Dr. Heather Zarour completed her general surgery residency at Oregon Health & Science University and joined Surgical Specialists South in 2017. Dr. Zarour graduated from the Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Prior to medical school, Heather enjoyed a ten-year career as a registered nurse in a hospital-based acute care setting. 

She was trained in general surgery with a special focus in minimally invasive surgery, colorectal and surgical oncology, and palliative care. Her favorite part of her job is curing disease and decreasing suffering for her patients. Dr. Zarour chose to go into surgery because she enjoys performing interventions and practicing acute care. She finds surgery to be challenging but gratifying because the relationships formed with patients are very special, as she works with them to form a solution when they are very vulnerable and sometimes in crisis. She believes there is no greater privilege than to be a surgeon, as her interventions are often lifesaving and improve patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Zarour enjoys living in Portland because of the close proximity to nature and a short drive to the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon coast, or high desert. Outside of work, you can find Dr. Zarour hiking, biking, camping, cooking, and spending time with family.