Michael D. Saunders, MD

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Saunders
Michael D. Saunders, MD
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Michael D. Saunders, MD

  • Director, Digestive Disease Center, UW Medicine
  • Professor, Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Gastroenterology

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Provider Background

Area of Clinical Expertise
Gastroenterology

I am a board certified physician and medical director of the Digestive Disease Center at UW Medical Center. I am board certified in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. My clinical focus is on advanced therapeutic endoscopy including endoscopic ultrasound, pancreaticobiliary endoscopy, endoscopic mucosal resection and ablation of early gastrointestinal cancers, balloon enteroscopy of the small intestine and endoscopic stenting. I am also the co-chair of "The Gut Course," the highest rated course in the core curriculum in the School of Medicine, given annually to second-year medical students.

Diseases Treated

Esophageal Cancer

Colon Cancer 

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Liver Tumors and Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Rectal Cancer 

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
Medical College of Wisconsin

Residency
University of Washington, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington, Gastroenterology

Board Certification
Gastroenterology, 1999; Internal Medicine, 1996, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Met's 2023 Top Doctors award
Dr. Saunders has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Seattle magazine's 2021 Top Doctors award
Dr. Saunders has been recognized as a Top Doctor in this peer-nominated award multiple years in a row.

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.

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Publications

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. Saunders' 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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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.

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