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Karen Hoerst, MD

Specialty in Vascular (Stroke) Neurology

Dr. Hoerst is a board-certified Neurologist. She received her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from the University of Scranton in 2005 and Jefferson Medical College (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College) in 2009. She completed an internal medicine internship, neurology residency and vascular neurology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia (2014). After completing her training, Dr. Hoerst joined Reading Hospital in West Reading, Pennsylvania where she acted as the Stroke Program Medical Director in addition to providing emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. In 2019, she transitioned to the role of teleneurologist at SOCTelemed, providing emergency and inpatient care via teleneurology to patients with neurological disease across the country.

She also serves as a physician clinical reviewer for Magellan Health. Dr. Hoerst joined Buoy Health in 2021. She believes that providing accessible, accurate medical knowledge allows people to make informed and empowered decisions about their health.

Education and training

2013-2014 - Vascular Neurology Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2010-2013 - Neurology Residency, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2009-2010 - Internal Medicine Preliminary Internship, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2005-2009 - MD, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA

2001-2005 - Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA

Certifications

Board Certified, Neurology - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - 2013

Board Certified, Vascular Neurology - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - 2014

Articles from Karen Hoerst, MD

Slide 1 of 10

Hemifacial Spasm

If your face muscles are spasming, you may have injured a facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm is not dangerous but it can be distressing.

5 Causes of Hand Tremors

Hand tremors can have a simple fix, but it can also be from serious conditions like Parkinson’s disease or stroke. Here’s how to tell and how to treat it.

Sensitivity to Light

Common issues such as dry eye and eye strain can make you sensitive to light. But it can also be a sign of serious conditions, such as brain inflammation and retinal attachment.

Nerve damage can be caused by many types of injuries, ranging from a bruise to trauma from a car accident. While symptoms of mild nerve damage may go away on their own, severe cases need to be treated by your doctor or a surgeon.

What Causes Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech can be caused by an issue in your brain and nervous system or from local facial nerves. It may be a sign of serious disease, like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, so it’s crucial to get medical care right away.

Why Do I See Eye Flashes?

While occasional floaters or flashing lights are not uncommon, you should see an ophthalmologist who can examine you for underlying eye conditions. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Your skin can hurt from migraines, diabetes, and other pain conditions. Relief can come from creams, medications, good blood sugar control, and other pain treatments.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Su piel puede doler por migrañas, diabetes y otras condiciones de dolor. El alivio puede provenir de cremas, medicamentos, un buen control del azúcar en la sangre y otros tratamientos para el dolor.

Amnesie liegt vor, wenn Sie keine neuen Erinnerungen bilden oder sich an Erfahrungen oder alte Erinnerungen erinnern können. Amnesie tritt meist plötzlich auf und hat eine klare Ursache. Andere Arten von Gedächtnisverlust, wie etwa Demenz, entwickeln sich oft langsamer.

5 Ursachen für Handzittern

Handzittern kann eine einfache Lösung haben, es kann aber auch auf schwerwiegende Erkrankungen wie die Parkinson-Krankheit oder einen Schlaganfall zurückzuführen sein. Hier erfahren Sie, wie Sie es erkennen und wie Sie es behandeln.

Hemifacial Spasm

If your face muscles are spasming, you may have injured a facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm is not dangerous but it can be distressing.

5 Causes of Hand Tremors

Hand tremors can have a simple fix, but it can also be from serious conditions like Parkinson’s disease or stroke. Here’s how to tell and how to treat it.

Sensitivity to Light

Common issues such as dry eye and eye strain can make you sensitive to light. But it can also be a sign of serious conditions, such as brain inflammation and retinal attachment.

Nerve damage can be caused by many types of injuries, ranging from a bruise to trauma from a car accident. While symptoms of mild nerve damage may go away on their own, severe cases need to be treated by your doctor or a surgeon.

What Causes Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech can be caused by an issue in your brain and nervous system or from local facial nerves. It may be a sign of serious disease, like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, so it’s crucial to get medical care right away.

Why Do I See Eye Flashes?

While occasional floaters or flashing lights are not uncommon, you should see an ophthalmologist who can examine you for underlying eye conditions. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Your skin can hurt from migraines, diabetes, and other pain conditions. Relief can come from creams, medications, good blood sugar control, and other pain treatments.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Su piel puede doler por migrañas, diabetes y otras condiciones de dolor. El alivio puede provenir de cremas, medicamentos, un buen control del azúcar en la sangre y otros tratamientos para el dolor.

Amnesie liegt vor, wenn Sie keine neuen Erinnerungen bilden oder sich an Erfahrungen oder alte Erinnerungen erinnern können. Amnesie tritt meist plötzlich auf und hat eine klare Ursache. Andere Arten von Gedächtnisverlust, wie etwa Demenz, entwickeln sich oft langsamer.

5 Ursachen für Handzittern

Handzittern kann eine einfache Lösung haben, es kann aber auch auf schwerwiegende Erkrankungen wie die Parkinson-Krankheit oder einen Schlaganfall zurückzuführen sein. Hier erfahren Sie, wie Sie es erkennen und wie Sie es behandeln.

Hemifacial Spasm

If your face muscles are spasming, you may have injured a facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm is not dangerous but it can be distressing.

5 Causes of Hand Tremors

Hand tremors can have a simple fix, but it can also be from serious conditions like Parkinson’s disease or stroke. Here’s how to tell and how to treat it.

Sensitivity to Light

Common issues such as dry eye and eye strain can make you sensitive to light. But it can also be a sign of serious conditions, such as brain inflammation and retinal attachment.

Nerve damage can be caused by many types of injuries, ranging from a bruise to trauma from a car accident. While symptoms of mild nerve damage may go away on their own, severe cases need to be treated by your doctor or a surgeon.

What Causes Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech can be caused by an issue in your brain and nervous system or from local facial nerves. It may be a sign of serious disease, like a stroke or multiple sclerosis, so it’s crucial to get medical care right away.

Why Do I See Eye Flashes?

While occasional floaters or flashing lights are not uncommon, you should see an ophthalmologist who can examine you for underlying eye conditions. This is especially important for people with diabetes.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Your skin can hurt from migraines, diabetes, and other pain conditions. Relief can come from creams, medications, good blood sugar control, and other pain treatments.

Why Your Skin Hurts to Touch and What to Do About It

Su piel puede doler por migrañas, diabetes y otras condiciones de dolor. El alivio puede provenir de cremas, medicamentos, un buen control del azúcar en la sangre y otros tratamientos para el dolor.

Amnesie liegt vor, wenn Sie keine neuen Erinnerungen bilden oder sich an Erfahrungen oder alte Erinnerungen erinnern können. Amnesie tritt meist plötzlich auf und hat eine klare Ursache. Andere Arten von Gedächtnisverlust, wie etwa Demenz, entwickeln sich oft langsamer.

5 Ursachen für Handzittern

Handzittern kann eine einfache Lösung haben, es kann aber auch auf schwerwiegende Erkrankungen wie die Parkinson-Krankheit oder einen Schlaganfall zurückzuführen sein. Hier erfahren Sie, wie Sie es erkennen und wie Sie es behandeln.