Asha Karippot, M.D., FACP, hematologist and medical oncologist, is now seeing patients at Texas Oncology–Plano West. Dr. Karippot tells us about how her passion for treating cancer began and the important lessons she’s learned from her patients and colleagues.
Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor, specifically specializing in cancer care?
As a child, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. Then, when one of my parents was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer, I took on a caregiver role and knew I found my calling to be an oncologist.
I believe a compassionate and informed approach helps improve quality of life while making patients feel more secure, comfortable, and confident throughout their treatment journey."
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career?
By educating our patients and working collaboratively with other doctors and clinicians, we can provide seamless cancer care. I believe a compassionate and informed approach helps improve quality of life while making patients feel more secure, comfortable, and confident throughout their treatment journey.
What has working with cancer patients taught you about resiliency in the human spirit?
We all have battles to fight. It is amazing to see how our patients navigate a severe disease like cancer with a fighting spirit.
What are you most proud of when you reflect on your medical career to date?
I am so proud to be part of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Hepatocellular Carcinoma Guidelines expert panel. I am also proud to have been published in ASCO Daily News, for a piece entitled “Therapeutic Targets Could Revolutionize the Management of Pancreatic Cancer.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love spending time with my family, travelling, and listening to music.