Tell us about an interaction with a patient that had a significant impact on you.

Every patient I treat affects me in one way or another, but I recall one patient in particular who underwent surgery to treat an aggressive form of appendix cancer. Six months after surgery, when the patient came to see me in my office, his scans and labs indicated he was cancer-free. His wife teared up and thanked me for pursuing surgery when others would not have, for taking care of them through all the ups and downs, and for getting them to the point where they could finally enjoy an excellent quality of life. While not every story has a happy ending (such is the nature of cancer), it is moments like this that fuel my desire to continue doing what I do.

How would you describe your approach to care?

Every single day, I see patients who are filled with anxiety about the implications their cancer diagnosis will have on their present and future. One of the factors that affects outcomes the most is the quality of the relationship between patients and their care team. My relationships with patients are based on empathy, teamwork and evidence-based care. From personal experience, I know that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family — including loved ones, who are left with the difficult task of caretaking. I strive to put myself in their shoes and walk with them as they navigate this path. I continue to be inspired by my patients' experiences and stories, the determination and hope with which they approach their treatment, and the trust they place in me as their surgeon.

Provider Background

Specialty: Surgery

Area of clinical practice

Gastrointestinal cancers, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, sarcomas, skin cancers

Gastrointestinal cancers, mesothelioma, soft tissue tumors, other cancers

I am a surgical oncologist who treats patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, soft tissue tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, melanoma and other diseases. During my fellowship at Wake Forest University, I developed expertise in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This surgical therapy is used to treat abdominal cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. HIPEC involves an operation to remove all visible tumors, followed by the delivery of heated chemotherapy directly inside the abdomen to destroy any remaining microscopic cancer cells.

In addition to providing care at Fred Hutch, I conduct clinical research focusing on the outcomes of patients who undergo surgical treatment for peritoneal malignancies and sarcomas. I also serve as the director of regional cancer therapies at UW Medicine.