Elyse J. Brinkmann, MD

“I believe in the value of clear and open communication, both within a care team and between patients and providers.”

— Elyse J. Brinkmann, MD

How would you describe your approach as a care provider?

My goal is to provide patients with all the information they need to fully participate in the shared decision-making process, so together we can form a plan of care that meets the patient's specific goals and expectations. Because bone and soft tissue sarcomas are so rare, patients are often unfamiliar with their diagnosis before their appointment, so a huge part of my role as a provider involves patient education, especially at the first visit.

Why should a patient trust Fred Hutch for care?

I am proud to work with a knowledgeable team of experts who are committed to providing high-quality care focused on each patient’s goals and needs. Sarcomas are a particularly rare group of cancers, and our large multidisciplinary team has the specialized training and expertise necessary to coordinate care for patients with this rare diagnosis. We strive to provide each patient with the dignity, care and time they deserve to navigate the complex pathways of diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

Provider Background

Specialty: Surgery

Orthopedic oncology, adult hip & knee reconstruction

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

Orthopedic oncology is very different from other subspecialties within the field of orthopedic surgery, most notably in the team-based, multidisciplinary treatment that is involved in the long-term care of our patients with primary bone and soft tissue sarcomas. I enjoy the incredibly collaborative nature of the field, and I find it rewarding to work with others to provide patients who have new cancer diagnoses with a care plan that is specific to their goals.

While there are countless patients who have a lasting impact on our lives as providers, one of my most special memories of working with a patient involves caring for a young woman who had multiple sites of cancer related to a genetic predisposition. I was impressed by her extraordinary resilience and enjoyed getting to celebrate each milestone of her recovery with her and her family, both in the early stages of her hospitalization and especially at her follow-up appointments, when her amazing progress became most evident. I still receive updates on her many pursuits and accomplishments, and I love having the opportunity to reflect on her incredible journey.

Diseases Treated

Sarcoma 

Diseases Treated

Sarcoma