Providence Cancer System

Maury Blitman, M.D.

Dr. Blitman is American board certified hematologist/medical oncologist, with expertise in cancer-care management of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. He also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of non-malignant hematological disorders. Dr. Blitman received his medical degree from the Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania and a hematology-oncology fellowship with the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research in Philadelphia.

Dan Byrd, M.D.

Dr. Byrd is board certified in hematology and internal medicine, and works as a hospitalist specializing in oncology. Dr. Byrd completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Oregon Health Sciences University, where he also did his residency and internship in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from University of Texas Southwestern Medial School at Dallas. Most recently, he worked as a medical oncologist at Hillsboro Hematology Oncology in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Harry Griffith, M.D.

Dr. Griffith is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine. His oncology and hematology training was completed at the University of Southern California. He has been practicing in Washington since 1991. Dr. Griffith is American board certified in hematology, medical oncology and internal medicine. He also participates in clinical trials in medical oncology.

Michael Harris, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Dr. Harris is a graduate of Wayne State University of Medicine. He is American board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He completed his medical oncology fellowship at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. In addition, he has held the teaching position of Full Professor of Medicine at the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Harris has been a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology since 1982 and has been a Fellow in the American College of Physicians since 1994.

Fen Jiang, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Jiang specializes in hematology and oncology, with board certification in internal medicine. Prior to joining PWWO, she completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of California’s Irvine Medical Center. Dr. Jiang did her residency training at the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, where she also earned a Ph.D. in Pathology. She received her medical degree from Taishan Medical College in Shangdong, China.

James Lechner, M.D.

Dr. Lechner is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine. His oncology and hematology training was completed at the Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Lechner is American board certified in medical oncology as well as internal medicine. He also participates in clinical trials in medical oncology.

Paul Robertson, M.D.

Dr. Robertson is a graduate of the Utah School of Medicine. His oncology/hematology training was done at U.C.L.A. Medical Center. Dr. Robertson is American board certified in internal medicine, oncology and hematology. He also participates in medical oncology clinical trials.

Xingwei Sui, M.D.

Born and raised in a small town in China, Dr. Sui earned his M.D. from Qingdao University, China, and his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo, Japan. He did his postdoctoral research in hematology at Vanderbilt University, an internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee, and a medical oncology fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington. He is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. He was associate professor at Shangdong University and research assistant professor at Vanderbilt. He has authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and a monograph.

Hui Wang, M.D.

Dr. Wang is American board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. She recently completed a medical oncology fellowship at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Wang completed an internal medicine residency at the Medical University of Ohio in Toledo, where she also received a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. She earned her medical degree from Shandong Medical University in China.

Chad Aschtgen, N.D., FABNO

Dr. Aschtgen specializes in integrative oncology and providing expert naturopathic care for patients with cancer or interest in cancer prevention. He welcomes patients at every stage of diagnosis and treatment. Whether newly diagnosed, currently receiving conventional treatment (including chemotherapy, biological therapies, radiation and pre-/post-surgery), recently post-treatment or in remission, individuals facing the difficulties of cancer have a great resource in Dr. Aschtgen.

Joanna Cashman, RN, E-RYT

Joanna is the founder of the Radiant Health Yoga teacher training program and a faculty member at the Harmony Hill Cancer Retreat Center and Wild Grace Arts/Center for Yoga & Dance. Joanna is also a professor at Evergreen State College, teaching “Mind-Body Medicine” and dance. She is registered with the National Yoga Alliance specializing in therapeutic applications of yoga.

Dennis Clarin, MTCM, LAc, Dipl.Ac

Dennis holds a Master's degree of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM) from The Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NIAOM). He is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Washington and is certified as a Diplomat in Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Dennis operates a general practice with interest on treating patients looking for an adjunct to conventional cancer treatment. His work is focused on stimulating and supporting the body's inherent healing mechanisms. Dennis has studied and practiced complementary therapies including Taiji Chuan, Qigong and meditation. He sees patients of all ages for acute and chronic conditions as well as preventative medicine.

Christina French, PT

Christina is a physical therapist at Providence Centralia Hospital, specializing in lymphedema. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. While she has spent seven years in the field, she has spent the past four treating patients with lymphedema and cancer-related impairments. She received lymphedema certification through the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and later achieved national certification through the Lymphedema Association of North America.

Marci McNaghten

Diagnosed with cancer at age 13, Marci is a longtime survivor of childhood leukemia. For most of her career as a writer and editor, she’s worked at hospitals and focused on healthcare topics, including cancer. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, she moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1996, where she and her husband are now happily living and trying to keep up with their three high-energy kids.

Laura Nimon, OTR/L, CLT-LANA

Laura is an occupational therapist at Providence St. Peter Hospital specializing in lymphedema, oncology rehabilitation and manual therapy. She spent her early career working in the acute/inpatient setting before making the transition to the oupatient setting. She received her training from the University of Puget Sound and originally worked for Providence in Anchorage, Alaska. She is certified through Klose Training and the Lymphology Association of North America.

Tammy Ventura, RN, BSN, OCN

Tammy has been a Registered Nurse for 24 years. She has specialized in Oncology for most of her career working in the outpatient chemotherapy clinic, home care and hospice. She has spent the last 15 years serving the patients at Providence St. Peter Hospital Oncology Inpatient Unit. She currently works as an experienced resource Charge Nurse on the day shift. Tammy obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in 2008 from University of Washington, Tacoma and has been Oncology Certified since 1999. For the past 5 years, she has enjoyed acting as Team Captain for the “Oncostriders” the Oncology Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society.

Cobie Whitten, Ph.D.

Dr. Whitten has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.She has extensive experience working with cancer patients and currently co-chairs the Survivorship, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues Taskforce of Washington CARES About Cancer and is a faculty member at Harmony Hill Retreat Center. Previously, Dr. Whitten worked for the Washington State Department of Health in the Washington Breast & Cervical Health Program and has taught at Saint Martin's University. Her passion is creating survivorship services for cancer patients and their families at all points along the cancer continuum.

Richard Whitten, M.D.

Dr. Whitten is a Pathologist with Cellnetix Pathology and the Laborator Medical Director at Providence St. Peter Hospital. He is also chairman of the Transfusion Committee and Medical Director of the Anemia and Coagulation Clinic at PSPH. Dr. Whitten received his medical degree from University of Utah College of Medicine, did an internship in Internal Medicine and completed his residency in Pathology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. He collaborates in ongoing research in Africa on the pathogenesis of severe malaria with an international team of malariologists and tropical pathologists.

Lynn Davidson, support partner

Lynn Davidson lives in Chehalis, WA. Her husband of 16 years, Jim, was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. She has been a volunteer at the Lewis County Cancer Center, where Jim received treatment, since April of 2010.

Rebecca Seago-Coyle, Breast Cancer Survivor

I'm Rebecca and I am 37 years old - a wife, project manager, and overall fitness enthusiast. Two years ago (age 35) I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found a lump in my breast in 2009 and asked my doctor about it but was told I was too young and I wasn’t at risk because the breast cancer that was in my family was on my father’s side. I waited a year and finally found a doctor that just decided to go through the motions. I’m grateful for her – ‘just in case’ method. I found out that the lump was indeed cancer and I later found out that I tested positive for BRCA 2. 2010 was supposed to be my year of events. I set a New Year's resolution for the first time and it was to do an event each month – whether it be a ½ marathon, full marathon, century ride, triathlon, whatever…it was my way of making goals and following through as well as staying in shape. Ironically being fit is what made my fight a little easier. Cancer was an unplanned, unwelcomed event and yes…it did throw a wrench into my plan but at the end of the year I earned a new title - Breast Cancer Survivor.