"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Jesse R. Fann, MD, MPH

Provider

Jesse R. Fann, MD, MPH

Medical Director, Psychiatry and Psychology, Fred Hutch
Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Adjunct Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine; Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Psychiatry

South Lake Union Clinic

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“I enjoy helping my patients bring out the best in what they already have.”

— Dr. Fann

Why did you want to work with cancer patients?

I enjoy helping people navigate through difficult challenges and maximize their quality of life. A lot of people ask me if it’s depressing to work in the cancer field. I don’t find it depressing at all. I find it really inspirational to see how strong and courageous people can be in the face of adversity. I really feel strongly that in addition to treating the cancer, it’s important to care for the whole person.

What challenges do you face in your job?

One challenge and barrier to people receiving psychosocial care is that it tends to be fragmented and separate from other aspects of oncology care. The Integrated Psychosocial Oncology Program (IPOP) at Fred Hutch is unique among cancer centers in its goal to incorporate population-based, patient-centered psychosocial care into routine cancer care. IPOP represents a team-based collaborative approach where I am working with the patient’s care team as well as with clinical oncology social workers and other support services, all of whom provide treatment for the patient on site at Fred Hutch. The IPOP model has been so successful that I am working with a number of organizations to help other cancer centers implement a similar program.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Psychiatry and psychology

The psychiatrists and psychologists on our team at Fred Hutch each acts as a coach to help patients during treatment. There is still stigma, and some people unfortunately think it’s a sign of weakness if they feel depressed or they’re not being positive enough. I decided to become a psychiatrist because I’m able to get to know my patients in great depth. I also think there is great opportunity and immense clinical and scientific potential in the field.

Languages

English
Taiwanese

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Stanford University

Medical Degree
Northwestern University Medical School

Residency
University of Washington Hospitals, Psychiatry

Fellowship
University of Washington Hospitals, Psychiatry Research

Board Certification
Psychiatry, 1994, 2015, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Other
Internship, Columbus Hospital, Transitional

Awards

Seattle magazine's 2021 Top Doctors award
Dr. Fann has been recognized as a Top Doctor in this peer-nominated award multiple years in a row.

Stories

All news

Relationships matter: Kathy Gill talks about her providers at Fred Hutch

Relationships matter: Kathy Gill talks about her providers at Fred Hutch February 3, 2023

When the opportunity arose, Kathy chose to give back to the organization that prolonged her life

When the opportunity arose, Kathy chose to give back to the organization that prolonged her life January 31, 2023

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.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Fann

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. Fann'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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