As a health services researcher and medical anthropologist, my work focuses on patient self-management and provider management of chronic complex conditions, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and depression. My research encompasses social, cultural, economic, and political factors that influence the context in which health care is delivered.
My current research investigates the behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs that inform how low income and minority patients with chronic medical and/or mental illnesses manage their conditions and navigate the health care system. I conduct depth interview studies of inner-city patients living with chronic illnesses, and train medical students in qualitative research methods as collaborators.
I am especially interested in the interaction and overlap between chronic medical and behavioral health conditions. I want to explore whether diagnosing and treating the behavioral health condition, such as depression, improves patients’ physical health, and the most effective ways to deliver integrated care.
I partner with local health departments, health plans, and primary care practices to conduct health services research. I have expertise in mixed-methods research design and evaluation, including familiarity and comfort with quantitative tools used in concert with qualitative analysis. On collaborative research teams I specialize in the human factors and processes involved with implementing interventions in the clinical and community setting that lead to the translation of research into practice.
Education and Training:
PhD, Anthropology, University of California (1985)
MA, Anthropology, University of California (1979)
BS, Anthropology, University of California (1977)
Employment:
Professor, University at Buffalo (2012-present)
Associate Vice Chair of Research Scholarship, Department of Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2011-present)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology University at Buffalo, (2011-present)
Graduate Faculty, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2006-present)
Associate Professor, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2008–2012)
Director of Evaluation, Gold Choice PCMPIIA, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2004–2012)
Director of Evaluation, Primary Care Research Institute, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2003–2008)
Director of Evaluation, New York State Area Health Education Center (AHEC) System, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2003–2008)
Research Assistant Professor, , Department of Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2003–2008)
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (1999–2007)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo (2003–2006)
Research Associate, BioBehavioral Program, Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (1997–2003)
Visiting Professor of Education, Departments of Teacher Education and Anthropology and Sociology, Departments of Teacher Education and Anthropology and Sociology, Canisius College, Canisius College (1996–1997)
Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, Canisius College (1991–1997)
Adjunct Professor of Education, Canisius College (1991–1996)
Financial Analyst, Citicorp Global Payment Products Division (1986–1989)
Teaching Associate, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley (1983–1984)
September 2011–September 2016 Pre-Doctoral Training in Primary Care Health Resources and Services Admin Role: Co-Investigator $940,252
September 2011–September 2016 Academic Administrative Units in Primary Care Health Resources and Services Admin Role: Co-Investigator $765,239
September 2011–September 2016 Residency Training Model for Expanding PCMH Workforce in Underserved Areas HRSA Role: Co-Investigator $1,198,800
September 2011–September 2016 Residency Training in Primary Care Health Resources and Services Admin Role: Co-Investigator $1,191,435
September 2011–June 2016 Improving Evidence-Based Primary Care for Chronic Kidney Disease National Institute of Diabetes Digestive Kidney Disease Role: Co-Investigator $3,213,164
October 2010–September 2015 Western New York Cancer Coalition (WNYC2) Center Training and Career Development Program NCI/NCRD Role: Co-Investigator $4,746,605
January 2014–December 2014 High-Risk Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Pilot Project Erie County Role: Co-Investigator $29,181
June 2012–May 2014 Improving Evidence-based Primary Care for Chronic Kidney Disease – Diversity Supplement NIH (NIDDK) Role: Co-Investigator $278,326
June 2012–August 2013 Addressing patient activation for CKD self-management in underserved PCMH settings American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation Role: Principal Investigator $7,480
December 2011–August 2012 Improving Mood - Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) Pilot Project Independent Health Association, Inc Role: Principal Investigator $9,626
January 2011–December 2011 Evaluation of Smoking Cessation Counseling for COPD in the PCP Office (Gold Choice PCMPIIA) Erie County Department of Mental Health Role: Principal Investigator $100,000
January 2007–December 2011 Evaluation of Wellness on Wheels (Gold Choice PCMPIIA) Erie County Department of Mental Health Role: Principal Investigator $100,000
September 2009–September 2011 Cancer Prevention among Urban Poor with Complex Chronic Conditions NCMHD Role: Co-Investigator $1,044,374
July 2010–June 2011 Civic Engagement Research Fellowship: "Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Diabetes Self-Management on Buffalo's West Side" University at Buffalo Role: Principal Investigator $3,500
July 2008–June 2011 UB Clinical Research Fellowship in Health Disparity HRSA National Research Service Award (NRSA) Role: Contributor
January 2008–December 2010 Evaluation of Improving Diabetes Care for Individuals with Mental Illness and/orSubstance Abuse New York State Health Foundation Role: Co-Investigator $299,355
January 2008–December 2010 Evaluation of Diabetes Center Community Excellence New York State Health Foundation Role: Principal Investigator $243,841
April 2008–April 2009 Evaluation of improving mammography screening among women with mental illness and/or substance abuse through partnering with counseling agencies. (Gold Choice PCMPIIA) Susan G. Komen Foundation Role: Principal Investigator $30,000
January 2007–January 2009 “Diabetes Care Management Benchmark” (Gold Choice PCMPIIA) Erie County Department of Mental Health Role: Contributor $300,000
January 2007–December 2008 Telemedicine Home Care Demonstration Program Western Region Health (Corp.), dba WILLCARE (New York State Department of Health RFA #0511291202) Role: Contributor $133,903
July 2003–June 2008 New York State Area Health Education Center (AHEC) System HRSA Role: Contributor $20,700,000
June 2006–May 2008 Making CKD Guidelines Work in Underserved Practices Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Role: Co-Investigator $100,000
July 2003–June 2007 Pre-Doc Program: Core Competency Training Program in Health Disparity HRSA Role: Contributor $529,200
July 2002–June 2005 Residency Patient Safety Training Program HRSA Role: Contributor $515,000
Cadzow RB, Craig M, Rowe J, Kahn LS. Living Well with Diabetes: Evaluation of a Pilot Program to Promote Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management in a Medically Underserved Community.. Diabetes spectrum. 2014.
Kahn LS, Cadzow RB, Tumiel LM, Watkins R, Leonard KM, Taylor JS. Changes in Employees‘ Preventive Health Practices in Response to a Subsidized Health Insurance Program. Evaluation and the Health Professions. 2007; 30(1).
Kahn LS, Cadzow RB, Tumiel LM, Watkins R, Leonard K. M., Taylor JS. Providing health insurance to small-businesses through a subsidy demonstration program. Social Work in Public Health. 2007; 23.
Kahn LS. The impact of cultural identity on Quebecois education.. Quebec Studies. 1986.
Kahn LS. Review of Enculturation and Education in Shanti Nagar by Ruth S. Freed and Stanley A. Freed.. Anthropology and Education Quarterly. 1984; 15.
Kahn LS, Vest BM, Madurai N, Singh R, York TRM, Cipparone CW, Reilly S, Malik KS, Fox CH. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment burden among low-income primary care patients. Chronic illness..
Kahn LS, Halbreich U. The effect of estrogens on depression. 2005.
Kahn LS, Halbreich U. Gender and pathophysiology of affective disorders: rationale for gender-specific treatments.. 2004.
Halbreich U, Kahn LS. Depression in Menopausal Women. 2003.
Halbreich U, Wamback S, Kahn LS. Clinical psychotropic effects of gonadal hormone medications in women. 2003.
Halbreich U, Kahn LS. Estrogens, Age-related Deterioration in Cognition, and Dementia.. 2002.
Halbreich U., Yonkers KA, Kahn LS. Gender differences in dysthymia. 2000.
Kahn LS, Halbreich U. Menopause and psychopharmacology: signs, symptoms, and treatment.. 1999.
Kahn LS. The cross cultural study of education.. 1994.
Kahn LS. Schooling, jobs, and cultural identity: minority education in Quebec.. 1992.
Presentations:
"Factors Related to Medical Students’ Choices of Primary Care Specialties" Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Medical Student Education Conference (2014)
"Diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the primary care setting: Physicians‘ approaches and challenges." 41st Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2013)
"Feasibility of Developing a Smoking Cessation Program for Low Income Women with Cervical Dysplasia." 141st Annual Meeting and Exposition (2013)
"Identifying and addressing barriers to screening at a mobile mammogram unit in a lowincome minority community." 41st Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2013)
"Misclassification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): exploring diagnostic coding patterns in primary care." 41st Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2013)
"Process evaluation of a multisite translational research study to improve clinical outcomes in patients with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD)." 41st Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2013)
"Tell Me More: Patients' knowledge of CKD and health information preferences." 40th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2012)
"A patient-driven initiative to improve Family Medicine resident communication." 40th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2012)
"How CKD information should be delivered to me: insights on patient understanding and preferences for CKD diagnosis." 40th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2012)
"Community Mentors: Engaging in Outreach and Education." Community Networks Program Centers (CNPC) Annual Program Meeting (NCI) (2012)
"Comparing a patient-centered group diabetes education model with traditional diabetes classes and a safety-net Family Medicine health center." 39th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2011)
"Developing successful academic community partnerships: lessons learned from Patient Voices." 39th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2011)
"Living with diabetes on Buffalo's culturally diverse West Side" 39th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2011)
"Patterns of cancer screening among low-income minority patients with complex chronic disease." 39th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2011)
"Refugee perceptions of cancer and cancer screenings to inform primary care and health education in Buffalo, New York." 39th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2011)
"Smoking cessation for people with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse and COPD." 2011 International Cancer Education Conference: joint meeting of American Association for Cancer Education (AACE), the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN), and the European Association for Cancer Education (EACE). (2011)
"Starting a community campus conversation to increase research partnerships to reduce cancer health disparities" 2011 International Cancer Education Conference: joint meeting of American Association for Cancer Education (AACE), the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN), and the European Association for Cancer Education (EACE). (2011)
"Western New York Cancer Coalition Training and Career Development Program" 2011 International Cancer Education Conference: joint meeting of American Association for Cancer Education (AACE), the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN), and the European Association for Cancer Education (EACE) (2011)
"Western New York Cancer Coalition (WNYC2) Center Training and Career Development Program" Cancer Health Disparities Program Meetings 2011, National Cancer Institute (2011)
"Refugee perceptions of cancer and cancer screenings to inform primary care and health education in Buffalo, NY." 2011 National Refugee Healthcare Conference. (2011)
"Growing Our Own: Certified Diabetes Educators in Medical Homes." 38th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2010)
"Identifying barriers and facilitators to diabetes self-management on Buffalo's West Side." 38th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2010)
"Implementing Evidence Based Diabetes Guidelines In Rural Practices Using Practice Enhancement Associates." 38th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2010)
"Patterns of Complex Chronic Disease In Two Family Practices Serving Low-income Minority Patients." 38th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2010)
"The Integration of Practice Based Research Networks And Community Based Participatory Research" 38th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2010)
"Were The Improvements Made In a Chronic Kidney Disease Quality Improvement Project Maintained After 2 Years?" 38th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2010)
"Barriers and Solutions to Commercially Insured Adolescents Accessing Confidential Sexual Health Services" Annual Meeting of the Society of Adolescent Medicine (2010)
"Patient Voices to Improve Primary Care. Taking it to the Curbside: Engaging Communities to Create Sustainable Change for Health." Association and Prevention Teaching and Research Regional Workshop (2010)
". Barriers and Solutions to Commercially Insured Adolescents Accessing Confidential Sexual Health Services." Annual Meeting of the National STD Prevention Conference (2010)
"A Systematic Approach to Improving Diabetes Care in Patients with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse" 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2009)
"Can a home telemedicine monitoring device improve the health of patients with complex chronic illness?" 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2009)
"Good for The Neighborhood: A Partnership to Improve The Health of Underserved Communities" 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2009)
"Good for The Neighborhood: An Evaluation of a Dynamic Community Health Intervention." 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2009)
"Improving Mammographic Screening Rates in Women with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues by Partnering with Counseling Agencies." 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2009)
"Telephonic Nurse Case Management for Patients with Diabetes and Mental Illness: a Qualitative Perspective" 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2009)
"The Use of a Medical Home to Reduce Costs In Medically Complicated Fee-For-Service Medicaid Recipients." 37th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2009)
"Translating a diabetes lifestyle change program for individuals living with serious mental illness and diabetes" International Conference of the Society for Medical Anthropology of the American Anthropological Association, Yale University (2009)
"The effectiveness of a diabetes self-management education class in an under-served, urban clinic." 36th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2008)
". Complex Chronic Disease in a Primary Care Setting: A Pilot Study to Inform Design of Self-Management Interventions." 36th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2008)
"High Prevalence of Undetected Vitamin D Deficiency in an Urban Minority Clinic." 36th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2008)
"Improving Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary Care Offices for Patients with Co-morbid Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues." 36th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2008)
"Medicaid Managed Care Organization as Advanced Medical Home for Patients with Serious Mental or Emotional Disorders." 36th Annual meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2008)
"“Innovative Approaches to Improving Substance Abuse Treatment and Depression Management.”" Disease Management for Depression 2008, World Research Group (2008)
"“Evaluating the outcomes and impacts of the New York State AHEC System." September 23, 2008 Statewide Advisory Board Meeting of the New York State AHEC System (2008)
"Implementing Chronic Kidney Disease Guidelines in Primary Care Offices: Translating Evidence into Practice. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)" 4th Annual National PBRN Research Conference (2008)
"Reviving UB Family Medicine Journal Club: A reformatted approach to enriching EBM content and addressing ACGME competencies" AAFP 2008 Workshop for Directors of Family Medicine Residencies (2008)
"The use of telephonic case management to link special needs populations with a primary care physician." The 35th Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2007)
"Making Chronic Kidney Disease Guidelines Work in Underserved Practices (UNYNET)" AHRQ 3rd Annual PBRN Research Conference (2007)
". “Evaluating the impacts of AHEC pipeline programs" National AHEC Organization (NAO) annual conference (2006)
"Identifying barriers and facilitating factors for mammography screening among women diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse," 33rd Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) (2005)
"Providing health insurance to the working uninsured: Results of a demonstration subsidy program." 33rd Annual Meeting of North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2005)
"“Bringing Theory into Qualitative Health Care Research.”" 32nd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). (2004)
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Scholarly Exchange Day; Poster Judge; Judge (2012)
Community Research Consultant for “A Study of Hope: an exploration into the lives of chronically homeless women.”; This project is being
developed by Karen Carman, "Hope Center Director" at Matt Urban
23
Human Services Center of WNY, with help from UB2020 Civic
Engagement & Public Policy Initiative.; Consultant (2011–2012)
American Journal of Public Health; Reviewer (2011)
BMC International Health and Human Rights; Reviewer (2011)
Campus Community Partnerships for Health (CCPH); Member (2011)
Department of Family Medicine Residency Committee; Member (2011)
Diabetes Advisory Board, Jefferson Family Medicine Center, Buffalo New York; Member (2011)
Erie County Department of Mental Health Community Services Board; Member (2011)
Pan American Journal of Public Health; Reviewer (2011)
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Scholarly Exchange Day; Poster Judge; Judge (2011)
Annals of Internal Medicine; Reviewer (2010)
BMC Family Practice; Reviewer (2010)
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM); Reviewer (2010)
Northeastern Anthropological Association; Member (2010)
Healthy Partners of Erie County; Consultant (2009–2012)
North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) cross-national collaborative project on (national) culture, mental illness, and health care financ; Member (2009–2010)
Health Promotion Practice; Reviewer (2009)
Journal of Affective Disorders; Reviewer (2009)
Journal of Rural Health; Reviewer (2009)
Society for Applied Anthropology; Member (2009)
University at Buffalo's Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund - Clinical Science Panel; Grant Reviewer (2009)
Department of Family Medicine Residency Research Initiative; Faculty Advisor; Advisor (2008)
Department of Family Medicine Residency Journal Club; Research and Methods Advisor; Advisor (2008)
Diabetes Special Interest Group, North American Primary Care Research Group; Member (2008)
Diabetic Medicine; Reviewer (2008)
Evaluation Writing Workshop, Graduate Medical Education Program, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo; Facilitator (2008)
Journal of Women's Health; Reviewer (2008)
Annals of Family Medicine; Reviewer (2007)
Health Policy; Reviewer (2007)
Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services: Peer Review Panel for Model Area Health Education Center (MAHEC; Grant Reviewer (2007)
Multimorbidity/Comorbidity Special Interest Group, North American Primary Care Research Group; Member (2007)
Office of Graduate Medical Education, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Discussion Leader for Incoming Residents Orientation “Systems for Patient Safety.” (2007)
Intensive Community Services for Juvenile Justice Populations, Erie County Departments of Mental Health and Juvenile Justice; Advisory Board (2006–2007)
Medical Student Research Forum; Judge (2006–2007)
American Journal of Preventive Medicine; Reviewer (2006)
Journal of the National Medical Association; Reviewer (2006)
Erie County Department of Mental Health; Proposal Reviewer and Evaluator; Reviewer (2005–2007)
Families CAN! of Erie County; Member and Evaluator; Member (2005–2007)
Erie County Department of Mental Health; Grant Reviewer (2005–2006)
Archives of Women's Mental Health; Reviewer (2005)
Department of Family Medicine Primary Care Research Institute Steering Committee; Member (2004)
Department of Family Medicine Residency standardized patient examination; Evaluator (2004)
North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG); Member (2004)
Office of Graduate Medical Education, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Discussion Leader for Incoming Residents Orientation “Issues in Medicine.” (2003)
Office of Graduate Medical Education, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Discussion Leader for Incoming Residents Orientation: “Culture and Health Workshop.” (1998)
American Anthropological Association; Member (1977–2000)
Clinical Specialties:
Clinical Offices:
Insurance Accepted:
Contact Information
UB Downtown Gateway Department of Family Medicine 77 Goodell Street, Suite 220D Buffalo, NY 14203 Phone: (716) 816-7254 Fax: (716) 845-6899 Email: lskahn@buffalo.edu
