About Our Program

As a research center embedded within Kaiser Permanente’s large and dynamic health care system, our investigators have a unique opportunity to apply scientific expertise to real-world clinical problems, translate findings into practice, and share what we learn with the broader community.

Featured Scientist

Dr. Kristi Reynolds headshot
Kristi Reynolds, PhD, MPH
Director
Division of Epidemiologic Research
626-564-5103
Kristi.Reynolds@kp.org

Dr. Kristi Reynolds is a chronic disease epidemiologist and the director of Epidemiologic Research for the Department of Research & Evaluation. Her research focuses on the prevention and treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. She also studies medication adherence, drug safety, and cardiovascular quality of care and outcomes. She has more than 2 decades of experience leading and collaborating ...

Featured Video

Research showing value of exercise before COVID-19 diagnosis earns special recognition

Being active can lower your risk of getting seriously ill with COVID, regardless of your race or the chronic conditions you may have, according to research published last year in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The Kaiser Permanente Southern California findings were important, impactful, and influential. As a result, the journal editors chose the research article, “Associations of Physical Inactivity and COVID-19 Outcomes Among Subgroups,” as the American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023 Article of the Year.

News

Featured Image of News Story Titled: Clinical trial gives young pitcher a path back to baseball

Clinical trial gives young pitcher a path back to baseball

When Chance Shipley was finishing high school in Southern California, baseball defined his future. A pitcher with a college scholarship, he was training for the transition to collegiate athletics when he became seriously ill during winter break in December 2019. He was vomiting, exhausted and noticed blood in his urine. At first, he said nothing. ...

Mpox study reveals hidden infections may fuel spread

A Kaiser Permanente study of nearly 8,000 men shows that in mid- to late 2024, mpox was far more common among men who have sex with men than previously thought. Individuals without symptoms accounted for most infections and likely played a prominent role in transmission, contrary to prior assumptions that people had to be symptomatic ...

DoxyPEP protects against some STIs, but effectiveness against gonorrhea diminishes

Taking doxycycline after sex helped prevent chlamydia and syphilis, but its ability to prevent gonorrhea faded over time as drug‑resistant strains became more common, according to new research. The findings show both the benefits and limits of a prevention strategy now widely used by patients, clinicians, and public health programs to prevent sexually transmitted infection ...

Education-focused diabetes care linked to better blood sugar control

A large study conducted within Kaiser Permanente Southern California found that people with type 2 diabetes who primarily received diabetes self-management education and support were more likely to achieve healthy blood sugar levels than those whose care focused mainly on physician visits. “For people living with type 2 diabetes, this study shows that actively participating ...

Nurses in research: Beatriz Alviso advances patient-centered science

This week, Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2026), we honor all the nurses who work within the Department of Research & Evaluation, who are a vital part of our research. Here we highlight Beatriz Alviso, RN, PHN, BSN who works in the Division of Health Services Research & Implementation Science. What is your background? I grew up ...

Events

Featured Division

Health Services Research & Implementation Science

Our health services researchers bring together scientific and clinical expertise to find better ways to improve care.

Investigators with the Division of Health Services Research & Implementation Science study how care is delivered, identify opportunities for care improvement, and implement new approaches for organizing and delivering health services. The division brings together scientists with diverse expertise and training, including emergency medicine, epidemiology, health services research, implementation science, internal medicine, nursing, pharmaceutical economics, and pulmonology.

The division co-leads the Care Improvement Research Team, a research team embedded within Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s quality improvement ecosystem. The team works closely with clinical and operational partners at Kaiser Permanente Southern California to identify, prioritize, and solve problems related to quality and affordability. Its goal is to reduce unnecessary practice variation, improve affordability, and transform care.