Alex Ortega Loayza, M.D., M.C.R.

  • Associate Professor of Dermatology, School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Alex Ortega-Loayza is board-certified dermatologist specializing in both general and complex dermatology. He is also board-certified in internal medicine, and has completed his Master of Clinical Research. Dr. Ortega is particularly interested in the treatment of psoriasis, sarcoidosis, and pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).

Dr. Ortega's research focuses on advancing diagnosistic tools and treatment for the rare and often misdiagnosed condition of pyoderma gangrenosum. At OHSU, he has assembled a team of basic scientists, biostatisticians, and clinicians to form the pyoderma gangrenosum study team (PYGAS). He is also the co-leader of the Pyoderma Gangrenosum Group for the International Dermatology Outcome Measures and has been sponsored by the Medical Dermatology Society and American Academy of Dermatology to develop consensus guidelines to treat PG patients. Dr. Ortega enjoys working with medical students and residents in clinic as well as in scholarly activities and research projects. He has published several peer-reviewed papers, is a reviewer for several dermatology journals and has spoken at numerous medical conferences.

Dr. Ortega, a native of Lima, Peru, obtained his medical degree from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, the oldest medical school in Latin America. After working as a general practicioner in the Navy of Peru, he completed further research training at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), and then completed his clinical training in internal medicine and dermatology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Following his medical training, Dr. Ortega joined the faculty of VCU for a couple of years before coming to OHSU in May 2016.

In his spare time, Dr. Ortega enjoys spending time with his wife and children; when he gets time for himself he likes running, soccer, watching sports and reading biographies. 

Education and training

    • M.D., 2004, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
    • M.C.R., 2020, Oregon Health & Science University
  • Residency

    • Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013
    • Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010
  • Fellowship

    • Research Fellowship, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2005-2008
  • Certifications

    • American Board of Dermatology, 2013
    • American Board of Internal Medicine, 2014

Memberships and associations:

  • American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Medical Dermatology Society, Rheumatologic Dermatology Society, American College of Physicians, Peruvian-American Medical Society, Alpha Omega Alpha

Areas of interest

  • pyoderma gangrenosum

Honors and awards

  • Dr. Jesse Ettelson Fund for the Advancement of Dermatology Research, OHSU Dermatology, 2021
  • Cochrane Scholarship, American Academy of Dermatology, 2020
  • Victor Newcomer Research Award, Pacific Dermatologic Association, 2019
  • Gerlinger Endowment Award, 2018
  • New Investigator Award, Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, 2018
  • Presidential Citation Award, American Academy of Dermatology Diversity Task Force, 2017

Publications

Elsevier pure profile

Publications

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