- Diseases We Treat

Provider

Michelle Ju, MD, MPH

Specialty:

Surgery

Physician, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine

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“It's a privilege to meet you during a time when life has been shaken up. It’s so humbling that you would trust me to partner with you.”

— Dr. Ju

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

I strive to build meaningful, trusting relationships with my patients and to actively partner with them as we navigate their cancer care together. My goal is for patients to feel heard, respected, and supported at every step. I earn trust by communicating openly and honestly, listening carefully, and following through on what I say.

Because cancer care often involves complex decisions, I take time to ensure each patient clearly understands their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options. I frequently use diagrams or review imaging together so patients can better visualize their tumor, the surrounding anatomy, and how this influences surgical decisions.

Above all, I want every patient to leave their visit feeling informed, confident, and able to explain their care plan to the people who matter most to them.

What brought you to oncology?

I was drawn to medicine from a young age, largely because of the opportunity to care for others in a meaningful way. That sense of purpose—being able to support people during vulnerable moments—has always been at the core of why I chose this profession.

My interest in oncology has evolved from my own personal experiences. My mother received cancer care at Fred Hutch, and seeing firsthand how a cancer diagnosis can affect not just one person, but an entire family, had a profound impact on me. It showed me how important it is to have a physician who can guide and support patients and their loved ones through such an overwhelming experience.

That perspective continues to shape how I approach my work. I see cancer care as a partnership—not only with the patient, but with the family and support system around them—and I greatly value the opportunity to make a meaningful difference during a challenging time in their lives.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Gastrointestinal cancers, liver cancer, pancreas cancer, bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, colorectal liver metastases, neuroendocrine tumors

I am board-certified in hepatobiliary and complex surgical oncology and specialize in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. Known as HPB surgery, this area of medicine focuses on treating diseases of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. I see patients at the Sloan Clinic and Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

Diseases Treated

Bile Duct Cancer

Gallbladder Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Liver Tumors and Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Colorectal Liver Metastases

Neuroendocrine Tumors

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Washington University in Saint Louis

Medical Degree
University of Washington School of Medicine

Residency
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, General Surgery

Fellowship
Duke University, Complex General Surgical Oncology and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery

Board Certification
General Surgery, 2024; Complex General Surgical Oncology, 2026; American Board of Surgery

Other
MPH, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University

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

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. Ju'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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