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Dr. Rachel Issaka is a nationally recognized gastroenterologist, medical researcher and speaker in the areas of colorectal cancer prevention, quality improvement, and health equity. Dr. Issaka has contributed to national medical practice guidelines for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT). Dr. Issaka has also informed health policy through the Washington State Bree Collaborative colorectal cancer screening workgroup and the California Public Hospital Redesign and Incentives in Medi-Cal (PRIME), a pay-for-performance program used to improve California’s health outcomes.
Dr. Issaka is a practicing Gastroenterologist and Assistant Professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington. Her research focuses on decreasing colorectal cancer mortality through increased screening in medically underserved populations. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dr. Issaka holds other leadership positions including serving as a member of the Fred Hutchinson Faculty Diversity Committee, Fight CRC Health Equity Committee, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Diversity Committee and the Gastroenterology Intersociety Group on Diversity and Inclusion.
Dr. Issaka’s 2020 JAMA essay, “Good for Us All”, summarizes some of her recommendations to achieve health equity and has contributed to the national conversation on the role of medical professionals in dismantling systemic racism.
Dr. Issaka completed her gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco where she also earned a Masters in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research. She completed her internal medicine residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where she served as chief resident and obtained her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School.
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