Karen C Johnston, MD, MSc

Dr. Johnston is the Harrison Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Virginia.

She graduated from medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1991. She did her neurology residency at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital and a vascular neurology fellowship at the University of Virginia.

She joined the UVA faculty in 1997 and obtained a master's degree in outcomes research and clinical investigation in 1999.

She is board certified in general neurology and vascular neurology. She was the vice chair of research for the Department of Neurology prior to becoming Chair of Neurology in 2007. She was the Medical Director of the initial UVA Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2018. She is a leader in the National Institutes of Health-funded StrokeNet Research Program.

She became Associate Vice President of Clinical and Translational Research in 2016 and became the Inaugural Lead for the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV, the NIH-funded CTSA program) in 2019, at which time she stepped down as Neurology Chair.

Dr. Johnston's research has focused on treatment and outcomes in acute ischemic stroke, and she is the principal investigator on numerous NIH-funded grants.

She led the NIH-funded multicenter Stroke Hyperglycemia Insulin Network Effort (SHINE Trial). It included participants from over 70 hospitals nationwide. This trial has identified the best treatment for hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke patients.

She completed NIH-NINDS Council in 2021 and is now a member of the NIH Council of Councils that guides broad programs and strategy for all of NIH.

She maintains a strong commitment to education, mentoring, and career development for our workforce.

Gender

Female

Languages

English

Age Groups Seen

Adults (21-65)
Older Adults (65+)

Primary Education

University of Rochester - Strong MH

Residency

University of Rochester - Strong MH

Fellowships

University of Virginia School of Medicine

Certification

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Vascular Neurology), American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Neurology)

• William M. Feinberg Award for Excellence in Clinical Stroke, 2022
• Best Doctors in America® List, 2015-2020