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.

In 2024, Viatris supplied medications targeting the top ten causes of death worldwide, as identified by the WHO. The company has deliberately focused on expanding access to its diverse portfolio across different regions and income levels, aiming to create sustainable markets by fostering innovation and competition. This reach is supported by a robust global infrastructure serving patients in over 165 countries and territories.

Viatris’ companywide access objectives run from 2022 through the end of 2025, focusing on enhancing access to digital and global education for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and providing antiretroviral treatments for individuals living with HIV. Achieving these goals relies on holistic strategies, partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration to create meaningful impact.

Patient-Centered Advocacy
Patients understand that treatment extends beyond medication. Many require advocacy to overcome barriers to diagnosis and care, strengthen health infrastructure, and support disease awareness and patient education. Challenges such as low health literacy and misinformation can hinder treatment adherence. Viatris collaborates with partners worldwide to improve health literacy and patient support.

Some examples include:

Strengthening Healthcare Systems through HCP Support
Healthcare workers are pivotal for community health, often serving as the first point of contact. With an estimated global shortage of 15 million healthcare workers by 2030—especially in low- and middle-income countries—supporting these professionals is crucial.

In 2024, Viatris continued to empower healthcare workers worldwide via local programs and digital resources. Viatris Connect Medical, available in 20 countries, provides accredited education, certifications, therapy reviews, clinical guidelines, and scientific journals. Since its launch, over 13,000 professionals have accessed the platform, with approximately 22,800 interactions in 2024 alone. Brazil and Saudi Arabia launched the platform in 2024, with Brazil offering six educational programs across specialties.

The NCD Academy, supported by global partners like the American College of Cardiology and NCD Alliance, added three new courses in 2024: Foundational Concepts in Care Integration for NCDs, HIV and Lifelong Care, and Vaccine Preventable Diseases. These courses highlight the interconnection between infectious and chronic diseases and emphasize integrated care. The platform now has accounts for over 30,000 HCPs and has influenced approximately 115 million patients since its inception.

Expanding Global HCP Engagement
Viatris has engaged healthcare professionals across regions to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs):

Promoting Integrated Care
Integrating care for infectious and chronic conditions enhances healthcare efficiency and patient outcomes. Viatris has contributed to research on gaps in NCD care for people living with HIV, releasing in 2024 a publication on real patient experiences presented at the International AIDS Conference and discussed at UN and global forums.

Additional initiatives include:

Addressing Aging Populations and NCD Burden
With populations living longer, NCD burdens rise. Viatris, along with external experts, studied generational differences in healthcare, proposing digital solutions and generationally sensitive communication to improve access and patient empowerment.

Advancing Health Equity for MS Patients
Viatris implemented initiatives in 2024 to enhance equitable MS care in the U.S., including patient engagement tools, analyses of race/ethnicity disparities, and provider education in culturally competent care. Programs like PRO Connect and longitudinal surveys demonstrated increased patient participation in treatment decisions and greater provider confidence in shared decision-making, with potential for broader adoption and sustained improvement in MS care.