IHR Research Spotlight
October 2026
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IHR and Nourish Colorado: Expanding Access to Healthy Food Through Double Up Food Bucks | October 2026
For more than 10 years, Nourish Colorado has led implementation of the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program, helping Colorado households using SNAP benefits bring home fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, while also supporting farmers, food retailers, and the state’s food economy. Nearly three-quarters of DUFB users screen positive for food insecurity, underscoring the continued need for nutrition incentive programs that makes healthy food more affordable and accessible.
In partnership with Nourish Colorado, researchers at the Institute for Health Research (IHR) at Kaiser Permanente Colorado, led by Morgan Clennin, PhD, MPH, KPCO Institute for Health investigator and Elizabeth Tucker, evaluated the program’s reach, implementation, and outcomes among SNAP shoppers, farmers, vendors, and market managers. The evaluation found high levels of participant satisfaction and strong perceived value of the program, alongside meaningful benefits for local food systems. In 2025, DUFB reached 10,452 SNAP shoppers across 118 retail stores and vendors, with more than $1 million in incentives redeemed—increasing access to fresh, locally sourced produce statewide. This work was supported by the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP).
Learn more about Dr. Clennin’s work.
September 2026
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SAFE Firearm expansion to Primary Care and Ob-Gyn | September 2026
- Beginning in June 2026, SAFE Firearm expanded to adult Primary Care and Ob-Gyn visits at Highlands Ranch and Aurora Centrepoint, including routine adult wellness exams and 24-week pregnancy supervision visits. This expansion is important because children and adults may access firearms outside their homes, and routine screening questions can miss up to one-third of firearm owners.
- Dr. Boggs and team will use lessons from the first two clinics to guide phased expansion beginning April 2027. The work is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education.
- Learn more about Dr. Boggs’ work.
Jennifer Boggs, PhD, MSW, , KPCO Institute for Health investigator and her research team at the KPCO Institute for Health Research (IHR) launched the SAFE Firearm program in Pediatrics and Family Medicine in 2022 in collaboration with Dr. Rinad Beidas from Northwestern (PI: R01MH123491). Findings published in JAMA Pediatrics showed that the program greatly expanded families’ receipt of safe storage counseling, with clinicians reporting that the brief conversation fit well alongside routine preventive topics. The model integrates brief, 1-minute safe storage conversations into well visits, supported by provider training, free cable locks for firearms, patient handouts, exam room posters, practice facilitation, clinical champions, and a 1-click Electronic Health Record nudge.
May 2024
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SONNET Spring 2024 Newsletter | May 2024
- Dr. Clennin and her team shared in a new SONNET report that KP members who experience any financial strain, food insecurity or housing instability were 21% more likely to visit the emergency department.
- Her recently published paper “Association of Housing Instability with Obesity Status Among Insured Adults” in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, uses the same data to show that KP members who experienced high levels of housing instability were nearly twice as likely to have severe obesity.
Morgan Clennin, PhD, MPH, KPCO Institute for Health investigator, is featured twice in the SONNET Spring 2024 Newsletter for her work in social health research using data from Kaiser Permanente’s National Social Health Surveys.
April 2024
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HCSRN 2024 Meeting | April 10
Jennifer Boggs, PhD, MSW, investigator at the Institute for Health Research, was awarded Healthcare Systems Research Network (HCSRN) Investigator of the Year during the 2024 meeting in Milwaukee, WI. Her abstract on "Results from a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial to Improve Uptake of a Secure Firearm Storage Program in Pediatric Primary Care" was reviewed on specific criteria including abstract quality, relevance and originality, quality of science, and impact, generalizability, and scalability. Dr. Boggs was presented with the award on April 10, 2024 by HCSRN Governing Board Chair, Michael Horberg, MD. https://www.hcsrnmeeting.org/
March 2024
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MyKP | March 6
The Institute for Health Research's Debra P. Ritzwoller, PhD, economist and senior investigator, alongside fellow Kaiser Permanente researchers, will be contributing work to the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN). This network is a national effort to test new ways to find cancer in support of the U.S. Cancer Moonshot initiative to reduce cancer deaths in the U.S. by half by 2047. https://mykp.kp.org/en/news/national/joining-a-national-effort-to-test-news-ways-to-find-cancer.html
August 2023
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Colorado Public Radio | August 23
Matthew F. Daley, pediatrician and senior investigator with Kaiser Permanente’s Institute for Health Research, is interviewed by Colorado Public Radio (CPR) to discuss a new study in Pediatrics that looks at why children in the U.S. are getting some but not all doses of recommended vaccines and what strategies are needed to bring children up to date on their vaccinations to get the fullest protection. https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/new-study-gives-a-shot-in-the-arm-to-declining-toddler-vaccination-rates/
May 2023
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MyKP | May 10
According to 2 recent studies by the KPCO Institute for Health Research, innovations in digital health care allowed our clinical teams to continue delivering high-quality patient care during an unexpected time. https://mykp.kp.org/en/news/colorado/health-outcomes-upheld-by-coordinated-care-during-pandemic.html
March 2023
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Castle Connolly | March 21
Ingrid A. Binswanger, MD, MPH, MS, addiction and internal medicine clinician and senior clinician investigator at Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s Institute for Health Research, is chosen as a 2023 Exceptional Woman in Medicine by Castle Connolly. The Exceptional Woman in Medicine list "recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors across the United States who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields." https://www.castleconnolly.com/castle-connolly-releases-2023-exceptional-women-in-medicine
November 2022
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USA TODAY | November 15
Debra P. Ritzwoller PhD, economist and senior investigator with Kaiser Permanente Colorado's Institute for Health Research, is interviewed by USA TODAY about the importance of lung cancer screening and challenges with its implementation across the US healthcare system. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/11/15/lung-cancer-screening-challenges-progress/10664142002/
February 2022
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New York Times | February 11
The C.D.C. had advised those with weakened immune systems to receive their boosters sooner than the general population. Matthew F. Daley, pediatrician and senior investigator with Kaiser Permanente’s Institute for Health Research and member of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) is quoted stating he hopes the change in guidance will encourage more people to receive their booster. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/04/world/covid-test-vaccine-cases?
November 2021
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National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Prevention Research Blog | November 29
Heather Spencer Feigelson, PhD, MPH, senior investigator and Larissa White, PhD, MPH, CPH, research postdoctoral fellow, at the KPCO Institute for Health Research, are conducting a study testing a unique approach to genetic testing and communication with people diagnosed with ovarian cancer and their family members that is highlighted in the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Prevention research blog. https://prevention.cancer.gov/news-and-events/blog/studies-focus-testing?cid=eb_govdel&from=btn
October 2021
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The New York Times | October 25
Matthew F. Daley, MD, a pediatrician and vaccine researcher with KP in Colorado, provides comment that the evidence for booster doses for certain age groups isn’t available yet. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/25/health/covid-boosters-cdc-fda.html
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News Medical Life Sciences | October 25
COVID-19 vaccine recipients had lower non-COVID-19 death rates than people who weren’t vaccinated, according to Kaiser Permanente research published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. KP Colorado was 1 of 7 Vaccine Safety Datalink sites to provide information for this study.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20211025/Study-finds-lower-non-COVID-19-death-rates-in-COVID-19-vaccine-recipients.aspx
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HealthDay | October 15 ,
Physician’s Weekly | October 13 ,
Breaking Med | October 12 ,
Axis Imaging News | October 13,
Radiology Business | October 13,
Oncology Nurse Advisor | October 25
A new study for KP’s Institute for Health Research in Colorado shows 2021 United States Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening eligibility recommendations can improve screening of traditionally underserved populations. Debra Ritzwoller, PhD., KP Institute for Health Research senior investigator and lead study author is mentioned or quoted in serval outlets. https://consumer.healthday.com/lung-ca-screening-eligibility-up-with-2021-uspstf-recommendations-2655268324.html
https://www.physiciansweekly.com/uspstfs-updated-lung-ca-screening-recommendations-breaking-down-barriers/
https://breakingmed.org/article.html?articleid=85180
https://axisimagingnews.com/imaging-insights/imaging-research/expanded-lung-screening-rules-provide-more-equitable-care
https://www.radiologybusiness.com/topics/policy/updated-lung-cancer-screening-guidelines-eligibility
https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/home/cancer-types/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-association-bmi-risk-second-treatment-risk/
September 2021
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PBS News | September 22
CDC advisory committee discusses COVID-19 boosters. Matthew F. Daley, MD, pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Colorado and senior clinician investigator with our Institute for Health Research is quoted as a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the CDC. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/watch-live-cdc-advisory-committee-discusses-covid-19-boosters
August 2021
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National Institute on Aging at NIH Research News | August 24
Elizabeth A. Bayliss, MD, MSPH, Kaiser Permanente senior clinician investigator at the Institute for Health Research, has study on optimizing medication through deprescribing for people with Alzheimer's or a related dementia featured in National Institute on Aging at NIH Research News. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/dangers-polypharmacy-and-case-deprescribing-older-adults
July 2021
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@permanentedocs on Instagram | July 22
Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician, senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research and member of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, joined Dr. Alex McDonald of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group to discuss the low risk of vaccine side effects, vaccine research developments, questions about the need for potential booster doses, and how history will judge this time. http://t.enterprisecomms.kp.org/r/?id=hb42a29,1cbb4e4,1cbfb61
June 2021
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Colorado Sun | June 30
Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research was part of a panel discussion on kids and COVID-19 vaccines. The panel offered insight on side-effects, safety, and timing of the vaccine and also touched on variant strains. https://coloradosun.com/2021/06/30/coronavirus-vaccine-children-safety/
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The New York Times | June 23
As a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the CDC, Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research provides comment on COVID-19 vaccines and incidences of myocarditis and pericarditis. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/health/coronavirus-vaccine-heart.html
May 2021
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KP Colorado Twitter | May 21
Mabel Peters, BS, CCRP, an operational research specialist in clinical trials for the Institute for Health Research, has been recognized by her colleagues as a KP Colorado Rock Star. She provides patient-centered care and shows a strong passion for research. https://twitter.com/KPcolorado/status/1395771613220462594
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The Verge | May 15
Matthew F. Daley, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior clinician investigator at our Institute for Health Research is quoted on how the availability of vaccines is leading to reduced deaths and reduced cases nation-wide. https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/15/22437290/vaccines-teens-covid-19-antivirus
April 2021
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Colorado Sun | April 28
Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior clinician investigator at the Institute for Health Research offers important insight on VAERS, a federal vaccine side-effect monitoring system, as it relates to the COVID-19 vaccines. https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/28/coronavirus-vaccine-common-side-effects/
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HealthDay | April 19 ,
BreastCancer.org | April 12 ,
Medical Life Sciences | April 12 and
Philly Voice | April 12
Continuing Coverage: Heather Feigelson, PhD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research had a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The research suggests breast cancer survivors who are overweight have a statistically significant increased risk of developing second primary cancers.
https://consumer.healthday.com/4-19-in-breast-cancer-survivors-obesity-raises-odds-for-cancers-return-2652504507.html
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/risk-of-second-cancer-goes-up-as-weight-increases
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210412/Breast-cancer-survivors-with-excess-body-weight-at-increased-risk-of-developing-second-cancer.aspx
https://www.phillyvoice.com/breast-cancer-weight-loss-obesity-risk/
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Yahoo! News | April 5 and
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel | April 5
Heather Feigelson, PhD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research had a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The research suggests breast cancer survivors who are overweight have a statistically significant increased risk of developing second primary cancers.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/weight-linked-risk-second-cancer-140000402.html?guccounter=1
https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/colorado/weight-linked-to-risk-of-second-cancer-after-breast-cancer/article_2230bb8c-2cea-5416-a807-fbad15247aac.html
March 2021
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JAMA Network Open | March 26
Research from John Steiner, MD, MPH, senior clinical investigator at Kaiser Permanente’s Institute for Health Research suggests patients who received many automated messages from medical providers were more likely to opt out of receiving future messages. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777872
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about.kaiserpermanente.org | March 5
IHR research investigator, Dr. Cheryl Kelly, donates $10,000 2020 David Lawrence Community Service Award to GrowHaus. Cheryl is the 2020 David Lawrence Community Service Award winner for KPCO. She has served on the GrowHaus board since 2018 and was recently voted to the executive committee of the board. Watch her video and learn more about the GrowHaus and the difference they are making in the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea community. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/community-health/news/cheryl-kelly-names-the-growhaus-as-recipient-of-10k-award
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CNN | March 1
The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Saturday. Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research is quoted in several national publications on how this will help increase vaccine supply across the US. Dr. Daley is a panel member for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. https://us.cnn.com/2021/02/28/health/johnson-and-johnson-acip-meeting/index.html
February 2021
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Washington Post | February 28
The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Saturday. Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research is quoted in several national publications on how this will help increase vaccine supply across the US. Dr. Daley is a panel member for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/02/28/johnson-and-johnson-vaccine-cdc-recommendation/
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Wall Street Journal | February 28
The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Saturday. Matthew F. Daley, MD, Kaiser Permanente pediatrician and senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research is quoted in several national publications on how this will help increase vaccine supply across the US. Dr. Daley is a panel member for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-j-covid-19-vaccine-endorsed-by-cdc-advisers-11614544468
October 2020
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The Colorado Springs Business Journal | October 19
Matthew F. Daley, MD, KP pediatrician and senior clinician investigator at KP’s Institute for Health Research writes a guest column on the importance of vaccinations. https://www.csbj.com/online_features/health_and_wellness/don-t-wait-vaccinate-flu-season-and-covid-19-a-dangerous-double-threat/article_db7048f0-13ec-5321-896e-e32252352767.html
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5280 Magazine | October 14
In a paid article, Kaiser Permanente's Institute for Health Research is profiled for its work on COVID-19 treatments and studies. Claudia Steiner, MD, executive medical director of Kaiser Permanente's Institute for Health Research (IHR) and Rebecca Boxer, MD, director of clinical trials for the IHR are quoted. https://paidposts.5280.com/kaiser-oct2020/
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Health Day | October 14
A new study from Jason Glanz, PhD, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente's Institute for Health Research suggests when parents have concerns about the safety of childhood vaccinations, it can be tough to change their minds. https://consumer.healthday.com/kids-health-information-23/immunization-news-405/it-s-tough-to-change-the-minds-of-vaccine-hesitant-parents-study-finds-762104.html
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Denver Post | October 8
Matthew F. Daley, MD, KP pediatrician and senior clinician investigator at KP's Institute for Health Research writes a guest column on the importance of vaccinations. https://yourhub.denverpost.com/blog/2020/09/dont-wait-vaccinate/268369/
August 2020
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New York Times | August 20
Researchers are testing an experimental drug to halt sudden COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes. Rebecca Boxer, MD, medical director of clinical trials at KP’s Institute for Health Research is quoted throughout the article. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/health/coronavirus-nursing-homes.html)
May 2020
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Denver Post | May 17
Rebecca Boxer, MD, KPCO director of clinical trials at the Institute for Health Research is quoted on a new consortium that is participating in an experimental therapy to treat COVID-19 symptoms—convalescent plasma donation—and how KPCO is involved. (click for print version: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/05/17/colorado-plasma-coronavirus-covid-treatment/)
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Queering Mental Health | May 6, 2020
Leslie Wright, KPCO Institute for Health Research community research liaison and project manager was part of a virtual roundtable discussing mental health needs in the LGBTQ+ community. Leslie was quoted on the mental health needs of seniors. (page 22: https://issuu.com/outfrontcolorado/docs/envision_05.06.2020_yp)
April 2020
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Colorado Parent | April 29
A first-hand account of postpartum depression and an in-depth look at the help available. Joyce Gottesfeld, MD, KPCO Ob-GYN and Arne Beck, PhD., KPCO senior investigator at the Institute for Health Research are quoted extensively. KPCO’s peer-to-peer postpartum depression help program is mentioned. https://www.coloradoparent.com/the-new-moms-guide-to-postpartum-depression/)
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KOAA News-NBC (SoCO) | April 19
Rebecca Boxer, MD, KPCO director of clinical trials is quoted on our KPCO’s efforts to deliver a new experimental therapy through convalescent plasma donations. https://www.koaa.com/news/coronavirus/medical-professions-work-together-for-plasma-program)
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5280 Magazine | April 16
Rebecca Boxer, MD, KPCO medical director of clinical trials and geriatrician provides information on an experimental therapy called convalescent plasma donation and how KPCO is part of a state-wide consortium gathering information on these donations. https://www.5280.com/2020/04/can-blood-products-donated-by-covid-19-survivors-treat-the-disease/)
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ABC Denver Channel 7 | April 12
Wendee Gozansky, MD, a lead physician expert in the EOC, KPCO geriatrician, and CPMG VP & Chief Quality Officer discusses the importance of staying connected with the senior population during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://kp.qumucloud.com/view/Kxbks3NbvTD#/
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Fox 31 | April 4
Wendee Gozansky, MD, a lead physician expert in the EOC, KPCO geriatrician, and CPMG VP & Chief Quality Officer discusses the importance of staying connected with the senior population during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://kp.qumucloud.com/view/UcDOoWoaoqc#/
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Channel 2 News | April 4
Wendee Gozansky, MD, a lead physician expert in the EOC, KPCO geriatrician, and CPMG VP & Chief Quality Officer discusses the importance of staying connected with the senior population during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://kp.qumucloud.com/view/8IIrXGB0WR4#/
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Colorado Public Radio | April 2
Wendee Gozansky, MD, KPCO geriatrician and CPMG VP & Chief Quality Officer discusses KPCO’s shift to ensure physicians are available in urgent, ER, and hospital settings for potential COVID influx. https://www.cpr.org/2020/04/02/specialists-primary-care-doctors-retrain-for-hospital-frontlines-as-colorado-coronavirus-cases-mount/)