Cardiac Conditions in Obstetric Care

Karen L. Florio, D.O., MPH is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and vice chair for patient safety and quality in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Missouri. She is nationally recognized for her work in high-risk obstetrics, with a focus on cardiovascular disease in pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, and quality improvement to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Dr. Florio serves as Principal Investigator on multiple multicenter studies, including NIH-funded projects, and has been a leader in implementing evidence-based safety bundles across hospital systems. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and her Master of Public Health from George Washington University. A dedicated educator and mentor, she is the founding program director for Missouri’s first maternal-fetal medicine fellowship. She has also held many leadership roles in the public health realm, including being a member of the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Board in Missouri for seven years, as well as the chair of the board for two years. She is currently a core member of the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, where she served as the chair of the Maternal-Child Learning and Action Network from 2022 to 2024.