Radiation Oncology

Celilo Cancer Center was the first center in Oregon or Washington to deliver dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a new technology that allows doctors to control the precise shape and direction of radiation beams aimed at cancerous tissue; this precise treatment improves treatment effectiveness and drastically reduces toxic effects on healthy tissues. Keith Stelzer, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of Radiation Oncology at Celilo,  is a leading expert in the application of IMRT.

Dr. Stelzer graduated from the University of California Davis in 1981.  He received his Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1985 and his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1989.  His internship in internal medicine was at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland and he completed his radiation oncology residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he was chief resident from 1992-1993.

Dr. Stelzer was Associate Professor in the Radiation Oncology and Neurological Surgery departments at the University of Washington and he continues as a Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at UW Medical Center. He is also a current member of Radiation Oncologists, P.C., which provides the radiation oncology services for the Legacy hospitals, and Kaiser Permanente in the Portland/Vancouver region.

He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology (Therapeutic), and is a member of the American Radium Society, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and the North American Society for Neuro-Oncology.

For more information about Celilo Radiation Oncology or Dr. Keith Stelzer please call (541) 296-7204.

In His Own Words...

Dr. Keith Stelzer

"Celilo is unique because of the original vision for a center that would take a holistic approach to cancer care combined with the latest in technology. Celilo has been a regional leader in establishing an Integrative Therapies program, beginning with the design of the building itself. Many institutions are now trying to establish similar programs, often by "retrofitting" them to existing structures which do not provide a healing architectural environment. By emphasizing this holistic approach from inception, Celilo also has far more experience in cohesively incorporating a wide variety of integrative therapies into the overall plan of treatment than other centers that have only recently embraced this concept."

"Additionally, technical superiority received equal priority with the holistic approach to patient care. Celilo was the first site to provide dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy in Oregon and Washington. Our vast experience with this technique continues to result in patients traveling to Celilo from around the region to have technically challenging treatments. Patients traveling long distances have Celilo House available as a place to live free of charge during their treatment course. Finally, Celilo presents a wonderful environment not only for treatment, but also as a desirable place to work. As a result, the most caring and capable staff can be recruited, retained, and supported emotionally in a way that results in the best possible service to our patients."