Karyn Buxman is the 2009 recipient of the IDA Healthcare Honors Award. Karyn was chosen based upon her pioneering work in therapeutic humor as a speaker, author and leader in the field of nursing.

Karyn has been working full-time as a  professional speaker, writer and consultant since 1991 focusing primarily on humor as it relates to health and business professionals. She earned a Master of Science from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1990, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New York, Regents Program in 1988 and a Diploma from the Blessing Hospital School of Nursing in Quincy, Illinois in 1979.