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McCulloch
Denise McCulloch, MD, MPH

Denise McCulloch, MD, MPH

Infectious Disease

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Director of Infection Prevention, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Medical Director of the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Infectious Disease Sciences Program, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

About

Dr. Denise McCulloch is a board-certified infectious disease physician and researcher at Fred Hutch. As an epidemiologist, she specializes in infectious diseases and studies respiratory viruses in immunocompromised populations.

Background

Dr. McCulloch’s interest in viral diagnostics and immune responses to infection led her to work in the University of Washington laboratory of Dr. Helen Chu. There she participated in surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses in vulnerable groups. She also contributed to the Seattle Flu Study, which identified the first known cases of community transmission of COVID‑19 in the United States.

Dr. McCulloch’s experience with clinical trials of home‑based testing and treatment for SARS‑CoV‑2 informs her current epidemiologic research on viruses that cause respiratory infections.

Area of Clinical Practice
Infectious disease

“As a physician, I feel privileged to be able get to know patients and to answer questions about their care. I hope to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment plan, and to help them recover from their infection.”

— Dr. McCulloch

What do you like about your work?

I’m interested in treating and preventing infections in people who have cancer and whose immune systems are suppressed because of cancer or its treatment (immunocompromised). As the whole world has come to understand in recent years, we are learning new things about infectious diseases every day. This has come with challenges and difficulties, but we are also making amazing progress in terms of treatments and vaccines. We are always finding new tools to fight infectious diseases and help patients.

What sets the care apart at Fred Hutch?

We have world-class leaders and research that is at the forefront of cancer care. This includes those who are working to understand infectious diseases — how they make people sick and how they spread. When I see a patient in the hospital, for example, the experts who are pioneering new treatments and ready to help in a difficult case are a phone call away.

Research Interests

Respiratory viruses – epidemiology, diagnostics, treatment and prevention

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, University of Washington

Residency, New York University

MPH, Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health

MD, Emory University School of Medicine

BA, Williams College

Board Certification

Infectious Disease, 2021; Internal Medicine, 2017

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. 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.

View Clinical Trials

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by others in their field 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. McCulloch'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. 

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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.

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Contact Information

206.667.6872