Staff: Lila J. Finney Rutten, PhD, MPH

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Lila J. Finney Rutten

Lila J. Finney Rutten, PhD, MPH

Former Fellow, Transitioned Outside of the Program

Former Organization:

Lila Rutten, Ph.D., M.P.H., was an NCI Cancer Prevention Fellow from July 2001 to March 2005. She then transitioned to a Behavioral Scientist position within the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch (HCIRB) of the Behavioral Research Program. Her responsibilities included managing/coordinating the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), involvement in the dissemination efforts of the Centers for Excellence in Cancer Communication Research (CECCR), and supporting branch and program activities related to the role of health communication in shaping cancer-relevant behavior.

Prior to her work with NCI, Dr. Rutten was an adjunct faculty member at the College of Mount Saint Joseph (now Mount St. Joseph University) in the Department of Behavioral Science, and a statistician at Statistics Solutions, Inc. Her exemplary work in the field of behavioral science and commitment to cancer prevention and communication research has earned her several awards including a 2006 Performance Award from SAIC, Inc.; 2003 Merit Award from NCI's Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program; and Outstanding Dissertation Award at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 2002 meeting.

Dr. Rutten attained her Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University, her Doctorate and Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Miami University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Bemidji State University.

"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated January 2019

Current Title
Professor of Health Services Research
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
The opportunities afforded to me by the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program defined, and continue to define, my career trajectory. The M.P.H. training was crucial for preparing me to engage in social and behavioral epidemiological research related to cancer prevention and control. The extraordinary training, mentoring, and support that I received as a fellow has allowed me to pursue a meaningful and fulfilling career. The CPFP offers a very supportive and well-connected network of colleagues, and this too has provided ongoing opportunities for me. In fact, it was a former Cancer Prevention Fellow who shared my CV around Mayo when I was interested in finding a position here. That same fellow has been an advocate for me since I joined Mayo.

Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
When I was a fellow, I gave birth to my daughter Chloe. Chloe had a complex congenital heart defect that required several surgeries and hospitalizations. During her repair at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, Chloe was gravely ill, and we spent over a month living at the hospital. The fellows and my colleagues in DCCPS put together a very generous and thoughtful box of gifts and sent it to us in the hospital. During this time my DCCPS family was so supportive and caring. I will always hold a very special place in my heart for these amazing and wonderful people and for their kindness and generosity.

Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am currently a Professor of Health Sciences Research in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. I am also Section Head of Social and Behavioral Research in the Division of Health Care Policy and Research and the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Scientific Director of Population Health Science in the Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery at Mayo Clinic. My current program of research is focused on implementation and evaluation of evidence-based cancer prevention and control strategies in primary care to improve population health.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

  • Society of Behavioral Medicine, Population Health Sciences Special Interest Group Distinguished Service Award (April 2018)
  • Society of Behavioral Medicine, Fellow Status Award (March 2017)
  • Mayo Clinic Merit Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (December 2016)
  • Society of Behavioral Medicine, C. Tracy Orleans Distinguished Service Award (April 2015)
  • National Institutes of Health Merit Award, Group Award: The Health Information Integration Team, Bethesda, MD (November 2013)
  • Performance Award, SAIC, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD (March 2012, March 2011 and March 2006)
  • Letter of Commendation from the Department of Health and Human Services Chief Technology Officer for launching the first National Institutes of Health open innovation competition under the America COMPETES Act, and the first competition to launch under the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's Investing in Innovation program, to address cancer prevention and control in accordance with HHS' Health Data Initiative (February 2012)
  • National Cancer Institute Directors Award: Informatics for Consumer Health for leadership in bridging science to practice in the field of consumer health informatics, Bethesda, MD (2011)
  • National Cancer Institute Certificate of Appreciation from the Cancer Information Service in recognition of dedicated efforts to cancer communication and education research (December 2009)
  • Exceptional Performance Rating and Bonus, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (January 2008)
  • Incentive Award, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (September and June 2007)
  • National Cancer Institute "Time Off" award for outstanding performance (April 2007)



Selected Publications and Presentations

To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.