A love for horses first brought a distinguished leader in cancer research to Whatcom County, and now Dr. Molly Brewer is the only gynecologic oncologist practicing north of Everett. From coast to coast, Brewer has spent years studying medicine and advancing gynecologic cancer studies, and now she brings that expertise and skill set to patients here.
Dr. Brewer’s Career, So Far …
“I started out as a veterinarian, way back when,” says Brewer. “I was a large animal veterinarian and then bought a practice in upstate New York, where I worked for five years. After that, I sold the practice and went back to medical school with the idea of going into reproductive endocrinology.”
When Brewer entered her OB-GYN rotation as a medical student, she ended up on the gynecologic oncology rotation and found her passion in that specialty. “I matched into a residency at Oregon Health Sciences University, did a lot of GYN oncology, and the gynecologic oncologist there encouraged me to pursue it further,” she says. “I applied for an oncology fellowship, spent a month at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and then matched at MD Anderson, where I completed my fellowship in gynecologic oncology.”
After her fellowship, Brewer stayed on as faculty and split her time between MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas, Houston, working as a full-time clinician and conducting research while earning a master’s degree in clinical statistics and research design at the University of Michigan. From there, she was recruited by the University of Arizona, where she played a key role in developing a large optical imaging research team focused on early detection of ovarian cancer.
Eventually, Brewer joined the University of Connecticut under Carolyn Runowicz. After Runowicz stepped down, Brewer assumed the chair of OB-GYN and expanded the department from 10 to 40 faculty members. Ten years later, Brewer moved to Bellingham.
In all, Brewer completed four years of undergraduate schooling, three years of veterinary school, four years of medical school, four years of residency, two years of fellowship and two years of a master’s program.
Brewer’s Move to Washington
Passion drives many of Brewer’s decisions, and her move to Washington was no different.
“I’m a dressage rider, and I started training with a woman from British Columbia,” she says. “I loved riding with her and loved the area. In 2020, I bought a farm here. At the same time, I spoke with Dr. Barbara Goff at the University of Washington about developing a gynecologic oncology practice in Bellingham. Since UW already had many patients coming from this area, she was very supportive.”
A former PeaceHealth administrator, Melissa Edwards, was another strong connection, as she had once been a first-year resident under Brewer. The pieces fell into place, and Brewer began developing a new clinic for gynecologic oncology services in Bellingham.
Now, Brewer lives on a farm with one of her two daughters, where they raise horses and hone their skills. “My daughter and I raise young horses together,” she says. “She starts them under saddle, and I help with their training. We’re working to raise horses with excellent temperament.”
Brewer’s other daughter is a knitwear designer in upstate New York and recently made her a grandmother.
Gynecologic Services New to Northwest Washington
“Bellingham had never had a gynecologic oncologist,” says Brewer. “We’ve spent the past months getting the practice established, navigating the OR, cancer centers, and making sure people know I’m a local resource. Our goal is to keep as much care close to home as possible and collaborate with UW. Some patients need to go there for higher acuity care, second opinions, or genomic testing. We then care for those patients who want their follow-up locally”.
Brewer’s work includes surgery, tailoring treatment plans for chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy and pathology review. “Prevention is important, but so is providing excellent care to those already diagnosed,” she says.
Even with Brewer being the only gynecologic oncologist in the local area, her level of care is efficient and thorough for all who come through the doors. “We try to be very accessible and expedite care,” she says. “Many patients already have imaging or biopsies done before they see me, which helps move things along.”
Goals for Brewer’s New Practice
With Brewer’s background in team and research development, the current focus is on streamlining her new practice and creating a premier environment for patients.
“Right now, [we are] building a strong team and optimizing systems,” she says. “Eventually, I’d love to add another gynecologic oncologist, but we’re not there yet volume-wise. My main goal has always been to provide excellent patient care, supported by a great team.”
For Brewer, collaboration is undeniably powerful.
“We’re building a team-based model of care,” she says. “Team medicine results in better outcomes, and that’s what we’re working toward — keeping care close to home for patients in this community.”
Brewer’s clinic is located at PeaceHealth Squalicum Parkway Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Midwifery Clinic in Bellingham, with her surgical services performed at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
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