Denver Health's Hematology-Oncology (Cancer Care) department is made up of a robust multidisciplinary team led by medical oncologist Sonia Okuyama, MD and nurse manager Brandon McCarthy, RN, MSN. Our team is made up of physicians, pharmacists, clinic and infusion center nurses, an oncology nurse navigator, genetic counselor, medical assistants, front desk clerks, cancer resource center volunteer staff, a psychologist, chaplains, a clinical research manager and clinical research coordinators.
Our Cancer Care Physicians
Sonia Okuyama, MD
Chief of Hematology-Oncology
Dr. Sonia Okuyama serves as the division chief of Hematology-Oncology at Denver Health, with an appointment as associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Okuyama was born and raised in Lima, Peru, graduating with honors from the medical school at Cayetano Heredia University. She moved to the United States to complete an internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, later coming to Colorado to complete her medical oncology fellowship training at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. Okuyama is fluent in English and Spanish and is known for her excellent and compassionate care of her patients. She is board certified in medical oncology and belongs to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Her academic research focuses on the support of cancer patients and health disparities, including recent research on hereditary cancer detection and management.
Michael McLaughlin, MD
Dr. Michael McLaughlin is a medical oncologist and associate division chief of oncology at Denver Health, with an academic appointment as a clinical associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
With extensive experience in all areas of hematology and oncology, his clinical practice focuses on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancer.
Sandhya Sharma, MD
Dr. Sandhya Sharma is a medical oncologist/hematologist, who also serves as oncology QI and clinic operations director. She is appointed as associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, she attended Kathmandu Medical College, where she completed her medical degree with honors. She completed her residency at Guthrie/Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania, where she also served as chief resident. She was awarded the 2015 Exempler of Professionalism Award by the American College of Physicians, Pennsylvania Chapter and received the Internal Medicine Resident of the Year award in 2016. Dr. Sharma completed her hematology/oncology fellowship training from Hofstra/Monter Cancer Center, Northwell Health, where she also served as a chief fellow. She is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology, and is a member of various oncology and hematology societies including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. She is fluent in English and Nepali.
Dr. Sharma engages in teaching residents, fellows and nurses. She runs quality improvement projects in oncology. Dr. Sharma advocates for her patients and prioritizes treating patients with deep compassion and care, with a special focus on addressing disparities.
Heather Fraser West, MD, MSc
Dr. Heather West is a medical oncologist with expertise in the medical treatment of breast cancer. She graduated with honors from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she was awarded the Thomas A. Neff award for outstanding humanitarian spirit. She then completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle where she received the Huesby Award for Clinical Excellence. She went on to do a one-year clinician-teacher fellowship in internal medicine at the Veteran's Affairs hospital in Seattle. She completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Virginia, where she also obtained a master of science in clinical investigation. She served as an assistant professor in the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine's Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center in Houston from 2008-2010. Dr. West then spent nine years in private practice in Oregon, focusing predominantly on the care of patients with breast cancer. She currently holds the title of assistant professor at Denver Health's academic affiliate, the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is also the director of oncology research and a member of the breast program leadership committee. She continues to focus her clinical work in the area of the medical treatment of breast cancer, and serves as an attending physician for the medical oncology fellows from the University Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. West has been board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology since 2007.
Gray Jodon, MD
Dr. Gray Jodon is a hematologist/oncologist at Denver Health. He graduated with his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and completed his internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz. In addition to caring for hematology/oncology patients, Dr. Jodon is the director of education for the hematology/oncology department, training hematology/oncology fellows and providing education for the department as a whole. Dr. Jodon holds the title of assistant professor at Denver Health's academic affiliate, the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Jodon currently chairs the policy committee of the Rocky Mountain Oncology Society.
He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Rocky Mountain Oncology Society.
Lida Bighash, PharmD, BCOP
Oncology Clinical Pharmacist
Lida Bighash is an oncology clinical pharmacist in the hematology-oncology department at Denver Health, where she has been part of the team since 2019. Bighash earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her PharmD from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy. After completing her PGY1 residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital in 2017, she specialized further by completing her PGY2 residency in oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Bighash is passionate about mentoring future pharmacists and working on quality improvement projects to enhance patient care and safety.
Sarahlynn Holmes, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
Sarahlynn Holmes is a genetic counselor with an expertise in hereditary cancer syndromes. She completed her undergraduate degree at Regis University, specializing in molecular biology and genetics. She went on to Boise State University, graduating from its program in genetic counseling. Holmes has completed well-rounded training in Montana, Oregon and Washington. She focuses on improving access to genetic testing services for our patients and is currently participating in a clinical research study for patients needing intensive preventative cancer screening. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and belongs to the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the American Society of Human Genetics.
Alison Lieberman, PsyD
Oncology Clinic Psychologist
Dr. Lieberman is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked at Denver Health since 2005. After completing her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Vermont, she obtained a master of arts and doctorate in psychology from the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She completed her predoctoral internship in behavioral medicine at the Miami VA Medical Center and her postdoctoral training at NYC Health and Hospitals Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center. Dr. Lieberman has focused her career on the intersection of physical and mental health; exploring the biological, psychological and social factors that impact well-being. She has worked in a variety of medical settings gaining specific training in integrated primary and specialty care. She is passionate about taking a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to provide the best care to our patients.
Stefani Bender-Przybylski, MSN, RN
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Stefani Bender-Przybylski, MSN-Ed, RN, joined Denver Health in January of 2023 as the health care system's first oncology nurse navigator. With 19 years of experience in oncology nursing and a master's degree in nursing education, she is dedicated to coordinating oncology work-up appointments and educating patients to help them navigate the complex medical system. Stefani is passionate about ensuring that every patient receives the highest level of care through meticulous follow-up, coordination and communication. Her commitment to patient care drives her to go above and beyond in supporting those she serves.
Our Oncology Clinic Team
Our Infusion Center Team
