Karen E. Gibbs, MD, MBA, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Distinguished Physician Leadership Award from the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association (GBMA), which recognizes physicians whose leadership has advanced patient care, clinical excellence, and service to the regional medical community.
Gibbs is chair of surgery at Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport Hospital and associate professor of surgery (bariatric and minimally invasive) at Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Since joining Yale in 2021 after a national search, she has earned respect for her clinical excellence, leadership, and dedication to improving patient outcomes.
Under her leadership, Bridgeport Hospital has expanded and strengthened its surgical programs. She has also played a key role in advancing the goals of the Aligned Clinician Enterprise (ACE), helping enhance quality, service, and access for patients while providing important operational and administrative support to surgical teams across the Bridgeport campuses.
“Dr. Gibbs is an exceptional leader whose passion and unwavering commitment to quality and excellence have strengthened surgical care across Bridgeport Hospital. This recognition reflects not only her remarkable contributions to our patients and care teams, but also the profound impact she continues to have on the future of our surgical programs and our hospital community,” says Anne Diamond, DBA, JD, president of Bridgeport Hospital.
Gibbs will be recognized at the GBMA Scholarship Awards Dinner on May 14.