Dr. Karen Morris-Priester exemplifies resilience and determination, transforming personal adversity into a remarkable medical career. As a board-certified anesthesiologist, she was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show in a segment called “Cheers to You.” During the show, Ms. Winfrey detailed Dr. Morris-Priester’s inspiring journey. Notably, the fact that she was the first grandmother to graduate from Yale University School of Medicine and proving that, with dedication and hard work, it is never too late to achieve your dreams.
Raised in public housing by a single mother, Dr. Morris-Priester viewed education as her pathway out of challenging circumstances. Despite encountering early setbacks, including a significant family medical crisis, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of higher education. She earned degrees from Harrisburg Area Community College and York College of Pennsylvania before realizing her dream of attending medical school at Yale at the age of 40. She went on to completed her anesthesia residency at Harvard-affiliated residence at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Dr. Morris-Priester’s experiences have fueled her passion for advocating for achieving diversity and eliminating health disparities in medicine. She serves on national advisory boards and has established scholarship funds and mentoring programs to support underrepresented groups in the medical field. At Lehigh Valley Hospital, she founded the Multicultural Professional Development Group and serves on the LVHN Health Equities Steering Committee.
In 2023, Dr. Morris-Priester founded Advancing Health Equity and Inclusion (AHEAD), furthering her dedication to diversity in healthcare. Her story has been highlighted in the film “Black Women in Medicine” and the book “Against All Odds,” continuing to inspire others to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. She resides in the Lehigh Valley and works for Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Don’t let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big.
