Integrating a sharable AI model to predict cancer recurrence

A study led by Anlan Cao, PhD, a translational research postdoctoral fellow at the Division of Research, and DOR research scientist Elizabeth Cespedes Feliciano, ScD, found that a shareable natural language processing model that analyzed radiology reports provided an efficient determination of recurrence and time-to-recurrence in patients with breast or colorectal cancer. The research, published in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, suggests this AI model could potentially improve recurrence surveillance in large research studies.

Dustin Mark receives 2025 Morris F. Collen Research Award

Division of Research Adjunct Investigator Dustin Mark, MD, received a 2025 Morris F. Collen Research Award for his work designing diagnostic strategies for people who come to the emergency room with sudden headaches. The award, named after the one of the founders of The Permanente Medical Group, Morris Collen, MD, recognizes physicians who make significant contributions to scientific literature and to the health of our communities. Also recognized for research in the 2025 Collen awards were Dana Clutter, MD, and Ashok Krishnaswami, MD.

Individual telephone coaching early in pregnancy linked to healthier weight gain

Pregnant patients who participated in a telephone coaching program on healthy eating early in pregnancy were more likely to avoid gestational weight gain above recommended levels, and less likely to retain weight after pregnancy. The results came from a Wellness Coachjng in Pregnancy program offered to members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, and were published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Open journal; lead author was Division of Research investigator Sylvia Badon, PhD.

Study supports use of zanubrutinib for certain leukemia patients

A study led by a team of DOR researchers and The Permanente Medical Group oncologists, including Lori Sakoda, PhD, Margaret Li Krackler, MD, Raymond Liu, MD, and Jahan Tavakoli, MD, and published in Cancer Medicine, provided real-world data to support the use of zanubrutinib, a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic leukemia, whether or not they had previously been treated with ibrutinib. The study, which included 281 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members, was featured in the American Journal of Managed Care and the ASCO’s Cancer in the News.

Research scientist Melisa Wong receives NCI R37 Award

Study finds reduced disparities in endometriosis care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology and led by Eve Zaritsky, MD, an Oakland-based ob/gyn with The Permanente Medical Group, found Black women received more hormonal, pain, and surgical management for endometriosis than non-Black women. The authors note this is a change from historical views that endometriosis is more common among affluent White women. “Within an integrated health care system committed to eliminating racial and ethnic and socioeconomic disparities through the implementation of culturally responsive disease management models, we observed equitable patterns of care… suggesting that such settings may offer opportunities to reduce disparities,” the authors wrote.

Clinical pharmacists could provide virtual alcohol use consultations

A study from Division of Research investigator Stacy Sterling, DrPH, MSW, MPH, and team looked at the potential value of offering a telehealth visit with a trained clinical pharmacist for patients identified in primary care as having unhealthy alcohol use. The study found patients who saw a trained pharmacist were twice as likely to get medication therapy for their alcohol use than those who received usual care from a primary care doctor. Both groups were similar in likelihood of getting a referral to specialty substance use treatment.