Features
Top Doctors 2018: Cancer Specialties
Part of our 18th annual list of the region's best physicians
By Edited by Virginia Smyth March 1, 2018

This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in print in the April 2018 issue, as part of the Top Doctors cover story. Click here to subscribe.
Surgical oncologists specialize in the removal of tumors and cancerous tissues and perform biopsies. Physicians with subspecialties in treating cancer can also be found under listings for Clinical Genetics, Colon & Rectal Surgery, Dermatology, Diagnostic Radiology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Otolaryngology, Pain Medicine, Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, Pulmonary Disease Surgery, Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery and Urology.
Gynecologic Oncology
Michelle F. Benoit, M.D., robotic surgery, gynecologic cancers; Kaiser Permanente Bellevue Medical Center, 11511 NE 10th St., Bellevue, 425.502.3000; Overlake Hospital Medical Center, St. Anthony Hospital; St. Louis University School of Medicine, 1999
16 Years Charles W. Drescher, M.D., gynecologic cancers, robotic surgery, clinical trials; Pacific Gynecology Specialists Seattle, 1101 Madison St., Suite 1500, Seattle, 206.965.1700; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; University of Michigan Medical School, 1984
11 Years Barbara A. Goff, M.D., ovarian and uterine cancer, cervical cancer, complex gynecologic surgery; Gynecologic Oncology at University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.8300; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 1986
Kathryn F. McGonigle, M.D., gynecologic cancers, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer; Women’s Cancer Care of Seattle, 1560 N 115th St., Suite 101, Seattle, 206.668.6806; Northwest Hospital & Medical Center; St. Louis University School of Medicine, 1984
Pamela Paley, M.D., robotic surgery, prevention, early detection and treatment of ovarian, uterine, cervical and all gynecological cancers; Overlake Cancer Center, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 200, Bellevue, 425.635.3400; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, 1990
Ron E. Swensen, M.D., ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer; Valley Medical Center, Oncology & Hematology Clinic, Valley Professional Center North, 3915 Talbot Road S, Suite 300, Renton, 425.656.5570; Valley Medical Center; Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 1984
Dan Steven Veljovich, M.D., ovarian and gynecologic cancers, complex gynecologic surgery, robotic surgery; Pacific Gynecology Specialists Seattle, 1101 Madison St., Suite 1500, Seattle, 206.965.1700; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill, Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1994
Hematology
Hematologists treat blood diseases such as cancer, lymphoma, anemia and sickle cell disease. Oncologists and other internal medicine practitioners work in this specialty.
Pamela S. Becker, M.D., Ph.D., multiple myeloma, bone marrow and stem cell transplant, leukemia and lymphoma; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; Harvard Medical School, 1986
Michele B. Frank, M.D., leukemia and lymphoma, thrombotic disorders, anemia; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 12040 NE 128th St., Suite 1600, Kirkland, 425.899.3181; EvergreenHealth; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 1993
Terry Gernsheimer, M.D., transfusion medicine, bleeding/coagulation disorders, platelet disorders; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine, 1979
Henry Y. Li, M.D., hematologic malignancies, benign hematology; The Polyclinic, Hematology, 904 Seventh Ave., Seattle, 206.860.2371; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill, Swedish Medical Center–Cherry Hill; Stanford University School of Medicine, 1996
Michael L. Linenberger, M.D., bleeding/coagulation and myeloproliferative disorders, leukemia and lymphoma, hematologic malignancies; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.288.1260; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Kansas School of Medicine, 1982
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Russell Geyer, M.D., pediatric cancers, neuro-oncology, brain tumors; Seattle Children’s Cancer Center, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, 206.987.2106; Seattle Children’s Hospital; Wayne State University School of Medicine, 1977
11 Years Douglas S. Hawkins, M.D., bone tumors, Ewing’s sarcoma, leukemia; Seattle Children’s Cancer Center, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, 206.987.2106; Seattle Children’s Hospital; Harvard Medical School, 1990
14 Years Dana C. Matthews, M.D., anemia, thrombosis, autoimmune disease; Seattle Children’s Cancer Center, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, 206.987.2106; Seattle Children’s Hospital; University of Washington School of Medicine, 1981
Julie R. Park, M.D., pediatric cancers, neuroblastoma, lymphoma; Seattle Children’s Cancer Center, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, 206.987.2106; Seattle Children’s Hospital; University of Vermont College of Medicine, 1988
Medical Oncology
Medical oncologists specialize in treating cancer with chemotherapy or other medications.
16 Years David M. Aboulafia, M.D., AIDS-related cancers, leukemia and lymphoma, myeloproliferative disorders; Virginia Mason, Hematology and Oncology, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.223.6193; Virginia Mason Medical Center; University of Michigan Medical School, 1983
Anthony L. Back, M.D., palliative care, gastrointestinal cancer; Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Harborview, 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.520.5000; Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center; Harvard Medical School, 1984
George R. Birchfield, M.D., benign and malignant hematology, medical oncology and palliative care; Swedish Cancer Institute, 21632 State Route 99, Edmonds, 425.673.8300; Swedish Medical Center–Edmonds; University of Washington School of Medicine, 1985
Vik Dabhi, M.D., Ph.D., gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer; Pacific Medical Centers, First Hill, 1101 Madison St., First Hill Tower, Seattle, 206.505.1300; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, 1998
12 years Philip J. Gold, M.D., gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer, clinical trials, colon and rectal cancer; Swedish Cancer Institute, Medical Oncology, 1221 Madison St., Suite 200, Seattle, 206.386.2121; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; University of Miami School of Medicine, 1991
11 years Julie Gralow, M.D., breast cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, 1988
William P. Harris, M.D., gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2001
Celestia S. Higano, M.D., prostate cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.288.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Massachusetts Medical School, 1979
Peter Y.Z. Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., breast cancer, genitourinary tract cancer, melanoma; The Everett Clinic, 1717 13th St., Suite 300, Seattle, 425.297.5500; Providence Regional Medical Center Everett; Northern China University of Science and Technology, 1986
Douglas J. Lee, M.D., adult oncology, breast cancer; Swedish Cancer Institute, 21632 State Route 99, Edmonds, 425.673.8300; Swedish Medical Center–Edmonds; Yale University School of Medicine, 1981
Renato G. Martins, M.D., lung and head/neck cancer, mesothelioma, salivary gland tumors; Thoracic Surgery Clinic at University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4477; University of Washington Medical Center; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992
Robert B. Montgomery, M.D., prostate and genitourinary cancer, clinical trials, immunotherapy; University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.288.1000; University of Washington Medical Center, Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System; Duke University School of Medicine, 1987
11 years Vincent J. Picozzi Jr., M.D., gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer; Virginia Mason, Hematology and Oncology, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.223.6193; Virginia Mason Medical Center; Stanford University School of Medicine, 1978
John A. Thompson, M.D., melanoma, kidney cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.6570; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, 1979
Evan Y. Yu, M.D., testicular cancer, genitourinary cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Washington School of Medicine, 1998
Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncologists specialize in treating cancer with radiation therapy.
Kasra Ray Badiozamani, M.D., testicular cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer; Virginia Mason, Radiation Oncology, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.223.6801; Virginia Mason Medical Center; University of Washington School of Medicine, 1995
Christopher Canning, M.D., malignant and benign neoplastic diseases; Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 201 16th Ave. E, Seattle, 206.326.3000; Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; University of Utah College of Medicine, 2001
Michael A. Hunter, M.D., breast cancer, lung cancer, colon and rectal cancer; EvergreenHealth Radiation Oncology, 12040 NE 128th St., Green 1211, Kirkland, 425.899.1860; EvergreenHealth; Yale University School of Medicine, 1989
11 Years Wui-Jin Koh, M.D., gynecologic cancers, brachytherapy, gastrointestinal cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.606.7222; University of Washington Medical Center; Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 1984
George E. Laramore, M.D., Ph.D., neutron therapy for advanced cancer, salivary gland tumors, skin, head and neck cancers; University of Washington Medical Center, Radiation Oncology, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4009; University of Washington Medical Center; University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1976
Nina A. Mayr, M.D., breast and gynecologic cancers, brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT); University of Washington Medical Center, Radiation Oncology, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.4100; University of Washington Medical Center; Ludwig-Maximilian University, Germany, 1985
Jason K. Rockhill, M.D., Ph.D., brain tumors and gliomas, stereotactic radiosurgery, medulloblastoma; University of Washington Medical Center, Radiation Oncology, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, 206.598.2282; University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center; University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1998
10 Years Kenneth J. Russell, M.D., genitourinary and prostate cancer, lymphoma, bladder cancer; Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E, Seattle, 206.288.7318; University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance; Harvard Medical School, 1979
Robert K. Takamiya, M.D., chemo/radiation combined therapy, prostate cancer, breast cancer; Swedish Cancer Institute, 21605 76th Ave. W, Suite 100, Edmonds, 425.640.4300; Swedish Medical Center–Edmonds, Swedish Medical Center–First Hill; New York University School of Medicine, 1999
Michelle Yao, M.D., breast cancer, head and neck cancer; Virginia Mason, Radiation Oncology, 1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, 206.223.6801; Virginia Mason Medical Center; University of Michigan Medical School, 1993