"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Erik L. Kimble, MD

Provider

Erik L. Kimble, MD

Physician, Fred Hutch
Research Associate, Fred Hutch
Acting Instructor of Medicine, Division Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Hematology

South Lake Union Clinic

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“I've always been fascinated by how the immune system interacts with different cancers. It was always an interest; I'm a biology researcher at heart. As I went through clinical practice caring for patients, this interest really flourished in the area of blood cancers, specifically leukemia. When I came to Seattle to take my first formal hematology courses, I was interested in stem cell transplant, so that was my focus going into residency.”

— Dr. Kimble

How would you describe your approach to care?

There are two aspects to my interaction with a patient: the part they see and the part they don't see. First, I work to break down the barriers between me and the patient by helping them understand we're on the same side. I use their first name and greet them like a new friend, because I want them to know that I think of them as a person, not just a patient. The second aspect is the work I do in the background. If I spend 20 minutes with a patient, there may be hours and hours spent behind the scenes by me and the amazing team that contributes to their care. One of the best things about working at the Hutch is how the oncology team and other critical specialties support us, working together to create the best opportunities for our patients.

Has cancer affected you or a loved one?

Yes, I have been personally diagnosed with cancer, so I have personal experience with what it takes to get through treatment. It's really overwhelming, even with my ample support system and the medical education that I have. For the many patients who don't have a support system or an understanding of their disease, they have nowhere to turn. That can be extremely challenging.

Being in the dark can be very scary for patients, and it's our responsibility to help them understand and help alleviate that fear. It’s incredibly rewarding to help patients through the challenges and learn to provide better experiences for more people. This is something that drives and inspires me.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Cellular immunotherapy

I have been training in internal medicine for over 10 years, and I am a recent graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program. My focus now is on cellular immunotherapies for hematologic cancers. Working in the lab at Fred Hutch, I focus on optimizing CAR-T cell therapies for acute leukemia. I also work with patients in the immunology department of our outpatient immunotherapy service.

Diseases Treated

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Cutaneous Lymphoma

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Follicular Lymphoma

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Low Grade Lymphoma

Lymphoma

MALT Lymphoma

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Marginal Zone Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara

Residency
University of Miami/Jackson Hospital and Clinics, Internal Medicine

Chief Residency
University of Miami/Jackson Health System, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Hematology and Oncology

Awards

Underrepresented Minority Fellowship in Gene and Cell Therapy for Oncology, 2024
The one-year award is intended to address disparities related to representation of minorities within the oncology scientific community.

Stories

All news

Boosting the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies against AML

Boosting the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies against AML Dr. Erik Kimble wins award from the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy February 8, 2024

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

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Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Kimble's Publications

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