Providence Cancer Center
In her role as medical director of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Christine Cha draws on a breadth of experiences as an educator, clinician and team leader. Dr. Cha originally planned on a career in bioengineering, but when lung cancer claimed the lives of both of her grandfathers, she changed paths and entered the study of medicine. As a student at the University of Michigan Medical School, she gravitated toward the field of radiation oncology, which offered the ideal pairing of her love of science and her passion for helping people with cancer. After earning a combined bachelor’s and medical degree at the university, she went to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City to complete a radiation oncology residency. She became a clinical assistant member of the center in 1997.
Prior to joining Providence in 2003, Dr. Cha practiced for five years in the Radiation Oncology Division of the Virginia Mason Medical Center. Her practice there focused on breast cancer and gastrointestinal malignancies. When she joined Providence, she brought with her extensive experience with external beam radiation, radiation implants (brachytherapy), three-dimensional conformal therapy and combined-modality disease management. Dr. Cha is certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology.
- Dr. Cha served as the medical editor for KIRO-7 Eyewitness News (CBS) in Seattle from 2000 to 2002, appearing as an on-air medical reporter three times a week and serving as a medical expert and editor for breaking stories.
- From 1999 to 2003, Dr. Cha created and co-hosted "Cancer Talk with Dr. Christine Cha," a series of educational webcasts for www.HealthTalk.com.
- As the program director for the Asian Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Dr. Cha provided education and outreach to the Asian-speaking community of Puget Sound to raise awareness of clinical trials in breast cancer.
"I give each patient the same treatment recommendation that I would give to my family members," says Dr. Cha. "As I have seen with my own family, the best cancer care is delivered with the true collaboration of a team of cancer specialists. Providence Cancer Center has it all: the physicians, the resources, the support care and the clinical research. My goal is simply to help Providence continue to provide the highest professional standard of care for its patients."