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

Elkoustaf Rachid, MD, Area Research Chair for Riverside/Palm Springs
Rachid Elkoustaf, MD, MPH
Area Research Chair

Riverside
Cardiology

Dr. Rachid Elkoustaf is a cardiologist at the Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center. He is area research chair for Riverside/Palm Springs on the Southern California Permanente Medical Group’s Regional Research Committee. He serves as director of the Graduate Medical Education Mentorship program and a physician champion for the Oral Anticoagulation Hospital Committee at Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center. Dr. Ekoustaf is a voting member of the Clinical Trials Oversight Board and ...

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: Education-focused diabetes care linked to better blood sugar control

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 ...

Nurses in research: Christina Flores builds trust and understanding in vaccine studies

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 Christina Flores, LVN, who works in vaccine and infectious disease clinical trials. What is your background? I grew up in Highland Park, California, and ...

Nurses in research: Sara Ruiz supports pediatric patients through clinical trials

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 Sara Ruiz, BSN, RN, PHN, who works in bone marrow transplant and pediatric clinical trials. What is your background? I grew up in Texas, ...

When more isn’t more: Smaller restaurant portions left diners just as full

Restaurants in the United States are known for generous portions, often serving far more food than most adults need in a single meal. Those oversized portions have long been linked to overeating and, over time, to higher rates of obesity and chronic disease. A new study conducted in real restaurants suggests there may be a ...

Events

Featured Division

Clinician Research

The Division of Clinician Research provides support and resources for researchers who maintain clinical practices while building their own research portfolios.

The Division of Clinician Research provides support and resources for researchers who maintain clinical practices while building their own research portfolios. Key goals include fostering collaboration among clinician researchers, expanding research education, and promoting research that has the potential to transform care and improve the health of our communities.

The division, which was established in 2023, provides administrative support to the Regional Research Committee and the Clinician Investigator Program and manages a team of biostatisticians dedicated to physician research. It co-leads the Care Improvement Research Team, a group that brings together clinicians and research scientists to answer questions with the potential to change practice.

The division actively engages with various collaborators throughout the organization and is working to establish an interconnected network of clinicians, scientists, educators, administrators, and leaders who will work together to drive clinically impactful change through research.