Fred Hutch

Join us in welcoming Dr. Nicole Fleming, Fred Hutch's new Deputy Chief Medical Officer! Dr. Fleming joins us from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she had a distinguished career in gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine. "It’s a unique specialty because we are both a surgical and a medical oncologist all in one," she said. "For patients with gynecologic cancers, we see and treat them from beginning to end." In her new role, she will split her time evenly between providing clinical care and performing her administrative leadership duties, including overseeing our South Lake Union outpatient clinical services and promoting high-quality patient care, clinical excellence and a collaborative and patient-centered environment. Read more: https://bit.ly/48E9Y2c

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation names six Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children's Cancer Consortium scientists to receive $1.7 million in grants to launch or continue studies aimed at improving outcomes in #breastcancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Read more: https://bit.ly/3CbVsm9

Fred Hutch prostate cancer expert Dr. Andrew Hsieh won a $1M grant from Prostate Cancer Foundation for a collaboration with the Institute of Cancer Research in London to find new therapies for drug-resistant #prostatecancer. https://bit.ly/40tLAy1

The end of daylight savings time this weekend has us thinking about how your location within a time zone affects your body’s clock. Want to go more in depth on the subject? Here is a link to Dr. Trang VoPham's research: https://bit.ly/4f8sYbo

The newly opened Breast Sexual Health Clinic at Fred Hutch provides a safe space for patients no matter the stage of treatment. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including education and support on topics like vaginal health, intimacy and effective communication with partners. Read more: https://bit.ly/4hlMhzD #sexualhealth #sexualwellness #breastcancerawarenessmonth

One thing about our clinical staff: they know how to BRING IT for the spooky season! 👻 Happy #Halloween from all of us at Fred Hutch! 🎃

“The Proton Pro-Team” comic book aims to help kids navigate their cancer and treatment Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s contracted vendor for operation of the cyclotron, IBA, recently launched a comic book aimed at young patients undergoing proton therapy. IBA enlisted the help of well-known comic book writer Steve Englehart, who is credited with helping make Captain America a success and who created the Batman character we know today. The comic book’s illustrator, Mike Jaszewski, is an artist with a 30-year career in the non-profit and corporate worlds. Jaszewski first hatched the idea of a proton-specific superhero with IBA’s regional sales manager after a physician at one of IBA’s sites commented that children responded better to him when he wore a superhero T-shirt. Jaszewski had been a fan of Batman since age three and was familiar with Englehart’s work. So, he was very excited when he got to team up with the legend to create this comic book they called “The Proton Pro-Team.” The goal of the project was to “transform intricate medical ideas into easy-to-understand visual stories for children undergoing proton therapy,” according to Courtney Itonyo, IBA senior marketing manager, who has been closely involved with the project. “What I love most about this comic is its mission to reach and empower our young cancer patient audience in a way that blends art with science to inform and entertain,” she said. The story follows a young patient as he learns about and receives proton therapy with the help of the superhero Pro-Team: Pro-Tonya, radiation oncologist; Pro-Moe, nurse; Pro-Portia, dosimetrist; Pro-Jenny, medical physicist; and Prometheus, radiation therapist. Throughout the comic book, the Pro-Team explains what will happen during proton therapy, including the destruction of the cancer – in this case, a supervillain named Baron X on Planet Lair. “My goal was to accurately describe what a child is going through, except in superhero format,” he said. “What made it real was the first time I met some of the kids in the hospital. It was very moving to see them dive right into the comics.” Jaszewski estimates that it took him six to eight months to complete the illustrations. “I’ve always wanted to illustrate Steve’s scripts, and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing them a disservice,” he said. “It’s very different to visualize someone else’s script than to illustrate your own ideas." Englehart and Jaszewski hope this comic book helps children facing cancer. “Proton therapy is really important, especially for children, because it has much less negative impact on healthy tissue,” said Jaszewski. “These kids really do have a team of heroes helping them, and the technology feels like something you’d find in a sci-fi film. Hopefully this will make it easier for them to understand and face their treatment – knowing there is a team behind them.” Some copies of the comic book are available in the proton therapy facility lobby.

Thanks to Congresswoman Kim Schrier for visiting Fred Hutch to attend our grand rounds, speak with our oncology nurses and explore ways to improve #cancer treatment and care for patients and their families.

John Fisk, a retired Seattle firefighter just finished his last radiation treatment at Fred Hutch. Here is what he had to say about the day: "As you may know, the Seattle Fire Department has a long history of treating their members like family, and I was fortunate enough to have not only my immediate family and best friends present, but firefighters from Station 31 (including my son, Nolan!) and paramedics from Medic One at Harborview (Medic 1, Medic 10 and the on-duty MSO or Medical Service Officer.)...I was a Seattle Fire Fighter and Paramedic for 35 years before retiring recently."   He continued, "my experience with Fred Hutch has been nothing short of amazing. The crews on both radiation machines are incredibly patient, supportive, friendly and understanding, making this experience as good as it could possibly be."

Fred Hutch scientists understood the assignment. 🎃 The vibes were immaculate at the 2024 pumpkin carving contest hosted by our Human Biology and Basic Sciences Divisions!