Verma Research
- Associate Chair & Director of Research
- Associate Professor
Jefferson - Einstein Campus
5501 Old York Road, Korman Building
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Manisha Verma is the Associate Chair and Director of Research for the Department of Medicine at Einstein Healthcare Network, now part of Jefferson Health. In this role, she provides strategic leadership and oversight of clinical research programs, including applied health services research and clinical trials across a range of diseases, with a particular focus on advanced liver disease. She established and advanced a pillar of patient-centered outcomes research through innovative, multidisciplinary collaborations across the institution.
During her tenure, Dr. Verma has led the expansion and strengthening of clinical research infrastructure, supporting investigators and streamlining processes to better meet the evolving needs of patients and research teams, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership has contributed to sustained growth in research activity and the development of collaborative programs that integrate clinical care with outcomes research. She is also actively engaged in mentoring trainees and junior faculty, fostering the next generation of clinical investigators.
Dr. Verma is also an Associate Professor of Research at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and serves as Chair of the National Medical Visionary Team for the American Liver Foundation.
Research Projects
Introducing Palliative Care within Treatment of End Stage Liver Diseases
This project is one among the largest grants funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to support multi-site comparative effectiveness research in palliative care delivery. The proposal was ranked in the top quartile by independent reviewers and represents a pioneering trial in hepatology-focused palliative care research.
PAL LIVER is a two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial comparing specialist-delivered palliative care (consultative PC) with a hepatologist-led palliative care intervention. To support this model, we developed a tailored primary palliative care training program for hepatologists in collaboration with Stanford University. By integrating education and training into the intervention, the study addresses real-world barriers related to limited access to and expertise in palliative care.
A total of 19 clinical centers across the United States were randomized as recruiting sites.
Integrating Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) Assessment in Advanced Liver Disease
This study is one of the pioneering studies to incorporate patient reported outcomes (PROs) within routine clinical care. PROs are patient reported measures of their symptoms, suffering, health behaviors, functional status, and quality of life. NIH supported PROMIS was used to conduct PROs within routine care and inform treatment planning. This led to improvement in overall health outcomes for liver disease patients.
Primary Palliative Care Training for Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellows: A Pilot Study
As a part of this pilot work, we are training GI and Hepatology Fellows with primary palliative care skills including communication, serious illness conversations and symptom management.
Development & Testing of Multimedia Patient Education (MaPE) for Routine Inpatient Care of Cirrhotics
This study developed and validated educational videos for patients with liver diseases, with the primary goal of enhancing patient knowledge about liver diseases.
