Leah Roess, PA-C

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Leah Roess, PA-C
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Leah Roess, PA-C

  • Physician Assistant, Fred Hutch
  • Teaching Associate, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

“I practice medicine with compassion, understanding and a little bit of humor. I think most people I care for remember me as a kind person, and that’s very important to me.”

— Leah


What do you enjoy about providing apheresis procedural care?

Patients place a great degree of trust in their health care team and my goal is to support our patients while recognizing that undergoing a procedure can be intimidating and anxiety provoking. Every day, I strive to make a difference for our patients, whether that’s providing physical or emotional/psychological comfort and/or educating patients and families about their disease and treatment plan. I practice medicine with compassion, understanding, and a little bit of humor. I think most people I care for remember me as a kind person, and that’s very important to me.

What personal experiences have informed your approach to care?

My mother is the strongest person I’ve ever known. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, it was a very humbling, vulnerable time for the whole family. She’s in remission now, and when I look back on the experience, I think it made me more sensitive to what caregivers go through. Sometimes they can be forgotten in the whole process. I have always believed in a team-oriented approach to medicine, where the patient is the epicenter, and loved ones are also an important part of that team.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Apheresis and cellular therapy

I am a board-certified physician assistant with more than 23 years of experience in caring for patients across a variety of clinical settings. Prior to joining Fred Hutch’s Apheresis Procedural Unit, I worked in inpatient hematology-oncology at UW Medical Center – Montlake and blood and marrow transplant/immunotherapy services at Fred Hutch and New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. My background also includes experience in emergency medicine, neuro-oncology and orthopedic surgery.

Currently, I serve as the Apheresis and Cellular Therapy advanced practice provider at Fred Hutch’s Apheresis Procedural Unit. In this role, I oversee the clinical care of patients undergoing cell collections and therapeutic apheresis procedures for a variety of diseases throughout a multitude of services within Fred Hutch, UW Medical Center – Montlake and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.  

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Wagner College

Medical Degree
University of Nebraska Omaha

Board Certification
Physician Assistant, 2000, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Awards

Seattle Met's 2022 Top Doctors Award
Leah has received this peer-nominated award for her exceptional patient care multiple years in a row.

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dieticians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

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.