Dr. Karen Parker Davidson, RN, is a globally recognized Airway Clinical Nurse Specialist and leading expert in nasal function, objective nasal measurements, and clinical data interpretation. As one of only two experts worldwide to advance 4-phase rhinomanometry, she pioneered the introduction of nasal resistance as a fifth vital sign and biomarker, emphasizing its role as a physiological indicator of respiratory function, airflow restriction, and an early sign of dysfunction. Her innovative work spans sleep medicine, surgery, orthodontics, and dentistry, utilizing objective nasal assessments to guide treatment, track progress, and ensure long-term stability. She has developed groundbreaking tools and methods, including the Davidson Maneuver for external nasal valve assessment, the FACT Method(TM), the MAVERICK Nasal Exam(TM), and the DAFNE Score. As the founder of Airway AI with objective measurements, she integrates 4-phase rhinomanometry with advanced technology to analyze nasal flow limitations, treatment options, and their connection to conditions such as PTSD, bruxism, posture-related disorders, and airway resistance changes linked to oral devices and tongue instability. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Davidson has held certifications and diverse roles in advanced practice nursing, the medical device industry, critical care, oncology, and infusion therapy and served as a U.S. Air Force Flight Nurse. Currently, she is the Vice President of GM Instruments, Ltd., leads FACT Healthcare Consulting Group, and co-founded MedTec Research, driving collaborations with medical companies and academic institutions worldwide. A respected educator, researcher, and speaker, she is an adjunct professor at Liberty University and Central Michigan University, authoring major publications on nasal function, airway health, and sleep medicine in books and peer-reviewed journals. Her children's book series, "My Little Nose," educates young readers on nasal health, and she has co-authored significant works in Sleep, Craniofacial Form, Airway Function Disorders, and Remote Monitoring and Wearable Devices in Healthcare. Dr. Davidson's contributions and leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Washington, D.C.'s Top Women Leaders in 2022, receiving the 2020 Outstanding Dissertation Award from Central Michigan University for her research on healthcare reimbursement practices, and being part of a National Science Foundation award-winning team that developed a medical device to improve manual bag ventilation in airway emergencies-recognized in a March 2024 letter from U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson. In Fall 2024, she was awarded "Top Online Professor" by Liberty University's School of Health Sciences, Division of Public Health, for her work in Healthcare Policy. She is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor, and advisor, frequently lecturing on airway health and health policy. A member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, she is also the founder of the International Society of Airway Function, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics. With copyrights, trademarks, and patents in airway algorithms, AI-based interpretation software, and nasal function diagnostics, she continues to drive innovation in airway health. Dr. Davidson holds a Doctor of Health Administration, three Master's degrees (Health Services Administration, Nursing, and Education), a Bachelor of Nursing, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis on International Business. She resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with her son and two dogs, where she remains an advocate and leading voice for airway health and innovative nasal function testing.
