Karen Sparks

Karen Sparks is a gastric bypass patient having had surgery in December, 2003, and co-author of the number one weight loss surgery patient education book in the world,  "The REAL Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery: An Indispensable Guide to What You Can REALLY Expect!" now in its second edition, as well as "Little Victories REAL Food Cookbook! Easy, practical, healthy foods your whole family will eat." She is also a major contributing author of The Encyclopedia of Obesity, the co-author of two upcoming textbooks for dietary science students and practicing dietitians, and is frequently featured in various peer-reviewed publications writing about a variety of bariatric related topics. Karen is a nationally and internationally requested educator and trainer on bariatric, obesity, management, supervision, leadership, human resources, education, and support group leadership topics. Karen is a professional public health and bariatric educator, and teaches bariatric related continuing education courses for ASMBS, BariMD, ADA, ADMA, CON, and other organizations. She is also a specialist in curriculum and program development.

Karen Sparks is a former Dean of Business Administration and Technology at Baker College, and has been teaching for fifteen years, specializing in management strategies, administrative functions, and technology applications, with emphasis on real world application through experiential learning. Through Little Victories Medical/Legal Consulting & Training™, a company she co-owns, she now specializes in teaching support groups and support group training as well. She is an accomplished artist, a self-professed "techno-geek," and a true educator in every sense of the word.

Karen is no ordinary teacher. Her teaching style is very hands on and practical. Karen likes to tell students that she camps outside of "the box," and only visits the box when necessary. She is known for her innovative teaching style, and her ability to apply the material at hand to the lives and experiences of any individual with whom she is working. Karen's hallmark is to ensure that her students or trainees never leave the classroom without being able to take new skills with them and immediately apply them to their current situations. She is an engaging presence whether in the classroom, or when presenting seminars and lectures across the country. Her energetic and charming personality infuses all she does.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master degree in Business Education, and is completing her Ph.D. in HealthCare and Business Administration as well. She is the co-owner of Little Victories Press™ for which she serves as its Executive Officer, as well as Little Victories Support University, and Little Victories Medical/Legal Consulting & Training™ serving both bariatric patients and medical professionals across the country and around the world in creating and providing the latest in bariatric program and support services. She is also the co-owner of Athena Group Consulting, serving education, business/medical, government, human service, and community arenas with professional development, program development, assessment, and other consulting services.

Karen serves as a Member of the National Advisory Board of the Obesity Action Coalition, with an emphasis in education and awareness regarding obesity as a disease, the struggles of patients dealing with obesity, treatment options available to those patients, and prevention programs. She remains active in many professional education and technology research groups as well. She continues to pursue numerous areas of research and publication to advance the bariatric field and elevate bariatric care, and is an internationally sought after speaker and presenter on a variety of topics related to her research and publications.