Meet Our Melanoma & Skin Cancer Team
Our Philosophy
When you come to the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute for melanoma or skin cancer treatment, you’ll encounter a specialized team that works together to coordinate a patient-centered strategy designed just for you. Our dedicated staff includes experienced dermatologists, oncologists, oncology surgeons, plastic surgeons, nurses, and support staff to guide you through your treatment. We see patients who have melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, along with other types of skin cancer.
Our expertise and state-of-the-art imaging techniques, procedures, surgeries, and access to unique clinical trials provide the care, but our compassion provides the caring. Our patients tell us how much they appreciate our attention to detail and open communication from the time they arrive for their first consultation to when they return home after their treatments.
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 team may include oncology surgeons or a specially trained dermatologist. Plastic surgeons who specialize in treating different types of skin cancers and melanoma, as well as nurses and physician assistants who support your care before and after surgery and treatments may also be part of your team.
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 skin cancer.
Radiation is often used as part of skin cancer treatment, so you might work with a radiation oncologist and a care team that may include radiation therapists, physicists, and nurses.
Skin cancer and melanoma can require 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 is often enough for early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread, but additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy – including CyberKnife, Gamma Knife or superficial radiation – may be needed to target cancer cells or reduce the risk of recurrence.
Our skin cancer experts tailor treatment to your specific diagnosis, working to achieve the best outcomes. Learn more about skin cancer treatment.
At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, our care for you doesn’t end when you finish your treatment. Your care team will arrange for follow-up visits, so you are monitored for any cancer recurrences and any concerns you might have regarding your appearance. If necessary, the team will refer you to other specialists who will consult and help design future care plans.
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.
Many patients come to us after a diagnosis or an abnormal test result. They’re usually referred by their dermatologist, but some also come from surgeons. Some referrals come from primary care physicians. Others are sent by trusted clinicians in our wider network who know and value our team. If you’re looking for a second opinion or want to explore your options, we encourage you to reach out directly.
Patients have access to hundreds of clinical trials involving most cancer types. We are often among the first in the U.S. to provide access to Phase 1 trials — the first stage of evaluating treatments in humans. Please note, we open new trials often. Check with your clinician for the latest in upcoming trials.
Learn more and find out if a clinical trial could become part of your 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.