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Hematology and Oncology

Forward Outcomes Laboratory

The Forward Outcomes Lab uses qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, and survivorship in pediatric and adult populations.

Forward Outcomes Lab team members

About the Lab

The Forward Outcomes Lab is dedicated to advancing patient-centered care and improving quality of life through innovative research. We lead and collaborate on NIH and industry-funded clinical trials and observational studies that aim to improve clinical care, support shared decision-making, and understand what matters most to patients.

We partner with patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and communities to conduct qualitative interviews, develop and validate surveys, and collect patient reported outcomes (PROs), which are reports of health that come directly from the patient.

As a multidisciplinary team, we bring together expertise in sociology, population health sciences, epidemiology, public health, clinical medicine, and communication to advance patient-centered research.

Contact the lab at forward-lab@mcw.edu

About the PIs

Kathryn E. Flynn, PhD

Kathryn E. Flynn, PhD

Georgia Carroll Professor of Women's Health Research
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin

Scientific Director for Patient-Reported Outcomes
Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research

Learn more about Dr. Flynn

Rachel Cusatis, PhD

Rachel Cusatis, PhD

Associate Professor of Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin

Senior Scientific Director of Patient Centered Research and Survivorship
Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research

Learn more about Dr. Cusatis

Current Research

CIBMTR Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) Protocol

CIBMTR Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) Protocol

The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) PRO Protocol is a nationwide study collecting PROs among people who receive transplants and cellular therapies. The goal is to understand trajectories of symptoms and function over time and assess long term treatment outcomes.

Learn more about this study
H. Jean Khoury Cure CML Consortium

H. Jean Khoury Cure CML Consortium

The Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Consortium is a collaboration of doctors and researchers from 23 medical centers who seek to improve the lives of people with CML and understand CML biology through innovative clinical trials.

Learn more about this consortium
Symptom Monitoring Using Patient-Report to Improve Medication Use (SyMPTOM)

Symptom Monitoring Using Patient-Report to Improve Medication Use (SyMPTOM)

The SyMPTOM Study is a multi-site randomized trial that aims to helps breast cancer survivors manage treatment-related symptoms. Participants regularly report their symptoms, and pharmacists use this information to create personalized plans that support treatment adherence and symptom management.

Learn more about this study
Visualize and Integrate health related quality of life Experiences With Survivors and care team (VIEWS) Study

Visualize and Integrate health related quality of life Experiences With Survivors and care team (VIEWS) Study

The VIEWS Study assessed understanding of and preferences for graphs of PRO data among allo-HCT patients, their caregivers, and healthcare team members. In this study, we found that the graphs were well-understood and liked across groups, and that care team members are motivated to include graphs into clinical care to help patients better understand their symptoms and functioning over time.

Learn more about this study

Current Members

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Idayat Akinola, MBBS, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator III

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Joanna Balza, PhD, RN

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Miranda Kapfhammer, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator II

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Essie Krcma

Clinical Research Associate I

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Carlos Litovich, DrPH, MPH

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Sarah Reed-Thryselius, MPH

PhD Student

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Lexi Soule, MPH

Research Program Coordinator I

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Oyiza Usman, MD

Research Program Assistant, PhD Candidate in Public & Community Health

Recent Publications | Kathryn E. Flynn, PhD

Publications of Kathryn Eve Flynn PhD from the Faculty Collaboration Database

Recent Publications | Rachel Cusatis, PhD

Publications of Rachel N. Cusatis PhD from the Faculty Collaboration Database

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