Mission & Values

Our Mission

Fred Hutch Cancer Center unites innovative research and compassionate care to prevent and eliminate cancer and infectious disease. We’re driven by the urgency of our patients, the hope of our community and our passion for discovery to pursue scientific breakthroughs and healthier lives for every person in every community. 

Values

Our values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger.

Collaboration — We embrace a diversity of perspectives, approaches and methods, advancing our mission through understanding and inclusion by demonstrating active listening, inquiring and then advocating, advancing solutions, seeking out and valuing diverse perspectives and approaches, respecting potential partners as valuable contributors, and forming teams with inclusion in mind.

Compassion — We acknowledge the humanity and unique lived experience of our colleagues, patients, families and ourselves by demonstrating respect, patience and kindness.

Determination — We are committed to overcoming obstacles to deliver on our mission as quickly as possible by making decisions and meeting challenges with a focus on the ultimate goal of lifesaving impact; acting with urgency, persistence and creativity; focusing on solutions and achievement; being driven by quality; finding new ways around problems; and getting curious rather than discouraged when the going gets tough. 

Excellence — We define the standard through the exceptional quality of our work by continuing to educate ourselves in our role and in our professional domain; being accountable for our work and outcomes; striving to maintain high-quality research, care and administrative service; ensuring teams are appropriately staffed; and valuing all employees and colleagues.

Innovation — We challenge conventional thinking and seek and foster transformative ideas and practices by supporting and embracing a continuous learning environment, seeking to understand by asking questions, listening with an open mind and encouraging the activation of bold and creative ideas. 

Integrity — We are a trustworthy and responsible partner to our patients, colleagues, and community. We achieve this by following through on commitments; holding each other and ourselves accountable; being transparent, honest, and acting with best intentions; and demonstrating public and private actions consistent with our values and mission.

Respect — We regard and honor each person’s individuality, experiences and traditions by listening and responding; speaking with truth and honoring others’ truths; appreciating and responding to everyone’s purpose as contributors to our mission; giving due consideration to others as equals to ourselves; and seeking to understand the motivations and drivers of our colleagues’, patients’ and community’s behaviors.


A Commitment to Diversity

Lifesaving research demands more than innovation and dedication. It requires curiosity, creativity, and fresh and varied perspectives. That’s why diversity is a core Fred Hutch value that is integral to our work.

We were the first U.S. cancer center to pledge commitment to CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, and we cultivate a workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences. The DEI Core — in partnership with an executive council of senior leaders and an employee advisory group — leads our efforts to build a fully inclusive and informed workforce.

Fred Hutch is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to workforce diversity. We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Strategic Priorities

Our interdisciplinary teams conduct exceptional, high-impact science to achieve our mission. We’re extending our reach to achieve breakthroughs and further discoveries in the following areas:

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Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
and Immunotherapy

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Cancer Risk Factors, Causes, Prevention and Outcomes

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Vaccine Development and
Virus-Associated Cancers

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Data-Driven Research and Treatment Approaches

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Tumor-Specific Translational Research

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Prevention, Screening, Early Diagnosis and Care in all Communities

Supporting the Priorities

Because lifesaving team science doesn’t happen in a vacuum, we support our strategic priorities through culture, infrastructure, partnerships and clinical excellence.

Sita Kugel looks at experiment results with Ben Doron in the Kugel Lab

High-Performance Culture

 Sylvia Lee speaking to patient at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Clinical Excellence

Researcher in genomic department

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

Niki Robinson conversing with colleague

Engaging Partners

High-Performance Culture

A diverse, inclusive, high-performance culture is essential to ending cancer and related diseases. We invest in our talented people to enable Fred Hutch teams to excel in realizing our ambitious vision.

Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb talks with students during the high school intern reception
Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb with students at a high school intern reception at Fred Hutch. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch

Educating the Next Generation

The future of science rests in the hands of the next generation of researchers. Fred Hutch helps budding investigators — including high school students, secondary school teachers, college and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows — prepare to make tomorrow's breakthroughs. Our wide-ranging education and training programs develop scientists at all academic levels, from early high school through early career.

Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb talks with students during the high school intern reception
Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb with students at a high school intern reception at Fred Hutch. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch