Clinical Research Award

The Clinical Research Award recognizes individuals whose research has significantly and positively impacted the oncology patient, family, and/or community.

Dr. Carmen Guerra is the Ruth C. and Raymond G. Perelman Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Guerra is a general internist and cancer equity researcher. She is also the Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion for the Department of Medicine and the Associate Director of Diversity and Outreach for the Abramson Cancer Center.

Dr. Guerra’s research has focused on developing and evaluating interventions to increase the participation of underserved populations in cancer screenings and cancer clinical trials. She developed and evaluated several cancer screening patient navigation programs, implemented the NCI’s colorectal cancer “Screen to Save” program, the CDC’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, mobile mammography, and a drive through “Flu-FIT” program in partnership with Philadelphia’s Black churches. These programs have engaged thousands of underserved, minority residents of Philadelphia in cancer screenings. Dr. Guerra has also established programs to increase participation of Black patients in cancer clinical trials including a peer-to-peer cancer clinical trials ambassador program and the Lazarex Improving Patient Access to Cancer Clinical Trials program, a financial reimbursement program for patients participating in cancer treatment trials.

Dr. Guerra is member of the American Cancer Society Clinical Guidelines Development group and National Board of Directors. She is an author of the ACS colorectal, cervical and HPV clinical practice guidelines. She co-chaired two the American Society of Clinical Oncology-Association of Community Cancer Centers workgroups that developed an unconscious bias training and a site self-assessment for cancer research teams and author of the ASCO-ACCC research statement Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials.

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