Dr. Karen Allen

Dr. Karen Allen is Dean and Professor of Nursing at the Valparaiso University College of Nursing and Health Professions, where she leads over 40 faculty and staff, and almost 800 graduate and undergraduate students. She has a PhD in Nursing Sciences, and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Her area of expertise is substance abuse and addictions, and she has engaged in practice, education, leadership, policy and research in this field for a number of years. Dr. Allen has authored and edited numerous publications that includes 5 books, and almost 40 articles and book chapters, with many focused on substance abuse and addictions. She is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Addictions Research, and one of the Associate Editors for the Journal of Addictions Nursing. In addition, almost all of her refereed and invited presentations are on the subject matter of substance abuse and addictions. Dr. Allen has served as President of a National and International professional nursing organization – The National Nurses Society on Addictions; and the International Nurses Society on Addictions. Dr. Allen has been committed to providing service to community organizations over the years. She has served and continues to serve on high level boards, such as: Member of Northwest Health Board of Directors in Valparaiso, Indiana; Member of Adventist Health Systems Sunbelt Corporate Board of Trustees in Orlando, Florida; Member of U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention National Advisory Council, in Rockville, MD; Member of Governing Board for Ruth Murdoch Elementary School, in Berrien Springs, MI; and Member of Governing Board for Andrews Academy, in Berrien Springs, MI. Dr. Allen is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including: Siegfried H. Horn Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship Lifetime Achievement Award from Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan; the Innovator Award for Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; the Carol E. Franck Nursing Leadership Award from the Michigan Nurses Association; and the Nightingale Nursing Administration/Leadership Award, from the Oakland University School of Nursing and Board of Visitors. Dr. Allen has been a consultant and evaluation researcher in the area of substance abuse and addictions for the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services administration for over 25 years. She has engaged in research funded by NIDA, SAMHSA, and CDC.