At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, we surround you with experts who focus on sickle cell disease and other blood disorders. A handful of people make up the core of your care team. You will have a hematologist and a registered nurse who specialize in sickle cell disease. At some visits, you might see an advanced practice provider. Some patients get part of their treatment from infusion nurses. A patient care coordinator will schedule your visits.
Others join your team based on your personal needs. If you need a blood or marrow transplant, we have experts in this form of treatment. If you get a new health issue that might affect your sickle cell disease treatment, we call in the right experts. We have specialists based at Fred Hutch who know how to prevent or handle the issues that can affect people with sickle cell disease.
Supportive care providers are also here to help. You may see Fred Hutch registered dietitians, physical therapists, pain medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers and others. All of us specialize in caring for people with complex health care needs.
For patients who do not live nearby, we are happy to work closely with your local care providers to check your health, review and adjust your treatment and watch for complications.
Hear from Kleber Yotsumoto Fertrin, MD, PhD, the director of the Fred Hutch Sickle Cell Disease and Iron Overload Program, as he shares how the Sickle Cell Disease Program partners with local providers.
Advanced practice providers have training that is similar to physicians and can see you without your physician. At Fred Hutch, these health care professionals work closely with your hematologist in the clinic. There are two types: physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). They help provide and plan your treatment and also help manage the effects of your disease and treatment.
PAs and ARNPs will:
This physician manages your medicine-based treatments.
Your hematologist will:
If you are getting any therapies by infusion, these treatments happen in a special area of the clinic. Nurses who are experts in infusions give these treatments. They will also watch over you during each infusion. They respond to any medical issues that come up and help keep you comfortable.
Your patient care coordinator works closely with you and your physician. They schedule your appointments.
Fred Hutch pharmacists fill the medications prescribed by your physician. They will teach you the right way to take your medicines. They can also tell you what side effects may happen and what to do if you have side effects.
Your nurse manages your care with your physician. They also help with procedures and treatments. Nurses are resources for you and your caregiver. They can answer questions on a wide range of topics, like how to cope with side effects or get other services you need at Fred Hutch.
Many types of supportive care team members are here to help you and your family. They include registered dietitians, physical therapists, pain medicine specialists, psychologists, social workers, spiritual health staff, palliative care specialists, naturopaths and acupuncturists.
Learn more about Supportive Care Services
If you need a blood or marrow transplant, you will have a specialized team from the Fred Hutch Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Your team includes a transplant oncologist, advanced practice provider, transplant nurse, pharmacist, registered dietitian, team coordinator and social worker.
This team will:
Learn more about your Blood and Marrow Transplant Team