Curriculum Vitae

Karen Shields Wright, M.S., D.C., D.M.

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Current Positions

• Ignatian-based Spiritual Director in Private Practice, 2003–present (serving virtually since 2011)

• Retreat Director, offering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius (18th and 19th Annotations)

• Spiritual Director & Mentor, Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Fairfield University, 2017–present

 

Former Positions

• Chiropractic Physician and Principal, Greenwich Chiropractic Office, Greenwich, CT, 1981–1995 (full-time) and 1998–2025 (part-time); retired — Spinal Biomechanics, Kinesiology, and Evidence-Based Integrative Wellness

• Hospital Chaplain (part-time), Greenwich Hospital, Yale New Haven Health, 2010–2019

• Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Chiropractic, University of Bridgeport, CT, 1997–2004

  • Courses: Hospital Protocol, Practice Management, and Communication

 

Education

• Fordham University, Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education

  • M.S., Christian Spirituality, 1998

  • Certificate in Spiritual Direction, 2003

  • Continuing Adult Development and Catholic Social Teaching

• New York Chiropractic College (now Northeast College of Health Sciences)

  • Doctor of Chiropractic, 1980

• New York Institute of Technology

  • B.S., Pre-Med Life Sciences

• Fordham University

  • Undergraduate studies in World Religions, Philosophy, and Theology

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Certificates and Formation in Spiritual Direction

• Supervision Practicum, under Sr. Karen Doyle, Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality (MCIS), Fairfield University, 2024–2025

• The Dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises, with Fr. Kevin O'Brien, SJ, Boston College Theology Department, 2024

• Practicum in Giving the Spiritual Exercises, under Sr. Karen Doyle, MCIS, Fairfield University, 2020–2021

• Certificate in Catholic Social Teaching, The Catholic University of America and CAPP-USA

 

Courses on Spiritual Exercises and Spiritual Direction

• Revisiting Giving the Spiritual Exercises, Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS), 2023–2024

• Handing on the Fire: Making Spiritual Direction Ignatian, Joseph Tetlow, SJ, Ignatian Spirituality Institute, 2021

• The Dynamics of Conversion through the Spiritual Exercises, OIS, 2020–2021

• Offering the Spiritual Exercises: 19th Annotation Conference, with Fr. James Bowler, OIS, 2019

• Teaching of Discernment of Spirits, with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

 

Ongoing CE Formation

• Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Fairfield University, 2017–present

• Office of Ignatian Spirituality , Eastern Province, 2018–present

• Institute for Ministry Formation, St. Vincent's Seminary, 2023–2024

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Publications

• "The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: A Guide for Decision Making from Daily Clinical Encounters to National Policy-Making." The Linacre Quarterly (Catholic Medical Association) 84, no. 1 (2017): 10–22. PMC5375653. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5375653/

• "Catholic Social Teachings and the Foundations of Dignity." National Council of Catholic Women Quarterly, 2016.​

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Retreats and Presentations

• See the full list on the Presentations and Retreats Page

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Leadership and Service

• Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice (F-CAPP) and CAPP-USA — member since 2003

  • Co-Executive Director and National Program Director, CAPP-USA

  • Program Director & Presenter, graduate-level Catholic Social Teaching Certificate Program, co-sponsored with The Catholic University of America, 2008–2017 (directed and taught)

  • Convener & Participant, Spirituality Initiative Project, CAPP-USA, 2011 (convened and led)

  • Facilitator of meetings at F-CAPP international conferences at the Vatican

  • Board member, Diocese of Bridgeport chapter: activated its internet presence; initiated the annual Educators and Business Leaders Communion Breakfasts; led its first conference on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching

• Order of Malta, American Association — Dame of Magistral Grace, 2010–present

  •  St. Bernadette Ministry Palliative Care Committee 

• Association for Catholic Chiropractors (AFCC)

  • Co-Founder and President, 1997–2004

  • Represented the AFCC at International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) conferences with the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, Vatican City, 1997–1999

 

Listings

• Office of Ignatian Spirituality, Eastern Province

• College of Directors, Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Fairfield University

• SeekDirection.app

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Continuing Medical Education

Recent CME

• "Interpersonal Neurobiology," Dr. Dan Siegel, Mindsight Institute

• "Advances in Mind-Body Medicine," Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

• "Advances in Integrative Nutrition," Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

• "Fundamentals of Cognitive Behavior Therapy," Mass General Psychiatry Academy

• "Stress Management and Resiliency Training," Mass General Psychiatry Academy, Harvard Medical School

 

Selected Clinical CME (complete list available on request)

• A minimum of 24 CME credits per year, at institutions including Harvard Medical School, New York Chiropractic College, New York Medical College, National University of Health Sciences, University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, World Federation of Chiropractic, and Connecticut Chiropractic Association.

  • Subjects include Nutrition, Ethics, Biomechanics, Neurology, Orthopedics, Ergonomics, Biochemical Response, Aging, Pharmacology, Risk Management, Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Acupuncture, Spirituality & Healing, Spinal Impairment & Disability Ratings, Scoliosis, Applied Spinal Biomechanical Engineering, and Kinesiology.

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Chaplaincy Education

• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), Greenwich Hospital CPE Unit, Yale New Haven Health System, 2010

• "Essentials of Palliative Care," Chaplaincy Program, California State University

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