Meet Our Neuro-Oncology Team
Our Philosophy
The Providence Swedish Cancer Institute’s dedicated neuro-oncology team is here to support you from the moment of your brain or spinal tumor diagnosis, through treatment, and into recovery. We care for people with a wide range of neurological cancers, including gliomas, meningiomas, spinal cord tumors, and other complex brain and spine tumors.
Your care team may include neurosurgeons, oncologists, nurses, and support specialists — all working together to develop a treatment plan tailored to your condition and personal needs.
With our concierge-style approach, we consider not just your medical needs, but your lifestyle, preferences, and goals. You’ll have open, honest conversations with your care team, so you can fully understand your diagnosis and treatment options — and feel confident in your decisions.
We care for you as a whole person, answering questions, easing concerns, and providing ongoing support during and after treatment.
Meet the Ivy Center Team
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 includes board-certified neurologists and surgeons who specialize in treating different types of neurological tumors, as well as nurses and physician assistants who support your care before and after surgery and treatments.
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 neurological tumors.
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 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 tumors that haven’t spread, but treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed to target cancer cells, reduce the risk of recurrence, or improve overall effectiveness.
Our neurological tumor experts tailor treatment to your specific diagnosis, working to achieve the best outcomes.
The Providence Swedish Cancer Institute offers a wide range of treatment options for neurologic tumors, ranging from active monitoring, where we watch you closely to see if the tumors progress, to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials. Some patients benefit from chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while others may have traditional surgeries or minimally invasive procedures. The goal is to find the right treatment plan that is best suited for you.
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 an abnormal test result. Neurologists and other specialists may diagnose a tumor or suspect cancer. Some patients are self-referred because they don’t have a doctor who can refer them, but they are worried about symptoms and want to be evaluated. Others come to the institute for second opinions. If you want to explore your options, we encourage you to reach out 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.