"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Viswam S. Nair, MD, MS

Provider

Viswam S. Nair, MD, MS

Medical Director, Lung Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Clinic, Fred Hutch
Associate Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
Joint Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Pulmonology

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“I believe in empowering patients by sharing the best available evidence so that they can make informed decisions about their care.”

— Dr. Nair

Tell us about your journey as a pulmonary critical care specialist.

As a medical student, I was initially drawn toward working in the fast-paced environment of the intensive care unit, because it requires one to think on their feet and make decisions quickly. As my career has progressed, I have been drawn to the pulmonary side of medicine — helping patients manage disorders associated with the lungs. A big part of what drew me to Fred Hutch was the opportunity to align my clinical focus with my primary research interest, which is improving the detection and treatment of lung cancer. I enjoy helping people with all cancer types manage complex respiratory issues while also striving to move the needle forward in our field.

What is your approach to care?

One of my parents was diagnosed with cancer, and that experience has attuned me to many of the issues and tough decisions that patients in oncology face. I believe in empowering patients by sharing the best available evidence so that they can make informed decisions about their care.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
High risk prevention, respiratory complications from cancer and treatment, lung cancer risk and detection

I am a pulmonary critical care specialist who treats patients with respiratory problems from cancer or cancer treatment. My expertise also includes lung cancer screening and diagnosis as well as the management of lung nodules, small growths in the lungs that can be benign or malignant. Often, I use advanced procedural skills to diagnose abnormalities in the lung by bronchoscopy, a technique that provides a view of the lung’s airways. I provide outpatient care at Fred Hutch and inpatient care at UW Medical Center - Montlake.

In addition to working with patients, I lead a research program at Fred Hutch Cancer Center that is focused on developing new ways to diagnose and treat lung cancer. One area of interest is improving the utility of bronchoscopy in order to better guide the care of patients with lung cancer.

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of Pennsylvania

Medical Degree
The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Residency
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
Stanford Health Care, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Board Certification
Critical Care Medicine, 2010; Internal Medicine, 2018; Pulmonary Disease, 2019, American Board of Internal Medicine

Other
MS, Clinical Epidemiology, Stanford University School of Medicine

Awards

Thoracic Oncology Assembly Early Career Achievement Award
Dr. Nair received this award from the American Thoracic Society in 2018. It is given to early-career scientists who have made outstanding contributions in the field of thoracic oncology.

Stories

All news

Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Progress in early screening and diagnostics, plus smoking cessation programs to help reduce health disparities

Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Progress in early screening and diagnostics, plus smoking cessation programs to help reduce health disparities October 24, 2023

Transformative $78M gift to establish new precision oncology institute

Transformative $78M gift to establish new precision oncology institute Gift will accelerate center’s leadership in the future of cancer research September 8, 2022

New protocols, precision approaches ahead for lung cancer

New protocols, precision approaches ahead for lung cancer Hutch researchers launch liquid biopsy study; large biomarker protocol publishes, providing ‘roadmap’ for treatment of metastatic patients November 24, 2020

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.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Nair

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. Nair'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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