KPWHRI scientific divisions

Nationally recognized for rigorous and innovative methods, the researchers at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) work in interdisciplinary teams across 4 divisions:

Investigative Science

KPWHRI’s Investigative Science Division has more than 20 doctorate-trained scientific investigators, including physician scientists, epidemiologists, psychologists, anthropologists, and health services researchers — many of whom have joint appointments at the University of Washington and the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. The Investigative Science Division researchers collaborate closely with researchers in the Biostatistics and Collaborative Science Divisions. They also work regularly with scientists from affiliated institutions such as Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of Washington, and Kaiser Permanente’s other 7 regional research institutes. Through Kaiser Permanente Washington's Learning Health System Program, they also work with Kaiser Permanente health system leaders to design, implement, and spread research findings that are improving health and health care for all.

Collaborative Science

The Collaborative Science Division, established in 2022, contributes methodological and subject matter expertise to scientific projects and programs at the institute. The division includes more than 20 master's- and doctorate-level scientists with expertise in fields like epidemiology, implementation science, and health equity. Collaborative scientists support project teams to add specialized skills to studies, as well as leading grants themselves. They take on many project roles — including project leadership, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, intervention design, grant writing, and health system implementation — and work closely with other scientific divisions, including Investigative Science and Biostatistics, and with external research partners. Members of the division also work at both the local and national level, lending their expertise to update clinical guidelines and participate in teaching and training other researchers. 

Biostatistics

The Biostatistics Division at KPWHRI, which includes about 20 biostatisticians, promotes the use of rigorous statistical methods that enhance the quality of pragmatic trials and epidemiological research at Kaiser Permanente Washington and nationwide. Institute biostatisticians provide statistical leadership on projects across the institute as well as for several national consortia implementing innovative methodological approaches to improve public health. These include the Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel Initiative and the National Institutes of Health's Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory. They also use their expertise to develop new methods that reduce threats to research validity such as measurement error, selection bias, and lack of precision. In this way, their work helps researchers better answer important questions about how to improve care, prevent disease, and ensure equitable, informative, and actionable results.

Evaluation

KPWHRI’s Evaluation Division, based at the Center for Community Health and Evaluation (CCHE), plays a pivotal role in improving community health through rigorous evaluation, strategic partnerships, and actionable insights. CCHE's expertise spans several domains, including public health, clinical care, health equity, and policy evaluation. Its evaluations are designed not only to assess impact but also to improve the effectiveness of the interventions in real time, with a focus on learning and adapting strategies as they unfold. Notable collaborations include CCHE’s long-standing work with Kaiser Permanente's National Community Health Initiative, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Cooperative Extension System. CCHE’s work aligns with KPWHRI's broader goals of improving health outcomes through research and evaluation that is not only academically rigorous but also practically relevant. By focusing on community health, equity, and systems change, CCHE helps KPWHRI achieve its vision of fostering healthier communities through evidence-based interventions and policies.

For Evaluation Division staff bios, visit CCHE’s website.