Lynn Symonds, MD

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Symonds
Lynn Symonds, MD

Lynn Symonds, MD

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Medical Oncology

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“People feel vulnerable when they walk through our doors, but I always see amazing strength in my patients. Getting to know them and their support system is what drives me to be the best doctor I can be.”

— Dr. Symonds

Why should a patient trust Fred Hutch for care?

Everyone here is a compassionate professional dedicated to delivering the best care, and I feel confident our team offers what our patients need to get the best possible outcomes. I get to focus on treating only breast cancer patients, so I have a deep understanding of the treatments and the unique experiences our patients face. This is where I would want my own family to receive care.

How would you describe your approach to care?

I provide my patients with the most up-to-date, evidence-based information so they can feel empowered to make decisions. Patients are faced with so many details and advice that it can become overwhelming, but it’s my job to help break it all down and put everything in context for each individual. I want my patients to feel safe, valued and heard by me and my team. It’s a privilege to support my patients and their families, and I feel honored to be a part of their care.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast cancer

I am a medical oncologist who sees patients at the Breast Health Clinic at Fred Hutch.

I was planning to study music, but decided I wanted to become a doctor so I could combine my love for science with my passion for taking care of people. During a seminar in college, I heard a patient talk about her experience being on a clinical trial with a HER2-targeted therapy. Her oncologist explained how this was a newer (at that time) treatment for her specific type of breast cancer and that it had fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy because it was targeting the HER2 protein. I was inspired and decided I wanted to do research in the field, where I could impact change for many patients by helping to develop treatments that improved outcomes and decreased toxicity.

I have experience with all types of breast cancer research, from clinical trials to working in the lab. My current focus is translational and clinical research focused on understanding and preventing metastasis.

Diseases Treated

Breast Cancer

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Dartmouth College

Medical Degree
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Internship
University of Washington

Residency
University of Washington, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington, Hematology-Oncology

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. Symonds

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. Symonds'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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