"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Jennifer A. Strand, PA-C

Provider

Jennifer A. Strand, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Fred Hutch
Teaching Associate, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Montlake

Print

“In oncology, I get to witness a person’s story progressing over time and connect with them on a deeper level.”

— Jennifer

Why did you decide to specialize in oncology?

When I was training to be a physician assistant (PA), I had a rotation in an inpatient setting that provided care for people with cancer. It was the first time during any of my clinical rotations where I felt like everyone — the patients, medical providers, nurses and supportive care staff — worked together as a team. I hadn’t witnessed that level of collaboration in any other specialty. What I also love about this area of medicine is that you get to know your patients a bit more. Prior to becoming a PA, I worked in emergency services, where you take care of someone for a few hours and then move on to the next patient, never knowing whether you were able to help that person or not. In oncology, I get to witness a person’s story progressing over time and connect with them on a deeper level.

What are the moments in cancer care that make this specialty meaningful for you?

Every day, my team does our normal rounds, where we check in medically with each patient, but often, time permitting, we also do what we call social rounds. These are opportunities to sit down and learn more about patients and see what you can do to make their hospital stay a little better. Sometimes that’s explaining some aspect of their health situation in more detail or with more clarity than they’ve gotten in the past. Sometimes it’s simply taking a moment to talk about something other than their disease. Another really satisfying aspect of my job is being a problem-solver, figuring out why someone has a recurrent fever or abdominal pain. When my team members and I can find answers, patients often feel a sense of closure and relief.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Inpatient care

A board-certified physician assistant, I provide care for adults with a variety of diseases who have been admitted to UW Medical Center - Montlake for inpatient care. Some of the patients I work with arrive for scheduled chemotherapy, while others are experiencing side effects or symptoms that can’t be managed in an outpatient setting. Prior to becoming a PA, I worked as an emergency medical technician and served as the emergency department technician lead at Swedish Medical Center.

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
University of Washington School of Medicine

Board Certification
Physician Assistant, 2015, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

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.

View Clinical Trials

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.

Meet Other Providers

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.

More About Insurance