Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery | Department of Surgery

Division Head Dr. V. Liana Tsikitis introduces the Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery at OHSU

The Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery is a comprehensive team of 15 surgeons focused on the areas of colorectal surgery, esophageal surgery, hernia surgery, treatment of pancreatic cancer and surgical nutrition. Our general surgeons support numerous clinical research trials and actively partner with scientists in the community to develop innovative surgical devices. The general surgery division also encompasses one of the largest residency programs in the country, as well as fellowships in minimally invasive surgery and colorectal surgery.

V. Liana Tsikitis, M.D. M.B.A., M.C.R., is the Division Head of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery. She is board certified in General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery with a special clinical interest in colorectal cancer genetics.

Dr. Tsikitis joined the department in 2011 and is a noted expert on the surgical treatment of colon and rectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. She completed her Masters in Clinical Research at OHSU in 2013 and is on the forefront of research into colorectal cancer genetics. She is widely published and a sought-after speaker throughout the country and internationally.

In 2019, Dr. Tsikitis received her MBA in health policy with an eye for building the infrastructure and marketing momentum needed to significantly grow patient volume over the next five years.

Dr. Tsikitis’ leadership within the department includes numerous chair positions as well as serving as Medical Director of the Digestive Health Center from 2014-2018.

Residency opportunities

Learn more about the Department of Surgery's General Surgery Residency Program.

Fellowship opportunities

The Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery offers two fellowship programs:

Contact us

Mailing Address
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road
Mail Code: L223A
Portland, OR 97239

Campus Location
Mackenzie Hall 3186

Academic Office
(503) 494-6900

Digestive Health Center

Our general surgeons practice primarily out of OHSU's Digestive Health Center, located on the south waterfront in the Center for Health & Healing Building 2. Learn about digestive health conditions and treatments as well as patient information on preparing for surgery and a surgery walk-through.

National Pancreas Foundation Center logo

General Surgery Research

The Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery participates in ongoing research to help find ways to improve health and treat diseases. Clinical research works to help determine the safety and effectiveness of new medications, new devices, or treatment approaches intended for human use. Clinical trials rely on the participation of human volunteers to help answer questions about treatments for diseases and conditions. The Division of General Surgery participates in many different types of research from industry sponsored trials, clinical registries as well as physician initiated research projects.

There are many benefits from participating in clinical research including the ability for participants to play a more active role in their own healthcare, gain access to new research medications or treatments before they are commercially available, as well as to help others by contributing to new innovative research.

Currently the Division of General Surgery participates in research focused on the areas of colorectal surgery, pancreatic surgery, esophageal surgery, hernia surgery, nutrition, and registry databases pertaining to colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancers.

For more information pertaining to current research projects or if you are interested in participating in research with the division of general surgery, please contact us to learn more at 503 494-4949.

These faculty members are involved in studies pertaining to new products, devices, and/or techniques within colorectal type procedures.

These faculty members are involved in studies involving the treatment of diseases and new procedures/techniques involving the esophagus/foregut.

These faculty members are involved in studies looking at new types of mesh/products and/or techniques relating to the repair of hernias.

These faculty members are involved in research looking at the effects of supplemental nutrition among our critical patients.

Read about prehabilitation and improved surgery outcomes related to nutrition and exercise

These databases and stored samples serve to help facilitate future research and discoveries pertaining to each of the following:

  • Oregon Colorectal Cancer Registry (OCCR)
  • Esophageal Cancer and Related Diseases (ECRD)
  • Oregon Pancreatic Tissue Registry (OPTR)

These faculty members are involved in this research:

Our Faculty

Our Faculty - OHSU Adventist Health Portland

Our Faculty - OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center

Our Affiliate Faculty - Columbia Memorial Hospital, Astoria, OR