Northwest Medical Specialties

What Northwest Medical Specialties does

Northwest Medical Specialties (NWMS, DBA formerly Hematology Oncology Northwest and Rainier Hematology Oncology) is an independent, physician-owned hematology and medical oncology practice operating six clinic locations across the South Puget Sound region of Washington State — Tacoma (headquarters), Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, and Olympia — with 101–250 employees. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Frank Senecal, the practice provides comprehensive cancer and blood disorder care including medical oncology, hematology, infusion services, on-site laboratory diagnostics, specialty pharmacy, and patient support services (social work, comfort therapy, naturopathic, patient navigation, food and language assistance). It also operates a clinical trials program (25+ years, including Phase I), precision medicine, cell and gene therapy (including bispecifics), theranostics, telehealth, and remote patient monitoring.

Revenue is generated primarily through insurance-billed clinical services — medical oncology, hematology, infusion, lab, and specialty pharmacy — supplemented by professional services revenue from clinical trial conduct and patient enrollment. The practice participates in major payer networks including Premera Blue Cross as a Blue Distinction Center, and acquires patients through physician referrals (including a referral relationship with Franciscan Healthcare System via Dr. Senecal's Director of Oncology role and co-marketing with MultiCare's Rasmussen Breast Center), insurance network participation, community events (Relay For Life, COA conferences), and direct patient self-referral. Marketing is content-driven through the website, blog, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Instagram, with a CPAN (Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network) chapter for patient advocacy. The practice holds QOPI, NCQA (nine consecutive years), ACHC, and SNMMI Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence credentials, and is a member of the ONCare Alliance.

NWMS is governed by a CEO (Amy Ellis) and Medical Director (Dr. Mohammed Kanaan), with senior physician leadership including Dr. Sibel Blau (co-founder of ONCare Alliance, formerly President/CEO of QCCA) and founder Dr. Frank Senecal (retired April 1, 2025 after nearly 40 years; continues as Director of Oncology at Franciscan Healthcare System). The practice is currently navigating two significant senior transitions — Dr. Senecal's 2025 retirement and Dr. Andrea Veatch's announced June 1, 2026 retirement after 22 years — and continues to operate as an independent, privately held entity with no identified external private equity or venture capital backing, operating as a partnership of board-certified subspecialists.

Name

Northwest Medical Specialties

Legal name

Northwest Medical Specialties

Website

https://nwmedicalspecialties.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Northwest Medical Specialties is an independent, multi-site hematology and medical oncology practice in Washington's Puget Sound region, treating cancer and blood disorder patients across six clinic locations with medical oncology, infusion, specialty pharmacy, clinical trials, theranostics, and supportive care services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Oncology and Hematology Services

NAICS

Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Offices of Physicians (6211), Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) (621111), Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Ambulatory Specialty Clinics (Multi-Specialty & Single-Specialty) (HLAFABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) & Multi-Specialty Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAN)

Keywords

• Medical oncology services
• Hematology treatment
• Infusion therapy services
• Specialty pharmacy oncology
• Clinical trials oncology

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medical Oncology Services: Direct patient care services including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other cancer treatments administered in clinic settings
2. Hematology Services: Diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and diseases
3. Infusion Services: IV therapy and infusion treatments provided in clinical settings
4. Specialty Pharmacy Services: Medication dispensing services with ACHC accreditation for specialty pharmacy
5. Laboratory Services: On-site diagnostic laboratory testing for cancer and blood disorders
6. Clinical Trial Participation: Research-based revenue from clinical trial conduct and patient enrollment

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Northwest Medical Specialties is a community-based medical oncology and hematology practice that diagnoses and treats cancer, blood diseases, and infectious diseases across six clinic locations in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. The practice provides direct patient care services including medical oncology, hematology, infusion therapy, on-site laboratory diagnostics, specialty pharmacy dispensing, precision medicine, theranostics, cell and gene therapy, and an active clinical trials program, supported by telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and ancillary support services such as social work, naturopathic care, and comfort therapy.

Product overview

Northwest Medical Specialties is a multi-location hematology/oncology practice in the Puget Sound region providing comprehensive cancer care since 1985. The organization operates as a unified practice offering Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Laboratory services as core clinical offerings, supplemented by specialized treatment programs including Theranostics, Cell and Gene Therapy, and Precision Medicine. Patient support is delivered through Telehealth, Remote Patient Monitoring, Medication Dispensing (including specialty pharmacy), Naturopathic Services, Comfort Therapy, Social Work, and Patient Navigation. The practice maintains an active Clinical Trials Program and provides patients with digital access through a Patient Portal. Services are delivered across six locations in Washington State: Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, and Olympia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Oncology Comprehensive cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, chemotherapy, and ongoing cancer care management delivered by board-certified, subspecialty-trained oncologists to adult patients with various cancer types.
• Hematology Specialized care for blood disorders and diseases, including diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting blood cells, bone marrow, and lymphatic systems, delivered by board-certified hematologists.
• Infusion Services Intravenous treatment administration including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other therapeutic infusions delivered in a clinical setting at NWMS locations.
• Laboratory Services On-site laboratory testing capabilities supporting diagnostic services and ongoing patient monitoring for cancer and blood disorder management.
• Theranostics Targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy combining diagnostic imaging with targeted treatment delivery for precise cancer therapy. NWMS is designated as a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence (RPTCOE) by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
• Cell and Gene Therapy Advanced treatments including bispecific antibodies and other innovative cellular therapies for cancer treatment, such as multiple myeloma therapies.
• Precision Medicine Personalized treatment approaches based on genetic profiling, molecular diagnostics, and biomarker analysis to tailor cancer therapies to individual patients.
• Specialty Pharmacy / Medication Dispensing On-site medication dispensing services, including specialty pharmacy services for oncology medications, with ACHC accreditation for Specialty Pharmacy Services (valid through January 27, 2028).
• Telehealth Virtual healthcare visits and remote consultations enabling patients to receive care from home using video conferencing technology, expanding access beyond the six physical clinic locations.
• Remote Patient Monitoring Technology-enabled monitoring of patient health metrics outside traditional clinical settings to improve care coordination and enable early intervention.
• Clinical Trials Program Access to promising new therapies and experimental treatments through participation in clinical research trials, with over 25 years of research program experience including Phase I trials, conducted in partnership with the South Sound CARE Foundation.
• Naturopathic Services Integrative medicine services including natural therapies, nutrition support, and complementary treatments alongside conventional cancer care.
• Comfort Therapy Program Palliative care services providing relief from symptoms, pain, and stress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Social Work Services Emotional support, counseling, and resource navigation assistance for patients and families coping with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Patient Navigation Guided support helping patients navigate the healthcare system, coordinate appointments, and access resources throughout their cancer care journey.
• Language Assistance Services Free language interpretation services and written information in multiple languages for non-English speaking patients, including qualified sign language interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing.
• Food Support for Patients Nutritional support services addressing food security needs of cancer patients during treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 consecutive years of NCQA Hematology/Oncology recognition
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• All4CurecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024Partnership with All4Cure provides Multiple Myeloma patients access to a free supportive online community where patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals share insights, experiences, and expert advice within a secure, HIPAA-compliant environment.
• South Sound CARE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWMS and Dr. Frank Senecal are the founders of the South Sound CARE Foundation, established in 2008 to bring groundbreaking clinical trials and cancer research to the South Sound region.
• The Journey FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWMS is a founding member of The Journey Fund, a community-based nonprofit helping cancer patients facing social, financial, or emotional obstacles.
• ONCare AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONCare Alliance is co-led by Dr. Sibel Blau, formerly President and CEO of QCCA. The alliance brings together independent oncology practices to revolutionize community cancer care through data-driven insights and collaborative approaches.
• Community Oncology Alliance (COA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWMS actively participates in COA conferences and advocacy efforts. The organization re-launched its CPAN chapter under COA's patient advocacy network in March 2026.
• MultiCareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWMS participated in the grand opening of MultiCare's Rasmussen Breast Center in Olympia, expanding access to comprehensive breast health services in the region.
• Premera Blue CrosscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNWMS is designated as a Blue Distinction Center providing Premera members in-network access to cancer care that emphasizes quality and patient experience.
• Franciscan Healthcare SystemminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDr. Frank Senecal serves as Director of Oncology for the Franciscan Healthcare System, creating a referral relationship and collaborative care coordination.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tennessee Oncology: Tennessee Oncology is one of the largest independent community oncology practices in the U.S., offering medical oncology, hematology, infusion, specialty pharmacy, and clinical trials across multiple sites—parallel to NWMS's multi-location community model.
• The US Oncology Network: The US Oncology Network (McKesson) is the largest network of community oncology practices in the U.S., offering similar medical oncology, hematology, infusion, and clinical trial services. Directly comparable in business model and patient offerings to NWMS.
• QCCA / ONCare Alliance: QCCA (now ONCare Alliance) is a network of independent community oncology practices co-led by Dr. Sibel Blau, who is also affiliated with NWMS. Directly comparable as a community oncology collaboration model.
• OneOncology: OneOncology is a national platform for independent community oncology practices, providing capital, data, and operational support. Directly comparable as a community oncology model competing for the same independent practice affiliation and patient base that NWMS serves.
• Virginia Cancer Specialists: Virginia Cancer Specialists is a large multi-site community oncology and hematology practice affiliated with The US Oncology Network, offering comprehensive cancer care, infusion, clinical trials, and specialty pharmacy comparable to NWMS.
• Willamette Valley Cancer Institute: Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center is a multi-location community oncology practice in Oregon offering medical oncology, hematology, radiation, infusion, and clinical trials—a direct peer in community oncology model in the broader Pacific Northwest.
• Compass Oncology: Compass Oncology is a multi-location community oncology and hematology practice in Oregon and Southwest Washington, directly competing with NWMS for Pacific Northwest patients and sharing the same multi-clinic community oncology model.

Broad incumbents

• Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Fred Hutch): Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is an academic NCI-designated cancer center serving the same Pacific Northwest region. Competes for complex oncology cases and provides specialty services like CAR-T and bone marrow transplant that exceed NWMS's scope.

Regional players

• Franciscan Cancer Care (Virginia Mason Franciscan Health): Franciscan Cancer Care is the hospital-system cancer program affiliated with Dr. Senecal as Director of Oncology, operating in the same Puget Sound region and competing for the same patient population as NWMS.
• MultiCare Cancer Institute: MultiCare Cancer Institute is the hospital-system-owned cancer program in the same Puget Sound geography, providing medical oncology, radiation, and breast services that compete directly with NWMS clinic locations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nwmedicalspec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCekTSvJVqXfCjph_5S9ZZfA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Northwest-Medical-Specialties-880113688757565
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nwms
• Instagraminstagram.com/northwestmedicalspecialties

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Medical Specialties