Kara Gavin
Research and Policy Media Relations Manager

Gavin draws on more than 25 years of experience in communicating about science, medicine and health policy. She focuses mainly on the health services research done by members of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, who work to understand and improve the safety, quality, equity and affordability of health care. As part of the Michigan Medicine communication team, she has lead responsibility for primary care and mental health topics. Contact: [email protected]; Twitter: @Karag
Kara Gavin photo
Microscopic image of gut bacteria eating the colon lining
Health Lab
Gut Bacteria Eat Colon Lining When Starved for Fiber
U-M researchers have found that gut bacteria eats the colon lining in rats when fed a low-fiber diet. See how a lack of fiber can lead to colon infection.
 A family discussing end of life wishes during Thanksgiving
Health Lab
How to Discuss Health Care and End-of-Life Wishes During the Holidays
The holidays are a great time to discuss end-of-life decisions. Learn the importance of having a health care power of attorney & discussing it with your family.
Health Lab
Health on the Homefront: Efforts to Improve Civilian Care for Veterans
Increasing numbers of veterans are receiving non-VA medical care. See the four questions medical professionals should ask when treating veterans outside the VA.
 The importance of teamwork in medicine
Health Lab
The More Doctors Interact, the Better Their Patients Do
Study shows physician & hospital teamwork improves heart bypass surgery outcomes. Learn how medical teamwork & doctor communication improves surgical outcomes.
 UPEC & siderophore being used in a urinary tract infection vaccine
Health Lab
A Step Toward a Vaccine Against Urinary Tract Infections
Researchers are using a combination of UPEC & siderophore to create a urinary tract infection vaccine. Learn more UTI-causing bacteria & possible UTI vaccines.
 Blood tests for inherited thrombophilia
Health Lab
Study: Common Blood Clotting Test Has Few Benefits, Wastes Money
Testing for inherited thrombophilia is unnecessary. See why patients won't benefit from inherited thrombophilia testing regardless of if they have had a VTE.
 Illustration depicting a hospital patient being quickly readmitted to the same hospital.
Health Lab
Death vs. Readmission: Should Medicare Hospital Payments Weigh Them Equally?
The Medicare penalty for patient readmission is higher than patient death. See how Medicare can better balance hospital mortality and hospital readmission rates.
 A group of people under the ACA's healthcare.gov umbrella
Health Lab
8 Things to Know About Affordable Care Act Enrollment
Affordable care act enrollment starts in November. Get more information on enrolling in the affordable care act and helpful tips for the ACA enrollment process.
Health Lab
Why Doctors Order Scans for Lower Back Pain When They Probably Won’t Help
Even when clinicians agree an MRI or CT isn’t needed, referral and patient factors get in the way, a new survey shows.
 Illustration depicting cardiac arrest research
Health Lab
Stopped Hearts Need More Cardiac Arrest Research to Start
Cardiac arrest research is needed, specifically for post cardiac arrest care and cardiac arrest treatment. See the study that details cardiac arrest statistics.
 Illustration of sad people depicting opioid abuse
Health Lab
Can Opioid Overdose Prevention Take a Lesson from Stroke Prevention?
Buprenorphine could help with preventing opioid overdose & opioid addiction, but it requires heavy doctor oversight. Discover U-M's idea to treat opioid abuse.
 Illustration of physicians representing diversity in medicine
Health Lab
To Achieve Diversity Among Doctors, Start in Pre-Med Years
U-M program HSSP seeks to help URiM students while they are still in pre-med programs. Learn more about diversity in medicine and medical school demographics.
 Tray of medical instruments signifying the cost of surgical complications
Health Lab
Costly Care: Patient Complications and Bills Vary Widely by Hospital
U-M study shows hospitals with higher rates of surgical complications tend to charge more. See the cost of medical complications like postoperative complications.
 Military dog tags
Health Lab
A New Theory on What’s Really Happening in PTSD Brains
A new post-traumatic stress disorder study at U-M is researching PTSD and the brain. See how this PTSD study is matching PTSD symptoms with parts of the brain.
 Out-of-Pocket Health Costs
Health Lab
Out-of-Pocket Health Costs: One Size Should Not Fit All
Value-Based Insurance Design seeks to lower financial barriers to essential clinical services. See how VBID hopes to change HDHPs, diagnostic testing & Medicaid.
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