"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Christina Poh, MD

Provider

Christina Poh, MD

Physician, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Medical Oncology

South Lake Union Clinic

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“As doctors, we are trained to give advice, answer questions and offer treatment, yet sometimes that’s not all patients need. Sometimes they need a friend — someone to listen, someone to remind them that cancer doesn’t define who they are.”

— Dr. Poh

Why do you practice oncology?

Oncology allows me to spend one-on-one time with patients while incorporating innovative research into what I’m doing each day. I have the privilege of standing by my patient's side, being their advocate as they navigate a difficult diagnosis. At the same time, I have the opportunity to explore my research interests and use these finding to improve care firsthand. There aren’t many areas of medicine where those two facets are so closely intertwined. I chose to specialize in treating lymphoma because I was inspired by the strides my mentors were making in this field. Lymphoma is a disease that in many cases can be cured, and there is a lot of satisfaction in being able to work toward that goal with my patients.

Tell us about an interaction with a patient that had a significant impact on you.

During my medical training, I met a patient with leukemia who was admitted to the hospital. He lived several hours away, and his family didn’t have the means to visit him. Over the course of a month, I saw him every day; we bonded as he went through treatment. At one point, he took a turn for the worse and ended up in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although he was under the care of a different team, I would still try to drop by and see him a few days a week. During those visits, he asked me if I could just sit, hold his hand and talk about anything not related to his cancer. So that’s what we did, and it had a profound effect on us both. As doctors, we are trained to give advice, answer questions and offer treatment, yet sometimes that’s not all patients need. Sometimes they need a friend — someone to listen, someone to remind them that cancer doesn’t define who they are. My patient in the ICU taught me that, and it’s made me a better doctor.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Hematologic malignancies

Lymphomas, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
I am a hematologist-oncologist who specializes in the treatment of lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). My approach to care is based on candid, clear communication and teamwork. In addition to providing care, I am also an active clinical researcher. My research interests include testing new drug combinations to improve effectiveness and decrease toxicity. I also investigate risk factors that lead to lymphoma and complications that survivors of lymphoma can experience, such as secondary cancers. My aim is to improve their long-term quality of life.

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
Thai

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of Rochester

Medical Degree
Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Residency
Loma Linda University Health, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of California, Davis, Hematology-Oncology

Board Certification
Hematology, 2020; Oncology, 2020; Internal Medicine, 2017, American Board of Internal Medicine

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. Poh

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. Poh's Publications

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