Kelly A. Nelson, ARNP, DNP
Located at
My grandma was diagnosed with ovarian cancer while I was in nursing school. Thrust into the oncology world, I witnessed the compassion and care of her providers firsthand. One day, shortly after she was first diagnosed, a few of her doctors and nurses stopped by to talk with her for almost an hour. They discussed some details about her medical situation, and my grandma shared a story about herself when she was in her 20s. They just sat on the edge of her bed and listened. Their attentiveness and genuine interest in who she was as a person, beyond being a patient with cancer, had a tremendous impact on her — and on me as well. I knew then that I wanted to work in oncology.
My goal is to provide thoughtful and compassionate care to each patient I meet. I think it’s important to work together as a team, developing a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding. I follow a whole-person approach to care, taking the time to learn about who you are, what your needs are and what matters to you as an individual. I also encourage frequent communication; my colleagues and I want to know how you are feeling and what’s going on in your life. The more we can connect with you, the better equipped we are to help.
Provider background
I am an advanced registered nurse practitioner who specializes in the care of patients with all types of breast cancer. I was an oncology nurse at SCCA before I decided to pursue graduate education and become a nurse practitioner. Part of what makes SCCA an incredible place to work is our collaborative, patient-centered approach to care. Yet we aren’t the only ones who come together as a team. I am consistently blown away by the strength of the patients I work with and the sense of community they cultivate, from diagnosis to survivorship.
Diseases treated
Research
Clinical trials
We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch doctors. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your doctor can decide if a study is right for you.
Your care team
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.
