"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Michelle Lagua, PA-C

Provider

Michelle Lagua, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Fred Hutch
Teaching Associate, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Surgery

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“I want to help patients find a happy balance after cancer treatment, whether that takes a few months or years. It’s my goal to walk their path with them.”

— Michelle

What brought you to oncology?

My brother had a very rare form of cancer. He went through chemotherapy and a blood and marrow transplant — and I was the donor. He then went through more aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant. While I had always been the caregiver in my family, because of his experience, I made the decision to go back to school to become a physician assistant.

Although I didn’t necessarily plan on ending up in head and neck surgery, it is very serendipitous that I did, because my brother’s primary lesion was on his face, and I now work where stem cell transplants were pioneered to treat cancers like the one my brother had. Indirectly, Fred Hutch saved his life.

What do you value about your work?

I love getting to know patients and what they care about. When my brother was diagnosed, our family made a point of helping him live life to the fullest while seeking treatment. Not only did I value that he was getting care and that we were doing everything we could do, but we also got the chance to assist him in feeling overall fulfillment about his life. That's one of the things I love most about my role.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Head and neck cancer

I am a certified physician assistant who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic. I see patients after surgery and help them improve their quality of life after cancer.

Diseases Treated

Head and Neck Cancers

Languages

English
Spanish

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, Los Angeles

Medical Degree
University of Southern California

Board Certification
Certified Physician Assistant, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Clinical Trials

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.

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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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