Christy M. Dunst, MD, FACS

503-281-0561
Areas of Focus: 
GERD, including Fundoplication, LINX, Transoral-Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
Barrett's Esophagus & Esophageal Cancer
Endoscopic Resection and Ablation of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Motility Disorders & Achalasia (POEM and Laparoscopic Myotomy)
Esophagectomy, including Vagal Sparing, En Bloc & Minimally Invasive

About Me

Often there are many treatment options for patients with diseases of the esophagus. I prioritize patient education because I believe that the better you understand your individual medical problem, the better I can take care of you. My philosophy is to work with you as a team to determine which treatment option is best for you, and then provide you with superior surgical care in the least invasive way possible.

- Christy M. Dunst, MD, FACS

Christy M Dunst, MD FACS is a practicing esophageal surgical specialist with the Center for Advanced Surgery at The Oregon Clinic in Portland, OR. Her practice is 100% dedicated to diseases of the esophagus and stomach including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, paraesophageal and hiatal hernia repair, motility disorders and cancer. She joined the multispecialty group after completing the Thoracic Foregut Fellowship at University of Southern California in 2006 under Dr. Tom DeMeester. She has been the Program Director for the Providence Portland Medical Center Advanced GI-Foregut Clinical Surgery Fellowship since 2018 and is a board member of the Fellowship Council.

Dr. Dunst graduated from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver Colorado and completed general surgery residency training at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. She has been the Executive Director of The Foundation for Surgical Innovation and Education (tFSIE.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of surgery through education and invention since 2011.

Dr. Dunst is an active member of several organizations, including the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Dr. Dunst also a founding member and active board member of the American Foregut Society. Her area of research focuses on mentoring surgical fellows in all aspects of disorders of the esophagus.

My Work

Hospitals Served: 
Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
Providence Portland Medical Center
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Areas of Focus: 
GERD, including Fundoplication, LINX, Transoral-Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
Barrett's Esophagus & Esophageal Cancer
Endoscopic Resection and Ablation of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Motility Disorders & Achalasia (POEM and Laparoscopic Myotomy)
Esophagectomy, including Vagal Sparing, En Bloc & Minimally Invasive
Gastric Cancer
Hiatal Hernia & Paraesophageal Hernia
Paraesophageal Hernia

Education & Honors

Board Certification: 
General Surgery
Education & Training: 
  • Fellowship, Thoracic Foregut/Esophageal Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 2006
  • Fellowship, Critical Care, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2002
  • Internship and Residency, General Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2004
  • MD, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, CO, 1998
  • BA, Molecular & Cellular Developmental Biology, Psychology, Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, 1993
Leadership: 
  • Executive Director, The Foundation for Surgical Innovation & Education (FSIE)
Honors: 
  • Portland Monthly Magazine, "Top Doctors," 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018
Publications: 
  • Swanstrom, Lee L., Dunst, Christy M., "Antireflux Surgery"
Other Activities: 
  • Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
  • Member, The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT)
  • Member, American College of Surgeons (ACS)
  • Member, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)
  • Member, International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE)
  • Member, Portland Surgical Society

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