November 30, 2017

Alan Go, MD, of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, and Kaiser Permanente Northern California oncologist Louis Fehrenbacher, MD, are among the less than 400 people named as Highly Cited Researchers in clinical medicine for 2017 by Clarivate Analytics. The annual list recognizes investigators whose research ranks in the top 1 percent most cited works in their field, indicating exceptional scientific impact.

“This is a remarkable achievement,” said Philip Madvig, MD, associate executive director of The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente’s doctors in Northern California. “Dr. Go and Dr. Fehrenbacher are in very elite company, as only 388 individuals were recognized in the clinical medicine field worldwide.”

Go leads clinical trials studies at DOR
2017 marks the third consecutive year that Dr. Go has been named a Highly Cited Researcher. The distinction reflects his research team’s influence as a global leader in big data studies, the use of strategic technology and analytics, and efforts through prospective cohort studies and clinical trials to move from epidemiology and basic science to the bedside.

“It is an honor to have been a part of the Division of Research since 1998, helping to advance our efforts in cardiovascular and renal disease prevention and treatment, as well as expanding our capability to conduct clinical trials effectively within Kaiser Permanente’s integrated healthcare delivery model,” Dr. Go said.

Dr. Go is currently involved in about 50 active studies and oversees the regional unit that provides planning and operational support for all clinical trials in Kaiser Permanente Northern California. He has published nearly 400 papers, with funding from the National Institutes of Health, other federal entities, the American Heart Association, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and more.

“This recognition is a testimony to Dr. Go’s remarkable productivity,” said Tracy Lieu, MD, MPH, director of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.

Cancer clinical trials advance treatment, care
Dr. Fehrenbacher has practiced hematology and oncology at KPNC since 1978. In that time, he has contributed prolifically and with significant impact to cancer clinical trials. He serves as medical director of the Kaiser Permanente Oncology Clinical Trials program.

“It is an honor to be in such a distinguished group,” Dr. Fehrenbacher said of his recognition as a 2017 Highly Cited Researcher. This is the fourth consecutive year he has been recognized. He attributes the distinction to the hard work of his fellow oncologists and research staff in the cancer clinical trials program, noting that the honor reflects the program’s “highly significant contributions to advancements in cancer care for our patients.”

“It has been exciting for our team to be able to offer cutting edge cancer trials to our patients year after year,” Dr. Fehrenbacher said.

Dr. Fehrenbacher maintains a personal focus on breast cancer treatments. The Kaiser Permanente Oncology Clinical Trials program also focuses on evaluating new cancer drugs, including immunotherapy, and improving management of cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, across all cancer types.

“Dr. Fehrenbacher has been a leader in building our ability within Kaiser Permanente to enroll our members into meaningful trials of therapeutic approaches to cancer,” Dr. Go said.

A complete list of investigators recognized as 2017 Highly Cited Researchers, as well as criteria used to compile the list, can be viewed on the Clarivate Analytics website.

This article originally appeared in The Division of Research Spotlight