A message from Dr. Paul Ramsey
I’m excited to share an important update on our cancer care programs and how we are exploring ways to improve a partnership that is nationally recognized for leading-edge science and exceptional patient care. In this letter from me and my counterparts at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), Fred Hutch and Seattle Children’s, we share our vision for a transformative new chapter in oncology care and research — one that would involve restructuring our cancer programs so we can better deliver the very best in care and research at our organizations to both adult oncology patients and, separately, pediatric oncology patients.
Our vision involves establishing Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC), which would bring together the people, programs and facilities of Fred Hutch and SCCA into one combined organization. FHCC would be a clinically integrated part of UW Medicine and UW Medicine’s cancer program, with the senior leadership of FHCC becoming members of the UW Medicine senior management team. Members of UW Physicians (UWP), who are School of Medicine faculty, based at Fred Hutch and UW Medicine who provide care at SCCA would provide care at FHCC. FHCC would have programmatic oversight over the clinical oncology programs at FHCC and UW Medical Center, creating an integrated adult oncology program that works with other parts of UW Medicine. UW-based research would remain at UW.
We believe this evolution in our structure would improve the experience for both adult and pediatric patients, accelerate cancer research, build on our existing strengths and better position us for the future. It would also help reduce the complexity of our current operations, which we recognize can create ongoing challenges not only for our patients but also for you, our health professionals, researchers and other staff. Furthermore, it would allow us to build an aligned clinical program that improves our ability to serve more patients in our community, in the region and beyond.
This exciting news is being shared today with staff, faculty, trainees and students across our four organizations. I encourage you to read the letter and to join me and other UW Medicine leaders at one of our two special Town Halls, either today at 3 p.m. or tomorrow at 9 a.m. (details below), when we will discuss our plans in detail and take your questions. Please send your questions prior to these town halls by emailing uwmtalk@uw.edu. We will record the town halls and share more information on the Huddle later today and in the future.
TOWN HALL #1
Date & Time: July 13, 2021, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Link: https://uw-phi.zoom.us/j/91373460558?pwd=NmY5a2szejNlSnQzVzM0MWRYSGxGdz09
Webinar ID: 913 7346 0558
Passcode: 933899
TOWN HALL #2
Date & Time: July 14, 2021, from 9 to 10 a.m.
Link: https://uw-phi.zoom.us/j/97360034587?pwd=aGN4Vm40c1ZZa2FVY3QyVDZUYzU2UT09
Webinar ID: 973 6003 4587
Passcode: 719477
We look forward to exploring this new path to accelerate research and advance care for all adult and pediatric cancer patients. Thank you for everything you do to deliver on our mission to improve health for all people.
Sincerely,
Paul G. Ramsey, M.D.
CEO, UW Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and
Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Washington
Learn more: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Frequently Asked Questions
