Kaitlin Verni, PA-C

How has cancer affected you personally?

When I was growing up, one of my family members was diagnosed with an advanced cancer and eventually succumbed to the disease. It was not the outcome my family wanted, of course, but throughout the whole experience we had a fantastic care team. They were transparent and supportive, eliminating so much of the uncertainty that can make a difficult situation even worse. When it was clear that my relative was not going to recover, the team’s honesty and compassion empowered us to make the right decisions rather than pursuing futile treatments. Years later, as I went through my physician assistant training, I saw other families in similar circumstances who were not as fortunate. I decided to pursue a position in oncology so that I could offer patients and their loved ones the same kindness, clarity and expertise that was once so helpful to me.

What do you wish patients knew?

A lot of patients and families wonder why cancer is happening to them. They wonder whether they caused it or whether something they’ve done has prompted a setback in treatment. If there’s one thing I could instill in all the people I care for, it’s this: Being diagnosed with cancer is not anyone’s fault; it’s not a punishment for something done or undone in a person’s life. Cancer is a mutation of a cell’s DNA that, for whatever reason, has been activated. It’s okay to feel upset, angry, disappointed and frustrated about the fundamental unfairness of it all. It’s natural to want answers; we just don’t always have them, which is not easy to accept. Wherever you are on the spectrum of this experience — whether your treatment is going as planned, you’re experiencing complications or you’re transitioning to end-of-life care — my team members and I are in your corner.

Provider Background

Specialty: Hematology

Lymphoma

I am a board-certified physician assistant who provides treatment for lymphoma patients at UW Medical Center - Montlake. I make a point of understanding my patients’ goals so that I can prioritize and individualize care.

Prior to joining Fred Hutch, I was a member of the inpatient hematology service at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. My background also includes working with disabled youth and adults with neurodegenerative diseases.

Diseases Treated