If you’ve spent any time at our East Village location, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Karen Middleton—and if you have, consider yourself lucky. Whether she’s tackling big projects, sharing a great recommendation, or just bringing good energy to the space, Karen embodies everything we love about our community. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on her, and her work, helping to lead the client services team at Apollo Medical Communications.
What do you do? Tell us a little bit about your work.
I’ve worked in medical communications for more than 20 years and am currently Senior Director, Client Services for an agency based on the East Coast. We support pharmaceutical and biotech companies to educate on treatments and disease states, communicating complex science to healthcare professionals, patients and other stakeholders in the healthcare community. Our clients are developing game-changing treatments and some are the first ever for rare diseases. That’s a pretty inspiring reason to come to work every day.
What’s a guilty pleasure snack or treat you can’t resist?
Caramel pecan turtle cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.
What’s the weirdest or most unexpected job you’ve ever had?
The hospital that pioneered hip replacement surgery is a couple of miles from where I grew up. I had a research job with the clinical outcomes group and spent 2 years collecting surgery details and going through theater logs and archives.
If you could switch professions for a day, what would you choose?
3-day event rider. As I only have one day, I’ll choose cross-country day.
What’s a local Tulsa gem (hidden or not-so-hidden) you think everyone should know about?
Farm Bar. I love sitting up at the chef’s table enjoying great food, wine and chat.
If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
I should say some remote cultural location, which I would also love. But as I’m answering on a snowy Saturday, I’m remembering winter weekends in NYC eating mac and cheese with cocktails before catching a show. So right now, I’d love to be transported there for the day.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of The Root Coworking?
I’ve tried other co-working spaces in the past and never found one that worked for me. The Root gives me the perfect combination of connecting with a friendly and interesting community, but also the space and flexibility to focus on work in the way I need to. I love the friendly chats and really appreciate how well organized everything is.
