Dr. Jennifer Suga

About Dr. Jennifer Suga

Dr. Jennifer Marie Suga is a board-certified medical oncologist who works at Kaiser Permanente’s Vallejo location. She treats a wide range of cancers, including mesothelioma.

As part of the growing landscape of California mesothelioma treatment providers, Dr. Suga helps patients explore advanced therapies, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trials. Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center gives patients access to coordinated cancer care and specialists experienced in treating rare thoracic cancers.

Dr. Suga places a strong emphasis on patient education and clear communication. She helps mesothelioma patients understand their treatment options, possible side effects, and what to expect throughout care. Her goal is to help patients make informed decisions while maintaining quality of life during treatment.

Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with Dr. Suga and learn more about your mesothelioma treatment options in California.

What Health Conditions Does Dr. Jennifer Suga Treat?

As a medical oncologist, Dr. Suga treats cancer using therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.

She’s able to treat patients diagnosed with:

• Pleural mesothelioma: Cancer that forms in the lung lining after asbestos exposure
• Lung cancer: Develops in the lung itself and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated
• Breast cancer: Begins in breast tissue and can vary from slow-growing to aggressive
• Prostate cancer: Forms in the prostate gland and may spread in advanced stages

Dr. Suga works closely with surgeons, imaging specialists, and other cancer experts to help patients receive coordinated care and access to the latest treatments.

Dr. Jennifer Suga’s Approach to Mesothelioma Treatment

Dr. Jennifer Suga focuses on modern, patient-centered mesothelioma treatment that combines innovation with proven therapies.

She may incorporate treatments like:

• Chemotherapy: Using cancer-fighting drugs to slow tumor growth and help manage mesothelioma symptoms
• Immunotherapy: Including checkpoint inhibitors approved by the FDA for mesothelioma
• Targeted therapy: Designed to address specific mutations in cancer cells
• Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs): A newer treatment device that’s combined with chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma
• Clinical trials: Providing access to emerging therapies and new treatment strategies

She carefully evaluates each patient’s mesothelioma diagnosis to determine the best course of treatment, taking into account the disease type, overall health, and the patient’s personal goals.

“We’re starting to see a shift from giving the same treatment to everyone to identifying who might truly benefit.”
– Dr. Jennifer Suga, mesothelioma specialist

Download our Free Doctor Questions Checklist before your appointment with Dr. Suga to help you feel prepared to get the answers you need.

Dr. Jennifer Suga’s Medical Background

Dr. Suga has built her career around treating complex cancers and advancing thoracic oncology research. Her background includes training in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology, along with leadership roles in cancer research and clinical trials.

Dr. Suga earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, before completing her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Rhode Island Hospital and later completed her fellowship training in hematology and oncology at UC Davis Medical Center.

Her training and clinical experience have focused on mesothelioma and lung cancer, with an emphasis on immunotherapy and genomic testing.

Work Experience

Dr. Suga has spent her career treating patients with thoracic cancers while contributing to research focused on mesothelioma, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.

Her professional roles have included:

• Co-chair of The Permanente Medical Group National Lung Cancer Program
• Medical Director of Kaiser Permanente Adult Oncology Clinical Trials in Northern California
• Medical oncologist at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center
• Principal investigator for the Kaiser Permanente NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP)

Her experience in both patient care and oncology research helps connect mesothelioma patients with the latest treatments.

Highlights of Dr. Jennifer Suga’s Medical Career

Dr. Suga is recognized for her work in oncology and her dedication to improving care for mesothelioma patients. She has contributed to advancements in immunotherapy and other targeted cancer treatments, helping expand options for patients with difficult diagnoses.

Awards and Accolades

Dr. Suga has earned recognition for her work advancing mesothelioma and thoracic cancer treatment through clinical research and oncology leadership.

Her honors and leadership appointments include:

• Appointment to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee
• Leadership roles within Kaiser Permanente’s national lung cancer initiatives
• Selection as principal investigator for the Kaiser Permanente NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP)

Through her research and clinical leadership, Dr. Suga continues to help patients gain access to newer therapies and more personalized cancer treatments.

Professional Affiliations

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Suga remains active in national oncology organizations and cancer research programs. These affiliations allow her to stay involved in emerging therapies, clinical trial development, and evolving treatment strategies for mesothelioma.

Her professional affiliations and leadership roles include:

• Alliance Respiratory Committee, Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
• Kaiser Permanente Adult Oncology Clinical Trials Program
• Kaiser Permanente NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP)
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee
• The Permanente Medical Group National Lung Cancer Program

These relationships help Dr. Suga support ongoing research efforts to improve mesothelioma survival rates and expand treatment options for patients.

Dr. Jennifer Suga’s Work in Mesothelioma Treatment & Clinical Trials

Dr. Suga works closely with mesothelioma patients to help them explore both standard treatments and newer ones being tested in clinical trials. Her research-focused approach allows eligible patients to access investigational medications that may not yet be widely available.

Her work includes research on multimodal treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma, including studies examining how different combinations of therapies may improve life expectancy.

She has also contributed to research involving genomic profiling and immunotherapy, helping physicians better understand how mesothelioma may respond to different treatments.

Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with specialists like Dr. Suga for guidance on mesothelioma treatment and clinical trials.

Dr. Jennifer Suga’s Mesothelioma Research and Published Works

Dr. Suga’s work examines ways to improve treatment planning, expand access to clinical trials, and better understand how mesothelioma patients respond to emerging therapies.

Some of her published articles include:

• Real-World Outcomes of Multimodal Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma: A Retrospective Study in a High-Volume Integrated Regional Center. Published in JTCVS Open, January 2026.
• Validation of Immunotherapy Response Score as Predictive of Pan-solid Tumor Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Benefit. Published in Cancer Research Communications, July 2023.
• Comparison of Survival by Multimodal Treatment Regimen Among Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patients in an Integrated Health System. Published in Clinical Lung Cancer, December 2022.
• Improving Outcomes in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in an Integrated Health Care System. Published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease, September 2022.

Her research continues to support advances in mesothelioma treatment, multidisciplinary cancer care, and clinical trial development for patients with advanced thoracic cancers.

Get Connected With Dr. Jennifer Suga

Mesothelioma treatment can involve difficult decisions about immunotherapy, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and symptom management. Working with a doctor who regularly treats this rare cancer can help patients better understand which treatments fit their diagnosis and personal preferences.

Dr. Suga treats patients with pleural mesothelioma at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center, where she combines coordinated cancer care with access to newer therapies, genomic testing, and clinical trial opportunities when appropriate.

Mesothelioma Hope helps patients and families find experienced mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers across the country. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to connect with Dr. Suga and learn more about your options for mesothelioma treatment.