Maria Rosario Ferreira

Maria Rosario Ferreira, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, specializing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She maintains clinical practice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, focusing on colorectal cancer prevention for high-risk populations including Lynch syndrome and familial polyposis patients.

Her educational background includes:

• MD from University of Lisbon (1987)
• Internship at Hospital de Santa Maria (1989)
• Internal Medicine Residency at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center (1993)
• Gastroenterology Fellowship at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center (1998)

Dr. Ferreira's research centers on colorectal cancer prevention with intense focus on underserved communities, particularly African American and Latino populations. Her work pioneers culturally adapted screening interventions that address health literacy barriers and systemic inequities. She develops multifaceted approaches combining physician training, patient navigation, and community engagement to improve screening adherence in safety-net settings.

Analysis of her publication portfolio reveals consistent emphasis on reducing disparities through pragmatic interventions in community health centers. Her research integrates health literacy assessment tools with tailored communication strategies, demonstrating measurable improvements in screening rates among vulnerable populations through randomized controlled trials and implementation science frameworks.

Professional affiliations include active membership in the CGA-IGC (2018-present), American Gastroenterological Association (1995-present), and American College of Gastroenterology (1995-present). Her grant-funded work demonstrates substantial research leadership in community-based participatory research addressing cancer screening disparities.