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:
O'Connor EA, Nielson CM, Petrik AF, Green BB, Coronado GD. Prospective cohort study of predictors of follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy from a pragmatic trial of FITscreening. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):2441. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59032-0. PubMed
O'Connor EA, Vollmer WM, Petrik AF, Green BB, Coronado GD. Moderators of the effectiveness of an intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening through mailed fecal immunochemical test kits: results from a pragmatic randomized trial. Trials. 2020 Jan 15;21(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-4027-7. PubMed
Green BB, Baldwin LM, West II, Schwartz M, Coronado GD. Low rates of colonoscopy follow-up after a positive fecal immunochemical test in a Medicaid health plan delivered mailed colorectal cancer screening program. J Prim Care Community Health. Jan-Dec 2020;11:2150132720958525. doi: 10.1177/2150132720958525. PubMed
Inadomi JM, Issaka RB, Green BB. What multi-level interventions do we need to increase the colorectal cancer screening rate to 80%? Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Dec 27. pii: S1542-3565(19)31495-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.12.016. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Gold HT, Shao H, Oratz R, Yu O, Hammer M, Richardson S, Boudreau D. Association of diabetes and other clinical and sociodemographic factors with guideline-concordant breast cancer treatment for breast cancer. Am J Clin Oncol. 2020 Feb;43(2):101-106. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000638. 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, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Gaia Pocobelli, PhDResearch Associate |
![]() Leah Tuzzio, MPHResearch 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