurse, she can understand the medical terminology and can translate it into terms that can be easily understood. She can help you weigh the pros and cons of treatment options, helping you to make informed decisions about your health. Karen has been a patient advocate for over 25 years, always advocating for her patients and their families.
Karen is a member of The Alliance for Professional Health Advocates and National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants.
Karen Balerna RN, BSN is the Founder and Clinical Director of the private advocacy firm, Nurse Advocate Partners,LLC. She is a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and received a Dementia Specialist Certificate from The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health.
Karen graduated cum laude from Boston College, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Connell School of Nursing. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society for Nursing. After graduation, Karen became a licensed Registered Nurse and took a nursing position at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, caring for critically ill patients. She is experienced in supervising staff, facilitating inter-disciplinary communication and coordinating patient care.
When Karen's father became seriously ill, she accompanied him to his various doctors appointments, coordinating his care and helping him to make the right healthcare choices for him. She started to think about all the healthcare decisions people make every day, sometimes not understanding the ramifications of these decisions. Patients often make choices based on a doctor's suggestion, but it may not be the best decision for them. Or, the patient may forget what the doctor told them once they left the office, which can have serious consequences on their health. That is when Karen decided to found Nurse Advocate Partners. As a nurse, she can understand the medical terminology and can translate it into terms that can be easily understood. She can help you weigh the pros and cons of treatment options, helping you to make informed decisions about your health. Karen has been a patient advocate for over 25 years, always advocating for her patients and their families.
Karen is a member of The Alliance for Professional Health Advocates and National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants.