Brief Biography

Karen Sappleton, MSED, MSW, RSW  is a social worker and transition healthcare professional in Good 2 Go, in the Division of Adolescent Medicine as well as an Interprofessional Edcucation Specialist with the New Immigrant Support Network (NISN). 

She has been a social worker at SickKids for nearly six years in the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, the position from which she is currently on a leave of absence. 

Karen is also a lecturer for the U of T's MSc in genetic counselling program at SickKids.  She has also worked as a clinical research project manager for the department of social work for nearly five years. 

As a social worker Karen has provided psychosocial support to patients and families through counselling, advocacy, education, research and program development for patients with very complex care needs and now supports adolescents and their families with transition issues as they prepare to leave SickKids. 

At NISN Karen is an educator working on dissemination and sustainability of culturally competent healthcare in SickKids as well as throughout the province, with an emphasis on health equity and social justice. Prior to social work Karen was an educator and administrator in a secondary school setting with a focus on youth with special needs.