"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Ramesh Rengan, MD, PhD, FASTRO

Provider

Ramesh Rengan, MD, PhD, FASTRO

Physician, Fred Hutch
Senior Vice President and Director, Radiation Oncology Division, Fred Hutch
Chair, Division of Radiation Oncology, UW Medicine
Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Peter Wootton Professorship in Radiation Oncology, UW Medicine

Specialty:

Radiation Oncology

Proton Therapy
Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Montlake

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“My philosophy is simple: My patients come first.”

— Dr. Rengan

Why do you practice oncology?

I became a physician because of my patients. Every day, I am inspired by oncology patients’ selflessness, even when faced with a difficult disease. I once cared for a 96-year old patient who voluntarily gave up a treatment slot so that a perfect stranger could coordinate their appointment with chemotherapy. There is nothing more fulfilling than providing care for you, and I am honored to be entrusted with your health.

What is your approach to patient care?

Patient care should be based on a partnership between us, starting from your initial visit through your entire treatment process. Amazing quality care can only come from spending time and truly listening to you. I may have greater medical knowledge about your disease, but you have a far better understanding of your physical and emotional needs. We will get to know each other and tailor your treatment to fit what’s best for you and your lifestyle.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Thoracic cancers

I am passionate about patient care, tumor biology and advanced technologies. Radiation oncology combines these fields while providing new challenges and opportunities for scientific advancement every day. Through the integration of these disciplines, I can provide state-of-the art treatment to you.

In addition to spending time with patients, I am involved in research aimed at making radiation a more effective treatment. Radiation is a potent stimulator of the immune system, and when that potential is targeted properly at the tumor, it can make the tumor function as a vaccine against itself. As a field, we are moving towards individualizing treatments to the biology of specific tumors — and, ideally, the patient. This “biologically directed” anti-cancer treatment is already a reality for several malignancies, including leukemia and lymphoma. In my lifetime, I would like to see this approach integrated across all solid tumors, including lung cancer and melanoma.

Diseases Treated

Prostate Cancer

Languages

English
Tamil

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
University of Michigan Medical School

Residency
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certification
Radiation Oncology, 2007, 2018, American Board of Radiology

Other
PhD, University of Michigan

Awards

Seattle Met's 2019 Top Doctors award
Dr. Rengan received this peer-nominated award for his exceptional patient care.

Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 2013-2014

Stories

All news

Fred Hutch’s new Radiation Oncology Division takes shape

Fred Hutch’s new Radiation Oncology Division takes shape In a Q&A, Dr. Ramesh Rengan outlines the strategy, mission and goals for research and care September 20, 2023

Experts weigh in on brain tumors; We profile brain tumor expert Dr. Lia Halasz; Nutrition guidelines based on your tumor and treatment. May 2, 2023

Celebrating 10 Years of proton therapy in the Northwest; proton therapy clinical trials; newest team coordinator, Jenny Dang

Celebrating 10 Years of proton therapy in the Northwest; proton therapy clinical trials; newest team coordinator, Jenny Dang February 28, 2023

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.

Find a Clinical Trial

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other doctors and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Rengan's Publications

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.

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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.

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