Medical Oncology
At the age of 17, I knew that I was going to be a doctor. I have never once regretted that decision. As an oncologist, I find it satisfying to work with patients to achieve a common goal. The science behind different forms of cancer is also fascinating — I want to know what’s driving them. There’s a creativity to oncology right now, in trying to figure out how to bring new therapies together and how to integrate them with current treatment approaches. I’m invested in trying to understand that so I can improve outcomes for you. It’s this excitement that brings me to work every day.
Oncology is an art in the sense that I can’t just look at the data and make a decision about what’s best for you. There are many nuances to consider, not only the biology of your disease but also you as the patient: your personal goals, your living situation, your fitness level and your age, just to name a few. When it comes to blood cancers, there are so many more treatment combinations available than there used to be, which is great, but it also means that the way forward isn’t simple. Together, we take in all of the information and decide on the best approach.
Area of clinical practice
Hematologic malignancies
Lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia
I am a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These cancers affect white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infection. For more than a decade, I’ve designed and led multi-center clinical trials that test new drug combinations for treating these diseases, with the goals of more precisely targeting cancer while decreasing the intensity of side effects. I’m also interested in immunotherapy, how patients’ own immune cells can be extracted and engineered to attack their cancer. In addition to patient care and research, I am an active member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and I’ve presented my research at the annual conference of the American Society of Hematology.
Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Lymphoma
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Marginal Zone Lymphoma
Follicular Lymphoma
Low Grade Lymphoma
MALT Lymphoma
English
Undergraduate Degree
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Medical Degree
University of Alabama School of Medicine
Residency
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Internal Medicine
Fellowship
Georgetown University Hospital, Hematology-Oncology
Board Certification
Oncology, 2011; Hematology, 2011, American Board of Internal Medicine
American Cancer Society Young Investigator Research Grant
Dr. Ujjani received the 2016 American Cancer Society Young Investigator Research Grant to support her clinical trial work testing new drug combinations in the treatment of relapsed follicular lymphoma.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Relentless for a Cure Award
This award honors excellence in patient education and research.
At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes doctors, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like nutritionists, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.
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.
The Media Relations team at Fred Hutch is available to assist members of the news media who would like to arrange interviews with providers.
Email media@fredhutch.org or call 206.667.2210