Alyssa Y. Chen, ARNP

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Chen
Alyssa Y. Chen, ARNP

Alyssa Y. Chen, ARNP

  • Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Fred Hutch
  • Teaching Associate, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Medical Oncology

“I treat patients as they would want themselves or their loved ones to be cared for — with compassion, respect and diligence.”

— Alyssa


What’s your favorite memory of working with a patient?

I once cared for a woman who had metastatic lung cancer. She was undergoing chemotherapy and ultimately died from her disease. What struck me about her, though, was how gracefully she accepted her terminal situation; she was at peace. After she passed, her family members shared a video she had taped during her hospital stay, in which she thanked each of us who had taken care of her. She also left us little gifts, and to this day I wear the ring she gave me on my badge.

How do you like to work with patients?

My approach to care is based on personal experience. My grandfather had colon cancer, and he died unexpectedly during treatment. His doctors didn’t really do much to prepare us for this possibility. Going through that has made me more attune to how I communicate with patients, making sure I am in constant open conversation with you about your disease trajectory and the risks and benefits of each treatment option. I am invested in the well-being of you and your family.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
General medical oncology and hematology

My father is a medical oncologist, and he inspired me to pursue a career in health care. Today, I am an advanced registered nurse practitioner who treats patients with a wide range of conditions, from breast and lung cancers to acute leukemia and other blood disorders. A member of the Washington State Medical Oncology Society, I was part of the cancer care team at MultiCare Regional Cancer Center prior to joining Fred Hutch.

Community Oncology

Our mission is to provide patients with the highest quality, personalized care closer to home. As part of Fred Hutch, our community oncologists offer patients multidisciplinary tumor board opinions, clinical trials and expertise in treating a variety of cancers.

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin)
English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Pacific Lutheran University

Medical Degree
Gonzaga University

Other
Graduate Certificate, Palliative Care, University of Washington

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. 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.

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.