Karen Farris

Karen Farris serves as the Charles R. Walgreen III Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Professor of Social and Administrative Sciences at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, where she also holds the position of interim chair of the Department of Clinical, Social & Administrative Sciences. Her research focuses on social theories examining how individuals manage medications and how pharmacists in primary care settings influence medication use. She studies medication adherence patterns, reasons for non-adherence, including concern and necessity beliefs, and self-reporting of adverse effects. Her work has been instrumental in quantifying the impact of pharmacists' care on medication adherence and health outcomes. As a member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI) Institute Leadership Team, she contributes to broader healthcare policy discussions. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on medication management, pharmacy practice, and specialized programs addressing current healthcare challenges like the opioid crisis. She has secured significant research funding as both principal investigator and co-investigator, publishing extensively in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at numerous professional conferences. Her innovative work in pharmacy practice transformation has particularly influenced chronic disease management and medication adherence improvement strategies.