Karen Zink, MD, FACS

503-935-8700
Areas of Focus: 
Acute Care Surgery
Hernia Surgery, Open & Laparoscopic
Gallbladder Surgery
Breast Disease
Melanoma

About Me

I like to work with every patient as an individual, through communication and education. I try to teach each person about their disease and understand how their symptoms affect their life. It is important for patients to understand why they may or may not benefit from surgery, what type of surgery would be best for them personally, and what to expect if they do have surgery. This allows patients to be proactive and involved in their own care, with the goal of a smoother recovery.

- Karen Zink, MD, FACS

Dr. Zink completed her General Surgery Residency training at Oregon Health & Sciences University in 2010. She is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She earned her medical degree at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Zink is the Co-Surgeon Champion for the National Surgical Quality Improving Program for Providence Medical Center.  She, along with Dr. Yu, leads and oversees program implementation and quality initiatives aimed to improve surgical outcomes.

She is a general surgeon who is interested in the broad range of general surgery, with a focus on minimally invasive surgery. Areas of interest include gallbladder surgery, hernias (laparoscopic and open), colon and small bowel surgery, surgery for melanoma, and surgery for breast disease. She is particularly interested in working with athletes and others who participate in strong physical activity, on helping them return to a high level of function as quickly as possible after hernia repairs and other surgeries. She has experience working with long distance runners, advanced cyclists, people who do heavy lifting for work, and others interested in maintaining their physical activity.

Other Interests: 

When not working, she enjoys juggling, unicycling, trapeze, skiing, kayaking, cooking, traveling, camping and playing with her family.

My Work

Office Locations: 
Hospitals Served: 
Providence Portland Medical Center
Areas of Focus: 
Acute Care Surgery
Hernia Surgery, Open & Laparoscopic
Gallbladder Surgery
Breast Disease
Melanoma
Colon & Small Bowel Disease
Laparoscopy
Soft Tissue Tumor

Education & Honors

Board Certification: 
General Surgery
Education & Training: 
  • Ultrasound for Surgeons, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2009
  • Residency, General Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2005-2007; 2008-2010
  • Advanced Laparoscopy Training, Legacy Health Systems, Portland, OR, 2008
  • Research Fellowship, Trauma Research Laboratory, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2008
  • Internship, General Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2004
  • MD, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 2004
  • BA, Anthropology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Urbana, IL, 1999
Honors: 
  • Portland Monthly Magazine, "Top Doctors", 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
  • OHSU Department of Surgery Student Teaching Award, June 2010
  • Committee on Trauma Clinical Science Abstract Regional Winner, November 2009
  • OHSU Graduate Medical Education Committee Distinguished Service Award, June 2008
  • Baker-Moseley Award for Basic Science, June 2008
  • Karen E. Deveney Award in Clinical Research, May 2008
  • Best Intern on the Urology Service, June 2005
  • Multiple Rose Award Recipient, OHSU
  • Washington University School of Medicine Class of 2001 Award, Fall 2002
  • Summa Cum Laude, University of Illinois, 1999