Meet Our Colorectal Cancer Team
Our Philosophy
At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, our colorectal cancer team brings deep expertise and a highly coordinated approach to your care. You’ll be treated by experienced colorectal surgeons, oncologists, nurses, and support staff who work closely together to plan and deliver the right treatment for you. We regularly review cases in multidisciplinary tumor boards, so you benefit from multiple expert perspectives and the latest treatment options.
We know that communication, consistency, and compassion matter. That’s why our team takes time to explain your diagnosis and care plan in detail — often using drawings or visuals to help you feel informed and confident in your choices. From referral through treatment, recovery, and follow-up, we’re here to ensure your care feels seamless, clear, and personalized.
Supporting Team Members
In addition to our expert doctors and specialists, you'll be supported by a team of compassionate professionals who focus on your whole health - body, mind, and spirit. They're here to guide you, answer questions, and make sure you always know what to expect.
Our specially trained oncology nurses provide expert care, guidance, and education throughout your treatment. They help manage side effects, coordinate your care plan, and offer a compassionate presence every step of the way.
Our fellowship-trained rehabilitation physician and a team of therapists—including physical, occupational and speech therapists—help you maintain or regain strength, mobility, and function during and after treatment.
Onco-psychiatrists specialize in the emotional and psychological needs of people facing cancer. They help you navigate the mental health challenges that may arise, offering counseling, medication management, and tailored support.
Registered dietitians provide expert nutrition counseling to help you manage treatment side effects, maintain strength, and nourish your body through every phase of care. They tailor their guidance to your personal needs and preferences.
Our physician medical geneticist guides a team of genetic counselors to help assess personal and family cancer risk through genetic testing and counseling.
Palliative care specialists focus on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life at any stage of cancer care. They work alongside your oncology team to ensure your comfort, values, and goals are honored.
We offer a wide range of supportive services, including cancer rehabilitation, naturopathy, health education, art and music therapy, medical massage, and social work support. Learn more about our supportive care services.
Note: Some services are provided by local partners and vary based on location. Please contact your clinic for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your surgical team includes board-certified colorectal surgeons who specialize in treating colon and rectal cancer, as well as nurses and physician assistants who support your care before and after surgery.
If your treatment includes cancer-directed medication, your medical oncology team will include a medical oncologist along with nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and nurses who specialize in colorectal cancer.
If radiation therapy is part of your treatment plan, you’ll also work with a radiation oncologist and a care team that may include radiation therapists, physicists, and nurses to guide you through that part of care.
Cancer often requires a combination of approaches to achieve the best outcome, so it’s likely your care plan could include more than one type of treatment.
Surgery alone might be enough for early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread, but additional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy may be needed to target cancer cells throughout the body, reduce the risk of recurrence, or improve overall effectiveness.
Our cancer experts tailor treatment to your specific diagnosis, working to achieve the highest likelihood of success.
Your first visit is focused on helping you understand your diagnosis and feel confident about your care. Your surgeon will review your test results, explain your treatment options, and walk you through what to expect from surgery. It’s also a time to ask questions — especially about things like the possibility of a colostomy or ileostomy. Our surgeons often use drawings or visuals to make complex information easier to understand and support you in making informed decisions. Learn more about colorectal cancer surgery.
Yes. Our cancer experts participate in regular multidisciplinary tumor boards and stay current with the latest research and clinical guidelines. Many are also involved in clinical trials, research efforts, and national committees that ensure patients have access to emerging therapies and leading-edge care. This collaborative and patient-focused research approach helps ensure your treatment plan reflects the most current advancements in cancer care.
Most patients are referred to our team by a gastroenterologist after a colonoscopy or biopsy confirms a diagnosis. We also receive referrals from other specialists involved in your care, such as a primary care provider. If you're looking for a second opinion or want to better understand your options, you're welcome to contact us directly.
Yes. At any given time, the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute has access to hundreds of clinical research studies involving most types of cancers. We are one of the leading clinical trial sites in the western United States and often the only site in the Pacific Northwest to participate in many clinical trials, including select first-in-human studies that offer early access to promising new therapies. Ask your care team if a clinical trial could be part of your personalized treatment plan.
Yes, we are one of only a handful of national programs to offer a dedicated rehabilitation program led by a fellowship-trained specialist.
The program integrates the medical management of treatment-related side effects and a variety of other physical, occupational, and behavioral therapies, which have been shown to improve overall health for people living with cancer. This may include nutritional guidance to help you eat well during and after treatment and physical or occupational therapy to help prevent lymphedema.
We provide a full range of supportive care services to support you during and after your cancer treatment. Some of these services include:
- Art therapists
- Cancer rehabilitation (onco-physiatry)
- Care coordinators
- Genetic counseling (cancer geneticist)
- Health educators
- Medical massage (edema, lymphedema management)
- Music therapist
- Naturopaths
- Nutritionists
- Oncology nurses
- Social workers
- Speech and language pathology
We can also help with finances, food, transportation, and other challenges for eligible patients through our patient assistance fund.
See the full list of supportive care services.
Note: Some services are provided by local partners and vary based on location. Please contact your clinic for more information.