Jessica Fugate, PA-C

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Fugate
Jessica  Fugate, PA-C
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Jessica Fugate, PA-C

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

“One of the most valuable gifts we can offer patients is time — time to watch their children grow up, to reconnect with lost relatives or to take that dream vacation.”

— Jessica


Why did you decide to become a physician assistant (PA)?

When I was a college student, I started working as an EMT in Los Angeles in order to see if the medical field was really the career path for me. Ultimately, I spent seven years working on an ambulance, responding to 911 calls. I gained a lot of experience with emergency medicine, from dealing with car accidents and gunshot wounds to providing diabetic care and administering medications. Those experiences prompted me to become a PA, and they also taught me valuable lessons, like how lack of access to primary care has an enormous impact on people living in low-income communities.

What personal experiences have shaped your approach to cancer care?

During sophomore year of college, my best friend was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Sometimes I would sit with her in the outpatient infusion center while she was getting chemotherapy. One day, she spontaneously burst into tears, and the nurse came over and said, “It’s okay to cry — you’re allowed to be sad. This sucks.” My friend laughed a little; I think she felt relieved that, at least in that moment, she didn’t have to put on a brave face. Now that I’m a PA, I’ve said the same thing many times to my own patients. I think it’s really important to be real with people, show compassion and give them permission to feel whatever it is they are feeling.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Blood cancers, blood and marrow transplantation, immunotherapy

I am a board-certified physician assistant who specializes in using blood and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to treat patients with blood cancers. My expertise includes working with patients who receive immunotherapy — treatment that harnesses the immune system to fight cancer — and providing long-term follow-up care. I work closely with physicians and nursing staff to coordinate your care, manage symptoms and side effects, offer guidance about nutrition and ensure you have what you need throughout the treatment process.

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, Los Angeles

Medical Degree
Oregon Health and Science University

Awards

Seattle Met's 2023 Top Doctors award
Jessica has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care.

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. 

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. 

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.