Monika M Safford, MD

Overview

Dr. Monika Safford is a clinician-investigator with clinical expertise in preventive healthcare, treatment of acute and chronic illness and the coordination of care for those with complex diseases. Dr. Safford previously served at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine as the Inaugural Endowed Professor of Diabetes Prevention and Outcomes Research, Assistant Dean for Continuing Medical Education, Associate Director of the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education, and Co-Director of UAB's T32 Health Services and Comparative Effectiveness Research Training Program. She is an active principal investigator with ongoing support from the National Institutes of Health, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and industrial sources. Throughout her career as an educator, she has trained and mentored numerous medical students, graduate students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty members. She has chaired national meetings for the Society of General Internal Medicine and the American Diabetes Association for which she serves on a steering committee for an ISTEP medical education initiative and was Co-Chair of the ISTEP Writing Committee. Dr. Safford's honors include the American Association of Medical Colleges Learning Health System Research Pioneer Award (2013-14), a Gold Honor Society Humanism Program faculty mentor appointment (2012) and multiple awards for Research Excellence from UAB Department of Medicine, including the UAB Department of Medicine Max Cooper Award for Excellence in Research.

With more than 260 papers published in top tier journals, she is an expert in patient-centered research on diabetes, cardiovascular epidemiology and prevention, and health disparities. Among her published studies are noteworthy investigations on an underserved and largely African-American region called the Alabama Black Belt, where two-thirds of adults are obese and many have diabetes, hypertension or other chronic conditions. Dr. Safford has studied how health coaches and other non-traditional interventions affect patient outcomes, and was recently awarded a $10 million grant by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health to test two ways of improving the blood pressure of 2,000 people in the area.

Dr. Safford received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and her Medical Degree from Weill Cornell. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and the Birmingham Veterans Administration Medical Center in 2003, she earlier worked as an instructor of medicine at Brown University Medical School with a hospital appointment at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island; and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, with a hospital appointment at the affiliated University Hospital.

Highlights

1
Stroke · 2020
LPLaura Pinheiro MMMonika M Safford
PMID: 32673521PMCID: PMC9264323DOISenior author200 citations
2
Cancer · 2021
LPLaura Pinheiro EPErica Phillips MMMonika M Safford
PMID: 34478162PMCID: PMC9301452DOISenior author108 citations
3
Circulation · 2020
MMMonika M Safford MRMadeline R. Sterling LPLaura Pinheiro
PMID: 33269599PMCID: PMC7856168DOIFirst author92 citations

Publications

759

Funding

52 View NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

27 grants

PI
Cornell-Hunter Primary Care Research Training Program
Health Resources and Services Administration · 2026–2031Training
2 T32 HP42021-06-00
Co-I
Evaluating the Impact of a Novel Educational Intervention to Improve Timely Colposcopy Follow-Up and Treatment Among High-Risk Populations
National Cancer Institute · 2026–2031
R01CA300794-01A1
Co-I
Revascularization Choices Among Under-Represented Groups Evaluation: The RECHARGE Program
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2023–2030
PLACER-2022C3-30048
Co-I
1/2 Randomized comparison of the Outcomes of single vs Multiple Arterial grafts trial in Women (ROMA:Women)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2025–2030
UH3HL169564-02
Co-I
NY Community-Hospital-Academic Maternal Health Equity Partnerships (NY-CHAMP) - Project 1
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2023–2030 · via Columbia University· 3 renewals
U54HD113172-01
Co-I
Understanding Ambulatory Care Utilization in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ACUA)
National Institute on Aging · 2024–2029
R01AG087243-01
Co-I
Structural Racism and Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Cancer Survivors
National Cancer Institute · 2024–2029
R37CA288492-01
Co-I
Preventing Myocardial Events of Aging: A PREVENTABLE Ancillary Study
National Institute on Aging · 2024–2028
R01AG085420-01
Co-I
Primary Care Screening and Intervention for Elder Neglect in Patients with Dementia: An Evidence-Based Approach
National Institute on Aging · 2022–2028
R61AG079012-01
Co-I
A longitudinal cohort study to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and disease in Haiti - 2 - Foreign supplement
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2018–2028· 3 renewals
R01HL143788-08S1
Co-I
I-TRANSFER-HF: Improving TRansitions ANd OutcomeS for Heart FailurE Patients in Home Health CaRe: A Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness Implementation Trial
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2023–2028
R01HL169312-01
Co-I
Healthier, a Peer Coach Behavioral Intervention to Improve Mental Health in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Bristol-Myers Squibb · 2023–2028
BMSC 226946-01
MPI
REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke-Myocardial Infarction-4 (REGARDS-MI-4)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2022–2027· 2 renewals
R01HL165452-04
Co-I
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Tissue Characterization Based Risk Stratification of Cardiopulmonary Symptoms, Effort Tolerance, and Prognosis Among COVID-19 Survivors
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2021–2027
R01HL159055-01
KP
Living Healthy with COPD: An Intervention to Reduce Chronic Pain Integrated Into COPD-Self Management
American Lung Association, Incorporated · 2024–2027
ALA 241216-02
Co-I
Clinical and Translational Science Center- Institutional CTSC Internal Funding UL1
CTSC Cost Share · 2022–2027
UL1TR002384-06
KP
Improving the Mental Health of Home Health Aides
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation · 2022–2027
DDCF 2235-0168
Co-I
Center to Improve Chronic disease Outcomes through Multi-level and Multi-generational approaches Unifying Novel Interventions and Training for health EquitY (Investigator Development Core)
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities · 2021–2027 · via Columbia University· 2 renewals
P50MD017341-01
Sub-PI
Optimize Risk Assessment for Incident and Recurrent Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2021–2027 · via Columbia University Medical Center
R01HL155081-05
Sub-PI
Improving Lipid Management Strategies in Young Adults
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2023–2027 · via Columbia University
R01HL168379-04
Co-I
Leveraging Home Health Aides to Achieve the Essential 8
American Heart Association · 2023–2026
AHA 230979-01
Co-I
Development of a Stakeholder Engaged Intervention to Improve Knowledge and Health-Related Quality of Life in SSc-ILD
Scleroderma Foundation · 2022–2026
SF 221362-03
PI
Cornell-Hunter Primary Care Research Training Program
Health Resources and Services Administration · 2021–2026
5 T32 HP42021-05-00
Co-I
Advancing the Conversations Helpful for Awareness of Illness Trajectory (CHAT) Intervention
National Institute on Aging · 2023–2026
R21AG077092-01A1
Sub-PI
Improving Blood Pressure Screening and Treatment Strategies in Young Adults
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2021–2026 · via Kaiser Permanente
R01HL158790-05
Co-I
Randomized comparison of the clinical Outcome of single versus Multiple Arterial grafts: Quality of Life (ROMA:QOL)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2020–2026
R01HL152021-01
Co-I
Randomized Comparison of the Clinical Outcome of Single Versus Multiple Arterial Grafts: Cognition (ROMA:Cog)
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2021–2025 · via Columbia University· 2 renewals
R01NS123639-02

Completed grants (25)

Co-I
Moving Well: A Peer Coach Intervention for Osteoarthritis Patients Planning Total Knee Arthroplasty
Rheumatology Research Foundation · 2021–2024
RRF 194765-01
Co-I
Weill Cornell Medicine Diversity Center of Excellence
Health Resources and Services Administration · 2018–2024
5 D34HP31879-04-00
KP
The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Quality of Life; Program: Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Science (1 Year); Application ID: 966638
American Heart Association · 2022–2023
AHA 223169-01
Sub-PI
Improving High Blood Pressure Control in African Americans Living in the Southeastern United States
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2021–2023 · via The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at Birmingham
PCORI MCU-NIH-2014-002
MPI
National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) Patient Navigation Project
New York State Department of Health · 2016–2022 · via Health Research INC (Center for Community Health)
5362-06
Sub-PI
Prioritizing County-Level Social Determinants That Contribute to the Greater Burden of Diabetes and Hypertension in the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2017–2022 · via University of Alabama-Birmingham
U01DP006302-05
PI
Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke- Myocardial Infarction-3
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2017–2022
R01HL080477-14
Co-I
Healthcare Fragmentation and Cardiovascular Outcomes
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2017–2022
R01HL135199-04
PI
The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Myocardial Infarction-3 (REGARDS-MI-3 Ancillary Study)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 2019–2022
DUA 191563-01
Sub-PI
Collaboration to Improve Blood Pressure in the US Black Belt-Addressing the Triple Threat
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2015–2021 · via University of Alabama-Birmingham
UH3HL130691-05
Sub-PI
UAB Cardiovascular Collaboration 2019 - 000525083
Amgen Inc. · 2019–2021 · via The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at BirminghamContract
UAB 211365-01
Co-I
"Safety of Neurohormonal Antagonist Initiation Among Older Adults with Heart Failure Following a Heart Failure Hospitalization"
American Heart Association · 2018–2021
18IPA34170185
Sub-PI
Lp(a) and risk for cardiovascular events by race/ethnicity among adults with chronic kidney disease in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study
Amgen Inc. · 2020–2021 · via The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at BirminghamContract
UAB 211362-01
Sub-PI
UAB Cardiovascular Collaboration 2019 - 000525082
Amgen Inc. · 2019–2021 · via The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at BirminghamContract
UAB 202504-01
KP
Healthcare Fragmentation and Cardiovascular Outcomes
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2018–2020
5 R01 HL135199-03 (Div Supp)
Co-I
Understanding the Perspectives of Home Care Workers Who Care for Adults with Heart Failure
Society Of General Internal Medicine · 2018–2020
No publications yet
SOGIM 181937-01
Sub-PI
Improving Medication Adherence in the Alabama Black Belt
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2019–2020 · via Weill Cornell Medical CollegeContract
WCMC 200190-01
PI
Cardiovascular Collaboration (Cardiovascular Disease, Prevention, Treatment and Outcomes)
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at Birmingham · 2019–2020Contract
SRA 192572-01
PI
Improving Medication Adherence in the Alabama Black Belt
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2016–2019
AD-1306-03565-IC
PI
Building Capacity for Cardiometabolic Outcomes Research
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2016–2018Career
K24HL111154-05
PI
Improving Stroke Outcomes for African Americans
NIMHD · 2012–2017 · via NIH RePORTER
P60MD000502-13
PI
Collaboration to Improve Blood Pressure in the US Black Belt- Addressing the Triple Threat
NHLBI · 2015–2016 · via NIH RePORTER
UH2HL130691-01
Sub-PI
UAB Deep South Arthritis and Musculoskeletal CERTs
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality · 2016–2016 · via University of Alabama-Birmingham
No publications yet
U19HS021110-05
PI
Using CERs to Optimize Quality of Life for Persons with Diabetes and Chronic Pain
NIH · 2010–2013 · via NIH RePORTER
R18HS019239-01
PI
Bone Health Conference Grant
NIH · 2010–2011 · via NIH RePORTER
R13HS020144-01

Clinical research

2

Completed & closed trials (2)

PI
Improving Medication Adherence in the Alabama Black Belt
NA · Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2025)
Diabetes Mellitus; Medication Adherence
NCT02274844
PI
Can the Patient Activated Learning System (PALS) Serve as a Better Model for Nutrition Education Than Other Online-based Educational Material?
NA · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2020)
Nutrition Disorders
NCT04196517

News mentions

17 View all WCM news ↗

Awards & Honors: November 2025
December 1, 2025
Awards, honors and achievements for the month of November.
Dr. Judy Tung Named Chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
October 9, 2025
Dr. Judy Tung, a leading expert in internal medicine and primary care, has been named chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Weill Department of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, effective Aug. 1.
Dr. Laura C. Pinheiro Named Cancer Moonshot Scholar
November 7, 2024
The award seeks to increase the number of early-stage investigators and enhance the diversity of the cancer research workforce to accelerate the fight against cancer.
Peer Coaching Helps Marginalized Individuals Lower Blood Pressure
March 18, 2024
For younger Black patients living in rural parts of the Southeastern United States, peer coaching is more effective than traditional clinical care in controlling high blood pressure, according to a new study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.
Race Doesn't Impact Cardiovascular Risk Calculations
December 6, 2023
Removing race information from cardiovascular risk calculators—which predict the probability of developing heart disease—doesn’t affect patients’ risk scores, according to a study by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators.

Show 12 more mentions

Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Receive NIH Support for Project Addressing Postpartum Maternal Health in Underserved Communities
September 6, 2023
As part of a National Institutes of Health initiative to improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes nationwide, Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian will play a pivotal role as collaborators with Columbia University Irving Medical Center as one of 10 nationwide IMPROVE (Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone) Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence.
Weill Cornell Medicine Community Celebrates Diversity Champions
April 28, 2023
In a celebration of Weill Cornell Medicine’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in academic medicine, the institution on April 25 honored nearly a dozen faculty, students and staff who exemplify excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Cornell Center for Health Equity Launches Racial Allyship Training Course
April 25, 2023
The Cornell Center for Health Equity launched a racial allyship training course to provide anyone who wants to learn to be a better ally with essential skills and tools they can use in their personal and professional lives.
Dr. Madeline Sterling Wins Clinical Scientist Development Award from Doris Duke Foundation
August 9, 2022
Dr. Madeline Sterling, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, has been awarded a 2022 Clinical Scientist Development Award by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
COVID-19 May Trigger Hyperglycemia and Worsen Disease by Harming Fat Cells
October 1, 2021
COVID-19 may bring high risks of severe disease and death in many patients by disrupting key metabolic signals and thereby triggering hyperglycemia, according to a new study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.
Justice for All: Weill Cornell Medicine Redoubles its Efforts Toward Racial Equity in Medicine—for the Benefit of Clinicians, Patients and Society
February 23, 2021
Weill Cornell Medicine redoubles its efforts toward racial equity in medicine—for the benefit of clinicians, patients, and society
Counting Patients’ Social Determinants of Health May Help Doctors Prevent Fatal Heart Attacks
January 19, 2021
Doctors may be able to predict their patients’ risks of fatal coronary heart disease more accurately by taking into account the number of adverse social factors affecting them, according to a new study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.
Weill Cornell Medicine Receives Grant to Study Quality of Life in Patients Following Bypass Surgery
July 8, 2020
The National Institutes of Health National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has awarded Weill Cornell Medicine investigators $4.2 million to compare quality of life outcomes in patients undergoing two different types of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
In Brief: COVID-19 Clinical Characteristics
June 22, 2020
When COVID-19 first appeared in NYC hospitals, Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian physicians and scientists documented early observations of clinical and pathological characteristics in two publications.
The Emerging Link Between Obesity and COVID-19
May 15, 2020
Dr. Monika Safford, chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine, finds that obesity is linked to more serious complications from COVID-19, including in younger people.
The ‘Pandemic Within the Pandemic’: Understanding the Devastating Race and Ethnic Differences in COVID-19’s Impact
May 1, 2020
Although COVID-19 is a threat to everyone, people of color have been hit especially hard by the virus — what has been called a “pandemic within the pandemic.”
Inexpensive Cognitive-Behavioral Training Program Reduces Pain and Improves Quality of Life Among Diabetic Patients with Limited Healthcare Access
January 13, 2020
An inexpensive program using trained community members to deliver a structured program based on cognitive behavioral therapy by telephone was able to improve daily functioning, self-reported physical activity, and overall quality of life among diabetic patients with chronic pain.