About Sound Cancer Connections

"Providing Resources to Complement Conventional Medical Care"

	Our Mission Sound Cancer Connections provides local resources for cancer patients and their families in Southwest Washington by addressing the mind, body, and spirit to improve quality of life. This program coordinates education and facilitates the integration of care between conventional medicine and complementary therapies.
	Our Vision To provide healing opportunities through knowledge, access, and partnerships for the best possible outcome for the person with cancer.
	Integrative Medicine [Includes the terms Integrative Care, Integrative Oncology, Complementry & Alternative Medicine (CAM), and others] Integrative Medicine combines conventional medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and medication, with complementary care. Complementary care includes any modality, which “complements” conventional medical treatment; such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, naturopathy, and much more. Sound Cancer Connections hopes to serve the needs of the South Sound cancer community by connecting patients with cancer to local resources in Integrative Medicine. We have chosen modalities which have been proven to be effective in helping alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatments. Where there is no evidence to prove effectiveness, safety has been established. We utilize information from the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National Institute for Health, and many other reputable sources (see Resources). This is a new service in the South Sound area. There are many products and services available to consumers to augment medical treatment. During this vulnerable time of a cancer diagnosis, we hope to be your guide through all that is available to you by doing your homework for you: by providing education about terminology, by selecting individual providers throughout the community who are eager to form partnerships with the medical community, by informing you about the latest information, research, trends, and potential harmful interactions of natural supplements with your medical treatments. We have partnered with practitioners in the Olympia area to provide the following services: • Yoga • Acupuncture, • Nutrition Services • Massage More services will be added over time. To find out more information about what services may help you, please contact Sound Cancer Connections.

Our Staff:
	Medical Director: Evan Hirsch. MD, ABHM Evan completed his residency in Family Medicine from Providence St. Peter Family Practice in June 2007. He is board certified as a Holistic Medicine Doctor. Evan is trained as a yoga teacher and in medical acupuncture as well. He opened a Holistic Family Practice in September of 2007 in Olympia.
	Nurse Coordinator: Rosemary Spyhalsky, RN, OCN, HN-BC. Rosemary has been a nurse since 1998, working primarily as an oncology nurse administering chemotherapy. Her passion in holistic nursing led her to pursue education and training in this specialty. She is a graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Program through The BirchTree Center for HealthCare Transformation. Rosemary is certified both as an Oncology Nurse and as a Holistic Nurse, Board Certified.  She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the American Holistic Nursing Association. She has been a nurse volunteer at Harmony Hill during cancer retreats and is a founding member of Voice for Healers in Healthcare.

Our Partners

Sound Cancer Connections is a partnership of Providence St. Peter Hospital, RadiantCare Radiation Oncology, and Providence Western Washington Oncology. These three medical facilities have joined forces to support this program since its inception. Their dedication to the well being of people in our community faced with a cancer diagnosis, and the subsequent impact on all levels for that person, have culminated in a commitment to offer services to assist the whole person through Sound Cancer Connections.

Our Advisory Council
	Karen M. Buckley, LICSW, ACSW, OSW-C Karen earned her Masters in Social Work from UCLA and a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. She holds an advanced certification in Oncology Social Work. Today, Karen works for Providence St. Peter Hospital. She provides counseling to those facing cancer. Karen also has a private practice in Olympia. Her practice services clients with mental health challenges, diversity issues and adoption. Karen brings a nice connection to the board between working with medical institutions, the community, clients and their loved ones. Karen hopes the services at Sound Cancer Connections empower patients to utilize a full spectrum of resources to heal.
	Lani Fullerton R.T.(T) CMD Lani is the Operations Administrator for RadiantCare Radiation Oncology. She has enjoyed working with cancer patients in the South Sound region for over 18 years.
	Mara Gunn, RN Mara is Clinical Supervisor at RadiantCare Radiation Oncology. She has 28 years of oncology experience in all aspects of cancer care. Mara is very committed to promoting care of the whole person.
	David Horton, MD Dr. Horton is one of the founding members of RadiantCare Radiation Therapy.   Dr. Horton has practiced radiation oncology in the Olympia area for nearly 20 years. He supports the integration of alternative treatments with conventional care for the cancer patients of our community.
	Kari Karch, MBA Kari has a Masters in Business Administration and is the Clinical Oncology Director of Providence Western Washington Oncology. She has been in healthcare for over ten years and is interested in supporting and developing the patient care continuum through services such as those included as part of Sound Cancer Connections.
	James J. Lechner, MD Dr. Lechner has been behind the scenes working on developing services for comprehensive cancer care for the past several years. He is the Medical Director of the Cancer Service Line at PSPH.
	Ann Monaghan, RN, BSN, BA, OCN Ann is the Director of Oncology and Medical/Renal at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Ann Monaghan RN, OCN has a bachelor of nursing degree and a master’s in public administration. She has been a nurse for over 30 years. Ann focuses on creating healing environments for patients, families, and staff. Ann’s energy and commitment have been pivotal in the development of Sound Cancer Connections. A rooftop-healing garden is her current Oncology Unit project.
	Haleigh Werner, MD Dr. Werner is on staff at RadiantCare Radiation Oncology. She thoroughly enjoys working and visiting with patients and their families. “I hope to bring my excitement and interest in integrative medicine to the council and hope patients can and will receive excellent medical care through the use of Western Medicine and complementary care,” Dr. Haleigh Werner.
	Cobie Whitten, PhD Cobie received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on PsychoOncology, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For the past 8 years, she has been a Research Investigator with the Cancer Unit at the Washington State Department of Health. Cobie also co-chairs the Survivorship, Palliative Care, and End-of-Life Issues subcommittee for the Washington State Comprehensive Cancer Control Partnership. Cobie is a adjunct faculty at Saint Martin's University and has taught Death & Dying as well as Psychology of the Family.
	Jana Wiley, L.Ac., R.N., M.S. Jana is a local Olympia acupuncturist in private practice. Her 17 years of clinical acupuncture work has been with immune system deficiencies, oncology and pain management. In addition, Jana has been a nurse for over 26 years, with a strong background in cardiology, nursing management and administration. She appreciates the opportunity to support the integration of new approaches into the treatment protocols faced by those going through cancer therapies.
	Virginia Wise, BA Ed, LMP, CCST, CYI Yoga Instructor, Cranio-Sacral Therapist, Cancer Survivor Virginia Wise has been a Yoga instructor in the South Sound since 1993.  Also a massage therapist, she recently completed certification in Cranio-Sacral Therapy. In July 2007 she was diagnosed with lymphoma (fNHL) and underwent chemotherapy treatments from August 2007 through April 2008.  During treatment and since, she has found complementary care to be invaluable.  She is interested in making diverse self-care options available to cancer patients and in promoting healthy choices in the general population.