"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Rajitha Sunkara, MD, MBA

Provider

Rajitha Sunkara, MD, MBA

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

Specialty:

Medical Oncology

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“This is a special place with a patient-first attitude. I appreciate serving as a buffer for any fears and concerns that my patients and their families may have.”

— Dr. Sunkara

What do you hope it’s like for a patient to work with you?

I want them to feel at ease and understand their diagnosis and treatment process. I have heard from patients that they don’t really see me as a physician, but more like a friend and someone they can talk to. I came to know more about myself after hearing this kind of feedback from patients.

What do you value about your work?

With medicine, we’ve been trusted to know the latest information to help make a difference in people’s lives. It’s the direct interactions and building relationships with patients that matter most to me. We get to hear interesting stories about patients’ lives and get to know more about them — not as patients, but as people — and at the same time, we get to help and be present during this challenging part. This is what I find exciting.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Genitourinary cancers

I am a physician who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic and Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

I am also focused on improving quality for patients by decreasing financial toxicity as part of the cancer experience. I believe patients should be able to get high-quality care at minimum cost wherever they receive care.

Diseases Treated

Prostate Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Languages

English
Hindi
Telugu

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
Guntur Medical College

Residency
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Medical Oncology/Hematology

Other
MBA, University of Massachusetts

Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology
American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology

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. Sunkara's Publications

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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.

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