Print Page

Doctor Profiles

Cancer Care Northwest Experts

Cancer Care Northwest offers the highest level of cancer expertise in the region. Meet our specialists:

Melanie K. Bergman, MD

Gynecologic Oncologist
Education
Medical School:
• Medical College of Virginia; Richmond, VA
 

Residency:
• Akron General Medical Center (Obstetrics and Gynecology); Akron, OH
 

Fellowship:
• Yale University (Gynecologic Oncology); New Haven, CT
Certification
• American Board of OB/GYN: Obstetrics Gynecology

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Society of Gynecologic Oncologists

Special Interests
Dr. Bergman joined Cancer Care Northwest in 2002. Her interests include treatment of gynecologic malignancies, chemotherapy and minimally invasive surgery.  She has performed over 300+ robotic surgeries for gynecologic malignancies. She enjoys educating patients about the role of exercise and healthy lifestyle during cancer treatment. Additionally, Dr. Bergman has contributed to several gynecologic texts and journals. (back to list)

 

Colleen R. Carey, MD

Endrocrinologist

Education

Medical School:

• Medical College of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA
 

Residency:

• Hospitals of Medical College of Pennsylvania (Internal Medicine); Philadelphia, PA

 

Fellowship:

• University of Chicago (Endocrinology and Metabolism); Chicago, IL

Certification

• American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
• American Board of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Endocrinology and Metabolism)

 

Special Interests

Dr. Carey’s primary focus is working with patients with endocrine neoplasia syndromes. Endocrine gland tumors can produce unregulated hormones, leading to signs and symptoms of specific hormone overproduction.  Dr. Carey brings years of endocrinology experience to Cancer Care Northwest and finds working with her patients to be especially rewarding. (back to list)

Robert K. Fairbanks, MD

Radiation Oncologist
Education
Medical School:
• Tulane University Medical School; New Orleans, LA
 

Residency:
• Johns Hopkins Hospital (Radiation Oncology); Baltimore, MD
 

Internship:
• Tulane University Medical School (Transitional Internship); New Orleans, LA
 

Other:
• Specialized training in:
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Hyperthermia
- Radiosurgery
- Brachytherapy including MammoSite, prostate, gynecologic and intravascular
Certification
• American Board of Radiology: Radiation Oncology
 

Honors & Memberships
• American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Research Fellowship Grant from the American Diabetes Association
• Research Fellowship Grant from the American Heart Association (back to list)

 

Robert H. Gersh, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• University of Colorado; Denver, CO
 

Residency & Internship:
• Emory University (Internal Medicine); Atlanta, GA
 

Fellowship:
• Emory University (Medical Oncology and Hematology); Atlanta, GA
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
 

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Society of Hematology
• Director of Medical Oncology at Deaconess Medical Center
• Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine on the Auxiliary Teaching Staff of the University of Washington
• Director of Research at Cancer Care Northwest
 

Special Interests
Dr. Gersh has a special interest in hematologic malignancies and is involved in clinical trials of new cancer treatments for a variety of malignant disorders. (back to list)

 

Elizabeth A. Grosen, MD

Gynecologic Oncologist
Education
Medical School:
• University of Washington; Seattle, WA
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of Arizona Medical Center (Obstetrics and Gynecology); Tucson, AZ
• Huron Road Hospital (General Surgery); Cleveland, OH
 

Fellowship:
• University of California Medical Center (Gynecologic Oncology); Orange, CA
Certification
• American Board of OB/GYN: Obstetrics Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology
 

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
• American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Washington State Medical Association
• Best Doctors in America Award
 

Special Interests
Dr. Grosen specializes in caring for women with gynecologic cancers including ovarian, cervical and other reproductive organs. She enjoys educating people on lifestyle choices and how they relate to cancer, the effects of hormones, and tips to help prevent cancer. (back to list)

 

Ryan F. Holbrook, MD, FACS

Surgical Oncologist
Education
Medical School:
• Northwestern University Medical School; Chicago, IL
 

Internship:
• New England Medical Center (General Surgery); Boston, MA
 

Residency:
• Maine Medical Center (General Surgery); Portland, ME
 

Fellowships:
• Massachusetts General Hospital with a joint appointment at New England Medical Center (Biliary Disease); Boston, MA
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Surgical Oncology); Buffalo, NY
• Virginia Mason Medical Center (Pancreas, Liver, and Biliary Surgery); Seattle, WA
Certification
• American Board of Surgery: Surgery
• Certificate of Training in Surgical Oncology
 

Honors & Memberships
• Society of Surgical Oncology
• American College of Surgeons – Fellow
• Best Doctors in America Award
 

Special Interests
Dr. Holbrook focuses exclusively on cancer surgery. He specializes in all cancers of the intestinal tract with particular expertise in liver and pancreas cancers as well as the surgical treatment of melanoma, and soft tissue sarcomas. He introduced several innovative surgical techniques to the Inland Northwest, including sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer and melanoma, as well as the use of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for liver cancers. He also pioneered the use of Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the Pacific Northwest for the treatment of peritoneal (abdominal) surface malignancies. (back to list)

 

 

 

Irfan Jawed, MD

Medical Oncologist
Education
Medical School:
• Dow Medical College Karachi-Pakistan
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of Washington School of Medicine; Spokane, WA
• Long Island College Hospital; Brooklyn, NY

Fellowships:
• National Cancer Institute/National Institute of Health (Medical Oncology); Bethesda, MD
• Georgetown University Hospital; Washington D.C. / National Naval Medical System (Gastro & Neuroendocrine Oncology); Bethesda, MD
• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/New York Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College (Hospice & Palliative Care); New York

Ceritifcation:
• American Board of Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
• American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; Pain Management

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Society Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine
• American College of Physician
• American Medical Association

Special Interests
Dr. Jawed specializes in the use of innovative molecular tools and targeting therapies for the care of cancer patients and his primary focus is neuroendocrine and gastrointestinal malignancies. (back to list)

 

 

 

 

Hakan Kaya, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• Ankara University School of Medicine; Ankara, Turkey
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (Internal Medicine); Oklahoma City, OK
 

Fellowship:
• Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University (Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation); Winston-Salem, NC
 

Other:
• Completed a one-year program entitled Specialized Training in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and met the guidelines for training adopted by the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
• Studied new advances in prostate cancer at the Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Clinic of Wake Forest University; Winston-Salem, NC
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
 

Honors & Memberships
• Director of the Inland Northwest Myeloma/Lymphoma and Transplant Program
• Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine Spokane Campus
• Recipient of Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award for 2006-2007 by Internal Medicine Residency Spokane
• Recipient of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) 2004 Outstanding Achievement in the Arts/Sciences Award
• Recipient of Chief Residents’ Award for Outstanding Service to the Residency Program, University of Oklahoma, 1997
• Recipient of Best Poster Presentation Award at the Department of Medicine House Staff Research Day, University of Oklahoma, Department of Medicine, 1996
• Recipient of Special Recognition Award in Poster Presentation in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation at the American College of Physicians-Oklahoma Chapter Annual Meeting, 1995
 

Special Interests
Dr. Kaya has worked at Cancer Care Northwest since 2004 and is the director of the Inland Northwest Myeloma/Lymphoma and Transplant Program. In addition to performing autologous stem cell transplantation, he provides the latest treatment options for myeloma and lymphoma patients. Dr. Kaya also specializes in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Dr. Kaya is an active teacher for medical students and residents who rotate through Cancer Care Northwest. (back to list)

 

Wayne T. Lamoreaux, MD

Radiation Oncologist
Education
Medical School:
• University of Utah; Salt Lake City, UT
 

Internship:
• Deaconess Medical Center; Spokane, WA
 

Residency:
• Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Radiation Oncology (Mallinckrodt); St. Louis, MO
 

Other:
• Basic science research at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University in St. Louis
Certification
• American Board of Radiology: Radiation Oncology
 

Honors
• RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, 2004
• Chief Resident, Washington University, 2004
• Annenberg Fellow, 2002
• Medical School Student Body President, University of Utah, 2000
• President of American Medical Student Association, Utah Chapter, 1998
 

Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Washington State Medical Association
• American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
 

Special Interests
Throughout his career, Dr. Lamoreaux has been active in leadership and research, and has published several scientific articles. He has presented his work at numerous national and international meetings. Since joining Cancer Care Northwest in 2005, Dr. Lamoreaux has continued his interest in improving radiation delivery to minimize effects on healthy tissue while optimizing tumor control. He has a special interest in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), Gamma Knife radiosurgery for brain tumors, Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) and High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate, breast and gynecologic cancers.

Currently serving as CCNW Practice President. (back to list)

 

Robert H. Laugen, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• University of Nebraska College of Medicine; Omaha, NE
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of Nebraska College of Medicine (Internal Medicine); Omaha, NE
 

Fellowship:
• University of Virginia (Medical Oncology and Hematology); Charlottesville, VA
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine and Hematology
 

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Best Doctors in America Award
 

Special Interests
Dr. Laugen is a senior partner at Cancer Care Northwest. His specialties include general oncology, and hematology and blood clotting disorders. (back to list)

 

Christopher M. Lee, MD

Radiation Oncologist
Director of Radiation Research for Cancer Care Northwest and Gamma Knife of Spokane

Education
Undergraduate Degree:
• Brigham Young University (Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry); Provo, UT
 

Medical School:
• Saint Louis University School of Medicine (MD with Distinction in Research Degree); Saint Louis, MO
 

Residency:
• Huntsman Cancer Hospital at the University of Utah Medical Center (Radiation Oncology); Salt Lake City, UT
 

Special Projects and Research:
• Member and former Chairman of Deaconess Hospital Oncology Interdisciplinary Team
• Expert Medical Advisor for The Breast Cancer Society
• Director of Clinical Radiation Research for Cancer Care Northwest and Gamma Knife of Spokane (www.gkspokane.com)
• National Study Investigator for US Oncology Head and Neck Research Clinical Trials
• Specialty training in Radiation Oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and at the University of Utah Medical Center; Salt Lake City, UT
• Summer Research Fellowship at Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Boston, MA
 

Certification:
• American Board of Radiology: Radiation Oncology
 

Honors
• 2009-2011 "Best Doctors in America" Award
• 2009 Honored for coauthorship of National US Oncology Treatment Pathways for Radiation Oncology
• 2006 RSNA Roentgen Resident Research Award
• 2004 Oncura Fellowship for Prostate Brachytherapy, Seattle Prostate Cancer Institute
• 2003 Beckstrand National Cancer Fighter of the Year Resident Scholarship
• 2001 Physician Distinction in Research Award, Saint Louis University
• 1999 3rd Place, 34th Annual AOA Student Research Forum, Saint Louis University
• 1998 Summer Research Fellowship, Head and Neck Oncology, Saint Louis University
• 1996 Summer Research Fellowship in Circadian Medicine, Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
 

Memberships
• American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
• American Brachytherapy Society (ABS)
• American Radium Society (ARS)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
 

Special Interests
Dr. Lee graduated cum laude in Biochemistry from Brigham Young University in 1997 which included a summer research fellowship at Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He subsequently attended Saint Louis University School of Medicine where he received his M.D. with Distinction in Research degree in 2001. He completed four additional years of specialty training in Radiation Oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and University of Utah Medical Center during which he was given multiple national awards, including the Beckstrand National Cancer Fighter of the Year Resident Scholarship and RSNA Roentgen Resident Research Scholarship. Dr. Lee has actively pursued both basic science and clinical research throughout his career. He continues to be a proliferative author of scientific papers and regularly gives presentations on radiotherapy technique and the use of targeted radiation in the care of patients with head and neck (throat), brain, breast, gynecologic, and prostate malignancies. (back to list)

Click here to see recent research projects by Dr. Lee.

 

Danko Martincic, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• Zagreb Faculty of Medicine, Croatia
 

Residency & Internship:
• Vanderbilt University (Internal Medicine); Nashville, TN
 

Fellowship:
• Vanderbilt University (Medical Oncology and Hematology); Nashville, TN
 

Other:
• Three-year internship in molecular biology at the University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA
• Research Instructor, Vanderbilt University
• Research Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
 

Honors & Memberships
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Society of Hematology
• American Medical Association
• Hugh Jackson Morgan Fellow of the Year Award
• American Cancer Society Young Investigator Award
• Children Cancer Group Award
 

Special Interests
Dr. Martincic spent almost 15 years in research related to why cancer cells are resistant to certain chemotherapy agents and mechanisms involved in blood coagulation. He has special interest in hematologic malignancies including leukemias and lymphomas. (back to list)

 

Stephanie R. Moline, MD, FACS

Surgical Oncologist and Breast Surgeon
Education
Medical School:
• Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of South Alabama (Surgery); Mobile, AL
 

Fellowship:
• University of Michigan (Breast Surgical Oncology); Ann Arbor, MI
 

Other:
• Special training in all aspects of breast surgery, particularly multi-disciplinary team care
• Advanced training in accelerated partial breast irradiation
• Office-based ultrasounds
• Same-day breast biopsy
• Genetics and high risk breast cancer management
Certification
• American Board of Surgery: Surgery 

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• American College of Surgeons – Fellow
• American Society of Breast Surgeons - Research and Education Committee member
• National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project 
• American Society of Breast Disease 
Special Interests
Since joining Cancer Care Northwest in 2002, Dr. Moline has greatly contributed to her passion of educating people about breast cancer and cancer-related topics. (back to list)

Joni C. Nichols, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• Duke University; Durham, NC
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of California Department of Medicine (Internal Medicine); San Francisco, CA
 

Fellowship:
• UCLA (Medical Oncology and Hematology); Los Angeles, CA
• Stanford University Medical Center (Hematology); Palo Alto, CA
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
• Board Eligible, Hematology
 

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Washington State Oncology Society
• Co-Medical Director of Hospice of Spokane
• Medical Advisory Chair for Eastern Washington Susan Komen Foundation
• American Cancer Society Research Fellowship
• Bank of America Giannini Foundation Fellowship for Medical Research
• Best Doctors in America Award
 

Special Interests
Dr. Nichols has been a physician at Cancer Care Northwest since 1995. Her primary interests include breast and ovarian cancer, as well as pain management. (back to list)

   
Ndegwa M. Njuguna, MD

 Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY
 

Residency & Internship:
• University of Illinois at Chicago (Internal Medicine); Chicago, IL
 

Fellowship:
• National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (Hematology/Oncology); Rockville, MD
Board Certified Oncology
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
 

Honors & Memberships
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Society of Hematology
• Spokane County Medical Society
 

Special Interests
Dr. Njuguna spent time during his fellowship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) conducting research into the development of new drug therapies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. His research focused on complications of current drug therapies used to treat CLL, and their cause. Several of his research findings have been presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting and published in its medical journal, Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts). In addition to treating patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Dr. Njuguna has a special interest in treating patients with lymphoma. (back to list) 

  

Maryam Parviz, MD, FACS

Surgical Oncologist and Breast Surgeon
Education
Medical School:
• Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, WI
 

Residency & Internship:
• Medical College of Wisconsin (General Surgery); Milwaukee, WI
• Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Breast Surgery); Exeter, England
 

Fellowship:
• Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia (Surgical Oncology); Richmond, VA
 

Other:
• Medical College of Wisconsin (Cardiothoracic Surgery Research); Milwaukee, WI
• Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia (Cancer Immunotherapy Research); Richmond, VA
Certification
• American Board of Surgery: Surgery
 

Honors & Memberships
• Spokane County Medical Society
• Society of Surgical Oncology
• American College of Surgery
• Recipient of the Outstanding Surgical Trainee Award from the British Journal of Surgery
 

Special Interests
Dr. Parviz has focused exclusively on cancer surgery since joining Cancer Care Northwest in 2003. Her areas of specialty and extensive training include care and surgical management of all gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, melanoma and soft tissue sarcomas, as well as pancreatic and hepatobiliary (liver) cancers. (back to list)

 

Mark E. Sienko, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• University of Illinois; Rockford, IL
 

Residency & Internship:
• St. Paul Medical Center (Internal Medicine); Dallas, TX
 

Fellowship:
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Medical Oncology and Hematology); Dallas, TX
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology, Hematology and Internal Medicine
 

Special Interests
Since joining Cancer Care Northwest in 2006, Dr. Sienko has continued pursuing his special interest in treating colon and lung cancers. (back to list)

 

Saritha C. Thumma, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Education
Medical School:
• St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India
 

Residency & Internship:
• Medical College of Wisconsin (Internal Medicine); Milwaukee, WI
 

Fellowship:
• University of Minnesota (Medical Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation); Minneapolis, MN
 

Other:
• Arogyamatha Udumula Hospital (Resident Medical Officer); Warangal, India
• St. John's Medical College Hospital (Internship); Bangalore, India
Certification
• American Board of Internal Medicine: Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
 

Honors & Memberships:
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Society of Hematology
• American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
 

Special Interests
Dr. Thumma has an interest in thoractic malignancies with a special emphasis in breast cancer.  She is a caring, compassionate person who relates well with her patients.  Dr. Thumma actively participates in clinical research to ensure her patients have access to latest developments in the field.  She enjoys spending her free time with her family. (back to list)

 
 

 

Byron E. Wright, MD, FACS

Surgical Oncologist and Breast Surgeon
Education
Medical School:
• Chicago Medical School; Chicago, IL
 

Residency & Internship:
• Virginia Mason Medical Center (Internal Medicine and Surgery); Seattle, WA
• Hennepin County Medical Center (Surgery); Minneapolis, MN
 

Fellowship:
• Hennepin County Medical Center (Surgical Critical Care); Minneapolis, MN
• John Wayne Cancer Institute (Surgical Oncology); Santa Monica, CA
Certification
• American Board of Surgery: Surgery
• American Board of Surgery: Surgical Critical Care
 

Honors & Memberships
• American College of Surgeons – Fellow
• Society of Surgical Oncology
• Spokane County Medical Society
 

Special Interests
Dr. Wright participates in the care of a broad spectrum of cancer patients but has a special interest in the surgical management of malignant melanoma, pancreatic and hepatobiliary tumors, as well as benign and malignant disorders of the breast, thyroid and parathyroid glands. When not working, Dr. Wright enjoys spending his free time with family, particularly helping his children with their various sport activities. He also spends time as an amateur dog trainer. (back to list)

 

601 S. Sherman St., Spokane, WA 99202. (509) 228-1000

© 2009 Cancer Care Northwest All Rights Reserved