Karen Zimmer Paul, MD, MPH, FAAP

Adjunct Instructor

Contact Information

Karen Zimmer

901 Walnut Street
10th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email Karen P Zimmer

215-503-0174
215-923-7583 fax

Adjunct Instructor

Research & Practice Interests

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
Risk Management
Health Information Technology

Education

MD, Cornell University
MPH, Johns Hopkins University
Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program, Bryn Mawr College
BA, Cornell University

Publications

Residency

Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital

Fellowship

General Academic Pediatrics Research Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University

Board Certification

Pediatrics

Teaching

Introduction to Healthcare Quality & Safety

Biography

Dr. Zimmer Paul is a co-founder of a national membership program in the areas of patient safety, quality, and risk which was adopted by 14 states in the country. In an advisory capacity, Dr. Zimmer Paul provides valuable insight and industry expertise in the healthcare arena, priorities, and decision-making processes, as well strategic guidance on the development of products, processes, and systems. Her deep understanding of changing industry dynamics allows Dr. Zimmer Paul to lead the conceptualization, creation, and implementation of innovative technology tools and platforms that meet the needs of end users. 

With over 20 years of business, clinical, and health policy experience, she is a national expert in workflow improvement, patient safety, and health IT (HIT).  In addition to her work at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, and the ECRI Institute, she has advised leadership at healthcare organizations, technology vendors, and start up HIT companies on how to effect change and improve outcomes.  Throughout her career, Dr. Zimmer Paul has delivered improvements to patient care by identifying core issues through systematic synthesis of large data sets and building relationships with employees from the C-Suite to the front line.

She has spoken at conferences regarding her market and product expertise and published articles, while serving as an advisor on national boards and committees. As a board and committee member, Dr. Zimmer Paul advises CEOs and Presidents of both for-profit companies and non-profit organizations.

Dr. Zimmer Paul is active with her alma mater, Cornell University, and was granted Emeriti Trustee status and asked to be a Presidential Counsellor Advisor after eight years on the Board of Trustees (Audit, Cybersecurity and Executive Committees). She also served the Weill Cornell Medical Center as the Director of the Board of Alumni and as a Dean’s Council member.

In addition to her consulting engagements and board involvement, Dr. Zimmer Paul was on the medical staff at Nemours and currently is an affiliate staff. She is an Associate Professor in Department of Pediatrics at Jefferson and serves as an instructor at Jefferson College of Population Health. Previously she served as the Medical Director for the Patient Safety, Risk and Quality Group and was the co-founder of the ECRI Institute Patient Safety Organization and an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins.

Dr. Zimmer Paul received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College, completed a Pediatrics residency at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, and a General Academic Pediatrics fellowship and Masters of Public Health at Johns Hopkins. She is board certified in Clinical Informatics and Pediatrics.