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:
Schneider JL, Rivelli JS, Gruss I, Petrik AF, Nielson CM, Green BB, Coronado GD. Barriers and facilitators to timely colonoscopy completion for safety net clinic patients. Am J Health Behav. 2020;44(4):460-472. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.44.4.8. PubMed
Lowry KP, Coley RY, Miglioretti DL, Kerlikowske K, Henderson LM, Onega T, Sprague BL, Lee JM, Herschorn S, Tosteson ANA, Rauscher G, Lee CI. Screening performance of digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography in community practice by patient age, screening round, and breast density. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Jul 1;3(7):e2011792. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.11792. PubMed
Meenan RT, Baldwin LM, Coronado GD, Schwartz M, Coury J, Petrik AF, West II, Green BB. Costs of two health insurance plan programs to mail fecal immunochemical tests to Medicare and Medicaid plan members. Popul Health Manag. 2020 Jun 29. doi: 10.1089/pop.2020.0041. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Gupta S, Coronado GD, Argenbright K, Brenner AT, Castaneda SF, Dominitz JA, Green B, Issaka RB, Levin TR, Reuland DS, Richardson LC, Robertson DJ, Singal AG, Pignone M. Mailed fecal immunochemical test outreach for colorectal cancer screening: summary of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sponsored summit. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020 Jun 25. doi: 10.3322/caac.21615. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Haas CB, Nekhlyudov L, Lee JM, Javid SH, Bush M, Johnson D, Gleason T, Kaufman C, Specht J, Stitham S, Wernli KJ. Surveillance for second breast cancer events in women with a personal history of breast cancer using breast MRI: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2020;181(2):255-268. doi: 10.1007/s10549-020-05637-y. Epub 2020 Apr 17. 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