Michael W. Brown, MD
Dr. Michael Brown decided to become a doctor "because it’s awesome," he says. "Seriously. I love the complexity of it. I love the challenge of it. I love the impact that good care can have on the lives of others. I truly love what I do, and I enjoy going to work each and every day; I can’t imagine doing anything else."
Oncologists see patients in their worst moments. They’re often overwhelmed, scared, confused. Dr. Brown chose to specialize in radiation oncology because he likes being able to provide some stability or reassurance to his patients and their families in those moments. "I want to know that, at the end of the day, we’ve done everything possible to make each patient as comfortable as possible, which includes their mood and emotions as well as the disease that got them here. I chose radiation oncology in particular because I find the technology exciting. I like the fact that we offer a definitive treatment (like surgery, but without the knives). I like the attention to detail that it requires, and I like the fact that our specialty is always growing, always evolving, in order to continually improve patient outcomes."
Dr. Brown's research involves clinical treatment for breast and gynecologic malignancies, including an ongoing study investigating accelerated partial breast irradiation. "I hope to increase the availability of clinical research protocols to patients at our SCCA Northwest Hospital campus," he says.
Looking to the future, Dr. Brown says the greatest change for him in his field would be to someday become unemployed because his services were no longer needed. "In reality, though, this is unlikely given the complexity of malignancies in general. My hope, though, would be to see continued progress toward decreased toxicity of treatments with improved outcomes," he says. "We’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s a long way to go. I think specifically, we’ll see substantial improvements in the management of a number of cancers through biological manipulation and targeted therapies and decreased side effects from treatment through more precise delivery of our current treatments.
Outside of work, Dr. Brown spends most of his time with his wife and three children. "But I love going to the movies and reading books not written by Dr. Seuss when possible."
Michael W. Brown, MD
Dr. Brown is a radiation oncologist who treats breast and prostate cancers at SCCA Radiation Oncology at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center.Patient Care Philosophy:
In radiation oncology, we see patients who are often going through one of the most difficult and frightening challenges they will ever face. I think it is important to recognize the emotional impact that this can have on a person and to not overlook their needs on every level, both clinical and personal. Of course it’s important to treat their disease appropriately and effectively, but we mustn’t forget about the rest of the patient. By taking the time to truly listen and addressing all of their fears and concerns, I hope to provide each and every patient not only with excellent clinical care, but with comfort and reassurance. I want to provide the kind of care that I would want for my wife and for my children, and when we work together as a team, the outcome can be amazing.
Title
- Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
Clinical Expertise
Breast, gynecologic, and prostate cancers
Experience
I worked for four years as a radiation oncologist at Madigan Army Medical Center while I served out my active duty obligation to the military. While there, I served as the chief of the department and actively participated in clinical research. I then left the Army as a Major to join the University of Washington/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Education And Training
- MD: Medical College of Wisconsin
- Residency: National Cancer Institute/Walter Reed Army Medical Center/Naval Medical Center