Erik L. Kimble, MD

How would you describe your approach to care?

There are two aspects to my interaction with a patient: the part they see and the part they don't see. First, I work to break down the barriers between me and the patient by helping them understand we're on the same side. I use their first name and greet them like a new friend, because I want them to know that I think of them as a person, not just a patient. The second aspect is the work I do in the background. If I spend 20 minutes with a patient, there may be hours and hours spent behind the scenes by me and the amazing team that contributes to their care. One of the best things about working at the Hutch is how the oncology team and other critical specialties support us, working together to create the best opportunities for our patients.

Has cancer affected you or a loved one?

Yes, I have been personally diagnosed with cancer, so I have personal experience with what it takes to get through treatment. It's really overwhelming, even with my ample support system and the medical education that I have. For the many patients who don't have a support system or an understanding of their disease, they have nowhere to turn. That can be extremely challenging.

Being in the dark can be very scary for patients, and it's our responsibility to help them understand and help alleviate that fear. It’s incredibly rewarding to help patients through the challenges and learn to provide better experiences for more people. This is something that drives and inspires me.

Provider Background

Specialty: Hematology

Cellular Immunotherapy

I have been training in internal medicine for over 10 years, and I am a recent graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program. My focus now is on cellular immunotherapies for hematologic cancers. Working in the lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, I focus on optimizing CAR-T cell therapies for acute leukemia. I also work with patients in the immunology department of our outpatient immunotherapy service.