"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Jonathan J. Chen, MD, PhD

Provider

Jonathan J. Chen, MD, PhD

Medical Director, Division of Radiation Oncology, Fred Hutch Cancer Center at UW Medical Center – Northwest
Assistant Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Radiation Oncology

South Lake Union Clinic
Proton Therapy

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“Many people arrive at their first appointment feeling anxious and unsure what to expect. It’s heartening to see the transformation they go through over the course of the visit.”

— Dr. Chen

Why did you decide to become a doctor?

A mentor in college actually discouraged me from becoming a doctor. She said it required so many sacrifices that I should only do it if I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. So, for a few years, I pursued a career in biotech. While working at my first job after college, I volunteered at a free STD clinic at the local hospital. There, I witnessed the impact that doctors could make — and that clinched it for me. I realized that I truly couldn’t see myself doing anything else. The next thing I knew, I was applying to medical school.

What is your approach to care?

I strive to live my life by the Golden Rule, and the same applies to the way I approach being a physician. If I were a patient, how would I want to be treated? How would I want to be spoken to? What things would I appreciate? I try to treat each person with compassion and patience, offering the personal attention that I would want a doctor to give me or my family. My favorite memories of interactions with patients are often initial consultations. Many people arrive at that first appointment feeling anxious, scared and uncertain. It’s heartening to see the transformation they go through over the course of the visit.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Genitourinary cancers, kidney cancer, ocular melanoma

I am a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in caring for patients with ocular melanoma, the most common type of eye tumor, and genitourinary cancers (GU), which affect the urinary tract and male reproductive system. My expertise includes using proton therapy, a type of targeted radiation therapy that minimizes radiation exposure to healthy tissue.

At UW Medicine, I research ways to improve treatments for GU cancers, such as prostate cancer, as well as ocular melanoma. Prior to joining Fred Hutch, I completed a PhD in pharmacology and served as chief resident at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Diseases Treated

Genitourinary Cancers

Germ Cell Tumors

Ocular Melanoma

Prostate Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Stanford University

Medical Degree
Weill Cornell Medical College

Residency
New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Radiation Oncology

Other
PhD, Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Graduate School

Board Certification
Radiation Oncology

Stories

All news

The Beam: New roles for Drs. Weg, Chen and Gillespie, plus a history of radiation

The Beam: New roles for Drs. Weg, Chen and Gillespie, plus a history of radiation June 27, 2023

David's treatment needed to work both for him and his wife

David's treatment needed to work both for him and his wife May 2, 2023

Experts weigh in on brain tumors; We profile brain tumor expert Dr. Lia Halasz; Nutrition guidelines based on your tumor and treatment. May 2, 2023

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. Chen

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. Chen's Publications

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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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