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Baik
Christina S. Baik, MD, MPH
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Christina S. Baik, MD, MPH

Medical Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Clinical Research Director, Thoracic, Head and Neck Oncology, UW Medicine
  • Associate Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Christina S. Baik is a medical oncologist and researcher who sees patients with lung and head and neck cancers at Fred Hutch. She leads clinical research on targeted therapies and immunotherapies and how some cancers resist these forms of treatment.

Background

Dr. Baik’s clinical research focuses on developing more effective targeted therapies for lung cancers driven by specific genetic changes, often called oncogene-driven cancers. She also studies immunotherapy, a type of treatment that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer, and works to better understand why these treatments do not work for everyone or may stop working over time.

In her research, Dr. Baik investigates both primary resistance, when a cancer does not respond to treatment from the start, and secondary resistance, when a cancer initially responds but later grows despite therapy. Her long-term goal is to help detect lung cancer earlier, when it is more likely to be cured, and to make advanced lung cancer a manageable condition so people can live long productive lives even with the disease.

Area of Clinical Practice
Head and neck cancers, thoracic cancers

“I believe the best cancer treatment decisions stem from actively collaborating with you and your family and understanding your values and priorities.”

— Dr. Baik

When did you know you wanted to be an oncologist?

In high school, I was very interested in sciences and also very drawn to community service. I felt that becoming a doctor was a perfect way to combine these interests. During my residency, I felt an especially close connection with the cancer patients I met. Many had a perspective of life that enriched and challenged me, both as a physician and as a person. I also believe in the importance of extending care to the community by better understanding cancer risk factors and developing prevention strategies for those at risk. This is part of my work as an oncologist too.

While a diagnosis of cancer can be devastating news for patients and their families, I’ve witnessed that the news can bring out the best in many people. This is one reason I decided to take care of people with cancer. It’s a very rewarding way to commit my time and energy.

How do you approach cancer treatment?

My personal motto is to live a life of grace and generosity. I try to bring this into all of my work. Treatment is a process, and I feel very privileged when my patients and their families allow me to see some of the most intimate details of their lives as we take each step in that process. I enjoy being an educator, not only to other physicians and trainees, but also with you and your family throughout your care.

Diseases Treated

Endocrine Tumors

Head and Neck Cancers

Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma

Oral Cancer

Salivary Gland Cancer

Targeted therapy in oncogene driven lung cancer and understanding of resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies

Immunotherapy in lung cancer

Understanding the mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance to immunotherapy in lung cancer

Treatment of patients with thoracic, head and neck malignancies

Languages

English
Korean

Education and Experience

Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, Fred Hutch

Fellowship, Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center

Residency, Internal Medicine, Brown University Medical School

MPH, Harvard School of Public Health

MD, University of Rochester School of Medicine

Board Certification

Oncology, 2009, 2019, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Magazine's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Baik has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

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. Baik

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. Baik'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

Stories

All news
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas - Episode 9
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas - Episode 9 Making more lung tumors immunotherapy‑sensitive with Dr. Christina Baik March 10, 2026
Expert recommendations for treating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
Expert recommendations for treating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer January 11, 2023
SCCA launches new Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Clinic
SCCA launches new Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Clinic November 10, 2020

Contact Information

206.606.6680

206.606.1435