Hematology/Oncology
Dr. Saiki graduated from the medical school at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in 1961 and did an internship at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital. The first two years of his residency were spent in Canada and North Dakota before coming to New Mexico; he finished his residency at the UNM School of Medicine in 1968. He completed his Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the UNM School of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1970.
Dr. Saiki's specialties were internal medicine, oncology, and hospice and palliative medicine. On his UNM Cancer Center page, he explained why he chose his specialty:
"Only by chance, my mentor asked me if I would be interested in developing a Leukemia-Lymphoma program at UNM. He was a red blood cell biochemist and he observed that I was interested in teaching and patient care, not the biochemistry of the red cell. This led to my training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and my life's work.
"I have always felt indebted to my patients, who have taught me so much about life and living."
“My late mother, Claire McHale, was a patient of Dr. Saiki. She adored him, as did I and the rest of my family. He was everything one wants in a doctor: the utmost ability, combined with an authentic compassion for his patients. I am truly saddened by his passing and hope that his family is well.”
The John H. Saiki Clinical Oncology Endowment Fund was established anonymously by one of his patients with the intention to support and promote excellence in patient clinical care.
