Approximately 250 nurse practitioners and physician assistants working at clinics affiliated with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC), the University of Washington (UW), and Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH) have submitted petitions to form a union with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD).

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is internationally recognized for cancer treatment and research, serving patients throughout Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. The advanced practice providers involved say their move toward unionization stems from a collective effort to safeguard high-quality patient care across the Puget Sound region.

According to clinicians, recent organizational changes have led to heavier patient volumes and less time per appointment, making it more difficult to provide the level of care cancer patients require. They also contend that frontline providers have had limited input in decisions related to the organization’s growth and expansion. Involving clinicians in planning for new centers, they argue, would help ensure sustainable staffing and stronger collaboration among care teams.

“We are unionizing so that we can continue to provide excellent care to our oncology patients while improving transparency and fairness within FHCC, UW, and SCH,” said Sam Doyle, ARNP, who has worked at UW for 17 years. “We believe unionization offers a democratic and collaborative path toward these goals, and we hope our employers will negotiate with us in good faith.”

The unionization effort is being reviewed by two agencies because of the clinicians’ mixed public-private employment structure: the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for private-sector employees and the Washington Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) for public-sector employees. Under Washington’s HB 1744 (2021–22), workers performing the same duties in the same setting can receive different benefits and protections depending on whether they are classified as public or private employees.

Providers say these inconsistencies have contributed to staff turnover and declining morale, issues they believe directly affect continuity of care and long-term patient-provider relationships in oncology.

“For clinicians across three healthcare systems to unite in this way highlights both the seriousness of the problems they’re facing and their commitment to protecting patient care,” said Dr. Stuart Bussey, president of UAPD. “These providers have decades of experience treating some of the region’s most vulnerable patients, and their decision to organize underscores the importance of giving frontline clinicians a meaningful voice in healthcare decisions.”

The NLRB has scheduled union elections for FHCC-employed clinicians on July 8 and July 9, 2026. UW-employed clinicians are still awaiting certification through PERC. If the bargaining units are certified, the clinicians will begin contract negotiations with the healthcare institutions over issues such as staffing levels, workplace conditions, pay equity, and clinical independence.

The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) Launches Fourth Cohort
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP), a national initiative led by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, has officially commenced its fourth annual cohort, taking place in summer 2025. This year, 66 exceptional medical students from across the U.S. have begun externships at premier clinical research sites nationwide, united in their dedication to the Winn Awards’ mission of “Better Science For All.”

About the Program
Winn CIPP is a highly regarded six-week summer program designed to spark interest in community-focused clinical research among outstanding medical students. Participants gain hands-on experience at leading research institutions, engage in service-learning projects with tangible community impact, and build the foundational skills needed to become future clinical investigators.

The program concludes with a July Symposium in Seattle at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, featuring workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing among peers and experts.

Part of a Larger Initiative
Winn CIPP is one component of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, a national effort spearheaded by Dr. Robert A. Winn and supported by the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (MCV Foundation). Its mission is clear: increase diversity and participation in clinical trials to improve health outcomes and save more lives.

Built on the principle that all communities deserve access to clinical research and cutting-edge care, Winn CIPP equips future physicians with the tools and insight to ensure that clinical trials represent everyone and that treatments developed are safe, effective, and accessible to all patients.
 
Mentorship at Leading Institutions
Students in the program receive guidance from expert mentors at some of the most prestigious clinical and translational research centers in the country, including:

 
Commitment and Collaboration
At the program’s virtual kickoff, Dr. Robert A. Winn emphasized the importance of community engagement in research—not just for broader applicability but also to ensure equitable access to innovative treatments.

“The world needs researchers committed to bringing new therapies to every community,” Dr. Winn stated. “That’s how we ensure treatments work safely for everyone.”

Representatives from major supporters, including the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (founding partner), Gilead Sciences, and Amgen, echoed this sentiment, urging students to stay focused and inspired.

Keynote speaker Dr. Brian Rivers, Director of the Cancer Health Equity Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, highlighted persistent gaps in healthcare and stressed the need for researcher-community partnerships to bridge these divides.

Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, summarized the urgency:

“Ensuring clinical trials reflect the populations impacted by disease isn’t just good science—it’s about making sure progress benefits everyone.”

Leaders from Gilead Sciences and Amgen also reinforced the collaborative nature of the initiative, emphasizing partnerships, inclusivity, and the shared responsibility to drive change in clinical research.

Introducing the 2025 Winn CIPP Cohort
This year’s 66 awardees, representing medical schools across the nation, have been matched with program funders including Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen. 
 
Poised to lead the future of clinical research, these students are working to ensure that tomorrow’s treatments are developed with—and for—the communities they aim to serve.