Cancer services expand at Edmonds and honor a physician’s legacy
The center honors the late Dr. Jeffery C. Ward, who for more than 30 years provided whole-person, compassionate care for patients with cancer in the Edmonds community.
This month, Providence Swedish Cancer Institute Edmonds opened an expanded and renamed infusion center: The Jeffery C. Ward, M.D. Infusion Center. The revamped space doubles infusion capacity at the Center, growing from 19 to 38 chairs, along with additional exam space and an expanded pharmacy.
The center is named in honor of Dr. Jeffery Ward, M.D., who cared for patients in Edmonds for more than 30 years before his death in 2022. Dr. Ward, shown during a playful moment in the photo at right, was widely known for his compassionate, whole-person approach to oncology. His legacy continues through the clinicians he mentored and through ongoing work to expand equitable access to cancer treatment and clinical trials.
“This is something more than just renewed walls in a building and new chairs,” said Dr. Ashwani Rajput, regional executive medical director for Providence Swedish Cancer Institute (PSCI). “This represents the extraordinary things that can happen when a community works together and helps people facing cancer have not only the best oncologic treatments, but the best environment of support and community around them.”
Meeting a growing need—with better outcomes
Due to advancements in oncology, more patients than ever are receiving better treatments and continued care over time. Demand for cancer services across Snohomish County continues to increase, with most local infusion programs operating at capacity.
Providence Swedish is investing in cancer care in Snohomish County. PSCI opened a new infusion center and medical oncology clinic on the Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Colby Campus last fall. Recent equipment upgrades at the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership and the Providence Comprehensive Breast Center in Everett are giving more patients access to the latest technology and treatments.
“Dr. Ward didn’t just teach oncology—he taught us how to show up for patients. You see his legacy every day in how we care for people and their families.” — Kelly Paulson, M.D., oncologist and researcher at PSCI-Edmonds and director of the-Center for Immuno-oncology-at the-Paul G. Allen Research Center at Providence Swedish Cancer Institute
Edmonds is also seeing major growth in oncology research and clinical trials, expanding access to advanced treatments; trial enrollment grew from 5 patients in 2022 to 95 in 2025.
The PSCI-Edmonds project is largely funded through philanthropy. The Swedish Foundation received significant contributions from cancer patients and their loved ones to support this effort. In addition, Providence Swedish medical staff, representing approximately 3,500 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, gave $100,000 in honor of Dr. Ward and his legacy.
These investments are focused on one goal: Ensuring patients can receive top-tier cancer care without leaving their community.
Honoring Dr. Jeffery Ward’s legacy
Dr. Ward served the Edmonds community for more than 30 years as an oncologist and leader, known for his unwavering focus on the whole patient—not just the disease. His approach continues to influence care today through the clinicians he mentored, including Dr. Kelly Paulson.
Dr. Paulson is an oncologist and researcher at PSCI-Edmonds and director of the-Center for Immuno-oncology-at the-Paul G. Allen Research Center at Providence Swedish Cancer Institute.
“Dr. Ward didn’t just teach oncology—he taught us how to show up for patients,” said Paulson. “You see his legacy every day in how we care for people and their families.”
One area of work Dr. Ward was particularly passionate about was policy reform to ensure all patients, especially those on Medicaid, could be eligible to participate in clinical trials. Dr. Paulson continues this work, bringing more clinical trials and leading-edge treatment options to patients in Edmonds.
In 2022 five patients were enrolled in trials at Edmonds. By 2025 that number grew to 95, with similar enrollment numbers this year. Edmonds oncology care played an instrumental role in a trial for a rare form of lung cancer, where survival rates doubled compared to prior treatments.
“That is what access means,” Paulson said. “The newest treatments aren’t limited to a distant place or a select few. It means that innovation belongs to everyone.”
About Providence Swedish Cancer Institute
Providence Swedish Cancer Institute is a world-class cancer center and leader in innovation, providing patients across the Pacific Northwest with access to expert cancer care, clinical trials and advanced treatments. As one of the top clinical trial sites in the western United States, Providence Swedish Cancer Institute offers many patients access to promising therapies that may not be widely available elsewhere, paired with personalized, whole-person support throughout the cancer journey.
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 24,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics throughout Western Washington – from Everett to Centralia. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides more than $545 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, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care. For more information, visit providence.org/swedish.