/content/dam/www/people-profile-photos/s/stephen-smith/provider-stephen-smith-directory-1x.jpg
/content/dam/www/people-profile-photos/s/stephen-smith/provider-stephen-smith-directory-2x.jpg
Smith
Stephen Douglas Smith, MD
Top Doctor icon

Stephen Douglas Smith, MD

Hematology-Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

About

Dr. Stephen Douglas Smith is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch. He cares for patients with lymphoma and other blood disorders, and develops and tests new drugs for hematologic malignancies.


Background

Dr. Smith is interested in how the immune system works and how physicians can modify it when it goes awry — in particular, how immunotherapies can be used to treat blood-related cancers like lymphomas. He is hopeful that research will find ways to eradicate these diseases, and for those that cannot be cured, that they can be controlled with well-tolerated medicines over a person’s normal lifespan.

Dr. Smith is a member of the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Area of Clinical Practice
Hematologic malignancies, lymphoma and blood disorders


“Every patient deserves thorough, up-to-date information, compassion and access to cutting-edge therapies through clinical trials.”

— Dr. Smith


Why did you decide to become an oncologist?

I settled on becoming a doctor while studying biology as an undergraduate. I was interested in applying science to directly help people, and I wanted to be part of the revolution in medicine related to advances in molecular biology. Oncology interests me because, more than any other field of medicine, it combines the essential skills of doctoring, the use of rapidly improving treatments and the opportunity to forge deep bonds with patients.

What is your approach to care?

Rapid advancements have turned hematologic cancers into very treatable conditions, but these diseases still require individualized care. My approach is to design a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation, which includes offering you the newest, most promising therapies. I also believe it’s essential to provide you with all the information you need to make the best treatment decisions for yourself. Sharing thorough, up-to-date information to support your decision-making is at the core of our relationship.

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

Current Projects

NCCN grant, 2014 - 2016 "Oprozomib +/- Rituximab: Response-Adapted Therapy in Untreated Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia." Collaborative clinical trial with correlative studies in conjunction with the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program

Residency, Internal Medicine, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center

MD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

BS, Biological Sciences, Stanford University

Board Certifications

Hematology, 2008, 2018, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Magazine's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Smith 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 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. 

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Smith

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers 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. Smith'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. 

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.

Stories

All news
The cancer waiting game: When the recommended treatment is nothing For patients who choose ‘watch and wait,’ putting off treatment can be a relief — and a source of stress October 11, 2016

Contact Information

206.606.6546

206.606.1130