Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Land Acknowledgment

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Duwamish, Puyallup, Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. 

Labor & Justice Statement

We also acknowledge exploited labor, racist, heterosexist, ableist, xenophobic, religious, sexist, trans-antagonistic and other oppressive violence, and the ongoing struggle for justice on this land. We reflect on the ancestors of our various peoples, nations, tribes and families; ancestors whose struggles, pain, power, privilege and strivings we hold in our very bodies. We recognize, with gratitude, all those whose sacrifice, struggle and labor make our daily freedoms possible, and challenge us to learn, work and live justly.

A Commitment to Diversity

Lifesaving research demands more than innovation and dedication. It requires curiosity, creativity, and fresh and varied perspectives. That’s why diversity is a core Fred Hutch value that is integral to our work.

Our Mission
To establish the Hutch as a national exemplar in academia for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Core approaches and practices. 

Our Vision
To lead the integration of DEI as core values, principles, and practices to advance the Hutch’s mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases.

Our Team
The DEI Core coordinates and facilitates diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in four core areas: research, workforce development, workplace culture and climate, and community development. Learn more about our team.

Fred Hutch employees raise a Black Lives Matter flag on campus
Fred Hutch employees raise a Black Lives Matter sign on campus. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

Take a closer look at our progress

"Me As Loving You" is painted on white letters on a patchwork canvas of blue, yellow, and cream. Layered underneath the painted letters and patches are handwritten statements  "Please God let me live to 60", "As of April 27, 2023 in 2023 alone there have been 379 anti-trans bills passed"
Block #3249 (Mend), by Ariadne Campanella-Dosé Commissioned by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Core.

Public Art and Community Dialogue

Science, art, and our pursuit of equity in research and care meet in our Public Art and Community Dialogue Program.

Fred Hutch is celebrating and showcasing the artwork of diverse artists within our global community across our South Lake Union campus and in programming activities. This program fosters ongoing dialogues with marginalized and oppressed communities to inform our commitment to inclusion, and how we represent that commitment in visual form. Panelists, employees and community members are invited to share their stories and lived experiences during live, virtual dialogues. These conversations guide our commitment to inclusion and solidarity and inspire our public artwork. 

Our Commitment to Health Equity

Health equity means all patients have fair and just access to the medical care they need. At Fred Hutch, we believe in supporting the health of all people by identifying and addressing institutional and systemic injustice and racism in health and cancer care. We focus on providing care and treatment that is inclusive, accessible, equitable and high in quality. We recognize that peoples’ health is impacted by several layers of injustice and our personal experiences with accessing care. We also believe everyone has a role in improving equity in health care by addressing inequities that exist. Our team at Fred Hutch works together — and with the community — to create real, meaningful change.

Learn more about our commitment to Health Equity

DEI Core Strategic Objectives

value in cancer conference attendees

Close/Narrow Disparities

Objective: Advance opportunities for research that engage diverse populations and reduce health disparities. The purpose is to expand the Hutch’s health disparities research capacity.

Researcher,  John Lee

Diversify Fred Hutch's Workforce

Objective: Enhance diversity and equity in recruitment and retention efforts at all levels toward greater inclusion at the Hutch. The purpose is to review existing recruitment/retention policies at the Hutch and to implement best practices aimed at enhancing the diversity of our workforce.

Work place employee  gathering

Enhance Fred Hutch's DEI Culture

Objective: Develop and provide educational experiences for the Hutch community to expand awareness and engage practices that promote equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. The purpose is to enhance the Hutch’s DEI climate and culture through a range of educational experiences.

former patient panel members at Value in Cancer Conference

Strengthen Community Relations

Objective: Solidify and expand strategic partnerships with local, regional, and inter/national communities to advance equity and inclusion at the Hutch. The purpose is to cultivate relationships with key external partners for mutual benefit.

Diversity in Our Research Workforce

Our goal is to increase the use of National Institutes of Health Diversity Funding to diversify research faculty, trainees and staff. The NIH Funding Supplement page include general eligibility criteria, institutional criteria and funding opportunities available to Fred Hutch and University of Washington researchers.

Latest Diversity News

All news
New projects advance health equity research Two $1M grants support efforts to pinpoint novel prostate cancer biomarkers, improve clinical trial enrollment and inclusion November 28, 2023
How do we increase equity in cancer care? HICOR’s Value in Cancer Care Summit brings together stakeholders to discuss barriers, pain points and solutions November 8, 2023
Cancer care: From ‘sledgehammer’ to precision cellular therapy AACR progress report: new immunotherapies improve outcomes, but access to care and clinical trials for many still lags September 15, 2023
New study of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations gets $38.7M grant Fred Hutch will act as coordinating center for large study of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases in overlooked populations September 14, 2023