Richard G. Roetzheim, MD, MSPH

Where You Are:
Richard G. Roetzheim, MD, MSPH

Senior Member

Office  (813) 974-4197

Education And Training
  • MSPH, UCLA School of Public Health, 1994 - Health Services
  • Fellow, UCLA, 1994 - NIH Primary Care Research Fellowship in Family Medicine
  • Resident, Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, FL, 1991
  • MD, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 1985


Dr. Roetzheim is leading several NIH-funded health disparities research initiatives including the Patient Navigator Research Program and the Center for Equal Health.   These initiatives seek to understand the causes of cancer health disparities and to develop effective interventions to reduce or eliminate health disparities.  Dr. Roetzheim is conducting ACS-funded research on the impact of primary medical care on cancer outcomes.  These studies are examining whether deficiencies in primary care are in part responsible for late-stage diagnosis and higher cancer mortality.  Dr. Roetzheim also has interest in sun protection of children and has completed an NCI-funded school-based intervention to improve hat use of children at schools.

  • Wilson DS, Dapic V, Sultan DH, August EM, Green BL, Roetzheim R, Rivers B. Establishing the Infrastructure to Conduct Comparative Effectiveness Research Toward the Elimination of Disparities: A Community-Based Participatory Research Framework. Health Promot Pract. 2013 Feb. Pubmedid: 23431128.
  • Iannacone MR, Gheit T, Waterboer T, Giuliano AR, Messina JL, Fenske NA, Cherpelis BS, Sondak VK, Roetzheim RG, Ferrer-Gil S, Michael KM, McKay-Chopin S, Pawlita M, Tommasino M, Rollison DE. Case-Control Study of Cutaneous Human Papillomavirus Infection in Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Jan. Pubmedid: 23303448.
  • Wells KJ, Lee JH, Calcano ER, Meade CD, Rivera M, Fulp WJ, Roetzheim RG. A cluster randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of patient navigation in improving quality of diagnostic care for patients with breast or colorectal cancer abnormalities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2012 Oct;21(10):1664-1672. Pubmedid: 23045541. Pmcid: PMC3511588.
  • Jean-Pierre P, Fiscella K, Winters PC, Post D, Wells KJ, McKoy JM, Battaglia T, Simon MA, Kilbourn K, Roetzheim R. Psychometric development and reliability analysis of a patient satisfaction with interpersonal relationship with navigator measure: a multi-site patient navigation research program study. Psychooncology. 2012 Sep;21(9):986-992. Pubmedid: 21681995. Pmcid: PMC3640800.
  • Iannacone MR, Gheit T, Waterboer T, Giuliano AR, Messina JL, Fenske NA, Cherpelis BS, Sondak VK, Roetzheim RG, Michael KM, Tommasino M, Pawlita M, Rollison DE. Case-control study of cutaneous human papillomaviruses in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2012 Aug;21(8):1303-1313. Pubmedid: 22707711.
  • Iannacone MR, Wang W, Stockwell HG, O'Rourke K, Giuliano AR, Sondak VK, Messina JL, Roetzheim RG, Cherpelis BS, Fenske NA, Michael KM, Waterboer T, Pawlita M, Rollison DE. Sunlight exposure and cutaneous human papillomavirus seroreactivity in basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. J Infect Dis. 2012 Aug;206(3):399-406. Pubmedid: 22661119.
  • Roetzheim RG, Freund KM, Corle DK, Murray DM, Snyder FR, Kronman AC, Jean-Pierre P, Raich PC, Holden AE, Darnell JS, Warren-Mears V, Patierno S. Analysis of combined data from heterogeneous study designs: an applied example from the patient navigation research program. Clin Trials. 2012 Apr;9(2):176-187. Pubmedid: 22273587.
  • Rollison DE, Iannacone MR, Messina JL, Glass LF, Giuliano AR, Roetzheim RG, Cherpelis BS, Fenske NA, Jonathan KA, Sondak VK. Case-control study of smoking and non-melanoma skin cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 2012 Feb;23(2):245-254. Pubmedid: 22101452.
  • Rollison DE, Giuliano AR, Messina JL, Fenske NA, Cherpelis BS, Sondak VK, Roetzheim RG, Iannacone MR, Michael KM, Gheit T, Waterboer T, Tommasino M, Pawlita M. Case-control Study of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2012 Jan;21(1):74-81. Pubmedid: 22016472.
  • Iannacone MR, Wang W, Stockwell HG, O'Rourke K, Giuliano AR, Sondak VK, Messina JL, Roetzheim RG, Cherpelis BS, Fenske NA, Rollison DE. Patterns and timing of sunlight exposure and risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin - a case-control study. BMC Cancer. 2012;12(1):417. Pubmedid: 22994655.
  • Wells KJ, Meade CD, Calcano E, Lee JH, Rivers D, Roetzheim RG. Innovative approaches to reducing cancer health disparities : the moffitt cancer center patient navigator research program. J Cancer Educ. 2011 Dec;26(4):649-657. Pubmedid: 21573740.
  • Roetzheim RG, Love-Jackson KM, Hunter SG, Lee JH, Chen R, Abdulla R, Wells KJ. A cluster randomized trial of sun protection at elementary schools. Results from year 2. Am J Prev Med. 2011 Dec;41(6):615-618. Pubmedid: 22099239. Pmcid: PMC3223605.
  • Vadaparampil ST, Kahn JA, Salmon D, Lee JH, Quinn GP, Roetzheim R, Bruder K, Malo TL, Proveaux T, Zhao X, Halsey N, Giuliano AR. Missed clinical opportunities: provider recommendations for HPV vaccination for 11-12 year old girls are limited. Vaccine. 2011 Nov;29(47):8634-8641. Pubmedid: 21924315. Pmcid: PMC3200426.
  • Brandon TH, Drobes DJ, Unrod M, Heckman BW, Oliver JA, Roetzheim RC, Karver SB, Small BJ. Varenicline effects on craving, cue reactivity, and smoking reward. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 Nov;218(2):391-403. Pubmedid: 21559801.
  • Ferrante JM, McCarthy EP, Gonzalez EC, Lee JH, Chen R, Love-Jackson K, Roetzheim RG. Primary care utilization and colorectal cancer outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries. Arch Intern Med. 2011 Oct;171(19):1747-1757. Pubmedid: 22025432.
  • Wells KJ, Luque JS, Miladinovic B, Vargas N, Asvat Y, Roetzheim RG, Kumar A. Do community health worker interventions improve rates of screening mammography in the United States? A systematic review. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2011 Aug;20(8):1580-1598. Pubmedid: 21653645. Pmcid: PMC3153589.
  • Hunter S, Love-Jackson K, Abdulla R, Zhu W, Lee JH, Wells KJ, Roetzheim R. Sun protection at elementary schools: a cluster randomized trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2010 Apr;102(7):484-492. Pubmedid: 20332388. Pmcid: PMC2902823.
  • Hunter S, Wells KJ, Jacobsen PB, Lee JH, Boulware D, Love-Jackson K, Abdulla R, Roetzheim RG. Assessment of elementary school students' sun protection behaviors. Pediatr Dermatol. 2010 Mar-Apr;27(2):182-188. Pubmedid: 19686304.
  • Ramsey S, Whitley E, Mears VW, McKoy JM, Everhart RM, Caswell RJ, Fiscella K, Hurd TC, Battaglia T, Mandelblatt J, Roetzheim R. Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of cancer patient navigation programs: conceptual and practical issues. Cancer. 2009 Dec;115(23):5394-5403. Pubmedid: 19685528. Pmcid: PMC2790004.
  • Masley S, Roetzheim R, Gualtieri T. Aerobic exercise enhances cognitive flexibility. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2009 Jun;16(2):186-193. Pubmedid: 19330430.
  • Lee JH, Schell MJ, Roetzheim R. Analysis of group randomized trials with multiple binary endpoints and small number of groups. PLoS One. 2009;4(10):e7265. Pubmedid: 19844579. Pmcid: PMC2760209.
  • Freund KM, Battaglia TA, Calhoun E, Dudley DJ, Fiscella K, Paskett E, Raich PC, Roetzheim RG. National Cancer Institute Patient Navigation Research Program: methods, protocol, and measures. Cancer. 2008 Dec;113(12):3391-3399. Pubmedid: 18951521. Pmcid: PMC2698219.
  • Iezzoni LI, Ngo LH, Li D, Roetzheim RG, Drews RE, McCarthy EP. Early stage breast cancer treatments for younger Medicare beneficiaries with different disabilities. Health Serv Res. 2008 Oct;43(5 Pt 1):1752-1767. Pubmedid: 18479411. Pmcid: PMC2653883.
  • Wells KJ, Battaglia TA, Dudley DJ, Garcia R, Greene A, Calhoun E, Mandelblatt JS, Paskett ED, Raich PC, Roetzheim R. Patient navigation: state of the art or is it science?. Cancer. 2008 Oct;113(8):1999-2010. Pubmedid: 18780320. Pmcid: PMC2679696.
  • Roetzheim R, Chirikos T, Wells K, McCarthy E, Ngo L, Li D, Drews R, Iezzoni L. Managed care and cancer outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities. Am J Manag Care. 2008 May;14(5):287-296. Pubmedid: 18471033.
  • Iezzoni L, Ngo L, Li D, Roetzheim R, Drews R, McCarthy E. Treatment disparities for disabled medicare beneficiaries with stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008 Apr;89(4):595-601. Pubmedid: 18373987.
  • Wells K, Roetzheim R. Health disparities in receipt of screening mammography in latinas: a critical review of recent literature. Cancer Control. 2007 Oct;14(4):369-379. Pubmedid: 17914337.
  • McCarthy EP, Ngo LH, Chirikos TN, Roetzheim RG, Li D, Drews RE, Iezzoni LI. Cancer stage at diagnosis and survival among persons with Social Security Disability Insurance on Medicare. Health Serv Res. 2007 Apr;42(2):611-628. Pubmedid: 17362209.
  • Donovan K, Taliaferro L, Alvarez E, Jacobsen P, Roetzheim R, Wenham R. Sexual health in women treated for cervical cancer: Characteristics and correlates. Gynecol Oncol. 2007 Feb;104(2):428-434. Pubmedid: 17005248.
  • McCarthy EP, Ngo LH, Roetzheim RG, Chirikos TN, Li D, Drews RE, Iezzoni LI. Disparities in breast cancer treatment and survival for women with disabilities. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Nov;145(9):637-645. Pubmedid: 17088576.
  • Coris E, Walz S, Duncanson R, Ramirez A, Roetzheim R. Heat illness symptom index (HISI): a novel instrument for the assessment of heat illness in athletes. South Med J. 2006 Apr;99(4):340-345. Pubmedid: 16634241.
  • Roetzheim RG, Christman LK, Jacobsen PB, Schroeder J, Abdulla R, Hunter S. Long-term results from a randomized controlled trial to increase cancer screening among attendees of community health centers. Ann Fam Med. 2005 Mar;3(2):109-114. Pubmedid: 15798035.
  • Chirikos TN, Christman LK, Hunter S, Roetzheim RG. Cost-effectiveness of an intervention to increase cancer screening in primary care settings. Prev Med. 2004 Aug;39(2):230-238. Pubmedid: 15226030.
  • Putzer G, Ramirez A, Sneed K, Brownlee H, Roetzheim R, Campbell R. Prevalence of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus reaching the American Diabetes Association's target guidelines in a university primary care setting. South Med J. 2004;97(2):145-148. Pubmedid: 14982263.
  • Putzer G, Roetzheim R, Ramirez A, Sneed K, Brownlee H, Cambell R. Compliance with recommendations for lipid management among patients with type 2 diabetes in an academic family practice. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2004;17(2):101-107. Pubmedid: 15082668.
  • Roetzheim RG, Christman LK, Jacobsen PB, Cantor AB, Schroeder J, Abdulla R, Hunter S, Chirikos TN, Krischer JP. A randomized controlled trial to increase cancer screening among attendees of community health centers. Ann Fam Med. 2004;2(4):294-300. Pubmedid: 15335126.
  • Christman L, Abdulla R, Jacobsen P, Cantor A, Mayhew D, Thompson K, Krischer J, Roetzheim R. Colorectal cancer screening among a sample of community health center attendees. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2004;15(2):281-293. Pubmedid: 15253379.
  • Campbell R, Ramirez A, Perez K, Roetzheim R. Cervical cancer rates and the supply of primary care physicians in Florida. Fam Med. 2003;35(1):60-64. Pubmedid: 12564867.
  • Van Durme D, Ullman R, Campbell R, Roetzheim R. The effects of physician supply on melanoma incidence and mortality in Florida. South Med J. 2003;96(7):656-660. Pubmedid: 12940314.
  • Davy L, Boyett T, Weathers L, Campbell R, Roetzheim R. Sun protection counseling by pediatricians. Ambul Pediatr. 2002;2(3):207-211. Pubmedid: 12014981.
  • Boyett T, Davy L, Weathers L, Campbell R, Van Durme D, Roetzheim R. Sun protection of children at the beach. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2002;15(2):112-117. Pubmedid: 12002194.
  • Roetzheim R, Chirikos T. Breast cancer detection and outcomes in a disability beneficiary population. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2002;13(4):461-476. Pubmedid: 12407963.
  • Ferrante J, Mayhew D, Goldberg S, Woodard L, Slleck C, Roetzheim R. Empiric treatment of minimally abnormal papanicolaou smears with 0.75% metronidazole vaginal gel. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2002;15(6):347-354. Pubmedid: 12350056.
  • Gonzalez E, Roetzheim R, Ferrante J, Campbell R. Predictors of proximal vs. distal colorectal cancers. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001;44(2):251-258. Pubmedid: 11227943.
  • Johnson K, Davy L, Boyett T, Weathers L, Roetzheim R. Sun protection practices for children: knowledge, attitudes, and parent behaviors. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155(8):891-896. Pubmedid: 11483115.
  • Gonzalez E, Ferrante J, Van Durme D, Pal N, Roetzheim R. Comorbid illness and the early detection of cancer. South Med J. 2001;94(9):913-920. Pubmedid: 11592754.
  • Campbell R, Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Roetzheim R, Pal N, Herold A. Predictors of advanced stage colorectal cancer diagnosis: results of a population-based study. Cancer Detect Prev. 2001;25(5):430-438. Pubmedid: 11718449.
  • Roetzheim R, Gonzalez E, Ramirez A, Campbell R, van Durme D. Primary care physician supply and colorectal cancer. J Fam Pract. 2001;50(12):1027-1031. Pubmedid: 11742602.
  • Roetzheim R, Pal N, Gonzalez E, Ferrante J, Van Durme D, Krischer J. Effects of health insurance and race on colorectal cancer treatments and outcomes. Am J Public Health. 2000;90(11):1746-1754. Pubmedid: 11076244.
  • Roetzheim R, Pal N, van Durme D, Wathington D, Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Krischer J. Increasing supplies of dermatologists and family physicians are associated with earlier stage of melanoma detection. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43:211-218. Pubmedid: 10906640.
  • Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Pal N, Roetzheim R. The use and outcomes of outpatient mastectomy in Florida. Am J Surg. 2000;179(4):253-259. Pubmedid: 10875979.
  • Roetzheim R, Pal N, Van Durme D, Wathington D, Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Krischer J. Increasing supplies of dermatologists and family physicians are associated with earlier stage of melanoma detection. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43(2Pt1):211-218. Pubmedid: 10906640.
  • Van Durme D, Gonzalez E, Ferrante J, Pal N, Wathington D, Roetzheim R. Demographic predictors of melanoma stage at diagnosis. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9(7):606-611. Pubmedid: 10910307.
  • Roever C, Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Pal N, Roetzheim R. Comparing the toxicity of digoxin and digitoxin in a geriatric population: should an old drug be rediscovered. South Med J. 2000;93(2):199-202. Pubmedid: 10701788.
  • Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Pal N, Roetzheim R. Effects of physician supply on early detection of breast cancer. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2000;13(6):408-414. Pubmedid: 11117337.
  • Roetzheim R, Pal N, Gonzalez E, Ferrante J, Van Durme D, Krischer J. Effects of health insurance and race on breast carcinoma treatments and outcomes. Cancer. 2000;89(11):2202-2213. Pubmedid: 11147590.
  • Ferrante J, Gonzalez E, Roetzheim R, Pal N, Woodard L. Clinical and demographic predictors of late stage cervical cancer. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9(5):439-445. Pubmedid: 10810949.
  • Yacobi E, Tennant C, Ferrante J, Pal N, Roetzheim R. University students' knowledge and awareness of HPV. Prev Med. 1999;28(6):535-541. Pubmedid: 10404550.
  • Carter F, Graham E, Pal N, Gonzalez E, Roetzheim R. Prostate cancer screening in primary care. South Med J. 1999;92(3):300-304. Pubmedid: 10094271.
  • Roetzheim R, Pal N, Tennant C, Voti L, Ayanian J, Schwabe A, Krischer J. Effects of health insurance and race on early detection of cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1999;91(16):1409-1415. Pubmedid: 10451447.
  • Roetzheim R, Pal N, Golzalez E, Ferrante J, VanDurme D, Ayanian J, Krisher J. The effects of physician supply on the early detection of colorectal cancer. J Fam Pract. 1999;48(11):850-858. Pubmedid: 10907621.
  • Branoff R, Santi K, Campbell J, Roetzheim R. A family practice residency cervical screening project: perceived screening barriers. Family Medicine. 1997;29:119-123. Pubmedid: 9048173.
  • Fox S, Roetzheim R, Kington R. Barriers to cancer prevention in the older person. Clin Geriatr Med. 1997;13:79-95. Pubmedid: 8995102.
  • Roetzheim R, Fox S, Leake B, Houn F. The influence of risk factors on breast cancer screening of medicare-insured women. Cancer. 1996;78:2526-2534. Pubmedid: 8952561.
  • Thomas L, Fox S, Leake B, Roetzheim R. The effects of health beliefs on screening mammography utilization among a diverse sample of older women. Women And Health. 1996;24:77-94. Pubmedid: 9046554.
  • Roetzheim R, Fox S, Leake B. Physician-reported determinants of screening mammography in older women: the impact of physician and practice characteristics. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1995;43:1-5. Pubmedid: 7490393.
  • Roetzheim R, Fox S, Leake B. The effect of risk changes in breast cancer screening rates: Los Angeles, 1988-1990. Cancer. 1994;74:625-631.
  • Fox S, Roetzheim R. Screening mammography and older Hispanic women: current status and issues. Cancer. 1994;74:2028-2033.
  • Pamies R, Herold A, Roetzheim R, Woodard L, Micceri T. Does early clinical exposure enhance performance during third-year clerkship?. J Natl Med Assoc. 1994;86:594-596.
  • Herold A, Roetzheim R, Woodard L, Pamies R, VanDurme D, Manning R. Valididity of immunization documentation presented to a student health program. J Fam Pract. 1993;36:158-160.
  • Herold A, Young D, Wightman J, Anderson M, Roetzheim R, Blair R. Comparison of the cytology brush with the Dacron swab in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by enzyme immunoassay in female university students. J Am Coll Health. 1993;41:213-216.
  • Schapira D, Pamies R, Kumar N, Herold A, VanDurme D, Woodward L, Roetzheim R. Cancer screening -knowledge, recommendations and practices of physicians. Cancer. 1993;71(3):839-843.
  • Herold A, Roetzheim R, Young D, Anderson M, Blair C, Mockler B. Effect of undocumented and excluded vaccinations on measles immunity in a university population. J Fla Med Assoc. 1993;80:173-177.
  • Herold A, Woodard L, Pamies R, Roetzheim R, VanDurme D, Micceri T. Influence of longitudinal primary care training on medical students' specialty choices. Acad Med. 1993;68:281-284.
  • Herold A, Woodard L, Roetzheim R, Pamies R, Young D, Micceri T. Seasonality of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections in university women. J Am Coll Health. 1993;42:117-120.
  • Roetzheim R, VanDurme D, Brownlee H, Herold A, Woodard L, Blair C. Barriers to screening among participants of a media-promoted breast cancer screening project. Cancer Detect Prev. 1993;17:367-377.
  • Fuller SM, McDermott RJ, Roetzheim RG, Marty PJ. Breast cancer beliefs of women participating in a television-promoted mammography screening project. Public Health Rep. 1992 Nov-Dec;107(6):682-690. Pubmedid: 1454981. Pmcid: PMC1403721.
  • Fuller S, McDermott R, Roetzheim R, Marty P. Breast cancer beliefs of women participating in a television-promoted mammography screening project. Public Health Rep. 1992;107:682-690.
  • Roetzheim R, VanDurme D, Brownlee H. Reverse targeting in a media-promoted breast cancer screening project. Cancer. 1992;70:1152-1158.
  • Pamies R, Woodard L, Blair C, Roetzheim R, Herold A. The influence on students' specialty selections of faculty evaluations and mini-board scores during third-year clerkships. Acad Med. 1992;67:127-129.
  • Herold A, Roetzheim R, Pamies R, Woodard L, VanDurme D, Manning R. Matriculants' compliance with a required preventive health program. Acad Med. 1992;67:403-405.
  • Roetzheim RG, Ferrante JM, Lee JH, Chen R, Love-Jackson KM, Gonzalez EC, Fisher KJ, McCarthy EP. Influence of primary care on breast cancer outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries. Ann Fam Med. 10(5):401-411. Pubmedid: 22966103. Pmcid: PMC3438207.
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