Greater Philadelphia Albert Schweitzer Fellow - 2009- 2010

Dr. Verma is the Associate Professor, Associate Chair and Director of Research in the Department of Medicine at Jefferson Einstein Hospital. She is an internationally recognized health services researcher whose work focuses on patient centered outcomes research and health system interventions. She co-leads the current PAL LIVER trial, a $15 Million project supported by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Her expertise is in developing models of palliative care, integrating patient reported outcomes within routine care and integrating behavioral health services within primary and specialty care. The long-term goal of her research is to improve patient centered outcomes through optimized care approaches. She also aims to improve implementation strategies of evidence-based practices, aiming to reduce the time gap between effectiveness research and bedside care.

She is serving as the Project Evaluator and Key Personnel for an SBIRT Implementation Award, supported by the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration). This project is focused on integrating screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) in primary care practices serving the underserved populations. In addition, she serves as a Co-investigator for an NIH funded project to optimize transitional care for patients with advanced liver diseases aiming to reduce readmissions, improve quality of life, and improve patient experience.