Karen Padilla

Karen has been part of the Ipas team since 2002, currently serving as Program Director for Ipas LAC. Previously, she was part of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health’s National Maternal Health Team and taught at the National University of Nicaragua and the University of El Salvador.

She has a degree in Medicine from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana de México. She has a Master’s degree in Sexual and Reproductive Health from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, another as a Specialist in Health Economics and Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain), and a Higher Diploma in International Health from the National School of Health, belonging to the Carlos III Health Institute (Madrid, Spain).

Her experience includes extensive knowledge of public health systems in the region, as well as clinical training for health care providers and the management of monitoring and evaluation of reproductive health services, including registration and management of reproductive health commodities. Karen has also worked at the community level through partnerships with grassroots organizations, which has provided her with a deep understanding of the needs and challenges related to reproductive health in the region.