Michael L. Linenberger, MD
Top Doctor
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
University of Washington School of Medicine
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Bone marrow transplantation, Hematology, leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), Apheresis and Cellular Therapy, Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia
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I can’t meet your needs without first hearing your story.
”What sparked your interest in medicine?
I have always been a science nerd — I loved microscopy as a kid — but it wasn’t until I worked as an orderly in the intensive care unit of a hospital that I knew I wanted to pursue medicine. For two summers while I was in college, I changed bedpans, gave sponge baths, answered call lights, stocked supplies and cleaned. It was intimate work. I got a vivid glimpse of the personal side of medicine, how important it is to provide comfort and help patients maintain their dignity. There was no question that I wanted to continue down that path.
Specialties and clinical expertise
The branch of medicine a provider practices and their areas of focus
Hematologic malignancies, non-malignant hematology
I am a board-certified hematologist who specializes in treating a variety of blood cancers and blood disorders. At SCCA, I serve as the medical director of the National Marrow Program Collection Center and the medical director of apheresis and cellular therapy. In these roles, I set policies and procedures to ensure the safe collection of stem cells and other cellular material for transplantation.
Throughout my career, I have also directed and participated in multiple studies that investigate donor safety and adverse events related to stem cell infusions. Other research interests include using therapeutic apheresis (the process of gathering stem cells) to address graft-versus-host disease, a life-threatening condition that can develop after a transplant, and applying cellular therapy to stem cell transplantation. In addition to conducting research and caring for patients, I also serve as the director of the UW School of Medicine Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program.
Diseases treated
What is your approach to care?
I strive to offer compassionate care by forming a partnership with you and your other health care providers, and that partnership is based on good communication. You can rely on me to provide clinical expertise and the latest information about therapies and clinical trials. I rely on you to tell me how your diagnosis is affecting your life and how you and your caregivers are coping. I want to know what doubts are keeping you up at night, what you don’t understand and what you want to get out of treatment. By pooling our knowledge, we learn from each other, and we can come up with a care plan that best supports your health and well-being.
University of Kansas
University of Kansas
Rhode Island Hospital (Brown University), Internal Medicine
University of Washington, Hematology
Hematology, 1988; Internal Medicine,1985, American Board of Internal Medicine
Languages
Your care team
