Karen E. Shafer

Karen E. Shafer (BA, '06, speech communication and history) is a second-generation Illini. She was a Chancellor's Scholar and James Scholar, and participated in many organizations and honoraries on campus, including LAS Leaders, Phi Beta Kappa, and LAS Council. She was elected to the 2005 Homecoming Court and the Senior 100 Honorary. As a senior, she was an LAS Learning Leader teaching for the LAS 100 course; during law school, she also taught in the Speech Communications Department, receiving recognition for excellence in teaching. She served as a graduate assistant for the Health Professions Living Learning Community, where she worked with undergraduates interested in medicine. In 2006, she graduated magna cum laude with two degrees, one in speech communications and the other in history with distinction. She completed a juris doctorate with Illinois' College of Law in 2009 and a medical doctorate from Illinois' College of Medicine in 2013. She completed her family medicine residency at Indiana University School of Medicine, where she also served as a chief resident. After residency, Karen completed a sports medicine fellowship at Indiana University. During her fellowship, she worked with Purdue University's football and basketball programs and served as a team physician at IUPUI. She also has had experience as a consulting sports medicine physician, including assignments at the NFL Combine, the USA Volleyball National Championships, the Golden Gloves boxing tournament, and the Indiana State Swimming Championships. Karen is a practicing physician specializing in sports medicine.