CHAMPIONS Research

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CHAMPIONS is a national research initiative focused on improving access to cardiovascular care and preventing disease in underserved and at-risk communities across the United States.

By exploring barriers to medical services and wellness programs, researchers aim to design effective, large-scale screening strategies. Data collection takes place at CHAMPIONS screening sites in collaboration with top university centers.

Published Research

New CHAMPIONS Research Highlights Sex Differences in PAD Detection

A new study from the UCSF CHAMPIONS team highlights differences in peripheral artery disease (PAD) detection among women and men. Published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, the study analyzed data from 736 participants in CHAMPIONS community-based screenings in California. Among those identified as at risk for PAD, PAD was detected in 10.9% of females compared with 2.8% of males. The findings highlight the importance of increasing PAD awareness and access to screening, par

Defining Urban Vascular Deserts to Improve Access to Care for Disadvantaged Populations

Western Vascular Meeting, September 2025 - Kathryn DiLosa MD, MPH, Maria Tiu BS, MS, Guistinna Tun BS, Manreet Dosanjh BS, Clara Gomez-Sanchez MD, Molly McCabe BS, Isabel Bjork JD, MSc, Misty Humphries MD, MAS, Leigh Ann O’Banion MD

Using Vascular Deserts as a Guide for Limb Preservation Outreach Programs Successfully Targets Underserved Populations

Vascular deserts, regions without vascular providers, previously described targets for limb salvage efforts. The Comprehensive Heart and Multidisciplinary Limb Preservation Outreach Networks (CHAMPIONS) programs targeted regions for outreach and evaluated the population using desert maps.

CHAMPIONS: Providing Access to Vascular Care for the Underserved

Highlights and opportunities from CHAMPIONS, a program aimed at addressing disparities in vascular care in vascular deserts.

Presentations

CHAMPIONS Initiative Community Outreach
in Vascular Deserts

Vascular Health Innovation Summit, San Francisco 2024

Dr. Leigh Ann O'Banion

Defining Urban Vascular Deserts to Improve Access to Care for Disadvantaged Populations, Presentation

Unmasking the Silent Threat: Prevalence of PAD Among Patients of Indian Descent During Cardiovascular Screenings, Short Presentation

Western Vascular Meeting, September 2025 - Manreet Dosanjh,BS, Kathryn DiLosa MD, MPH, Maria Tiu BS, MS, Guistinna Tun BS, Viraj Pandit MD, Misty Humphries MD, MAS, Leigh Ann O’Banion MD

Using Vascular Deserts as a Guide for Limb Preservation Outreach Programs Successfully Targets Underserved Populations, Presentation

Western Vascular Meeting, September 2023 - Kathryn DiLosa MD, MPH, Misty Humphries MD, MAS, Vanessa Mora BS, Teresa Daniele MD, Leigh Ann O’Banion MD

Posters

Leigh Ann O'Banion MD and Guistinna Tun BS at the Vascular Annual Meeting, June 2025 in New Orleans, LA

A Qualitative Study of Participants Undergoing Cardiovascular Screening in Vascular Deserts, Interactive Poster

Vascular Annual Meeting, June 2025 - Maria Denalene Tiu BS, MS, Guistinna Tun BS, Manreet Dosanjh BS, Neytali Kanwar BS, Jagjot Dosanjh BS, Mina Sarofim BS, Phuong Vu DO, Clara Gomez-Sanchez MD, Michael Conte MD, Leigh Ann O’Banion MD

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