Waylene A. Wang, MD

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Wang
Waylene A. Wang, MD

Waylene A. Wang, MD

  • Medical Director, Radiation Oncology, Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Northwest
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Radiation Oncology

“I strive to educate and empower my patients as they face cancer.”

— Dr. Wang

Why do you practice oncology?

Waylene Wang, MD is the medical director at Fred Hutch Radiation Oncology at UW Medical Center-Northwest. As a physician, she “strives to educate and empower” her patients as they face cancer. “I like stories,” she said. “Both the telling and hearing of others. It is a privilege to share a part of my patients’ stories as they take this journey.”

Dr. Wang became a physician because she sought a challenge. “Of course at the time I had no idea what challenges were ahead,” she said. “Pre-medical studies couldn’t compare with the onslaught of material to be learned in medical school.” Then the training became more clinical and more practical the longer she was in medicine. “I felt as though I had discovered reality, people living life authentically as they face their fears with vulnerability and the whole gamut of human emotions.”

She was in her first month of internship in internal medicine at the Veteran’s hospital when she cared for a patient who had metastatic lung cancer. “Every morning on rounds, he would tell me how much pain he was in from a forearm bone metastasis. No matter how I adjusted and increased his pain medication, he was miserable. I knew he was going to the basement for radiation to his lung primary. Finally, in desperation I said, ‘When you go for your lung radiation, can you ask them if they can stick your arm in the beam, too?’ He came back with purple ink on his forearm. After one fraction, he said, ‘I could kiss you. I had my first good night’s sleep since I’ve been here.’ So I was intrigued. What goes on in the basement in radiation oncology? And I was hooked. I haven’t looked back since and feel blessed to be in the best specialty.”

Outside of work, Dr. Wang enjoys spending time with her family and friends, long conversations, travel, and reading.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice

Metastatic cancer, lymphomas/leukemia, lung and thoracic cancers, gynecologic cancers, genitourinary cancers

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Andrews University

Medical Degree
Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Residency
Loma Linda University School of Medical

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.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Wang

Publications

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. Wang'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 dieticians, 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