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Katerina M. Zakka, MD

Biography

Clinical Instructor

Clinical Science

Dr. Katerina Zakka is an Internal Medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. During her medical training, she discovered her passion for primary care and cancer survivorship. Dr. Zakka serves as a KPSOM clinical preceptor. She is a proponent of leadership in medicine through education, research, and clinical care. Dr. Zakka volunteers in support of underprivileged children’s and women’s achievements.

Profile headshot of Katerina M. Zakka, MD

Education and Training

Degrees
IB, International College, Beirut
BS, American University of Beirut
MD, American University of Beirut
Postdoctoral Training
Internship, Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut
Fellowship, Hematology Oncology, Emory University
Residency, Internal Medicine, WellStar Cobb Medical Center

Professional Positions

Physician, Department of Internal Medicine
Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center
2023-present
Clinical Instructor, Department of Clinical Science
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
2023-present

Honors and Awards

Conquer Cancer Merit Award Recipient
American Society of Clinical Oncology
2020
Intern of the Year Award
WellStar Cobb Medical Center
2021
Internal Medicine Merit Award
Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center
2023

Scholarly Activities

Selected peer-reviewed research manuscripts
  • Zakka K, Jiang R, Alese OB, Shaib WL, Wu C, Wedd JP, Sellers MT, Behera M, El-Rayes BF, Akce M. Clinical outcomes of rare hepatocellular carcinoma variants compared to pure hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma. 2019 Jul 22;6:119-129. Doi: 10.2147/JHC.S215235. PMID: 31413960; PMCID: PMC6660638.
  • Nagaraju GP, Zakka KM, Landry JC, Shaib WL, Lesinski GB, El-Rayes BF. Inhibition of HSP90 overcomes resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Int J Cancer. 2019 Sep 15;145(6):1529-1537. Doi: 10.1002/ijc.32227. Epub 2019 Mar 19. PMID: 30801702.
  • Zakka K, Zakka P, Davarpanah A, Koshkelashvili N, Bilen MA, Owonikoko T, El-Rayes B, Akce M. Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis and Widespread Skin Necrosis in Newly Diagnosed Lung Adenocarcinoma. Case Rep Oncol. 2020 Mar 19;13(1):239-244. Doi: 10.1159/000506453. PMID: 32308583; PMCID: PMC7154248.
  • Zakka K, Nagy R, Drusbosky L, Akce M, Wu C, Alese OB, El-Rayes BF, Kasi PM, Mody K, Starr J, Shaib WL. Blood-based next-generation sequencing analysis of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Oncotarget. 2020 May 12;11(19):1749-1757. Doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.27588. PMID: 32477464; PMCID: PMC7233805.
  • Zakka K, Gadi S, Koshlelashvili N, Maleque NM. Acute myocardial injury after administration of intravenous epinephrine for allergic reaction. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2020 Jun 17;8:2050313X20933104. Doi: 10.1177/2050313X20933104. PMID: 32595973; PMCID: PMC7301683.
  • Zakka K, Williamson S, Jiang R, Reid MD, Alese OB, Shaib WL, Wu C, Behera M, El-Rayes BF, Akce M. Is adjuvant chemotherapy beneficial for stage II-III goblet cell carcinoid/goblet cell adenocarcinoma of the appendix? Surg Oncol. 2021 Mar;36:120-129. Doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2020.12.003. Epub 2020 Dec 10. PMID: 33360118.
  • Akce M, Zakka K, Jiang R, Williamson S, Alese OB, Shaib WL, Wu C, Behera M, El-Rayes BF. Impact of Tumor Side on Clinical Outcomes in Stage II and III Colon Cancer With Known Microsatellite Instability Status. Front Oncol. 2021 Mar 30;11:592351. Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.592351. PMID: 33859934; PMCID: PMC8042136.
  • Cardenas D, Correia MITD, Ochoa JB, Hardy G, Rodriguez-Ventimilla D, Bermúdez CE, Papapietro K, Hankard R, Briend A, Ungpinitpong W, Zakka KM, Pounds T, Cuerda C, Barazzoni R. Clinical Nutrition and Human Rights. An International Position Paper. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021 Jun;36(3):534-544. Doi: 10.1002/ncp.10667. Epub 2021 May 20. PMID: 34013590.
  • Atallah RP, Zhang Y, Zakka K, Jiang R, Huang Z, Shaib WL, Diab M, Akce M, Wu C, El-Rayes BF, Alese OB. Role of local therapy in the management of patients with metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma: a National Cancer Database study. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2022 Oct;13(5):2306-2321. Doi: 10.21037/jgo-22-125. PMID: 36388688; PMCID: PMC9660037.
  • Khalil L, Huang Z, Zakka K, Jiang R, Penley M, Alese OB, Shaib WL, Wu C, Behera M, Reid MD, El-Rayes BF, Akce M. Survival and Prognostic Factors in Patients With Pancreatic Colloid Carcinoma Compared With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Pancreas. 2023 Jan 1;52(1):e75-e84. Doi: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000002227. PMID: 37378903; PMCID: PMC10310320.
  • View a complete list of Dr. Zakka’s manuscripts on NIH.
  • View a complete list of Dr. Zakka's manuscripts on ResearchGate.