Kim Rhoads

Kim Rhoads is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is a colorectal surgeon and clinical researcher with expertise spanning the cancer continuum, including basic science (endothelial cell regulation, angiogenesis), clinical care, health services research in cancer disparities, and health policy. She founded the Community Outreach and Engagement program at the Stanford Cancer Institute before joining UCSF and has been recognized for her work in health equity through awards like the Nusz-Galante Award, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, and NIH grants.

• University of California, Berkeley: BA in Linguistics (1991)
• Joint Medical Program with UCSF: MS in Health & Medical Sciences (1996)
• University of California, San Francisco: MD in Medicine (1998), Residency in General Surgery (2005)
• Harvard University School of Public Health: MPH in Healthcare Policy & Management (2006)

Rhoads' research focuses on cancer disparities, health equity, and community-based participatory research. Her work addresses systemic inequities in cancer care access and quality, particularly in minority-serving hospitals. She has led NIH-funded studies on disparities in multiple chronic diseases and developed interventions like financial reimbursement programs for cancer clinical trials.

Rhoads' recent publications emphasize racial disparities in cancer outcomes, community engagement, and health equity interventions. Her research explores the impact of structural factors (e.g., hospital quality, financial barriers) and social determinants (e.g., race, income) on cancer care and survivorship.

Scientific Awards:

• Nusz-Galante Award for outstanding medical students (UCSF, 1998)
• Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society (UCSF, 1998)
• House staff research award (UCSF Department of Surgery, 2002)
• House staff award for compassion in care (UCSF Department of Surgery, 2002)

Rhoads has served as Principal Investigator on NIH grants (e.g., R21CA161786) and Co-Principal Investigator on U24MD017250, addressing disparities in cancer care quality and clinical trial access. She co-developed the Philip R. Lee Fellow in Health Policy program at UCSF and has a long-standing interest in institutional partnerships to promote health equity.