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Safyan
Rachael A. Safyan, MD
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Rachael A. Safyan, MD

Medical Oncology

  • Medical Director, Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Program, Fred Hutch/UW Medicine
  • Director, Clinical Research GI Oncology Program, University of Washington/Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

About

Dr. Rachael A. Safyan is a medical oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch. She focuses on gastrointestinal cancers and clinical trials to bring the latest research and targeted treatments to patients.


Background

Dr. Safyan specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies, especially pancreatic and colorectal cancers. She is director of the Fred Hutch Clinical Research Gastrointestinal Oncology Program and medical director of the Fred Hutch/UW Medicine Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Program.

While exceptional cancer care, clinical trials and access to the latest research are central to her work, a patient‑centered approach is just as important to Dr. Safyan. She values learning from her patients and getting to know them as people — not just their cancer — and believes this connection is an essential part of delivering compassionate, high‑quality care.

Dr. Safyan develops and conducts clinical trials of new therapeutic strategies for people with gastrointestinal cancers. As a translational researcher working to move discoveries from the lab into patient care, she designs trials that incorporate recent findings about cancer biology. Her goal is to improve care through treatments targeted to the molecular signatures of a patient’s tumor, the specific genetic and biological features that drive how a cancer behaves.

Area of Clinical Practice
Gastrointestinal malignancies


“I am a clinical investigator who is focused on uncovering new therapeutics to improve outcomes and driven by the human side of patient care. ”

— Dr. Safyan


What brought you to oncology?

As far back as elementary school, I was drawn to science and medicine, but my interest in becoming a cancer specialist was cemented during college, when I observed my hematologist-oncologist father seeing patients in his office. There, I discovered the unique relationship between an oncologist and patient and learned the importance of treating the whole person and not just an illness. I have the privilege to help and support patients through one of the most challenging times in their lives.

What do you think sets Fred Hutch apart?

It’s a patient-oriented, collegial place to provide care. I have seen how everyone interacts with patients and their families, as well as their breadth of knowledge and research expertise, and all these things are why I wanted to work side-by-side with other professionals in this environment.

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, Columbia University

Chief Medical Resident, University of Washington Medical Center

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Washington

Internship, Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center

MD, New York University School of Medicine

BA, Barnard College of Columbia University

Awards

Seattle Met's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Safyan has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Young Investigator Award, 2017
Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Burch-Lodge Research Scholar, 2018
Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Safyan

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by others in their field and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Safyan's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders. 

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

Stories

All news
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas - Episode 3 Dr. Rachael Safyan gets to Meet the Greek December 2, 2025
New hope for people with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver Fred Hutch is the only center in Washington state offering high-dose chemotherapy through hepatic artery infusion May 16, 2025

Contact Information

206.606.2038

206.606.1090