Providence Digestive Health Institute provides highly specialized diagnosis, management and treatment of a full range of conditions affecting the liver and pancreas. We are an approved National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) Center of Excellence focused on a multidisciplinary approach to care. Learn more about the NPF.

Liver Disease

Millions of people in the U.S. suffer from chronic liver disease. Providence offers access to the first National Committee for Quality Assurance certified patient-centered liver disease program in the country. This certification ensures high-quality patient care.

More than 100 physicians, surgeons, radiologists and oncologists work together to provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services. Patients receive support from teams of pharmacy, social service, mental health and nutrition providers, and housing is available for those traveling from out of town.

Areas of expertise

• Viral hepatitis
• Fatty liver and metabolic diseases
• Advanced liver disease and its complications
• Liver tumors, benign and malignant

Pancreatic Disease

Managing pancreatic disease is challenging. It requires an integrated approach, particularly for patients who have underlying medical issues or complex conditions. The Digestive Health Institute team will help connect patients with the right services, including nurse navigators, dietitians and social workers, to help improve the likelihood of a successful outcome. Our specialty-trained gastroenterologists, surgeons and diagnostic and interventional radiologists have extensive experience with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer and their complications.

Specialized areas of expertise

• Medical and surgical intensive care
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Pseudocyst aspiration and percutaneous drainage
• Endoscopic cyst gastrostomy and debridement
• Surgical pancreatectomy and Whipple procedures
• Endoscopic removal of pancreatic stones or relief of obstruction
• Percutaneous, endoscopic and surgical interventions for chronic pancreatic pain or obstruction
• Weekly multidisciplinary conferences to assess and recommend actions for pancreatic lesions, both benign and malignant

Cancers and Pre-cancerous Conditions

We work closely with Providence Cancer Institute to provide comprehensive, advanced care for patients with liver or pancreatic cancer.

Communication and collaboration between the digestive health team and the cancer team continues through every step of a patient’s care. We hold weekly meetings with more than 20 specialists – including GI physicians, surgeons, medical oncologists, interventional radiologists and members of our cancer research teams – to discuss cases, develop treatment plans and connect patients to the most appropriate therapies as quickly as possible.

Learn more about treatment for liver cancer and pancreatic cancer at Providence Cancer Institute.

Specialized areas of expertise

• Cancer immunotherapy – in which Providence is a national leader
• Fully laparoscopic Whipple procedures for pancreatic cancer – Providence is the only program in Oregon to offer this procedure
• Intraoperative radiation therapy – our team was the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer this innovation, which is giving some cancer patients added years of survival
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy, offering excellent local control of liver tumors, as well as some pancreatic tumors