Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD

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Boonyaratanakornkit
Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD

Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Infectious Disease

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“The most important thing I can provide a patient is the sense that they matter.”

— Dr. Boonyaratanakornkit

What type of research do you conduct?

I’m involved in research on respiratory viruses. Respiratory viruses, such as the common cold, can take a toll on our cancer patients, especially our transplant patients whose immune systems are not working properly. My goal is to develop new vaccines and treatments for these viruses in our cancer patients, so that we have other treatments to offer if our patients get sick. When a patient does get sick from a virus or infection, I make sure to discuss options with the patient’s medical oncologist or hematologist, and as a team, we determine the best treatment option for the patient.

Getting to know my patients

Every fourth Sunday, I volunteer at South Lake Union House. Because we see patients from all over the country, many patients and their families don’t have homes in Seattle, so we offer housing for them while they are in treatment. I volunteer, because it’s important to help patients feel at home as much as possible, no matter where they are from. I serve brunch at South Lake Union House and it’s great to sit down with patients and their families and get to know them outside of the hospital, outside of their disease. I really enjoy connecting with them on a more personal level and sharing a meal together.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Infectious disease

It was always really fascinating to me that we have an army of cells in our bodies that are dedicated to fighting off infection. In certain diseases like cancer, that army isn't working properly and needs some help. Now we have the arsenal: antibiotics, new immunotherapies and antivirals that can help patients get through a difficult time in their life.

Diseases Treated

Blood Stream Infections

Endocarditis

Eye Infections

Meningitis

Osteomyelitis

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, Berkeley

Medical Degree
University of California, San Francisco

Residency
Stanford University Medical Center, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases

Board Certification
Infectious Disease, 2017; Internal Medicine, 2014, American Board of Internal Medicine

Other
PhD, Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Maryland

Awards

RSV Vaccines for the World Travel Award

Joel Meyers Endowment from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Cent

Stories

All news
Laying the groundwork for a new cancer-preventive vaccine
Laying the groundwork for a new cancer-preventive vaccine Fred Hutch scientists garner large NCI award to uncover secrets of immune response to virus behind Kaposi sarcoma November 18, 2024
Going long: Viruses linger with lasting impact
Going long: Viruses linger with lasting impact Herpes, HIV, Epstein-Barr and other viruses hang around, causing potential long-term health woes. Should ‘long COVID’ surprise us? April 10, 2023
Two rare antibodies, one drug, four viruses
Two rare antibodies, one drug, four viruses Researchers discover antibodies to block RSV, other viruses that put transplant patients at risk March 6, 2023

Clinical Trials

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. 

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Boonyaratanakornkit

Publications

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. Boonyaratanakornkit's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders. 

Meet Other Providers

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

More About Insurance