Robert Ellis DO, PhD, FACP, Physician Director of the Integrative Oncology Program at Northwest Permanente Medical Group

My specialty is integrative medical oncology. I regard cancer as a systemic process which can be prevented and / or treated by an approach which seeks to correct the underlying processes which feed and support cancerous cell growth. In addition to using tumor reductive techniques, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapeutic agents, I approach each patient to identify the foundational dysfunction(s) which drive the malignant process. Although the type of interventions and intensity may differ across the cancer spectrum; prevention through treatment to survivorship; the role of metabolic, hormonal, immunologic and structural issues need to addressed if the chance of remission free survivals are going to change.

Although such an approach is usually regarded as a holistically integrated approach, this distinctive approach to health care has been a unique offering of the osteopathic medical model. 

In addition to training and board certification in medical oncology  integrative medicine, I am a plant-based chef and certified culinary medicine specialist. My main emphasis is in the incorporation of nutritional and metabolic therapies as well as mind and body based therapies such as meditation, exercise and manipulative therapies. I am trained in and use nutritional approaches especially a whole food plant based diet, mind-body practices such as mindfulness and intentionality, exercise and osteopathic manipulation.

In addition to my clinical practice, I am actively engaged in community education, professional and medical school education. I am a member of the Tulane Consortium of Culinary Medicine and Lead Instructor of the Culinary Medicine program at Western University of Health Sciences.