Puyallup Tribe of Indians Announces New Cancer Center Opening in Fife, Wash.

FIFE, Wash., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- "It is with full honor and dignity of our Tribal Council, tribal members, reservation, and ancestors, that I announce the opening of Salish Integrative Oncology Care Center (SIOCC). As the first Tribal-owned Cancer Care Center in Indian Country and the United States, SIOCC will be a new, state-of-the-art Cancer Care Clinic in Fife, Washington, the heart of the Puyallup Indian Reservation," says Tribal Chairman, Bill Sterud.  

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The new 8,200 square foot cancer center will have 23 infusion chairs that will be housed on the first floor of the Puyallup Tribe-owned Trans Pacific building, located at the Interstate 5/Port of Tacoma exit. The grand opening is expected to be early spring of 2015.   

"As the indigenous keepers of the Puyallup Tribe Indian Reservation, we have a strong ancestral bond with nature and creation. We believe that natural healing through traditional roots, berries, herbs and traditional healing can blend with modern oncology practices," says Chairman Sterud. It is with the foundation of "Integrative Medicine" that the Puyallup Tribe has hired many of the former providers of Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center (SCTWC). We are building upon traditional oncology (chemotherapy, radiation and other pharmaceutical treatments) with whole person integrative medicine, such as naturopathy, Native American treatments, acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

"Most of our allopathic community doesn't believe in how we practice medicine with complementary care," says Kim M. Sunner, Practice Administrator.  "However, the Puyallup Tribe, who has operated the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) since the early 1970's, wants to build upon the established proven success record that mixes traditional and natural healing." 

"I am grateful to the Puyallup Tribe for their vision and their resolution to sponsor an integrative oncologic care center in a setting of restorative tranquility and to have chosen many of the providers of the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center team to carry out this vision," says Medical Oncologist, Dr. Paolo Paciucci. "I am very excited to continue to work with a group of people that practice cancer medicine in a setting that is quite different from that of compartmentalized, often fractured and "institutionalized" model of larger oncology centers. I have come to appreciate the kindness, humanistic and personal care that is delivered by this group of practitioners, nurses, coordinators, patient navigators whose foremost goal is that of delivering individualized and compassionate state-of-the-art medicine. We all know that one does not "cure" ailments with infusions of drugs only: the friendly atmosphere, the attentive dedication of a team of professionals, the concurrent treatments imparted by a group of exceptional naturopathic practitioners helps shatter the negative mythology associated with "cancer" and its often fearful implications," continues Dr. Paolo Paciucci.

About the Center

The Salish Integrative Oncology Care Center (SIOCC) will be staffed by board-certified medical oncologists and naturopathic oncologists, as well as natural cancer care and complementary cancer care practitioners who are experts in providing innovative treatment for most types of cancer.   

The Puyallup Tribe wants to bring integrative cancer care to Native Americans and non-Native Americans alike and participate in cancer research. SIOCC will feature numerous amenities to make patients' time there as comfortable as possible. For example, to help instill a serene atmosphere and peace of mind for patients, chemotherapy treatment rooms will offer beautiful views of the majestic Mount Rainier. Outdoor treatment areas will be available in the spring and summer months.   

For more information on the Salish Integrative Oncology Center, call Lauree Ombrellaro, Transition Manager at (253) 680-5772, or visit our web site at www.SalishOncology.com.

Clinic Contact:
Lauree Ombrellaro / Transition Manager
Puyallup Tribe of Indians
p: 253-382-6300 / [email protected]

Media Contact:
John Weymer
Tacoma Weekly
p: 253-405-4893 / Email

SOURCE Puyallup Tribe of Indians