Meet Our Head & Neck and Endocrine Cancer Team
Our Philosophy
At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, we care for patients with head, neck, and endocrine cancers through a highly collaborative and personalized approach. Our team includes fellowship-trained surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, speech-language pathologists, nutritionists, and other specialists who work closely together to coordinate your care.
We treat a wide range of cancers — including thyroid, salivary gland, and oropharyngeal tumors — with precision and compassion. Throughout your care, we stay focused on preserving your quality of life. Patients often share that they feel truly seen and supported here. With direct access to your physician, responsive communication, and seamless coordination across specialties, we offer not just advanced treatment, but care built on trust, connection, and partnership.
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 care team includes experienced head and neck, or endocrine surgeons, along with nurses and physician assistants who support you before and after surgery. If your treatment includes cancer-directed medication, you’ll also work with a medical oncologist and a team of nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and oncology nurses. For patients receiving radiation therapy, a radiation oncologist and specialized support team will help guide your care.
Because head and neck cancers can impact speech, swallowing, and nutrition, your team may also include speech-language pathologists, dietitians, and a cancer physiatrist to help your recovery and long-term wellness.
Cancer often requires a combination of treatments to achieve the best outcome, so it’s likely your care plan could include more than one type of treatment and specialist.
Surgery alone might be enough for early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread, but additional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapies may be needed to target cancer cells, reduce the risk of recurrence, or improve overall effectiveness.
Our cancer experts tailor treatment to your specific diagnosis, working to achieve the best outcomes.
Unlike some other centers where visits may be handled mostly by advanced practice providers, here you’ll have direct and ongoing contact with your surgeons, oncologists, and other specialists. Our team collaborates closely across disciplines, often in real time, to make decisions and adjust your care as needed. Patients often tell us they feel truly seen, heard, and cared for as individuals.
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 by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, endocrinologist, or primary care provider after a diagnosis or concerning symptoms. Others come to us from trusted providers in our regional network who know the strengths of our team. If you’re seeking a second opinion or want to better understand your options, you’re always 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.