Vidhya Nair, DO

“I went into medicine because I am passionate about patient care and I want to make a difference in people’s lives. Oncology was the most meaningful way for me to do that. ”

— Dr. Nair

What do you value about your work?

I want to build trusting relationships, so patients feel like they’re going to get through whatever comes their way. Our goal in oncology is obviously to cure patients — that’s the best outcome. But that isn’t always how things go. What gives me the most purpose is if I can find a way to help patients and benefit their lives. Sometimes that means having difficult conversations, but doing so in ways that are supportive. 

What brought you to oncology?

When I was in school, I ended up on a rotation with an oncologist by chance. That’s when I realized how special the patient-physician relationship is within oncology. It’s very unique — oncologists wear many hats. Sometimes we are there to treat a patient’s cancer and manage their side effects from treatment. But a lot of times, we also need to act as a primary care provider or a social worker. Often, patients just need a friend who can listen, be supportive and spend time with them.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast cancer

I am a physician who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic.

I aim to provide comprehensive and individualized care for patients. What that means to me is accounting for any other medical problems they have, as well as their home life and support and whether they have any financial restrictions, and then using this information to create a treatment plan. Seeing patients as whole people, rather than as their diagnosis, is important to me.