Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Liles is a Kaiser Permanente Northwest primary care doctor, board certified in internal medicine, who has practiced for nearly 10 years. She joined CHR in 2006 as a research fellow, became a clinical investigator in 2009, and became an investigator in 2015.

Dr. Liles’ research focuses on cancer screening. She recently concluded the FIBER Study, a study of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening methods in the KPNW health plan. She was also a co-investigator on the MY FIT Study, which compared two Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) protocols for detecting CRC cancer and advanced adenoma. Subsequently, she led a study that compared an experimental CRC screening blood test to FIT testing among patients who had not received CRC screening after two or more invitations. Her current project will bring health plan stakeholders together to provide feedback on cancer screening decision aids, to help move these tools into clinical practice.

Since 2009, Dr. Liles has also served as a methodologist with the Kaiser Permanente National Guideline Program, working to create cancer screening and osteoporosis guidelines. Her experience as a primary care doctor gives her a unique perspective on how care processes can be improved, and her knowledge of the KPNW health plan allows her to successfully conduct clinical studies that enroll KPNW patients.

Dr. Liles earned her medical degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, and a master’s of clinical research degree at Oregon Health & Science University