Cristian D. Valenzuela, M.D., FACS, FSSO

  • Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine

Biography

I am a surgeon who specializes in treating skin cancers in adult patients, including melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma and peritoneal surface malignancy.

I am a surgeon who was born and raised in the New York City area. Driven to help the less fortunate, I pursued my surgical residency at a public hospital in Spanish Harlem.

I also have a strong passion for basic science research, which has led me to work on laboratory projects focused on blood vessels and tissue development. After completing my general surgery residency, I specialized in cancer surgery at Wake Forest University. I later joined the surgical staff at OHSU, where my primary focus includes the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies.

Donate to the OHSU Surgical Oncology Melanoma Cancer Research and Program Development Fund

Outside of work, I enjoy running, piano, chess and time with my family.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 2011, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
    • B.A., 2007, Cornell University

  • Residency

    • General Surgery, New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital Center, 2020
    • General Surgery (Internship), Columbia University/New York-Presbyterian Medical Center, 2012

  • Fellowship

    • Complex General Surgical Oncology, Wake Forest University, 2022
    • Laboratory Fellowship (NIH-funded), Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women’s Hospital, 2017

  • Certifications

    • American Board of Surgery, General Surgery, 2022
    • American Board of Surgery, Complex General Surgical Oncology, 2023

Memberships and associations:

  • American College of Surgeons
  • Society of Surgical Oncology
  • North Pacific Surgical Association
  • Pacific Coast Surgical Association

Publications

Elsevier pure profile

Publications