Asa Tapley, MD, MSc

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Tapley
Asa Tapley, MD, MSc

Asa Tapley, MD, MSc

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Research Associate, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutch
  • Acting Instructor, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine

Infectious Disease

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“I see being a physician as a great privilege, so I want to always take the time to listen to people’s concerns and preferences to make sure they are at the heart of every decision.”

— Dr. Tapley

How have you been personally impacted by cancer?

I have lost two family members to cancer, another is a survivor and a fourth continues to cope with it. These personal experiences have shaped my outlook and approach, deepened my empathy and heightened my commitment to providing compassionate care.

Infectious diseases pose a significant risk for patients with cancer and people undergoing treatment. My focus is on treating and preventing infections to make patients’ cancer journeys easier and safer.

What do you hope it’s like for a patient to work with you?

When I was growing up, I faced significant financial hardships that have raised my awareness of and sensitivity to the socioeconomic challenges that burden many patients and their families. In addition, my extensive experience living and working abroad has deepened my humility and respect toward diverse perspectives, backgrounds and ways of living — qualities that I believe enhance my work with patients.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Abdominal infections, bloodstream infections, bone infections, endocarditis, meningitis, multidrug-resistant infections, skin and soft tissue infections

I am a physician who sees patients at Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

I became an infectious disease physician because I love helping others and I wanted to make an impact on public health by diagnosing, treating and preventing infectious diseases, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. As both a clinician and scientist, I have dedicated myself to research aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (TB), especially among the poor and marginalized. In recent years, I have also taken on a leadership role in clinical trials evaluating vaccines and vaccine candidates for COVID-19, TB and HIV. My research work is now deeply rooted in Africa, and I live part-time in Cape Town, South Africa.

Languages

English
French
Spanish

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Dartmouth College

Medical Degree
University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Residency
John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington Medical Center, Infectious Disease

Board Certification
Internal Medicine, 2019; Infectious Disease, 2023, American Board of Internal Medicine

Other
MSc, University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health

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.

View Clinical Trials

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians 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. Tapley'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.

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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.

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