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Vassiliki Tsikitis, MD, Colon & Rectal Surgery, Portland, OR, OHSU Hospital

VassilikiLTsikitisMD, MCR, MBA, FACS, FASCRS

Colon & Rectal Surgery Portland, OR

Head, Division of General & Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Surgery, OHSU

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Summary

  • Dr. Tsikitis is a fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She specializes in the surgical management of malignant and benign colorectal and anorectal diseases. She is particularly interested in caring for patients with advanced rectal cancer and complex inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Tsikitis is an expert in the complete array of open and minimally invasive procedures for all colon and anorectal diseases.

    Beyond her extensive medical training, Dr. Tsikitis holds a Master of Business Administration in Health Policy and a Master of Clinical Research. Institutionally, she currently serves as the Head of the OHSU Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery and as Vice Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the OHSU Department of Surgery. Regionally, Dr. Tsikitis is the State Chair of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Nationally, she serves as Colorectal Subcommittee Chair for the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Furthermore, she serves as a question writer for the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' written examination and continuous certification assessment (CertLink) and for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' Colon and Rectal Surgery Educational Program (CARSEP).

    Dr. Tsikitis' research focuses on microbial dysbiosis and colorectal neoplasia and delineating the tumor microenvironment of early-onset colorectal cancer.
    She is an active collaborator and leader on multi-institutional research projects. Her research has been well-supported through both intramural and extramural funding. Throughout her career thus far, she has published more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and contributed as an author on multiple textbook chapters. Dr. Tsikitis is sought after, both regionally and nationally, to lecture on the surgical management of colorectal cancer.

Education & Training

  • Drexel University College of Medicine
    Drexel University College of MedicineFellow, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program, 2022 - 2023
  • Brandeis University
    Brandeis UniversityMaster of Business Administration, Health Policy, 2017 - 2019
  • Oregon Health & Science University
    Oregon Health & Science UniversityMaster of Clinical Research, 2011 - 2013
  • University of Arizona
    University of ArizonaArizona Clinical Research Training Program (AzCRTP), 2009 - 2011
  • Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester)
    Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester)Fellowship, Colon and Rectal Surgery, 2007 - 2008
  • Brown University
    Brown UniversityResidency, Surgery, 2001 - 2007
  • Brown University
    Brown UniversityInternship, Surgery, 2000 - 2001
  • Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
    Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple UniversityClass of 2000
  • Tufts University
    Tufts UniversityBachelor of Science, Biology and French Literature, 1991 - 1994

Certifications & Licensure

  • WA State Medical License
    WA State Medical License 2023 - 2025
  • AZ State Medical License
    AZ State Medical License 2008 - 2025
  • OR State Medical License
    OR State Medical License 2011 - 2025
  • MN State Medical License
    MN State Medical License 2007 - 2024
  • RI State Medical License
    RI State Medical License 2005 - 2007
  • American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery Colon & Rectal Surgery
  • American Board of Surgery Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • Distinguished Alumni Lecturer Brown University Department of Surgery, 2023
  • Top Doctor 2023 - Colon and Rectal Surgery Portland Monthly Magazine, 2023
  • Traveling Fellowship Award James IV Association of Surgeons, 2022-2023
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Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Prognosis of Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma in Crohn’s Disease Patients Compares Favorably to De Novo Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma  
    Wieghard N, Mongoue-Tchokote S, Young JI, Sheppard BC, Tsikitis VL, Colorectal Dis, 1/1/2017
  • Perianal Crohn’s disease: challenges and solutions  
    Kelley KA, Kaur T, Tsikitis VL, Clin Exp Gastroenterol, 1/1/2017
  • Seeding of abdomen with primary hemangioma by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt: case report  
    Bridges K, Sauerwein R, Grafe M, Tsikitis VL, Halfpenny A, World Neurosurg, 1/1/2017
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Books/Book Chapters

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Abstracts/Posters

  • MicroRNA 451 and 203 Regulation of Radiation Sensitivity in Rectal Carcinomas
    Kelley KA, Ruhl R, Rana S, Thomas Jr CR, Anand S, Tsikitis VL, Integrated Quick Shot Presentation Session- Academic Surgical Congress 12th Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, 1/1/2017
  • Understanding and Resetting Radiosensitivity in Rectal Cancer
    Kelley KA, Rana S, Ruhl R, Lanciault C, Hunter JG, Thomas Jr CR, Anand S, Tsikitis VL, American Surgical Association 137th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 1/1/2017
  • Does Travel Distance Influence Readmissions in Colon and Rectal Cancer Patients? What the Primary Operative Team Needs to Know
    Kelley KA, Young JI, Bassale S, Martindale RG, Lu KC, Tsikitis VL, Northwest Society of Colon and Rectal Cancer Annual Meeting, Whistler, BC, Canada, 1/1/2017
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Lectures

  • The Latest Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer 
    Portland, OR - 1/1/2016
  • Work/Life Balance: Getting to Physician Wellness 
    San Diego, CA - 1/1/2016
  • SSAT/ISDS Joint Symposium: Chronic Inflammation and Neoplastic Transformation: Pathways, Prevention and Treatment: HPV, AIN, and Anal Cancer 
    San Diego, CA - 1/1/2016
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Other

Press Mentions

  • Health expert talks Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
    Health expert talks Colorectal Cancer Awareness MonthMarch 7th, 2023
  • Colorectal Cancer Awareness
    Colorectal Cancer AwarenessMarch 1st, 2023
  • 6 - 10 Weeks 6 - 8 Weeks
    6 - 10 Weeks 6 - 8 WeeksJanuary 16th, 2022
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Grant Support

  • GI SPORE DEVELOPMENTAL CAREER GRANTNCI2009–2011

Committees

  • Study Reviewer, National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review 2016 - Present
  • Finance Committee, Association for Academic Surgeons 2015 - Present
  • Member, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract- Research Committee 2015 - Present
  • Associated Member, American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgeons - Written Examination Committee 2014 - Present
  • Council Board Member, Priestley Society of Mayo Clinic 2014 - Present
  • Member, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons - Public Relations Committee 2012 - Present
  • Member, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract- Communications Committee 2012 - 2015
  • Member, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons- Membership Committee 2009 - 2014
  • Gastrointestinal Cancer Committee, Southwest Oncology Group 2008 - 2011
  • Translational Medicine Committee, Southwest Oncology Group 2008 - 2011

Professional Memberships

Other Languages

  • Greek, French

Hospital Affiliations