Veena Shankaran, M.D.
Veena Shankaran, M.D.
Co-Director
Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Fred Hutch
Professor, Cancer Prevention Program
Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Professor
Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
Dr. Veena Shankaran is co-director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research. Her research focuses on measuring the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment on patients’ and caregivers’ finances and developing strategies to lessen this impact. She also conducts studies describing real-world treatment patterns and costs of care in the Puget Sound region and nationally. Dr. Shankaran is a medical oncologist who specializes in caring for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies with a particular focus on cancers of the esophagus and stomach. In collaboration with other gastrointestinal oncologists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Dr. Shankaran is helping to expand the gastrointestinal cancer clinical trials program to provide patients with novel treatment options.
Other Appointments & Affiliations
Professor, Medical Oncology
University of Washington School of Medicine
Education
Board Certification, Medical Oncology
Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Chicago, IL
Internship and Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine
M.D., University of Michigan Medical School
B.A., Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, Dartmouth College
Research Interests
The out-of-pocket costs that patients with gastrointestinal cancers experience as well as the cost-effectiveness of cancer therapy—studying how great care can be delivered without wasting resources. Dr. Shankaran is working with Dr. Scott Ramsey, an expert in the cost effectiveness of healthcare and health-related quality of life and director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research in the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
"We need to help patients go through the process of cancer without facing financial devastation. As oncologists, we can no longer ignore the economic side of cancer care — both at the health system and patient level."
— Dr. Veena Shankaran
Dr. Shankaran in the News
For the Media
The Media Relations team at Fred Hutch is available to assist members of the news media who would like to arrange interviews with faculty.
Email media@fredhutch.org or call 206.667.2210