Christina Gougoutas-Fox, M.D.
Medical Co-Director
“Detecting breast cancer as early as possible, when it is small and completely curable, is our goal. Through our passion for what we do and our experience with diagnosing this disease, we provide the most thorough evaluation possible in a supportive environment.”
Training: A member of The Radiology Group, PC, Dr. Gougoutas-Fox received her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she also completed her internship in internal medicine. She then completed her residency in radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship in breast and body imaging at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Prior to joining Providence, she served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, where she was an attending physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and The Dana Farber Cancer Center. Currently Dr. Gougoutas-Fox is the regional director of digital mammography for Providence Health & Services and shares her expertise on many boards and committees guiding women's health throughout the state of Oregon. One such committee is the Medical Advisory Board for the Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. This program targets underserved Oregon women, assisting them to obtain breast and cervical cancer screenings that they otherwise would not be able to afford
Areas of Expertise: Women’s imaging, including mammography, obstetric and pelvic ultrasound, MRI of pelvis and breast; bone densitometry; image-guided procedures, including MRI-, Stereotactic- and Ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, sonohysterograms and hysterosalpingograms; general diagnostic radiology including MRI, CT and Ultrasound and Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI).
Laurel Soot, M.D., FACS
Medical Co-Director
"At the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center, we provide programs not only for breast cancer patients, but for all women with breast concerns. Our focus is on individual case management with multidisciplinary support for patients and families, including women who have no current complaints but who are at higher risk for developing breast cancer."
Training: In her leadership role at Providence, Dr. Soot has extended community outreach programs and helped facilitate the Breast Center’s involvement in a national benchmarking effort aimed at ensuring that patients receive outstanding multidisciplinary care. In addition to her work with the Breast Center, Dr. Soot is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). A member of the Oregon Clinic Westside Surgical Specialists, she is board certified in surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Following her graduation from the University of Washington Medical School, Dr. Soot spent six years as a surgical resident at OHSU. She was named the best clinical resident and best chief resident at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, where she completed portions of her residency. Dr. Soot is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has recently been appointed to a six-year term as a national representative for the Committee of Young Surgeons. In this role, she serves on the national ACS Ethics committee and has recently been nominated and elected to serve on the national ACS Advisory Council for General Surgery.
Areas of Expertise: Breast surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, MammoSite brachytherapy (certified proctor for MammoSite surgical placement), lumpectomy and skin sparing mastectomy. Board certified in General Surgery with additional interest in melanoma and soft tissue tumors. Routinely evaluates and treats patients with gallbladder disease, hernias and other common general surgery disorders.
Sue Cook, R.N., O.C.N.
Breast Services Program Manager
“My passion is to continually find ways to improve the quality of life of individuals impacted by cancer in whatever form that needs to take.”
In addition to being an Oncology Certified Nurse, Sue also holds a degree in Healthcare Administration. She has more than 30 years of oncology nursing experience, which has included inpatient oncology nursing, clinical research, oncology case management and cancer rehabilitation. Sue works to ensure that women dealing with breast cancer can receive a full spectrum of supportive services. Sue coordinates activities which improve breast cancer education for staff and patients, supportive services and access to post breast surgery garment needs of women with and without insurance. Sue collaborates with multiple community programs which aim to improve breast cancer care and prevention. More on breast health nursing services.
Diana Gaughan, R.N., O.C.N.
Oncology Nurse Navigator
"In all my 34 years of nursing, I consider my work with breast cancer patients to be my most rewarding. It is not a job I take for granted. I help patients navigate through the shock and fear they experience when first diagnosed, support them through their treatment and learn from them during their survivorship."
Diana Gaughan graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and has since worked the full spectrum of cancer care nursing, from prevention, screening and detection to survivorship and beyond. In addition, she has worked at patients' bedsides, overseen chemotherapy administration and participated in clinical trial research at the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center. As the Oncology Nurse Navigator, Diana's primary role is to educate the woman about her cancer diagnosis, and help empower her by providing information she needs to participate in planning her treatment. The Oncology Nurse Navigator is able to assess the woman's needs and guide her to the many resources available both within Providence Health & Services and the community that will help "ease the way" to breast cancer treatment. She provides respectful, knowledgeable, compassionate and timely support through the continuum of care. More on breast health nursing services.
Nancy Ledbetter, RN, CNS, APNG
Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention
"At most, 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary and can be identified with genetic testing. For these women at higher risk of developing breast cancer, early screening and preventive therapy can be live-saving. All women can benefit from diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes that also reduce cancer risk."
Nancy Ledbetter earned her nursing degree at Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree as a clinical nurse specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. She has been providing breast cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling since 2000. The importance of risk assessment and genetic testing for breast cancer has grown dramatically in the past decade. In her work at Providence, Nancy seeks to identify people who are at high risk for breast cancer so that they can benefit from early interventions and provide useful information to their families. For those with breast cancer, she provides information about their risk of having hereditary breast cancer, and what their risk means for them and their families. For people who have never had breast cancer, she provides information regarding their risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, along with cancer screening recommendations and information on cancer risk reduction strategies. She also coordinates genetic testing for those who need it. More on cancer risk assessment and prevention services.
Lois Paik, R.N., O.C.N.
MammoSite Radiation Therapy Nurse
"I teach classes and work one-on-one with patients on symptom management so that they can be as comfortable as possible during treatment. There's a lot we can do to prevent and ease potential side effects."
Lois Paik is an OCN certified nurse with 29 years of experience (including 25 years in oncology). In 1997, she moved from the University of Washington to join Providence, where she helped develop the High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy program and currently assists on HDR procedures. More on MammoSite radiation therapy.
Ann Soule, M.S.W., LCSW
Oncology Patient Advocate
"I have a passion, and it is to help patients and families cope, in the best way possible, during the sometimes frightening and confusing cancer journey. I have found over the years, that people are resourceful and resilient, particularly when they are well supported.I appreciate being able to provide that support"
Ann has been a Clinical Social Worker for over 25 years in health care, with a special focus on cancer and hospice. She provides counseling to families and couples in order to keep communication open and learn additional skills in order to be of support to each other. Ann also provides practical assistance on a variety of topics, from body-image concerns, to financial and insurance issues. She provides counseling for couples and families to foster open communication and increase skills for supporting each other. More on breast cancer patient advocacy services.
Beth Ruml, RN, MSW, LCSW
Oncology Patient Advocate
"There is a "village" of support for cancer patients at Providence. Emotional and spiritual support are important parts of treatment and can make a significant difference in ones cancer experience and outcome. Our mission is 'to know you, care for you and ease your way', from coping to resource support, we are here for you and your loved ones."
After 15 years of nursing, Beth Ruml returned to graduate school at Portland State University, receiving her MSW in 1991. She worked in hospice for 12 years before joining the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in 2005. More on breast cancer patient advocacy services.
Christine Mulder
Breast Cancer Outreach Program Coordinator
“No one can understand what it really feels like to find out you have cancer except someone who has walked that journey before. We are here to share both the facts and the feelings.”
When Chris Mulder was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 20 years ago, she had to search out information for herself. Today, she is committed to helping other women find out what they need to know through the Breast Cancer Outreach Program at the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center, a program she created. Staffed by caring volunteers who have all had breast cancer, the Breast Cancer Outreach Program is a place to go for both educational resources and emotional support. More on the Breast Cancer Outreach Program.
Paula Zellers
Transitions, An Appearance Center
Coordinator, CMF
“There is nothing more rewarding than getting a good fit and seeing the look on the person’s face when they look in the mirror. To have a woman walk out of here smiling and happy, that’s what I want."
Paula Zellers is a survivor who says she has had many positive life changes as a result of experiencing breast cancer. One of those was to become a certified mastectomy fitter, which resulted in an emotionally rewarding career change. Helping women regain a positive self-image during and following breast cancer is extremely rewarding. Our goal is to have women leave Transitions feeling comfortable, confident and smiling. More on Transitions, An Appearance Center.
Barbara Nicholson, M.S., P.T., CLT-LANA
Rehabilitation Services
“At Providence Rehabilitation Services, we work with patients to restore their strength and mobility and get them back to the activities they love. We also teach patients how to reduce their risk for lymphedema and treat them for this condition if needed."
As a clinical specialist for cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy, Barbara Nicholson is part of a team of physical therapists at Providence who work with breast cancer patients to speed recovery following surgery. A certified lymphedema therapist, Barbara earned her physical therapy degree at Pacific University, where she now teaches classes to physical therapy students interested in working with cancer patients. More on rehabilitation services for breast cancer patients.
Kathy Lynch Hostetler
Foundations Representative
"Many of our donors are grateful patients themselves, who have been touched by Providence and want to help others. It's really a privilege to work with people who want to make a difference in the lives of our patients."
As a major gifts officer at Providence Cancer Center, Kathy Lynch Hostetler's job is to help potential donors find their passion – whether it's research, technology, patient education, counseling support or other facets of patient care. Kathy connects our donors with our medical staff so they can make a meaningful impact as part of our team. Contact Kathy at 503.216.7719.
Marilou Clark
Imaging Office Specialist and Scheduler
“I look forward to each day, and I'm always hoping to make a special impact on those I meet."
Marilou Clark began working with cancer patients at Providence Health & Services in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1988, soon after losing her husband and son in an airplane accident. She says she felt a special bond with the patients that she met, and it meant a lot to her when she earned an Employee of the Month Award in her first year at Providence. Today, she puts her 20+ years of experience to work on behalf of patients who visit the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center. Request a digital mammography appointment online.
Nina Noakes
Imaging Office Specialist and Scheduler
“Every patient deserves a warm welcome and a smile when they come in to the Ruth J. Spear Breast Center."
Nina Noakes has been working in the medical field for 15 years, twelve of those years with Providence. She enjoys working with patients at the breast center. Request a digital mammography appointment online.
