Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD

Dr. Scott Ramsey is a physician, cancer researcher and health economist. He co-directs the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, or HICOR. The institute aims to reduce the economic and human burden of cancer by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer care. Dr. Ramsey’s research focuses on cancer outcomes, health care delivery, and economic evaluations of new and existing cancer screening and treatment technologies. He also explores methods for engaging a diverse range of stakeholders to help inform how research studies are prioritized and designed. He designs and conducts studies that weigh the costs and benefits of various treatment and screening approaches. Findings from such studies support medical decision-making and help payers, patients and health systems maximize health value. Dr. Ramsey’s studies have identified financial stress, also known as “financial toxicity,” as a side effect of cancer treatment. He has shown that people diagnosed with cancer are 2.5 times more likely to declare bankruptcy, and those who do so face an 80 percent higher risk of dying than those who don’t declare bankruptcy