Photo of Sanja Percac-Lima,  MD, DMD, PhD

Sanja Percac-Lima, MD, DMD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital

Sanja Percac-Lima, MD, DMD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

EDUCATIONAL TITLES

  • Associate Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School
  • Physician, Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

DF/HCC PROGRAM AFFILIATION

Research Abstract

Dr. Sanja Percac-Lima is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Chelsea Community Health Center. The primary focus of her research and innovation is improving equity in cancer screening and care in low-income, ethnic and racial minorities. Since 2008, as Physician Leader for Cancer Outreach Programs at MGH Cancer Center, she is developing, overseeing and evaluating patient navigation (PN) programs to improve cancer care in underserved populations. In 2011, she received the Prevent Cancer Prevention Foundation Laurel for Innovative Programs for developing the Colorectal cancer screening PN program that eliminated disparities in CRC screening at MGH Chelsea Health Center. The National Cancer Institute recognizes this program as an evidence based program to improve CRC screening. With support from Susan G. Komen MA Affiliate, she designed the first breast cancer screening PN program for women refugees.To reach out to all underserved patients within MGH primary care network, she embedded patient navigation into the Partners TopCare population management system for comprehensive cancer screening. The results of randomized control trial of this large comprehensive cancer screening program were published in JAMA Internal Medicine. In 2013, she received CCCD Award for Primary Care Physicians from American Cancer Society enabling her to develop and evaluate the first lung cancer screening PN program for high-risk smokers at five MGH community health centers. The program nearly tripled the lung screening rates in this vulnerable population. Her most recent program is Merck/MGH Alliance PN to improve patient-centered care during cancer treatment for low-income and minority patients newly diagnosed with cancer.

Publications from Harvard Catalyst Profiles

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  • Haas JS, Atlas SJ, Wright A, Orav EJ, Aman DG, Breslau ES, Burdick TE, Carpenter E, Chang F, Dang T, Diamond CJ, Feldman S, Harris KA, Hort SJ, Housman ML, Mecker A, Lehman CD, Percac-Lima S, Smith R, Wint AJ, Yang J, Zhou L, Tosteson ANA. Multilevel follow-up of cancer screening (mFOCUS): Protocol for a multilevel intervention to improve the follow-up of abnormal cancer screening test results. Contemp Clin Trials 2021; 109:106533. PubMed
  • Schubbe D, Yen RW, Saunders CH, Elwyn G, Forcino RC, O'Malley AJ, Politi MC, Margenthaler J, Volk RJ, Sepucha K, Ozanne E, Percac-Lima S, Bradley A, Goodwin C, van den Muijsenbergh M, Aarts JWM, Scalia P, Durand MA. Implementation and sustainability factors of two early-stage breast cancer conversation aids in diverse practices. 2021; 16:51. PubMed
  • Durand MA, Yen RW, O'Malley AJ, Schubbe D, Politi MC, Saunders CH, Dhage S, Rosenkranz K, Margenthaler J, Tosteson ANA, Crayton E, Jackson S, Bradley A, Walling L, Marx CM, Volk RJ, Sepucha K, Ozanne E, Percac-Lima S, Bergin E, Goodwin C, Miller C, Harris C, Barth RJ, Aft R, Feldman S, Cyr AE, Angeles CV, Jiang S, Elwyn G. What matters most: Randomized controlled trial of breast cancer surgery conversation aids across socioeconomic strata. Cancer 2021; 127:422-436. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Enogieru I, Ho JJ, Mitton J, Richter JM, He W, Whited EC, Atlas SJ. Timeliness of Surveillance Colonoscopy in Underserved Populations: Association with Patient Navigation for Initial Screening Colonoscopy. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2021; 32:712-723. PubMed
  • Armstrong DK, Alvarez RD, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Barroilhet L, Behbakht K, Berchuck A, Chen LM, Cristea M, DeRosa M, Eisenhauer EL, Gershenson DM, Gray HJ, Grisham R, Hakam A, Jain A, Karam A, Konecny GE, Leath CA, Liu J, Mahdi H, Martin L, Matei D, McHale M, McLean K, Miller DS, O'Malley DM, Percac-Lima S, Ratner E, Remmenga SW, Vargas R, Werner TL, Zsiros E, Burns JL, Engh AM. Ovarian Cancer, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2021; 19:191-226. PubMed
  • Abuelo C, Ashburner JM, Atlas SJ, Knudsen A, Morrill J, Corona P, Shtasel D, Percac-Lima S. Colorectal Cancer Screening Patient Navigation for Patients with Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorder: Pilot Randomized Control Trial. J Dual Diagn 2020. PubMed
  • Pace LE, Percac-Lima S, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT. Comparing Diagnostic Evaluations for Rectal Bleeding and Breast Lumps in Primary Care: a Retrospective Cohort Study. J Gen Intern Med 2019. PubMed
  • Wang GX, Baggett TP, Pandharipande PV, Park ER, Percac-Lima S, Shepard JO, Fintelmann FJ, Flores EJ. Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening Engagement from the Patient and Provider Perspective. Radiology 2019; 290:278-287. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Atlas SJ, Rigotti NA, Flores EJ, Kuchukhidze S, Park ER. Barriers to and Interest in Lung Cancer Screening Among Latino and Non-Latino Current and Former Smokers. J Immigrant Minority Health 2019. PubMed
  • Armstrong DK, Alvarez RD, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Barroilhet L, Behbakht K, Berchuck A, Berek JS, Chen LM, Cristea M, DeRosa M, ElNaggar AC, Gershenson DM, Gray HJ, Hakam A, Jain A, Johnston C, Leath CA, Liu J, Mahdi H, Matei D, McHale M, McLean K, O'Malley DM, Penson RT, Percac-Lima S, Ratner E, Remmenga SW, Sabbatini P, Werner TL, Zsiros E, Burns JL, Engh AM. NCCN Guidelines Insights: Ovarian Cancer, Version 1.2019. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2019; 17:896-909. PubMed
  • Rodriguez-Torres SA, McCarthy AM, He W, Ashburner JM, Percac-Lima S. Long-Term Impact of a Culturally Tailored Patient Navigation Program on Disparities in Breast Cancer Screening in Refugee Women After the Program's End. Health Equity 2019; 3:205-210. PubMed
  • Hermann EA, Ashburner JM, Atlas SJ, Chang Y, Percac-Lima S. Satisfaction With Health Care Among Patients Navigated for Preventive Cancer Screening. J Patient Exp 2018; 5:225-230. PubMed
  • Neal CD, Weaver DT, Raphel TJ, Lietz AP, Flores EJ, Percac-Lima S, Knudsen AB, Pandharipande PV. Patient Navigation to Improve Cancer Screening in Underserved Populations: Reported Experiences, Opportunities, and Challenges. J Am Coll Radiol 2018. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Rigotti NA, Park ER, Chang Y, Kuchukhidze S, Atlas SJ. Patient navigation for lung cancer screening among current smokers in community health centers a randomized controlled trial. Cancer Med 2018; 7:894-902. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Pace LE, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT. Diagnostic Evaluation of Patients Presenting to Primary Care with Rectal Bleeding. J Gen Intern Med 2018. PubMed
  • Durand MA, Yen RW, O'Malley AJ, Politi MC, Dhage S, Rosenkranz K, Weichman K, Margenthaler J, Tosteson ANA, Crayton E, Jackson S, Bradley A, Volk RJ, Sepucha K, Ozanne E, Percac-Lima S, Song J, Acosta J, Mir N, Elwyn G. What matters most: protocol for a randomized controlled trial of breast cancer surgery encounter decision aids across socioeconomic strata. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:241. PubMed
  • Forcino RC, Barr PJ, O'Malley AJ, Arend R, Castaldo MG, Ozanne EM, Percac-Lima S, Stults CD, Tai-Seale M, Thompson R, Elwyn G. Using CollaboRATE, a brief patient-reported measure of shared decision making: Results from three clinical settings in the United States. Health Expect 2017. PubMed
  • Alam S, Elwyn G, Percac-Lima S, Grande S, Durand MA. Assessing the acceptability and feasibility of encounter decision aids for early stage breast cancer targeted at underserved patients. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2016; 16:147. PubMed
  • Morgan RJ, Armstrong DK, Alvarez RD, Bakkum-Gamez JN, Behbakht K, Chen LM, Copeland L, Crispens MA, DeRosa M, Dorigo O, Gershenson DM, Gray HJ, Hakam A, Havrilesky LJ, Johnston C, Lele S, Martin L, Matulonis UA, O'Malley DM, Penson RT, Percac-Lima S, Pineda M, Plaxe SC, Powell MA, Ratner E, Remmenga SW, Rose PG, Sabbatini P, Santoso JT, Werner TL, Burns J, Hughes M. Ovarian Cancer, Version 1.2016, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2016; 14:1134-63. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Zai AH, Chang Y, Oo SA, Guimaraes E, Atlas SJ. Patient Navigation for Comprehensive Cancer Screening in High-Risk Patients Using a Population-Based Health Information Technology System: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med 2016; 176:930-7. PubMed
  • Nipp RD, Lee H, Powell E, Birrer NE, Poles E, Finkelstein D, Winkfield K, Percac-Lima S, Chabner B, Moy B. Financial Burden of Cancer Clinical Trial Participation and the Impact of a Cancer Care Equity Program. Oncologist 2016; 21:467-74. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Shepard JO, Lennes IT, Rimmelin DE, Atlas SJ. Timeliness of Recommended Follow-Up After an Abnormal Finding on Diagnostic Chest CT in Smokers at High Risk of Developing Lung Cancer. J Am Coll Radiol 2016. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Singer DE, Cronin PR, Chang Y, Zai AH. Can Text Messages Improve Attendance to Primary Care Appointments in Underserved Populations? J Health Care Poor Underserved 2016; 27:1709-1725. PubMed
  • Berkowitz SA, Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Chang Y, Zai AH, He W, Grant RW, Atlas SJ. Building Equity Improvement into Quality Improvement: Reducing Socioeconomic Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening as Part of Population Health Management. J Gen Intern Med 2015. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Cronin PR, Ryan DP, Chabner BA, Daly EA, Kimball AB. Patient navigation based on predictive modeling decreases no-show rates in cancer care. Cancer 2015. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, McCarthy AM, Piawah S, Atlas SJ. Patient navigation to improve follow-up of abnormal mammograms among disadvantaged women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2015; 24:138-43. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, López L, Ashburner JM, Green AR, Atlas SJ. The longitudinal impact of patient navigation on equity in colorectal cancer screening in a large primary care network. Cancer 2014. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Bond B, Oo SA, Atlas SJ. Decreasing disparities in breast cancer screening in refugee women using culturally tailored patient navigation. J Gen Intern Med 2013; 28:1463-8. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Benner CS, Lui R, Aldrich LS, Oo SA, Regan N, Chabner BA. The impact of a culturally tailored patient navigator program on cervical cancer prevention in Latina women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2013; 22:426-31. PubMed
  • Holt NE, Percac-Lima S, Kurlinski LA, Thomas JC, Landry PM, Campbell B, Latham N, Ni P, Jette A, Leveille SG, Bean JF. The Boston Rehabilitative Impairment Study of the Elderly: a description of methods. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2013. PubMed
  • Saadi A, Bond B, Percac-Lima S. Perspectives on preventive health care and barriers to breast cancer screening among Iraqi women refugees. J Immigr Minor Health 2012. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Milosavljevic B, Oo SA, Marable D, Bond B. Patient navigation to improve breast cancer screening in Bosnian refugees and immigrants. J Immigr Minor Health 2012. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S, Aldrich LS, Gamba GB, Bearse AM, Atlas SJ. Barriers to follow-up of an abnormal Pap smear in Latina women referred for colposcopy. J Gen Intern Med 2010; 25:1198-204. PubMed
  • Donelan K, Mailhot JR, Dutwin D, Barnicle K, Oo SA, Hobrecker K, Percac-Lima S, Chabner BA. Patient Perspectives of Clinical Care and Patient Navigation in Follow-up of Abnormal Mammography. J Gen Intern Med 2010. PubMed
  • Percac-Lima S,Grant RW,Green AR,Ashburner JM,Gamba G,Oo S,Richter JM,Atlas SJ. A culturally tailored navigator program for colorectal cancer screening in a community health center: a randomized, controlled trial. J Gen Intern Med 2009; 24:211-7. PubMed
  • Green AR, Peters-Lewis A, Percac-Lima S, Betancourt JR, Richter JM, Janairo MP, Gamba GB, Atlas SJ. Barriers to Screening Colonoscopy for Low-income Latino and White Patients in an Urban Community Health Center. J Gen Intern Med 2008; 23:834-40. PubMed
  • Saadi A, Bond BE, Percac-Lima S. Bosnian, Iraqi, and Somali Refugee Women Speak: A Comparative Qualitative Study of Refugee Health Beliefs on Preventive Health and Breast Cancer Screening. Womens Health Issues ; 25:501-8. PubMed
  • Durand MA, Song J, Yen RW, Sepucha K, Politi MC, Dhage S, Rosenkranz K, Margenthaler J, Tosteson ANA, Crayton E, Jackson S, Bradley A, O'Malley AJ, Volk RJ, Ozanne E, Percac-Lima S, Acosta J, Mir N, Scalia P, Ward A, Elwyn G. Adapting the Breast Cancer Surgery Decision Quality Instrument for Lower Socioeconomic Status: Improving Readability, Acceptability, and Relevance. MDM Policy Pract ; 3:2381468318811839. PubMed
  • Atlas SJ, Zai AH, Ashburner JM, Chang Y, Percac-Lima S, Levy DE, Chueh HC, Grant RW. Non-visit-based cancer screening using a novel population management system. J Am Board Fam Med ; 27:474-85. PubMed
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