Dr. James Ellis was drawn to specialize in burn surgery and critical care after working in critical care nursing and receiving advanced training in trauma and general surgery. He feels privileged to help burn survivors through one of the most catastrophic injuries imaginable by providing a high-quality continuity of care both in and out of the hospital over long spans of time. Seeing his patients, both young and old, go from bed-bound dependence on others all the way to being independent and motivating fellow survivors is deeply rewarding. 

Dr. Ellis provides adult and pediatric burn care services from the acute stage to scar management and local burn reconstructive surgeries for chronic burn wounds. His critical care services include bronchoscopy, bedside focused critical care ultrasound and ultrasound guided procedures (thoracic/peritoneal drain placements, venous and arterial access), nutrition management and optimization, and in-hospital critical care management. He also offers acute care surgery services, including tracheostomy tube and PEG tube placements, as well as open and laparoscopic (traditional and robotic) hernia repairs, appendectomies, and cholecystectomies. 

Coming from southeast Tennessee, Dr. Ellis is no stranger to forests and mountains. However, he finds the beautiful woodlands and snowcapped mountains of the Pacific Northwest to be unparalleled. Dr. Ellis appreciates that Portland’s mix of city amenities and temperate climate blends perfectly with the tranquility of its surrounding natural spaces. Outside of work, Dr. Ellis enjoys spending time with his wife, three wonderful children, and corgi. They are long-time fans of local craft and renaissance fairs, and love to explore winding mountain roads and national parks.