Maria Chao, DrPH, MPA

Professor In Residence

Maria T. Chao, DrPH, MPA is a professor at the University of California San Francisco’s Osher Center for Integrative Health and the Division of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Dr. Chao’s overarching goal is to investigate how complementary and integrative health approaches can advance health equity and improve quality of life among underserved populations living with chronic conditions. Her recent studies aim to: (1) rigorously test integrative approaches to address the under-treatment of pain in diverse patient populations; and (2) apply implementation science to broaden access to evidence-based integrative medicine. Her work has received funding support through the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and numerous foundations.

Education
2019 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of California
Postdoctoral Studies, 2011 - Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
DrPH, 2004 - Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University
MPA, 1999 - Public Administration, Columbia University
Websites
Publications

  1. Mishra KK, Leung IC, Chao MT, Thompson-Lastad A, Pollak C, Dhruva A, Hartogensis W, Lister M, Cheng SW, Atreya CE. Mindfulness-Based Group Medical Visits: Strategies to Improve Equitable Access and Inclusion for Diverse Patients in Cancer Treatment. Global advances in integrative medicine and health 2024. PMID: 38895040


  2. Chloe Evelyn Atreya, Ivan C. Leung, Maria T. Chao, Ariana Thompson-Lastad, Christine Pollak, Anand Dhruva, Wendy Hartogensis, Michael Lister, Stephanie W. Cheng, Kavita K. Mishra. Mindfulness-based group medical visits: Strategies to improve equitable access and inclusion for diverse patients in cancer treatment. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2024. PMID:


  3. Thompson-Lastad A, Harrison JM, Taiwo TK, Williams C, Parimi M, Wilborn B, Chao MT. Postpartum care for parent-infant dyads: A community midwifery model. Glucose Homeostasis 2024. PMID: 38590170


  4. Chao MT, Adler SR. Integrative Health Equity: Definition, Principles, Strategies, and Reflections. Global advances in integrative medicine and health 2024. PMID: 38327738


  5. Ashby J, Toveg M, Ye H, Rubin LH, Reddy S, Chao MT. The Assessment and Treatment of Inpatient Cancer-Related Pain with Acupuncture: Development of a Manual. 2022. PMID: 35251434


  6. Ho EY, Agne RR, Santana T, Thompson N, McClendon G, Ng E, Merrick S, Gonzalez F, Smith T, Drewke K, Gutierrez A, Floyd G, Chao MT. A Communication Perspective on What Patient Advisory Boards Do: Action-Implicative Discourse Analysis and Negotiating Advice. 2021. PMID: 34591265


  7. Daubenmier J, Chao MT, Hartogensis W, Liu R, Moran PJ, Acree MC, Kristeller J, Epel ES, Hecht FM. Exploratory Analysis of Racial/Ethnic and Educational Differences in a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness-Based Weight Loss Intervention. Psychosomatic medicine 2021. PMID: 33214537


  8. Ho EY, Leung G, Chao MT, Chan D, Hsieh E, Pritzker S, Chi HL, Huang S, Ruan Q, Seligman HK. Integrative Nutritional Counseling Combining Chinese Medicine and Biomedicine for Chinese Americans with Type 2 Diabetes: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2021. PMID: 33979531


  9. Ho EY, Thompson-Lastad A, Lam R, Zhang X, Thompson N, Chao MT. Adaptations to Acupuncture and Pain Counseling Implementation in a Multisite Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2021. PMID: 33902333


  10. Weng HY, Ikeda MP, Lewis-Peacock JA, Chao MT, Fullwiley D, Goldman V, Skinner S, Duncan LG, Gazzaley A, Hecht FM. Corrigendum: Toward a Compassionate Intersectional Neuroscience: Increasing Diversity and Equity in Contemplative Neuroscience. Frontiers in psychology 2021. PMID: 33488490


  11. Weng HY, Ikeda MP, Lewis-Peacock JA, Chao MT, Fullwiley D, Goldman V, Skinner S, Duncan LG, Gazzaley A, Hecht FM. Toward a Compassionate Intersectional Neuroscience: Increasing Diversity and Equity in Contemplative Neuroscience. Frontiers in psychology 2020. PMID: 33329215


  12. Ho EY, Pak S, Leung G, Xu S, Yu CK, Hecht FM, Jih J, Chao MT. Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Integrative Nutritional Counseling Versus Standard Diabetes Self-Management Education for Chinese Americans with Type 2 Diabetes. Health equity 2020. PMID: 33111026


  13. Weng HY, Lewis-Peacock JA, Hecht FM, Uncapher MR, Ziegler DA, Farb NAS, Goldman V, Skinner S, Duncan LG, Chao MT, Gazzaley A. Focus on the Breath: Brain Decoding Reveals Internal States of Attention During Meditation. Frontiers in human neuroscience 2020. PMID: 33005138


  14. Liu R, Santana T, Schillinger D, Hecht FM, Chao MT. "It Gave Me Hope" Experiences of Diverse Safety Net Patients in a Group Acupuncture Intervention for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. Health equity 2020. PMID: 32462104


  15. Chao MT, Schillinger D, Nguyen U, Santana T, Liu R, Gregorich S, Hecht FM. A Randomized Clinical Trial of Group Acupuncture for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Among Diverse Safety Net Patients. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2019. PMID: 31127837


  16. Hullender Rubin LE, Mist SD, Schnyer RN, Chao MT, Leclair CM. Acupuncture Augmentation of Lidocaine for Provoked, Localized Vulvodynia: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study. Journal of lower genital tract disease 2019. PMID: 31592976


  17. Thompson-Lastad A, Atreya CE, Chao MT, Pollak C, Dhruva A, Santana T, Abrams DI. Improving Access to Integrative Oncology Through Group Medical Visits: A Pilot Implementation Project. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2019. PMID: 31314561


  18. Gardiner P, Chao M, Burnett M. Improving Access, Integration, and Sustainability: A Reflective Overview of the Special Issue on Innovation in Group-Delivered Services. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2019. PMID: 31314568


  19. Chao MT, Hurstak E, Leonoudakis-Watts K, Sidders F, Pace J, Hammer H, Wismer B. Patient-Reported Outcomes of an Integrative Pain Management Program Implemented in a Primary Care Safety Net Clinic: a Quasi-experimental Study. Journal of general internal medicine 2019. PMID: 30783878


  20. Bruns EB, Befus D, Wismer B, Knight K, Adler SR, Leonoudakis-Watts K, Thompson-Lastad A, Chao MT. Vulnerable Patients' Psychosocial Experiences in a Group-Based, Integrative Pain Management Program. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2019. PMID: 31314560


  21. Hurstak E, Chao MT, Leonoudakis-Watts K, Pace J, Walcer B, Wismer B. Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Integrative Pain Management Program in a Primary Care Safety-Net Clinic. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2019. PMID: 30870021


  22. Ye H, Bowden D, Ashby J, Toveg M, Reddy S, Chao MT. Improving Usability of Electronic Health Records for Whole Systems Integrative Medicine Practitioners. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2019. PMID: 30870026


  23. Harrison JD, Reddy S, Liu R, Adler SR, Chao MT. Implementing an Inpatient Acupuncture Service for Pain and Symptom Management: Identifying Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2019. PMID: 30758215


  24. Thompson-Lastad A, Gardiner P, Chao MT. Integrative Group Medical Visits: A National Scoping Survey of Safety-Net Clinics. Health equity 2019. PMID: 30706043


  25. . Focus on the breath: Brain decoding reveals internal states of attention during meditation. 2018. PMID:


  26. Dhruva A, Atreya CE, Chao MT. Applying New Models of Care to Meet Patient Needs in Integrative Oncology. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2018. PMID: 30247958


  27. Ho EY, Acquah J, Chao C, Leung G, Ng DC, Chao MT, Wang A, Ku S, Chen W, Yu CK, Xu S, Chen M, Jih J. Heart healthy integrative nutritional counseling (H2INC): Creating a Chinese medicine + western medicine patient education curriculum for Chinese Americans. Patient education and counseling 2018. PMID: 30126680


  28. Chao MT, Adler SR. Integrative Medicine and the Imperative for Health Justice. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2018. PMID: 29364694


  29. . Addressing Disparities in Integrative and Complementary Therapies. 2017. PMID:


  30. Huang AJ, Rowen TS, Abercrombie P, Subak LL, Schembri M, Plaut T, Chao MT. Development and Feasibility of a Group-Based Therapeutic Yoga Program for Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2017. PMID: 28419385


  31. Handley MA, Quan J, Chao MT, Ratanawongsa N, Sarkar U, Emmons-Bell S, Schillinger D. Use of Complementary Health Approaches Among Diverse Primary Care Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Association with Cardiometabolic Outcomes: From the SF Bay Collaborative Research Network (SF Bay CRN). Volume 30 of Issue 5. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM 2017. PMID: 28923815


  32. Duncan LG, Cohn MA, Chao MT, Cook JG, Riccobono J, Bardacke N. Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison. BMC pregnancy and childbirth 2017. PMID: 28499376


  33. Liu R, Chao MT, Jostad-Laswell A, Duncan LG. Does CenteringPregnancy Group Prenatal Care Affect the Birth Experience of Underserved Women? A Mixed Methods Analysis. Journal of immigrant and minority health 2017. PMID: 26942939


  34. Chao MT, Chang A, Reddy S, Harrison JD, Acquah J, Toveg M, Santana T, Hecht FM. Adjunctive acupuncture for pain and symptom management in the inpatient setting: protocol for a pilot hybrid effectiveness-implementation study. Journal of integrative medicine 2016. PMID: 27181130


  35. Wade C, Wang L, Zhao WJ, Cardini F, Kronenberg F, Gui SQ, Ying Z, Zhao NQ, Chao MT, Yu J. Acupuncture point injection treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea: a randomised, double blind, controlled study. BMJ open 2016. PMID: 26733563


  36. Chang A, Acquah J, Reddy S, Chao MT. Acupuncture for the Management of Postdural Puncture Headache: A Case Report. Global advances in health and medicine 2016. PMID: 26937320


  37. Liu R, Chang A, Reddy S, Hecht FM, Chao MT. Improving Patient-Centered Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Prior Use and Interest in Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches Among Hospitalized Oncology Patients. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2015. PMID: 26505257


  38. Chao MT, Abercrombie PD, Santana T, Duncan LG. Applying the RE-AIM Framework to Evaluate Integrative Medicine Group Visits Among Diverse Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain. Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses 2015. PMID: 26365760


  39. Chao MT, Handley MA, Quan J, Sarkar U, Ratanawongsa N, Schillinger D. Disclosure of complementary health approaches among low income and racially diverse safety net patients with diabetes. Patient education and counseling 2015. PMID: 26146238


  40. Chao MT, Abercrombie PD, Nakagawa S, Gregorich SE, Learman LA, Kuppermann M. Prevalence and use of complementary health approaches among women with chronic pelvic pain in a prospective cohort study. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) 2014. PMID: 25279935


  41. . Disclosure of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Diverse Safety Net Patients with Diabetes. 2014. PMID:


  42. . Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of Centering for Chronic Pelvic Pain: Integrative Group Visits for Medically Underserved Women. 2014. PMID:


  43. . Mind in Labor: Effects of Mind/Body Training on Childbirth Appraisals and Pain Medication Use During Labor. 2014. PMID:


  44. . Protocol Development of Group Acupuncture Treatment for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Using Treatment Manualization. 2014. PMID:


  45. Chao MT, Wade CM, Booth SL. Increase in plasma phylloquinone concentrations following acupoint injection for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies 2014. PMID: 24929459


  46. Chao MT, Wade CM, Abercrombie PD, Gomolak D. An innovative acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, crossover pilot study. Alternative therapies in health and medicine 2014. PMID: 24445356


  47. Tippens KM, Chao MT, Connelly E, Locke A. Patient perspectives on care received at community acupuncture clinics: a qualitative thematic analysis. BMC complementary and alternative medicine 2013. PMID: 24168022


  48. Chao MT, Abercrombie PD, Duncan LG. Centering as a model for group visits among women with chronic pelvic pain. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN 2012. PMID: 22862426


  49. . P02.44. A pilot crossover trial of acupoint injection for treating primary dysmenorrhea. 2012. PMID:


  50. . P05.37. Assessing patient perspectives on quality of care at community acupuncture clinics. 2012. PMID:


  51. . P05.41. Development and evaluation of group medical visits for medically underserved women with chronic pelvic pain. 2012. PMID:


  52. Chao MT, Tippens KM, Connelly E. Utilization of group-based, community acupuncture clinics: a comparative study with a nationally representative sample of acupuncture users. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2012. PMID: 22551075


  53. Xie SB, Zhu JY, Ying Z, Zeng LJ, Chao M, Lu MQ. Prevention and risk factors of the HBV recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation: 160 cases follow-up study. Transplantation 2010. PMID: 20703179


  54. Chao MT, Wade C, Kronenberg F. Disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine to conventional medical providers: variation by race/ethnicity and type of CAM. Journal of the National Medical Association 2008. PMID: 19024232


  55. Reiff M, Wade C, Chao MT, Kronenberg F, Cushman LF. Health practices and vaginal microbicide acceptability among urban black women. Journal of women's health (2002) 2008. PMID: 18788991


  56. Wade C, Chao M, Kronenberg F, Cushman L, Kalmuss D. Medical pluralism among American women: results of a national survey. Journal of women's health (2002) 2008. PMID: 18537484


  57. Chao MT, Wade CM. Socioeconomic factors and women's use of complementary and alternative medicine in four racial/ethnic groups. Ethnicity & disease 2008. PMID: 18447102


  58. Wade C, Chao MT, Kronenberg F. Medical pluralism of Chinese women living in the United States. Journal of immigrant and minority health 2007. PMID: 17431784


  59. Chao MT, Wade C, Kronenberg F, Kalmuss D, Cushman LF. Women's reasons for complementary and alternative medicine use: racial/ethnic differences. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2006. PMID: 17034277


  60. Kronenberg F, Cushman LF, Wade CM, Kalmuss D, Chao MT. Race/ethnicity and women's use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States: results of a national survey. American journal of public health 2006. PMID: 16735632


  61. Abraído-Lanza AF, Chao MT, Flórez KR. Do healthy behaviors decline with greater acculturation? Implications for the Latino mortality paradox. Social science & medicine (1982) 2005. PMID: 15970234


  62. Abraído-Lanza AF, Chao MT, Gates CY. Acculturation and cancer screening among Latinas: results from the National Health Interview Survey. Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine 2005. PMID: 15677297


  63. Abraído-Lanza AF, Chao MT, Gammon MD. Breast and cervical cancer screening among Latinas and non-Latina whites. American journal of public health 2004. PMID: 15284049


  64. Dessio W, Wade C, Chao M, Kronenberg F, Cushman LE, Kalmuss D. Religion, spirituality, and healthcare choices of African-American women: results of a national survey. Ethnicity & disease 2004. PMID: 15132203