One of the top cancer research centers in the world, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has announced that it is realigning its partnerships with UW Medicine and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to create the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
The new center hopes to accelerate scientific discoveries related to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures. Seattle Children’s Hospital will continue to be a partner but won’t share the branding. While Fred Hutch is dropping “research” from its name, President and Director Tom Lynch said that the focus is still on research, but with an expanded focus on the entire continuum of care to improve patient outcomes.
“It’s the future of cancer care and cancer research,” said University of Washington Medicine CEO Paul Ramsey of the change.
“By working together, we can cover the full spectrum of integration of the research, clinical and educational training, and the full spectrum of compassionate clinical care, from prevention of cancer to curing cancer,” he added.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was founded in 1975. The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) was formed by Fred Hutch, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s in 1998. SCCA and Fred Hutchinson share a campus in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, a hotbed for life science research.
The restructuring will give Fred Hutch new oversight over UW Medicine’s cancer care and integrate The Hutch’s cancer research program into the UW medical system. All eight sites will be rebranded with the new name and signage.