Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD

What type of research do you conduct?

I’m involved in research on respiratory viruses. Respiratory viruses, such as the common cold, can take a toll on our cancer patients, especially our transplant patients whose immune systems are not working properly. My goal is to develop new vaccines and treatments for these viruses in our cancer patients, so that we have other treatments to offer if our patients get sick. When a patient does get sick from a virus or infection, I make sure to discuss options with the patient’s medical oncologist or hematologist, and as a team, we determine the best treatment option for the patient.

Getting to know my patients

Every fourth Sunday, I volunteer at South Lake Union House. Because we see patients from all over the country, many patients and their families don’t have homes in Seattle, so we offer housing for them while they are in treatment. I volunteer, because it’s important to help patients feel at home as much as possible, no matter where they are from. I serve brunch at South Lake Union House and it’s great to sit down with patients and their families and get to know them outside of the hospital, outside of their disease. I really enjoy connecting with them on a more personal level and sharing a meal together.

Provider Background

Specialty: Infectious Disease

Infectious disease

It was always really fascinating to me that we have an army of cells in our bodies that are dedicated to fighting off infection. In certain diseases like cancer, that army isn't working properly and needs some help. Now we have the arsenal: antibiotics, new immunotherapies and antivirals that can help patients get through a difficult time in their life.

Diseases Treated