Kari Nilsen, PhD, MPH

Dr. Kari M. Nilsen is the Division Director of Research for the MidAmerica Division of HCA Healthcare. Prior to the MidAmerica Division, Dr. Nilsen was the Division Director of Research for the Central/West Texas and San Antonio Divisions. Dr. Nilsen joined HCA Healthcare from the Wichita campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she served as an Associate Professor and Director of Research/Quality Improvement in the Departments of Family and Population Health for nine years. Her extensive experience includes contributions to 29 federally funded projects, with support from prestigious agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Nilsen has also published 59 peer-reviewed papers and one book

Additionally, Dr. Nilsen has mentored thousands of medical students, resident and fellow physicians, and attending physicians across multiple specialties. She manages over 150 projects per year across five teaching hospitals, teaches monthly didactic sessions for residents and fellows, is a member of the HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Institutional Review Boards, and is a peer-reviewer for multiple major journals. She holds a PhD in Psychology from Wichita State University, as well as a Master’s in Public Health focusing on Health Policy and Management from Kent State University, with a graduate certificate in Healthcare Compliance.

Dr. Nilsen’s passion for medical education extends beyond scholarly activity. She actively engages in continuing professional development and leadership roles with organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). Additionally, Dr. Nilsen is dedicated to improving patient outcomes in healthcare, with a focus on social determinants of health and health equity for patients who are under-represented or under-resourced. Dr. Nilsen has been recognized for her leadership and contributions with numerous awards, including the "40 Under 40" (2020) and "Women Who Lead: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (2023) honors from the Wichita Business Journal, the Medical Education Research Award (2021) from the University of Kansas Medical Center, and the "Leading Adaptive Change" (2022) award from the Kansas Leadership Center.