Maria J. Schymura
Papers
3
Total Citations
16
H-Index
2
About
Maria J. Schymura is a leading health services researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of surgical innovation, health economics, and racial equity in cancer care. Her research critically examines the real-world implications of robotic surgery adoption, particularly for colorectal and prostate cancer patients. In her landmark 2019 study, she conducted the first population-based analysis of 90-day hospital costs and utilization for robotic surgery in colon and rectal cancer, revealing significant cost implications that have informed hospital policy and resource allocation. More recently, Schymura has pioneered investigations into racial and ethnic disparities in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Her 2023 study documented persistent disparities in post-prostatectomy outcomes, while her 2024 work broke new ground by testing the physician-level "Segregated Treatment" and "Differential Treatment" hypotheses—a novel framework that moves beyond patient-level factors to examine how physician practice patterns may drive unequal access to surgical innovation. With over 16 citations across her most influential papers, Schymura’s work is essential reading for researchers and clinicians committed to ensuring that technological advances in surgery do not widen existing healthcare disparities.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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