Carmen E. Guerra, M.D., M.S.C.E., F.A.C.P.
Ruth C. and Raymond G. Perelman Associate 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
Associate Member, Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Pennsylvania
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
Member, Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
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
Advisory Dean, Dr. Helen O. Dickens House, Perelman School of Medicine
Affiliate Member, Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center
Facilitator, Program to Advance Clinician Educators, Perelman School of Medicine
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
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.
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
American Board of Internal Medicine Blog, Apr 6, 2018.
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Vulnerable Populations: A Former Harold Amos Scholar Searches for Solutions: A Grantee Story of Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer. October, 2016.
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
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
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
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.
The reality of cancer risks - and bacon by Sandy Bauers
The Reality of Cancer Risk….and Bacon. Interview by Sandy Bauers from the Philadelphia Inquirer. October 30, 2015.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
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
A Primary Care Physician Explores Barriers to Cancer Prevention and Clinical Trial Accrual. ASCO Post. Oct 20, 2020.
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
"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.
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
Search PubMed for articles
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.
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
American Board of Internal Medicine Blog, Apr 6, 2018.
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Vulnerable Populations: A Former Harold Amos Scholar Searches for Solutions: A Grantee Story of Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer. October, 2016.
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
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
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
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.
The reality of cancer risks - and bacon by Sandy Bauers
The Reality of Cancer Risk….and Bacon. Interview by Sandy Bauers from the Philadelphia Inquirer. October 30, 2015.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
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
A Primary Care Physician Explores Barriers to Cancer Prevention and Clinical Trial Accrual. ASCO Post. Oct 20, 2020.
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
"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.
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
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.
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.
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
Herrera C, Guerra C, Narayan V, Guzzo TJ, Lee DJ, Mamtani R, Tasian G, Talwar R.: Financial burden of prostate cancer survivorship: a national cross-sectional assessment of subjective financial distress. The Journal of Urology in press, Sept 2021.Guerra CE, Sallee V, Hwang W, Bryant B, Washington AL, Takvorian SU, Schnoll R, Glanz K, Cohen RB, Nathanson KL, Vonderheide RH.: Accrual of Black participants to cancer clinical trials following a five-year prospective initiative of community outreach and engagement (oral presentation at American Society of Clinical Oncology). J Clin Oncol 39(15): 100, June 2021.
Guerra CE, Kelly S, Redlinger C, Hernández P, Glanz K.: Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Treatment Trials Accrual: A Closer Look at Participation Rates. Am J Clin Oncol 44: 227-231 June 2021.
Steinkamp J, Anyanwu EC, Adeli B, Childs CB, Guerra CE, Airan-Javia SL: Words Matter: What is the Prevalence of Stigmatizing Language within the EHR? (Poster). American Medical Informatics Association's Clinical Informatics Virtual Conference May 2021.
Takvorian SU, Guerra CE, Schpero WL.: A Hidden Opportunity — Medicaid’s Role in Supporting Equitable Access to Clinical Trials. N Engl J Med 384: 1975-1978, May 2021.
Carr RM, Lane-Fall MB, South E, Brady D, Momplaisir F, Guerra CE, Montoya-Williams D, Dalembert G, Lavizzo-Mourey R, Hamilton R.: Academic careers may be casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic for many minority researchers: Strategies to Stem the Tide. Science Translational Medicine 13(584), Mar 2021 Notes: In press.
Washington A, Miles L, Melendez C, Bryant B, Auchus A, Goldberg M, Melnick S, Way J, Grant D, Highsmith K, Guerra CE: Drive By Flu-FIT: a Novel Way to Mitigate the Decrease in Colorectal Cancer Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Oral Presentation at American Association of Cancer Research: COVID-19 and Cancer ). Clinical Cancer Research 27(6): 1583, Mar 2021 Notes: https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/27/6_Supplement/S02-04.
Guerra CE, Verderame E, Nicholson A, Wan L, Brook A: A Plan-Do-Study-Act Approach to the Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Patient Navigation Program to Reduce Breast Cancer Screening Disparities in Un- and Underinsured, Racially and Ethnically Diverse Urban Women. Front Public Health 9: 106, Feb 2021.
Doykos PM, Chen MS, Watson K, Henderson V, Baskin ML, Downer S, Smith LA, Bhavaraju N, Dina S, Lathan CS.: Special Convening and Listening Session on Health Equity and Community Outreach and Engagement at National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Health Equity 5.1, Jan 2021.
Doykos PM, Chen MS, Watson K, Henderson V, Baskin ML, Downer S, Smith LA, Bhavaraju N, Dina S, Lathan CS.: Recommendations from a Dialogue on Evolving National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement Requirements: A Path Forward. Health Equity 5.1, Jan 2021.