Message from the Chair
Kenneth A. Azarow, M.D., FACS, FAAP
Mackenzie Professor and Chair
Welcome to the OHSU Department of Surgery! We are proud of our rich history, robust educational programs and board-certified faculty who lead the field in advanced operative care. Please read on for a closer look at what makes our department so unique.
OHSU Medical School – dating back nearly 135 years
The University of Oregon was established in 1887 and is one of the oldest medical schools west of the Mississippi. We were part of the Oregon University system until 1995, when OHSU was born as a nonprofit public corporation. The new structure created an opportunity for OHSU to nimbly navigate a very competitive healthcare and research environment without wavering from our mission to serve the educational and clinical needs of Oregon. As a result, OHSU has been on a steady growth curve in research, education, and clinical care over the past two decades, a trend much admired in our community and across the country.
Surgery Innovation at OHSU
The leadership of our physicians and scientists can be captured in three words: imagination, excellence, and focus. As a result of this chemistry, many revolutionary advances in medicine and surgery have started at OHSU, including the first mechanical heart valve, the first percutaneous angioplasty and coronary arteriography with specialized catheters, the first balloon embolectomy catheter, the first kidney transplant in an adolescent, the first use of imatinib for myelocytic leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and the first totally endoscopic esophagogastric fundoplication. Many of these innovations commenced in the Department of Surgery. Keep reading
ACS Mastery in General Surgery Program
The OHSU Department of Surgery participates in the ACS Mastery in General Surgery Program and offers 1 Junior Associate position each year. Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 academic year. Learn more about the position and apply today.
Join us for the 17th annual Surgery Golf Tournament!

Registration is now open.
The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club
Monday, September 11
12 - 5 p.m.
Learn more about the tournament and fundraising for surgery resident education.
Surgery Grand Rounds Conference


Contact us
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd.
Mail Code: L223
Portland, OR 97239
Campus Location: Mackenzie Hall 3168
Phone: 503 494-7758
Fax: 503 494-5615
Support our work
You can donate to support our work by mailing a check or visiting our secure website. You may also designate your gift in memory or honor of someone.
Mail a check:
OHSU Foundation, Department of Surgery
1121 S.W. Salmon St., Suite 100
Portland, OR 97205