Karen Winkfield

Karen Marie Winkfield (born 1970) is an American radiation oncologist, physician-scientist, and implementation scientist. She is the Ingram Professor of Cancer Research at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Early life and education Winkfield was born in 1970 to a family of Jehovah's Witnesses who were opposed to formal education.

Winkfield completed a B.S. in biochemistry at Binghamton University. She earned a Ph.D. (2004) in pathology and M.D. (2005) from Duke University School of Medicine. Winkfield was the second black woman to complete the medical scientist training program at Duke University.

Career Winfield was an associate director for community outreach and engagement and director of the office of cancer health equity at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. She was also recognized as one of the 100 Influential Women in Oncology by OncoDaily.

Personal life Winkfield was married to Jeffrey Walker. Walker was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003 and died in 2018 from complications of the disease. His medical journey influenced Winkfield to pursue patient advocacy.