Alyssa Y. Chen, ARNP
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
University of Washington School of Medicine
Medical oncology and hematology
Located at
I treat patients as they would want themselves or their loved ones to be cared for — with compassion, respect and diligence.
”What’s your favorite memory of working with a patient?
I once cared for a woman who had metastatic lung cancer. She was undergoing chemotherapy and ultimately died from her disease. What struck me about her, though, was how gracefully she accepted her terminal situation; she was at peace. After she passed, her family members shared a video she had taped during her hospital stay, in which she thanked each of us who had taken care of her. She also left us little gifts, and to this day I wear the ring she gave me on my badge.
Specialties and clinical expertise
The branch of medicine a provider practices and their areas of focus
Medical Oncology
My father is a medical oncologist, and he inspired me to pursue a career in health care. Today, I am an advanced registered nurse practitioner who treats patients with a wide range of conditions, from breast and lung cancers to acute leukemia and other blood disorders. A member of the Washington State Medical Oncology Society, I was part of the cancer care team at MultiCare Regional Cancer Center prior to joining SCCA.
How do you like to work with patients?
My approach to care is based on personal experience. My grandfather had colon cancer, and he died unexpectedly during treatment. His doctors didn’t really do much to prepare us for this possibility. Going through that has made me more attune to how I communicate with patients, making sure I am in constant open conversation with you about your disease trajectory and the risks and benefits of each treatment option. I am invested in the well-being of you and your family.
Languages
Your care team
