Dr. Sabrina Prime recently joined the To Your Health podcast to discuss oncology care at Jefferson Healthcare.
November 10, 2025
With the opening of Jefferson Healthcare’s new Castle View wing and the addition of radiation oncology, patients in East Jefferson County can now receive fully integrated oncology care, right here at home in Port Townsend.
Radiation oncologist Dr. Sabrina Prime, MD, MPHS, recently discussed the significance of this milestone on the To Your Health podcast.
“For years, Jefferson County has offered patients access to medical oncology services like chemotherapy and immunotherapy,” Dr. Prime said. “We’ve also provided surgical care, including lumpectomies and biopsies. But patients who needed radiation had to travel long distances for daily treatments. Now, they can stay close to home for every part of their care.”
That change is more than a matter of convenience. Radiation therapy typically requires daily visits for several weeks, which can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially for those already experiencing fatigue from other treatments. “Adding radiation oncology here will make a real difference in patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Prime said.
With the opening of the new radiation oncology unit, Jefferson Healthcare now offers a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment, bringing together medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and a wide array of supportive services.
“Comprehensive oncology care means caring for the whole person,” Dr. Prime explained. “That includes nutrition, palliative care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, services that support patients through treatment and into survivorship.”
Having all these services under one roof also enhances communication among providers. “It creates synergy,” Dr. Prime said. “It’s easier to coordinate care and ensure patients get seamless, well-informed treatment.”
Advancements in radiation technology make this an especially exciting time to expand local cancer care. “Compared to 20 years ago, radiation can now be delivered with much greater precision and safety,” said Dr. Prime. “Modern imaging allows us to target tumors more accurately and minimize exposure to healthy tissue. The experience patients have today is vastly different from what their relatives may have had decades ago.”
For Dr. Prime, who grew up in a small Minnesota town similar in size to Port Townsend, joining Jefferson Healthcare feels like coming home. “I love knowing my patients as neighbors and community members,” she said. “That connection makes the care we provide even more meaningful.”
Dr. Prime encourages community members to stay current with cancer screenings and to talk with their primary care providers about any concerns. “The best care starts with prevention and early detection,” she said. “And now, for those who need treatment, we can provide it all right here in our community.”
To hear the full conversation with Dr. Prime, listen to the To Your Health podcast episode on Jefferson Healthcare’s website.
You can also watch the full podcast on our YouTube channel.
The featured photograph pictures radiation oncologist Sabrina Prime, MD, MPHS, and Mary Ihlen, lead RN for the Radiation Oncology Clinic. Photos by Sarah Wright Aubin.
Jefferson Healthcare is an award-winning, full-service healthcare organization meeting the care needs of East Jefferson County. Jefferson Healthcare offers inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services including primary and specialty physician care.
