2025 Walk to Cure Arthritis Honorees

Michael L. Swank, MD
Beacon Orthopaedics &
Sports Medicine
Medical Honoree

Michael L. Swank, M.D. is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine who specializes in hip and knee surgery. After completing medical school as well as his residency at Northwestern University in Chicago Illinois, he went on to complete fellowships in both Adult Reconstructive Surgery and Reconstructive Spinal Surgery.

Dr. Swank is a pioneer in minimally-invasive computer hip and knee surgery. He is appointed President and Medical Director of Cincinnati Orthopaedic Research Institute as well as Medical Director of Ambulatory Surgery Center at Beacon Summit Woods.

He has been honored as a Health Care Hero for Innovation by the Cincinnati Business Courier and as a Healthcare Award Winner by Venue Magazine. He has also been named a “Top Doctor” annually by Cincinnati Magazine, most recently in 2025. Read more about Dr. Swank 

Karen Warren
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adult Honoree

Karen was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) as a freshman in college, although she had been having symptoms since age 7. Her JRA treatments began with gold injections, then numerous other medications, until she started on infused biologic medications in 2000. She has seen and experienced most of the treatment improvements the Arthritis Foundation played a role in over the years.

Despite her JRA and having all of her major joints replaced, she has taught math at two colleges in Illinois, worked as a Reliability Engineer for Delphi Automotive in Dayton, and currently tutors high school and college students.

Karen’s hobbies include reading, taking classes, genealogy, swimming, spoiling her dog & 2 cats, traveling, spending time with friends, tutoring, and volunteering for Arthritis Foundation events.