Karen Sutton, MD

Dr. Karen M. Sutton is a recognized leader in the fields of fitness and sports medicine, shaped by her accomplishments as both an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon and a competitive athlete. She is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and an attending physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where she specializes in arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder, knee, and hip, with a focus on caring for athletes of all ages.

Her career in sports medicine grew naturally out of her own athletic background. As a standout lacrosse player at Duke University, she captained the team for three years, led them to the Final Four, and earned both Regional All-American and Academic All-American honors. This experience gave her first-hand insight into the physical and mental demands placed on athletes, fueling her lifelong dedication to helping others achieve peak performance and recover from injury. Today, she extends that mission beyond the clinic by serving as Chief Medical Officer for World Lacrosse, as a team physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and as physician for the U.S. Women’s Lacrosse National Team.

In addition to her clinical and athletic achievements, Dr. Sutton is widely recognized as an engaging speaker and educator. She contributes regularly to media outlets on topics such as injury prevention, health, fitness, and maintaining a successful work-life balance. Her research contributions, with dozens of peer-reviewed publications and national presentations, have advanced understanding in areas such as ACL reconstruction, the female athlete, and concussion protocols.

At the Pinnacle Conference, Dr. Sutton delivered the keynote welcome address, “Cultivating Personal and Professional Success.” In her talk, she shared lessons drawn from both the operating room and the athletic field, encouraging attendees to align their goals with their strengths and to reflect on the kind of life they want to build.

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