Cancer is complex, so our researchers work to improve cancer control on many levels, from prevention and screening through treatment and survivorship. Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) was the first organization to develop and implement an evidence-based breast cancer screening program. This novel initiative used a computer-based registry before electronic health records (EHRs) existed. The program led to a rich portfolio of studies including on breast, colorectal, blood, cervical, lung, ovarian, and other cancer types. “Decades later,” says Karen Wernli, PhD, KPWHRI associate investigator, “Kaiser Permanente Washington is just as committed to developing and evaluating innovations in cancer care.”
The core of KPWHRI cancer research lies in its participation in many collaborative networks and programs. “Collaboration increases the power of Kaiser Permanente studies and helps us learn from different populations and health care settings,” says senior investigator Jessica Chubak, PhD. Examples of these networks include:
Coronado GD, Schneider JL, Green BB, Coury JK, Schwartz MR, Kulkarni-Sharma Y, Baldwin LM. Health plan adaptations to a mailed outreach program for colorectal cancer screening among Medicaid and Medicare enrollees: the BeneFIT study. Implement Sci. 2020;15(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s13012-020-01037-4. PubMed
Zheng Y, Corley DA, Doubeni C, Halm E, Shortreed SM, Barlow WE, Zauber A, Tosteson TD, Chubak J. Analyses of preventive care measures with incomplete historical data in electronic medical records: an example from colorectal cancer screening. Ann Appl Stat.14(2), 1030-1044. https://doi.org/10.1214/20-AOAS1342.
Schneider JL, Feigelson HS, Quinn VP, McMullen C, Pawloski PA, Power JD, Sterrett AT, Arterburn D, Corley DA. Variation in colorectal cancer stage and mortality across large community-based populations: PORTAL colorectal cancer cohort. Perm J. 2020;24. doi: 10.7812/TPP/19.182. PubMed
A'mar T, Beatty JD, Fedorenko C, Markowitz D, Corey T, Lange J, Schwartz SM, Huang B, Chubak J, Etzioni R. Incorporating breast cancer recurrence events into population-based cancer registries using medical claims: cohort study. JMIR Cancer. 2020 Aug 17;6(2):e18143. doi: 10.2196/18143. PubMed
Ashare RL, Bernstein SL, Schnoll R, Gross R, Catz SL, Cioe P, Crothers K, Hitsman B, Marhefka SL, McClure JB, Pacek LR, Vidrine DJ, Vilardaga R, Kaufman A, Edelman EJ. The United States National Cancer Institute’s coordinated research effort on tobacco use as a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people with HIV. Nicotine Tob Res. 2021 Jan 22;23(2):407-410. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntaa155. PubMed
![]() Melissa L. Anderson, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Denise M. Boudreau, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Erin J. Bowles, MPHResearch Associate |
![]() Diana S. Buist, PhD, MPHDirector of Research and Strategic Partnerships; Senior Investigator |
![]() David S. Carrell, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() Jessica Chubak, PhD, MBHLSenior Investigator |
![]() Yates Coley, PhDAssistant Investigator |
![]() Andrea J. Cook, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Marlaine Gray, PhDAssistant Investigator |
![]() Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
![]() Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Laura E. Ichikawa, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Aruna Kamineni, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
![]() Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector of Research, Faculty, & Development; Senior Investigator |
![]() Ellen O'Meara, PhDSenior Research Associate |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Gaia Pocobelli, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Leah Tuzzio, MPHSenior Research Associate |
![]() Rod L. Walker, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Robert D. Wellman, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Karen Wernli, PhDAssociate Investigator |
![]() Onchee Yu, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Weiwei Zhu, MSBiostatistician III |
![]() Yu-Ru Su, PhDAssistant Investigator |
Wylie Burke, MD, PhD
University of Washington (UW) Department of Medical History and Ethics
Joann G. Elmore, MD, MPH
Harborview Medical Center; UW Department of Epidemiology
Larry Kessler, ScD
UW Department of Health Services
Constance D. Lehman, MD, PhD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; UW Department of Radiology
Kathy Leppig, MD
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington; UW Department of Pathology
Peggy L. Porter, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC); UW Department of Pathology
Emily White, PhD
FHCRC; UW Department of Epidemiology
Rachel Winer, PhD, MPH
Fred Hutchinson/UW Cancer Consortium; UW Department of Epidemiology