Dortha Chu, M.D., Ph.D.
Dortha Chu, M.D., Ph.D., specializes in breast cancer surgery and strongly advocates early and regular screenings for all women. She received her medical and doctoral degrees from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and completed her general surgery training at University of California San Diego.
A native of the Bay Area, Dr. Chu joins City of Hope after eight years at Mercy Merced Community Hospital in Merced, California, where she was chair of the Department of Surgery.
As a child of immigrants, Dr. Chu recalls how difficult it was for her parents to access proper health care because of language and cultural barriers. As a physician, she’s witnessed similar challenges among the disadvantaged. She is committed to “ensuring that all patients are given the same up-to-date and comprehensive care regardless of their race, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or economic status.“
2002, M.D., Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
1992, B.A., Molecular Cell Biology and English, University of California Berkeley
2007-2008, Pediatric Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
2003-2007, General Surgery University of California San Diego Medical
Center, San Diego, CA
2002-2003, General Surgery, University of California San Diego Medical
Center, San Diego, CA
2017-present,assistant Clincal Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope, Duarte and Santa Clarita, CA
2020, Ultimate Female Medical Doctor, Santa Clarita Valley Elite Magazine
2019, Ultimate Medical Awards, Ultimate Oncologist, Santa Clarita Valley Elite Magazine
2013, Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons
2002, Dr. Harvey Butcher Prize in Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
1992, Departmental honors from both the English and the Molecular and Cell Biology Departments of the University of California Berkeley
1988-1992, Regents’ Scholarship at University of California Berkeley
Los Angeles County Medical Association
The Association of Women Surgeons
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
American Society of Breast Surgeons
Society of Surgical Oncologists
- Scalzo AA, Brown MG, Chu DT, Heusel JT, Yokoyama WM, Forbes CA. Development of intra-natural killer complex (NKC) recombinant and congenic mouse strains for mapping and functional analysis of NK cell regulatory loci. Immunogenetics. 1999. 49: 238-241.
- Wang LL, Chu DT, Dokun AO, Yokoyama WM. Inducible expression of the gp49B inhibitory receptor on NK cells. Journal of Immunology. 2000. 164: 5215-5220.
- Dokun AO, Kim SJ Smith HRC, Kang HS, Chu DT, Yokoyama WM. Specific and nonspecific NK cell activation during virus infection. Nature Immunology. 2001. 2(10): 951-956.
- Dokun AO, Chu DT, Yang L, Bendelac AS, Yokoyama WM. Analysis of in situ NK cell responses during viral infections. 2001. Journal of Immunology. 167: 5286-5293.
- Loh J, Chu DT, O’Guin AK, Yokoyama WM, Virgin HW 4th. Natural killer cells utilize both perforin and gamma interferon to regulate murine cytomegalovirus infection in the spleen and liver. 2005. Journal of Virology. 79(1): 661-667.