Meet Drs. Janice Kim and Waylene Wang, Fred Hutch breast cancer specialists who are taking a more active role at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center - Proton Therapy. We would also like to introduce you to our social worker, Elizabeth Darlington, MSW, LICSW, and patient care coordinator, Morgan Lewis, who both directly support proton therapy patients.
Introducing Dr. Janice Kim and Dr. Waylene Wang, breast cancer experts
Although Dr. Janice Kim and Dr. Waylene Wang have been with UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (formerly, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) for many years, they have recently taken a more active role in treating breast cancer with proton radiation at Fred Hutch. Dr. Kim and Dr. Wang are both specialists in all forms of radiation treatment for breast cancer.
Dr. Kim is excited to treat more patients using proton radiation. “We’ve had some big successes with breast cancer in the past years, curing a lot of people,” she says. “Now that patients are living longer, we want to make sure that the treatment they receive has fewer long-term side effects. Proton therapy can minimize radiation to healthy tissues near the tumor, which, in turn, helps reduce the risk of side effects.”
Dr. Wang concurs. “We are committed to always enhancing treatments. Proton therapy is an opportunity to improve upon the excellent results we have achieved in breast cancer care.”
Because radiation to nearby healthy tissues can lead to heart and lung disease and other major heart events, standard radiation calls for a lower dose to the breast, chest wall and lymph nodes. However, because proton therapy can be delivered with such precision to only the affected area, there is nearly no exit dose. By reducing radiation to surrounding healthy organs, proton therapy allows the maximum dose to be precisely directed at tumor cells.
Dr. Kim and Dr. Wang say they love working in breast oncology. “The patients are so amazing, so strong and inspirational. This group resonates with us, maybe because most are women and mothers and have similar life experiences. It is wonderful to make those connections,” says Dr. Kim.
“It is motivating to be able to definitively help someone,” says Dr. Wang. “And to be able to really customize treatment for each patient with the large arsenal of treatment options, which is something we continue to strive for in breast cancer.”
In her free time, Dr. Wang has been enjoying all the activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer, especially now that her children are grown. She and her husband recently completed a drive down the Oregon coast. Dr. Kim and her family recently enjoyed an Amtrak trip out to Glacier National Park, which she says felt “very Harry Potter-esque.” Both feel extremely lucky to have their family and health.
And both doctors want the inspirational sisterhood that is the breast cancer survivor group to get the word out: “Breast cancer is curable, and our treatment improvements mean that life after cancer can be fulfilling and wonderful.”
Social work services for proton therapy patients
Supportive care services outside medical intervention are an important part of cancer treatment. At Fred Hutch, our team of social workers can help patients navigate the many non-medical aspects of their care and well-being. Each social worker works closely with their respective medical teams, as well as with supportive care services such as psychiatry, psychology, spiritual care and patient navigation.
Our social worker for proton therapy is Elizabeth Darlington, MSW, LICSW. She coordinates with nurses, doctors, radiation therapists, our child life specialist and concierge staff to serve proton therapy patients and their families. Her goal is to provide every patient with individualized care to help make the process as smooth as it possibly can be, given the difficult circumstances of facing a cancer diagnosis.
“Every person coming into our doors is different,” says Darlington. “Some are just beginning to adjust to a new diagnosis. Others may be experiencing a recurrence and know what to expect. Some patients are very young, some are in a great deal of physical pain, some are worried about all the unknowns of their cancer experience, and some would like a way to connect with others. As the proton therapy social worker, I am here for all of them.”
Darlington’s two main roles are to provide emotional and mental health support to patients, caregivers and family members, and to offer resources for lodging, finances, community programs, mental health providers, support groups and more.
With a master’s in social work and a license in independent clinical social work, Darlington can provide mental health assessments and therapy. She schedules an initial appointment with patients to get to know them, their story, and any issues they are dealing with — both cancer-related and otherwise. If time allows, she can meet with patients on an ongoing basis while they are receiving treatment, or she can consult and refer patients to additional mental health services, including helping people find counselors in their community. Darlington also connects people to support groups. One local organization she often suggests is Cancer Lifeline, which provides cancer-related information, resources and support groups.
“I can also assist with helping patients navigate the ins and outs of relocating to Seattle for cancer treatment,” says Darlington. “People have many questions about lodging, finances, food, transportation logistics. I get a lot of questions like, ‘How will I be able to make ends meet if I can’t work at this time?’ and, ‘Who will take care of my young children when I am in treatment?’ There are no easy answers, but I can listen, problem-solve and be supportive in any way that I can.”
To reach Darlington for an appointment, please call her at (206) 306-2815 or ask to be connected with her through our concierge team.
Meet Morgan Lewis, Patient Care Coordinator
Last July, Morgan Lewis became a patient care coordinator at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center – Proton Therapy. But before she began a career in health care, Lewis was a pastry chef! Although Lewis still enjoys baking and cooking, when a former coworker invited her to join them at Fred Hutch, she bid au revoir to the pastry world and came to us.
“The experiences I’ve had and the connections I’ve made since that decision have changed my life entirely, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else,” says Lewis.
Lewis grew up on the shores of Puget Sound, playing with her two older brothers and a dog. Now, she lives on the shores of Green Lake with two fur babies, Bjorn and Nova. She enjoys hiking and spends a lot of time at parks, beaches and trails to wear out the dogs.
“I met my partner, Terry, while working in the food industry, so we love trying new restaurants and recipes together. We also really enjoy camping and day trips to the San Juan Islands and Eastern Washington with our friends. If I’m stuck inside, I like reading mystery novels,” says Lewis.
Lewis’ role as patient care coordinator includes scheduling consults, organizing scans, labs and procedures, gathering medical records, handling insurance claims and prior authorizations and answering the many questions patients have.
“We’re normally the first people that patients talk to when seeking proton therapy, but we also help with communication between doctors and new patients,” says Lewis.
We’re so glad to have Lewis in this vital role — and we hope she’ll bring in some baked goods from time to time.
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