[6 min read]
In this article:
- Patients from around the world come to Swedish for expert, compassionate care.
- Swedish clinicians and researchers are saving lives with leading edge, first-in-the-world treatments and research.
- Clinical trials in specialty areas, including oncology and neuroscience, are improving many patients' quality of by changing the way we approach certain diseases and conditions.
Providence Swedish hit the airwaves of the Puget Sound region on Sept. 19 for a special edition of KING 5’s New Day Northwest that explored how clinical excellence, innovation and compassion have made Swedish a destination for patients from around the United States and the world.
“Throughout our history Swedish has been a destination for world-class care,” said Elizabeth Wako, M.D., interim president and CEO of Swedish Health Services. “We are home to some of the brightest and best minds in medicine and research. Whether they are struggling with a chronic illness or facing a life-threatening or hard-to-treat disease, patients come to us from around the country and the world. Our caregivers provide the finest leading edge, first-in-the-world, and often, life-saving treatments and care, which are delivered with compassion, respect and a genuine desire to ensure that every person who comes to us can live their healthiest life.”
Comprehensive, cutting-edge care
The hour-long segment, hosted by Emerald City favorite Amity Addrisi, emphasized how Swedish’s deep roots in the Puget Sound region have supported its growth into a destination for advanced, specialized care. Featured on the hour-long program were experts from the Swedish Cancer Institute (SCI); the Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute (SHVI); the Swedish Neuroscience Institute (SNI); and educators and leaders from Providence Swedish’s nursing team. Guests included:
Clinical Research Director Philip Gold, M.D., who discussed the wide range of clinical trials under way at SCI, which is currently participating in hundreds of clinical trials to broaden our understanding of cancer and improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with cancer.
Surgical Oncologist Evan Ong, M.D., who discussed an advanced form of heated chemotherapy that is being used to treat abdominal cancer.
Medical Director of Structural Heart Diseases Sameer Gafoor, M.D., who discussed TAVR, a method being used to replace heart valves without traditional open-heart surgery.
Program Coordinator of Swedish’s Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program, Erin Lomas, RN, MSN, who explained how the technique is saving the lives of patients experiencing critical heart and lung failure.
Neurosurgeon Tony Wang, M.D., an expert in focused ultrasound, a procedure that is changing the lives of patients with essential tremor and other neurological conditions.
Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Center Medical Director James Bowen, M.D., who shared how Swedish is advancing our understanding of MS and treatments for patients with MS. Swedish has the largest MS Center in the Northwest.
Chief Nursing Officer Renee Rassilyer-Bomers, DNP, who provided a look inside Swedish’s Nursing Simulation Center, which provides training for nurses in a state-of-the-art environment.
You can watch the special edition of New Day Northwest in its entirety here.
About Providence Swedish
Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and nearly 250 clinics. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides more than $406 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound Region each year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer care, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care.
Learn more and find a provider
If you have a health issue or concern, it’s important to see a provider for the right care when you need it. Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, Providence Swedish is here for you.
For urgent, walk-in or after-hours care, visit one of our Swedish Urgent Care facilities. Swedish Express Care Virtual connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our Swedish provider directory. If you have questions about care for your children or want to schedule vaccines and immunizations for them, contact Swedish Pediatrics or your child’s primary care provider.
Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council.
Additional resources
Watch videos: Learn how Swedish's MS Center Adventure Program fosters joy and community
Milestone in procedure to fix leaky hearts
Focused ultrasound treats tremors, restoring patients' quality of life
After massive heart attack, ECMO saved Vivek's life
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
