Sarah Psutka, MD

Why do you practice oncology?

I grew up helping in my father’s surgical practice, observing the challenges of illness and the joys of watching a patient heal, recover and maintain their wellness. I have always loved science, particularly the intricacies of the human body and the interactions between medicine and health. Building relationships with people from all backgrounds is part of what I love about being a physician and surgeon. I will take the time to understand your health needs and concerns, your mental strengths, your cultural and family priorities and, ultimately, what wellness looks like to you.

What is your patient approach?

When patients hear they have cancer for the first time, they often tell me that they feel like they go from being well to unwell in the space of a few sentences. It’s a time of real vulnerability, and my job is to help you reclaim some control. I will spend a lot of time thinking about how to personalize your treatment, and I’ll partner with you to help you build support structures during your treatment and recovery. We will focus on living a healthy life and taking care of your body, so you are as strong as possible. My goal is to provide you with all the treatment options and help you make the best decisions.

Provider Background

Specialty: Surgery

Area of clinical practice

Genitourinary cancers, kidney cancer

Urology

I am a urologic oncologist specializing in bladder, renal, testicular and prostate cancer. I provide compassionate, patient-centered care, focusing on empowering you from the point of diagnosis and treatment preparation through surgery, recovery and survivorship. My goal is to maintain clear and open communication, ensuring that you fully understand your options and make informed decisions regarding your treatment.

In addition to seeing patients, I am an assistant professor in the Department of Urology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. I am also passionate about clinical research, working to improve our ability to tailor therapies based an individual patient’s needs. I enjoy combining my love of travel with medicine and have been involved in surgical education and outreach in developing countries such as Mongolia.

Diseases Treated