Areo G. Saffarzadeh, MD

Dr. Areo Saffarzadeh is the Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at Providence Portland Medical Center, where he specializes in the treatment of diseases within the chest, including lung cancer, esophageal disease and thymus disorders. He completed advanced training in thoracic surgery at Yale School of Medicine focused minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques.

A nationally recognized expert, Dr. Saffarzadeh has authored many peer-reviewed articles and presented across the country on innovative approaches to chest surgery and cancer care. In addition to his clinical work, he travels nationwide to train and mentor the next generation of surgeons, sharing best practices to enhance robotic surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Dr. Saffarzadeh believes that delivering excellent surgical care requires more than just technical expertise. He is deeply committed to treating each patient as a whole person, recognizing the physical, emotional and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis. He takes pride in educating and empowering his patients, ensuring they have the knowledge and support needed to take an active role in their treatment journey and live longer, healthier lives.

Outside of work, Dr. Saffarzadeh is a musician who enjoys playing the guitar and bass. He also likes to spend his free time exploring the Pacific Northwest with his three young children.