Surgical Fellowship, 1997-1998

Following the completion of my fellowship in 1998 I moved to Seattle, Washington, where I joined the faculty at the University of Washington. My practice was as the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center. During this time I focused my practice on gastrointestinal surgical oncology and sarcoma. I developed a regional multidisciplinary cancer program for the VA in the Pacific Northwest. While in Seattle, I began a series of studies in health services and outcomes related to gastrointestinal cancer that I continue to pursue in my current position.

In 2003, I was recruited back to Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, where I completed my residency training. I assumed the position of Hedinger Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology. In recent years I have taken on greater administrative responsibilities with the OHSU Cancer Institute. I remain very busy as a clinical surgeon with much of my work related to tumors of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Teaching is one of the highlights of my work and I was honored to receive the faculty teaching award from our residents last year.

The Memorial fellowship remains the defining experience of my professional training. I continue to use the clinical, administrative and analytic skills that I acquired during that time on a daily basis. This was an experience for which I will be forever grateful.