Samuel (Sam) Emerson, MD, PhD
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Samuel (Sam) Emerson, MD, PhD
- Physician, Fred Hutch
- Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine
Surgery
“I want to be an ally to patients and help with their overall well-being while they deal with a brain tumor diagnosis and treatment, and for them to know they are not going to go through it alone. I am on their team.”
— Dr. Emerson
What brought you to neurosurgery at Fred Hutch?
I have always been interested in medicine as well as the brain and how it works. I was a biomedical engineering major as an undergraduate. In medical school, I decided to focus on neurosurgery because I get to help people when they are in an unfamiliar situation. I like to walk patients through the process and serve as a navigator.
Fred Hutch is world-class in terms of research and advancing treatments for not only brain tumors, but tumors of all types. I think we can make a real difference for patients and improve care for very tough and challenging diagnoses.
What do you hope it's like for a patient to work with you?
I want patients to know they have someone on their side who understands they are going through a situation that can feel very uncertain. I want to show empathy with their struggle. With a brain tumor diagnosis, whether it’s benign or malignant, that’s a life-changing thing. I want patients to know I understand and for them to see me as a guide.
Provider Background
Specialty: Surgery
Area of clinical practice
Neurosurgery
I am a neurosurgeon who sees patients at UW Medical Center – Montlake and the South Lake Union Clinic.
I see patients for brain tumors of all types, whether they are from the brain itself or have spread to the brain from other parts of the body. I also have expertise in clinical trial design and will be working to grow the neuro-oncology clinical trial program.
Diseases Treated
Languages
English
Education, Experience and Certifications
Medical School
University of Washington School of Medicine
Fellowship
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Residency
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Other
PhD, University of Washington School of Medicine
Your Care Team
At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes doctors, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like nutritionists, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.
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.
For the Media
The Media Relations team at Fred Hutch is available to assist members of the news media who would like to arrange interviews with providers.
Email media@fredhutch.org or call 206.667.2210