Carmen E. Guerra, M.D., M.S.C.E., F.A.C.P.
Ruth C. and Raymond G. Perelman Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Member, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Attending Physician, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Senior Fellow , Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania
Member, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania
Founding co-director, UPHS Colorectal Cancer Screening Patient Navigation Program, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Senior Fellow, Center for Health Behavior Research, University of Pennsylvania
Member, Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
Founding Associate Director of Diversity and Outreach, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania
Founding Director, Office of Diversity, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania
Founding Director, Healthy Woman Program/Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Diversity Search Advisor, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
Founding Director, Dr. Edward S. Cooper Leadership Development Program for Women and Diverse PSOM faculty , Perelman School of Medicine
Lead Diversity Search Advisor, Perelman School of Medicine
Senior Fellow, Center for Public Health Initiatives
Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
Affiliate Member, Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center
Chair, Vice Chairs of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania
Department: Medicine
Contact information
Abramson Cancer Center
12-107 South Pavilion
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
12-107 South Pavilion
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: (215) 349-5200
Fax: (215) 614-0044
Fax: (215) 614-0044
Publications
Links
Search PubMed for articles
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
American Board of Internal Medicine Blog, Apr 6, 2018.
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
American Cancer Society Get Screened (in Spanish)
Health Care Organization Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
"Faith, (Mis)Trust, and COVID-19" Penn Medicine Co-Sponsored Town Hall Targeting Vaccine Hesitancy in Communities of Color. University Joins with Rev. Cean James and Congressman Dwight Evans and the COVID-19 Prevention Network. December 15, 2020.
Avoiding Getting Colorectal Cancer by Getting Screened at 45, KYW Briding Philadelphia interview
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Practice. Webinar for Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, Quality Insights of Delaware and Quality Insights of West Virginia. February 4, 2009 and February 5, 2009.
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
Genetic Testing Saves Lives. So Why Aren’t More Women Of Color Doing It? by Lauren Pluckett-Pope. Oct, 2021.
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer. October, 2016.
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
The Reality of Cancer Risk….and Bacon. Interview by Sandy Bauers from the Philadelphia Inquirer. October 30, 2015.
American Cancer Society Get Screened PSA (in English)
American Board of Internal Medicine | Health Care Org. Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
Promoting Cancer Equity and Inclusion Through Navigation Efforts
Drive, Walk, Mail, Text: How to Connect Communities to Colorectal Cancer Screening
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
6 Things All Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer by Rozalyn Frasier. Nov, 2021.
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
Medical Interview for CBS news affiliate KYW Channel 3 Philadelphia "Colorectal Cancer Screening and Curcumin for the Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer. Record date 3/2/07. Air date March 27, 2007
Harvard Medical School Health Disparities Resources for Providers
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
Why Cancer Screenings — Even in the Middle of a Pandemic — Are Still Vitally Important. Philadelphia Magazine. Oct 31, 2020.
Lack of Broadband, Rise of Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Threaten Black Community During Pandemic
Doctora latina rompe barreras para ayudar a mujeres con cáncer de mama. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Medical interview on breast cancer for the Spanish television network Telemundo’s Maria Del Pilar’s “De Todo Un Poco” taped for live on 3/4/04 and aired on Philadelphia’s WWSI Telemundo Channel 62 on 3/8/04 at 6PM. Tape can be viewed at the URL below.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Vulnerable Populations: A Former Harold Amos Scholar Searches for Solutions: A Grantee Story of Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE
The reality of cancer risks - and bacon by Sandy Bauers
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
The Cancer Screening Crisis, KYW Philadelphia, Oct 1, 2022
Increasing Participation of Patients from Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations in Cancer Clinical Trials: An ASCO-ACCC Collaboration
ASCO podcast: Social Determinants of Health - Access to Care. Oct, 2021.
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
Cáncer de Seno: Mujeres latinas luchan por salvar vidas. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
A Primary Care Physician Explores Barriers to Cancer Prevention and Clinical Trial Accrual. ASCO Post. Oct 20, 2020.
Inquirer Live: Cancer Care for All
Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood: Ask Art Live Series on Affordable Healthcare Open Enrollment, Dec 15, 2022
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
"Diversity in Clinical Trials," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health Summit, Nov 17, 2021
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Search PubMed for articles
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
American Board of Internal Medicine Blog, Apr 6, 2018.
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
American Cancer Society Get Screened (in Spanish)
Health Care Organization Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
"Faith, (Mis)Trust, and COVID-19" Penn Medicine Co-Sponsored Town Hall Targeting Vaccine Hesitancy in Communities of Color. University Joins with Rev. Cean James and Congressman Dwight Evans and the COVID-19 Prevention Network. December 15, 2020.
Avoiding Getting Colorectal Cancer by Getting Screened at 45, KYW Briding Philadelphia interview
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Practice. Webinar for Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, Quality Insights of Delaware and Quality Insights of West Virginia. February 4, 2009 and February 5, 2009.
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
Genetic Testing Saves Lives. So Why Aren’t More Women Of Color Doing It? by Lauren Pluckett-Pope. Oct, 2021.
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer. October, 2016.
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
The Reality of Cancer Risk….and Bacon. Interview by Sandy Bauers from the Philadelphia Inquirer. October 30, 2015.
American Cancer Society Get Screened PSA (in English)
American Board of Internal Medicine | Health Care Org. Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
Promoting Cancer Equity and Inclusion Through Navigation Efforts
Drive, Walk, Mail, Text: How to Connect Communities to Colorectal Cancer Screening
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
6 Things All Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer by Rozalyn Frasier. Nov, 2021.
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
Medical Interview for CBS news affiliate KYW Channel 3 Philadelphia "Colorectal Cancer Screening and Curcumin for the Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer. Record date 3/2/07. Air date March 27, 2007
Harvard Medical School Health Disparities Resources for Providers
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
Why Cancer Screenings — Even in the Middle of a Pandemic — Are Still Vitally Important. Philadelphia Magazine. Oct 31, 2020.
Lack of Broadband, Rise of Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Threaten Black Community During Pandemic
Doctora latina rompe barreras para ayudar a mujeres con cáncer de mama. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Medical interview on breast cancer for the Spanish television network Telemundo’s Maria Del Pilar’s “De Todo Un Poco” taped for live on 3/4/04 and aired on Philadelphia’s WWSI Telemundo Channel 62 on 3/8/04 at 6PM. Tape can be viewed at the URL below.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Vulnerable Populations: A Former Harold Amos Scholar Searches for Solutions: A Grantee Story of Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE
The reality of cancer risks - and bacon by Sandy Bauers
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
The Cancer Screening Crisis, KYW Philadelphia, Oct 1, 2022
Increasing Participation of Patients from Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations in Cancer Clinical Trials: An ASCO-ACCC Collaboration
ASCO podcast: Social Determinants of Health - Access to Care. Oct, 2021.
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
Cáncer de Seno: Mujeres latinas luchan por salvar vidas. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
A Primary Care Physician Explores Barriers to Cancer Prevention and Clinical Trial Accrual. ASCO Post. Oct 20, 2020.
Inquirer Live: Cancer Care for All
Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood: Ask Art Live Series on Affordable Healthcare Open Enrollment, Dec 15, 2022
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
"Diversity in Clinical Trials," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health Summit, Nov 17, 2021
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Education:
B.A. (Psychobiology)
New York University, 1989.
M.D. (Medicine)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1993.
M.S.C.E. (Epidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2006.
B.A. (Psychobiology)
New York University, 1989.
M.D. (Medicine)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1993.
M.S.C.E. (Epidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2006.
Post-Graduate Training
Intern in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1993-1994.
Resident in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1994-1996.
Fellow , NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Summer Training Institute on Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions, 2003-2003.
Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, 2005-2009.
Executive Leadership Development, Certificate of Professional Development, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2015.
Executive Leadership Development, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), 2018-2019.
Fellow, National Cancer Institute Multilevel Intervention Training Institute, 2022-2022.
Intern in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1993-1994.
Resident in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1994-1996.
Fellow , NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Summer Training Institute on Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions, 2003-2003.
Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, 2005-2009.
Executive Leadership Development, Certificate of Professional Development, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2015.
Executive Leadership Development, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), 2018-2019.
Fellow, National Cancer Institute Multilevel Intervention Training Institute, 2022-2022.
Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine, 1996.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2007.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017.
Permanent linkAmerican Board of Internal Medicine, 1996.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2007.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017.
Description of Research Expertise
Health disparitiesBarriers to accessing cancer screening
Barriers to accessing clinical trials
Colorectal cancer screening
Breast cancer screening
Health literacy
Participation in Cancer Clinical Trials by Underserved Populations
Description of Clinical Expertise
Cancer Screening and PreventionWomen's Health
Disease prevention
Description of Other Expertise
Student, Trainee and Faculty Diversity and InclusionSelected Publications
Guerra CE, Sharma PV, Castillo BS: Multi-Cancer Early Detection: The New Frontier in Cancer Early Detection. In press. Annual Reviews of Medicine 2024.McCarthy AM, Fernandez Perez C, Blumenthal D, Mack E, Beidas R, Bekelman J, Asch D, Bauer A, Buttenheim A, Conant E, Doucette A, Fayanju O, Gabriel P, Guerra C, Nunes L, Plag M, Rendle K, Shelton R, Shulman L, Ware S, Wheeler B, Wileyto EP, & Schnoll R : Rapid cycle approaches to pilot test patient-directed nudges promoting engagement with supplemental breast MRI screening among women with extremely dense breasts Implementation Science Dec 2023.
Pain D, Nguyen N, Washington A, Wooden C, Savage S, Demarest K, Gilbert O, Guerra C : Video Intervention to Increase Knowledge and Intention to Enroll in Clinical Trials among Black Individuals in Philadelphia Medical Decision Making Oct 2023.
Leader AE, Brandt HM, Briant KJ, Curry G, Ellis K, Gonzalez E, Guerra CE, Harding G, Hull PC, Israel A, Mellilo R, Mesia RJ, Schiffelbein JE, Song Y, Surani Z, Tiro J, Vadaparampil ST, Vanderpool RC, Paskett ED: Community Outreach and Engagement at U.S. Cancer Centers: Notes from the 3rd Cancer Center Community Impact Forum. In press. Cancer Epi Biomarkers Prev Oct 2023.
Ginzberg SP, Edmonds CE, Dako F, Donnell T, Washington AL, Elmore LC, Lee DJ, Vachani A, Mincarelli D, Zeballos Torrez C, McCormick TM, Rodriguez V, Nguyen V, Oliva C, Atherholt B, Gaiser R, Congiu L, Grant B, Gungor M, Englander BS, Guerra CE, Nunes LW.: Together We Go Farther: Improving Access to Cancer Screening Through a Multidisciplinary, One-Stop-Shop Approach. In press. Academic Radiology Sep 2023.
Liu J, Jayaram G, Varma T, Sammut S, Guerra C, Miller JE: Data transparency and demographic representation in approval packages of FDA-approved oncology drugs from 2012-2021. J Clin Oncol 41(16): 1594, Jun 2023.
Bange EM, Coughlin KQ, Brown TJ, Bilger A, Balar E, Arasappan D, Nnaji M, Chong EA, Cappucci P, Ragusano D, Zinck LJ, Fredo A, O'Neill C, Li W, Mamtani M, Guerra C, Mamtani R.: Are we ready to mitigate time toxicity of cancer care? Oncologists’ perceptions on digital interventions to fast-track cancer care. J Clin Oncol 41(16): 1537, Jun 2023.
Wingard J, Sallee V, Gabriel PE, Doucette A, Wormley WP, Grosso CM, Schnoll RA, Washington AL, Pryma DA, Nathanson K, Guerra C, Vonderheide RH: Impact of pandemic on accrual of minority participants to interventional cancer clinical trials J Clin Oncol 41(16): e18581, Jun 2023.
Nguyen V, Ramos R, Dornsife D, Johnson RG, Miller E, Jones M, Uribe D, Wileyto EP, Vonderheide RH, Guerra C: Barriers and facilitators to enrolling in a cancer clinical trial financial reimbursement program J Clin Oncol 41(16): e18641, Jun 2023.
Castillo BS, Boehmer L, Oyer RA, Pierce LJ, Barrett N, Guerra C: Barriers and facilitators to discussion of cancer clinical trials: A qualitative study. J Clin Oncol 41(16): e18588, Jun 2023.