Meet Our Team

Routine and complex ventral hernia repair, abdominal wall reconstruction

    • Degrees

      • B.A., 1999, University of Colorado
      • M.M.S., 2002, MCP Hahnemann University
      • M.D., 2006, Albany Medical College
    • Areas of interest

      • Hernia repair
      • Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR)
      • Minimally Invasive Surgery
      • Robotic-assisted Surgery
      • Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery
      • General Surgery
    • Vahagn C. Nikolian, M.D.
    • Assistant Professor of Surgery
    • Digestive Health, Surgery and Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) Portland
    • Degrees

      • B.A., 2007, University of Southern California
      • M.D., 2012, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
    • Areas of interest

      • Outcomes in abdominal wall reconstruction
      • Robotic and laparoscopic approaches for hernia repair
      • Telemedicine and digital health strategies in surgery
      • Telesurgery and artificial intelligence in surgery
      • Surgical education and coaching
    • Degrees

      • M.D., 2018, Medical University of South Carolina
      • B.S., 2014, Wofford College
    • Areas of interest

      • Hernia repair
      • Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR)
      • Digestive Surgery
      • Gallbladder Surgery
      • Laparoscopic Surgery
    • Degrees

      • Ph.D., 1982, University of California
      • M.D., 1984, George Washington University
    • Areas of interest

      • Hernia Repair
      • Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR)
      • Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery
      • General Surgery
      • Surgical Nutrition
    • Degrees

      • D.M.Sc., 2024, George Fox University
      • M.M.S., 2023, George Fox University
      • B.S., 2018, San Diego State University

Routine hernia repair

    • Lori Cardwell, M.D.
    • Assistant Professor of Surgery; Attending/Consultant at OHSU Tuality Healthcare, Hillsboro, OR
    • Surgery and Surgery

Hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair

Clinical support staff

Kathleen Forgue, R.N.
Clinical Nurse

Alexis Yeaman
PAS Resource Specialist

Susan Fee R.N.
Clinical Nurse

Ailie Balke
Medical Assistant

Debbie Sabala, R.N.
PAS Resource Specialist

Ruth Dearixon
Medical Assistant