ECNETNews, New York, NY, August 8, 2024: Dr. Karlene Lawrence, a Jamaican-born Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, emphasizes the importance of preventive healthcare, leveraging over 20 years of experience in various health centers across New York City and Long Island.
Originally from St. Thomas, Jamaica, Dr. Lawrence relocated to the United States at 17 after completing her education at Holy Childhood Preparatory and High Schools in Kingston. She later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Molloy College in Rockville Centre, aspiring to become a Nurse-Midwife. After receiving a Midwifery and Women’s Health Graduate degree from New York University, she began her career in outpatient settings in Queens and Brooklyn. “I soon realized my care was incomplete without addressing the needs of my patients’ male partners. This realization inspired me to obtain an Adult Nurse Practitioner Post Graduate Certificate, leading to my passion for patient education in illness prevention,” Dr. Lawrence stated.
In 2017, Dr. Lawrence pursued further education, obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from SUNY Stony Brook University in 2019. During her studies, she balanced her professional goals with family life, supported by her husband, educator and cultural historian LeRoy Graham Jr., as they raised their three children together.
Dr. Lawrence has received numerous accolades, including scholarships from The Louis and Rachel Rudin Foundation, the New York State Advanced Nursing Education Traineeship, and the New York State Primary Care Service Corps. She is also a proud member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Currently, Dr. Lawrence holds the role of Doctor of Nursing Practice / Nurse Practitioner on a federally funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant. This initiative aims to enhance the healthcare workforce and community in Brooklyn by establishing a wellness clinic specifically for adults aged 65 years and older, also serving as a training facility for students at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
“Many chronic health conditions can be prevented through proper nutrition, regular screenings, and adherence to prescribed medications, ultimately leading to healthier, longer lives,” asserts Dr. Lawrence. She highlights the critical role of routine screenings for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cancers like breast, prostate, and colon. “Early diagnosis can simplify treatment, reduce costs, and enhance patient outcomes.”
Dr. Lawrence also addresses significant healthcare challenges, including limited access to affordable care, insurance constraints, and biases against older adults and those with mental health conditions. “A troubling reality is that many struggle with understanding healthcare discussions due to low literacy levels, complicating the pursuit of effective preventive care,” she explains. “The U.S. healthcare system remains complex and often inaccessible, a pressing issue that demands immediate attention for the benefit of all patients.”
Nevertheless, Dr. Lawrence recognizes the need for collaboration to tackle these systemic challenges. “It’s crucial that we unite all healthcare stakeholders to develop more effective solutions. The health and lives of our community members depend on it.”
