Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research

Improving the Value and Efficiency of Cancer Care Delivery

HICOR is a research institute at Fred Hutch whose mission is to improve cancer prevention, detection and treatment in ways that will reduce the economic and human burden of cancer — and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients. To achieve this, HICOR brings together researchers, patient partners, clinicians, payers and policymakers to share cancer-related data and generate clinically relevant performance metrics that can guide improvements in cancer care.

Key Priorities

Doctor with a patient

Improving Health Outcomes

Patient talking to a Doctor

Understanding Variation and Disparities in Cancer Care

patient in a hospital room

Reducing Financial Burden for Patients and Families

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Improving Value in Cancer Care

Improving Health Outcomes

We examine how patterns of care, including screening and treatment for specific diseases, affect patient outcomes and how we can improve outcomes by making interventions more effective. Our studies span many disease areas — including colorectal, lung, prostate and breast cancer — and focus on factors that include health care system characteristics, patient experience, treatment type and medical technologies used.

HICOR Leadership

HICOR Leadership

HICOR is led by Dr. Scott Ramsey, whose research focuses on cancer outcomes, care delivery and economics. Our co-director is Dr. Veena Shankaran, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist and health outcomes researcher.

HICOR Faculty

HICOR Faculty

Our faculty include experts in public health, health economics, behavioral science, medical imaging, psychometrics, clinical oncology, clinical trial design and many other fields.

Value in Cancer Care Summit

Our annual Value in Cancer Care Summit brings together patients, providers, clinic administrators and staff, health system representatives, nonprofit leaders, payers, researchers, academics and industry representatives to collaborate on ways to improve the quality of cancer care while reducing costs.

The 7th Annual Value in Cancer Care Summit was held virtually on Monday, November 9, 2020. Learn more about the event through the link below. 

Recent Impact

Read more HICOR news
What’s new in breast cancer research? SABCS 2022 delivers plenty Studies highlight research on treatment toxicity, disparities in insurance, gaps in metastatic care, new therapies and more December 14, 2022
Cancer chemo side effects and how to limit them A Q & A with physician-scientist Dr. Gary Lyman on his new Nature review of acute chemotherapy-associated adverse events October 28, 2022
New studies highlight cancer inequities in hospice care, financial impacts Analyses shared at ASCO annual meeting show lack of home hospice care for Medicaid patients during COVID-19; quantify financial hardships January 7, 2022
New study: Financial hardship common with metastatic colorectal cancer Despite health insurance, almost three-fourths of these patients experienced financial hardship within first year after diagnosis January 6, 2022

Comparing the Cost and Quality of Cancer Care in Washington State

HICOR collaborated with cancer care providers, public and private health insurers, patients and researchers to develop the first public report on the quality and cost of cancer care across Washington state.

Career Opportunities at HICOR

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Campus

Contact the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research

Phone: 206.667.3701
Work Location: Arnold Building, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109-1024