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Ramsey
Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD

Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD

  • Director, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Cancer Prevention Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
  • Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC), Fred Hutch
  • Affiliate Investigator, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
206.667.7846
206.667.5977

Background

Dr. Scott Ramsey is a physician, cancer researcher and health economist. He co-directs the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, or HICOR. The institute aims to reduce the economic and human burden of cancer by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer care. Dr. Ramsey’s research focuses on cancer outcomes, health care delivery, and economic evaluations of new and existing cancer screening and treatment technologies. He also explores methods for engaging a diverse range of stakeholders to help inform how research studies are prioritized and designed. He designs and conducts studies that weigh the costs and benefits of various treatment and screening approaches. Findings from such studies support medical decision-making and help payers, patients and health systems maximize health value. Dr. Ramsey’s studies have identified financial stress, also known as “financial toxicity,” as a side effect of cancer treatment. He has shown that people diagnosed with cancer are 2.5 times more likely to declare bankruptcy, and those who do so face an 80 percent higher risk of dying than those who don’t declare bankruptcy

Education

PhD, Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, 1994

MD, University of Iowa, 1990

BS, Economics and General Science, University of Iowa, 1983

“I’m passionate about finding new ways to deliver cancer care that improve quality and lower costs. Every cancer patient should receive the treatment they need at a cost they can afford.”

—Dr. Scott Ramsey

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Stories

All news
Getting the best bang for your cancer prevention buck Fred Hutch experts weigh in on budget-friendly ways to cut disease risk and stay healthy in the new year January 9, 2026
Value in Cancer Care Summit reimagines cancer care Annual conference zeroes in on practical solutions for patient and provider pain points like burnout, symptom management and financial toxicity November 19, 2025
Are we ready for multi-cancer detection tests? Blood-based cancer tests are coming, but questions about efficacy, reimbursement and diagnostic pathways are far from settled September 22, 2025