The MsFLASH network is coordinated by principal investigators from Fred Hutch, the University of Washington and the University of California. Researchers and administrators from several sites have worked together to make the MsFLASH program possible. Fred Hutch houses the grant administration and the Data Coordinating Center for the network.
Program Leadership
Katherine Adams Guthrie, Ph.D.
Dr. Guthrie is a principal investigator of MsFLASH. Her leadership includes overseeing the Data Coordinating Center, as well as collaboration on design, implementation, and reporting of trials with Network investigators.
Andrea Z. LaCroix, Ph.D.
Dr. LaCroix is a principal investigator of MsFLASH, and also works on healthy aging studies as a Senior Scientific Investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle. She has conducted numerous trials and studies on the prevention of cancer, fracture, heart disease and frailty in postmenopausal women.
Susan Reed, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Dr. Reed is internationally renowned for her research in midlife women’s health and is recognized nationally for her interest in health disparities among women. In addition to her work at UW, she has appointments at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute and Fred Hutch, where she’s a principal investigator for MsFLASH, performing clinical trials on the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including mood disorders.
Network Partners
MsFLASH studies are conducted by researchers at partner institutions across the United States.
Network Partner Locations
Harvard Medical School was a clinical site for two of the MsFLASH studies, under the leadership of Drs. Cohen and Joffe. The first centered on the use of anti-depressants in alleviating menopausal symptoms while the second compared hormone and non-hormonal drug therapies for hot flashes. Dr. Mitchell led a trial that evaluated the efficacy of both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for postmenopausal vaginal symptoms.
Lead investigators:
Indiana University School of Nursing
The Indiana University School of Nursing was a clinical site for two MsFLASH studies. One centered on the use of anti-depressants and the second evaluated non-hormonal treatment options for alleviating hot flashes. The team also conducted pilot studies of objective hot flash monitoring instruments.
Lead investigators:
Kaiser Permanente of Northern California
Kaiser Permanente of Northern California was a clinical site for two MsFLASH studies. One centered on the use of anti-depressants and the second evaluated non-hormonal treatment options for alleviating hot flashes. In addition, Oakland has served as the site of all centralized recruitment efforts.
Lead investigators:
Barbara Sternfeld, Ph.D. (retired)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine was a clinical site for two MsFLASH studies. The first centered on the use of anti-depressants in alleviating menopausal symptoms and the second compared hormone and non-hormonal drug therapies for hot flashes.
Lead investigators:
Ellen Freeman, M.D. (retired)
University of Minnesota Medical School
The University of Minnesota Medical School was a clinical site for a MsFLASH study evaluating the efficacy of both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for postmenopausal vaginal symptoms.
Lead investigators:
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute
KPWHRI was a clinical site for three of the MsFLASH studies. The first evaluated non-hormonal treatment options for hot flashes, the second compared hormone and non-hormonal drug therapies, and the third tested the efficacy of both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for postmenopausal vaginal symptoms.
Lead investigators:
The Fredricks lab at Fred Hutch leads the specimen biorepository and multiple translational ancillary studies to increase our understanding of both the etiology of postmenopausal vaginal symptoms, and the effects of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments on these symptoms.
Lead investigators:
