Who We Are

In July of 1975, Dr. Soronen began his practice of radiation oncology in Tacoma. In 1979, he and Dr. Howard Wong opened the first office of Tacoma Radiation Oncology in Jackson Hall. After two years, the need for a clinic in Puyallup arose and Valley Radiation Oncology Center came into existence. In 2004, the centers combined to form Tacoma/Valley Radiation Oncology Centers.

A Team Approach

Within our centers, our board certified radiation oncologists lead a highly trained health care team. We have full-time board certified medical physicists and dosimetrists who work closely with our physicians to ensure optimal treatment planning and delivery. Our therapists are certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technologists in Radiation Therapy. Our physicians work close with your other doctors to provide a coordinated delivery for your care.

Accreditation

Tacoma/Valley Radiation Oncology Centers are accredited by the American College of Radiation Oncology.

Receiving national accreditation indicates our facilities and services have undergone extensive evaluation.

Our Services

Tacoma/Valley Radiation Oncology Centers provide radiation treatment including:

• IGRT - Image Guided Radiation Therapy
• HDR - High Dose Rate Brachytherapy
• IMRT - Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
• MammoSite Radiation Therapy System
• 3-D Conformal Therapy
• Prostate seed implantation
• Interstitial implants
• Gynecologic implants
• Stereotactic radiosurgery
• Total body irradiation
• External beam

High-tech treatment planning equipment compliments our medical staff's years of training and hands-on experience to give you the best treatment planning services available. Your physician may opt to facilitate your treatment using technologies including:

• 3-D computer generated treatment planning services
• Dedicated CT scanner

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

To ensure you receive the best treatment possible, we believe you should be aware of both your rights and responsibilities:

As a patient, you have the right to:


• Be treated compassionately, with respect, consideration and dignity.
• Be cared for by properly trained and professional personnel.
• Confidential management of your private healthcare records and information.
• Participate in decisions involving your healthcare, and be informed of any responsibilities you may have in the care process - unless for medical reasons this is not possible.
• Be informed of the services offered by our practice.
• Change physicians if you wish.
• Refuse treatment or services.
• Be informed of our charges and policy concerning billing and payment for services.
• Be informed of the process for submitting a complaint to both our practice and the state Department of Health.
• Privacy of your medical records. A copy of our Privacy Practices will be given to you.

As a patient, you have the responsibility to:


• Follow directions, specifically as those instructions relate to treatment preparation and skin markings.
• Ask questions about any aspect of your treatment procedure or follow up.
• Provide accurate information. We expect patients to provide clear and accurate contact information, insurance coverage and health history.
• Accept financial liability. You are responsible for your bill.
• Respect and protect others. Due to the compromised immune systems of our patients, sick or recently immunized adults or children should not come to the office.

Controlling Costs

Our staff is concerned about the rising costs of health care. In an effort to keep costs down, we ask patients to make all co-payments at the time of service; this eliminates the expense associated with mailing out bills for co-payments.

We are preferred providers for most regional insurance plans and we are participating providers for Medicare. We bill primary and secondary insurers directly.

To ensure the procedures associated with your care are covered, please check with your insurer prior to treatment.

Tacoma/Valley Radiation Oncology Centers accept VISA and MasterCard. In cases of financial hardship, payment arrangements can be made. Questions can be directed to our Patient Accounts department at (253) 627-0470, extension 324.