Everything we do here at Fred Hutch starts and ends with patients.
Decades ago, it was one patient — baseball great Fred Hutchinson — who inspired everything that is happening today inside our labs. In the 40 years since we opened our doors, patients have continued to propel our quest for better treatments and cures.
As a physician-researcher, I’ve seen up close the impact one life — or one death — can have on a family. Each life sets off ripples that stretch out far into the future. Each life matters profoundly and uniquely.
As I take the helm of this remarkable organization during this anniversary year, I’m awed by those who’ve come before me and I’m inspired by what is ahead.
I met Dr. Don Thomas and his wife, Dottie, years ago when he was a magnificent figure in the area of bone marrow transplantation and I was a young researcher. I was awestruck when he invited me to sit down with him and talk about science and where transplantation was going.
Today, from my office in the building on campus named for him, I am reminded constantly of what’s possible with bold vision, research and drive.
