Dr. Karen L. Herbst, a prominent board-certified endocrinologist, serves as the Head of Research at The Roxbury Institute, home to the Advanced Lipedema Treatment (ALT) program. She also leads as the Director of Diagnostic and Preventive Medicine at the Institute’s new Center in Tucson, Arizona. Beyond her roles at The Roxbury Institute, Dr. Herbst holds the position of Vice President at the Lipedema World Alliance, an organization dedicated to advancing global understanding and treatment of lipedema.
At the Roxbury Institute and its Advanced Lipedema Treatment (ALT) program, Dr. Herbst collaborates closely with Dr. David Amron to redefine care for patients by mapping and creatively addressing gaps in research, accelerating the development of novel therapies, and broadening access to clinical breakthroughs. Her innovative approach not only pushes the boundaries of human investigation but also empowers ALT providers to apply the latest insights directly to patient care, enhancing treatment options for both new and existing patients.
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Under her leadership at The Diagnostic & Preventative Center, co-founded and developed with Dr. Amron, Dr. Herbst advances comprehensive care strategies that merge expert guidance with diagnostic and preventative methods. This center is dedicated to diagnosing and preventing the progression of lipedema and other fat disorders, making a substantial impact on the advancement of the field.
Dr. Herbst is at the forefront of unraveling the complexities of lipedema, Dercum’s disease, and other diseases of adipose connective tissue, focusing not just on lymphatic and vascular comorbidities but also on metabolic and hormonal factors, dysregulation of the immune system, and the genetics underlying chronic diseases including hypermobile joint syndromes, mast cell activation disease, and others. Her commitment extends beyond traditional surgical interventions as she integrates cutting-edge research with advanced diagnostic and preventative therapies, significantly enhancing The Roxbury Institute's multidisciplinary approach and achieving transformative outcomes for patients.
Internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research, Dr. Herbst has spearheaded significant advancements in understanding lipedema, Dercum's disease, and related conditions. She notably led an NIH-sponsored conference in 2019 to establish the standard of care for Lipedema in the United States and was instrumental in the introduction of new ICD-10 codes at the CDC in 2020, marking her as a pivotal figure in global healthcare discussions. Recently, she was awarded the 2024 PRS Global Open Best Paper Award for “Best Reconstructive Paper,” recognizing her co-authored work on the significant impact of Lipedema Reduction Surgery.
Dr. Herbst completed her Ph.D. in Cell Physiology at the University of Iowa, followed by a prestigious Howard Hughes Fellowship at the University of Utah. She then completed her medical degree at Rush Medical College and her residency and combined research and clinical fellowship in Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition at the University of Washington, an innovative campus known for receiving more federal research dollars than any other U.S. public university. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Herbst has held faculty positions at Martin Luther King Drew Medical Center/UCLA, the VA San Diego Health Care System/UCSD, and the University of Arizona, where she led the TREAT program focusing on adipose tissue and metabolism.
Recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tucson Business in 2019 and named one of America's top physicians, Dr. Herbst's innovative approach and dedication make significant contributions to the treatment and understanding of connective tissue diseases.
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Dr. Herbst is now licensed in 18 states, significantly expanding access:
Additional articles published by Dr. Herbst are available on Google Scholar.
Dr. Herbst is now seeing patients at ALT in Tucson, AZ
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At the core of Advanced Lipedema Treatment’s philosophy is the guiding principle that our surgeons are treating not simply a disease, but a person with a disease. Prior to even meeting a new patient, heart and empathy lead the way, holding a patient’s hand from the initial consultation through recovery.
At the surface of our philosophy is beautiful artistry. Our elegant and skillful surgeons target disproportionate fat on the patient's body, so that the patient loses weight, but does so in a perfectly balanced way. However, achieving this requires more than just removing the accumulated fat. Equally as important is the careful attention and skill employed through liposculpture to achieve aesthetically pleasing body contouring and cosmetic results, and to maximally decongest the tissues. For maximum improvement in each patient, liposuction and liposculpture should accomplish three main goals: reduction of pain and improvement of symptoms, prevention of disease progression, and the best cosmetic outcome.
Dr. Amron and his team of lipedema specialists treat patients from around the globe. For that reason, Dr. Amron wanted to create an exceptional lipedema treatment and surgical center. Today, Dr. Amron’s Advanced Lipedema Treatment is offered exclusively at the highly regarded Roxbury Institute, with locations in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Roxbury Institute exceeds every standard of medical safety, and creates an idyllic environment for patients that promotes trust. With its elegant furnishings and well-equipped treatment rooms, you’ll rest easy knowing you’re receiving the highest standards of care and treatment.
