"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Kathleen A. Leppig, MD

Provider

Kathleen A. Leppig, MD

Acting Director, Division of Medical Genetics, Fred Hutch
Clinical Professor, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Genetics

South Lake Union Clinic

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“No two people have the same circumstances or priorities for their care, but everyone should receive excellent treatment provided with empathy and compassion.”

— Dr. Leppig

What brought you to your focus on medical genetics?

I decided to pursue a career in genetics when I was 10 years old. Initially, medical genetics was the study of rare diseases primarily affecting children. As our understanding of genetics has expanded, we now know many cancers have an inherited risk.

While my initial interest in rare genetic conditions brought me to medical school, my interest has evolved with the field to include cancer genetics and how the identification of genetic risk for cancer can support early detection and prevention.

What do you value about your work?

I have been working as a physician and medical geneticist for more than 30 years, and this role has been one of my life’s great gifts. It has been an honor to support people during some of their most difficult and joyous times. A cancer diagnosis changes the course of a person’s life, so it is essential to identify and respect the needs and wishes of each patient and their loved ones.

I was treated here for breast cancer. I am incredibly grateful to the surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists and other providers and technicians who offered me care and kindness during my treatment. I value supporting the patients I care for with this same excellence and empathy.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Medical genetics, high risk prevention

I am a physician and medical geneticist who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic.

I have performed a variety of research studies related to cancer genetics. We have studied how to disclose genetic risk results to people who previously did not know they had an inherited risk of cancer. We have also examined how patients communicate with their families about an inherited cancer risk and whether it is helpful to have the health care system involved in this communication. For patients who have been found to have disease-associated variants in BRCA1/2 genes, we have evaluated choices for surgical, medical and pharmaceutical care to meet the recommendations for surveillance and management.

Diseases Treated

Aplastic Anemia

Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Multiple Myeloma

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Neutropenia

Pancreatic Cancer

Pheochromocytoma

Wilms Tumor

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrom

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Colgate University

Medical Degree
Case Western Reserve University

Residency and Internship
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Pediatrics

Fellowship
University of Washington School of Medicine, Clinical Genetics and Genomics and Clinical Cytogenetics and Genomics

Board Certification
Pediatrics, 1989 and 2007, American Board of Pediatrics
Clinical Genetics and Genomics and Clinical Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2003, American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics

Awards

Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, Top Doc, 2007-2011, 2015, 2019
Dr. Leppig has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, Medical Genetics Top Doc 2008, 2015, 2016
Dr. Leppig has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Fellow, Pathways in Clinical Excellence, Group Health Cooperative, 2013
Dr. Leppig has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

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.

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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. Leppig'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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