Dr. Robert Ponec is a board-certified gastroenterologist with more than 25 years of experience diagnosing and treating complex gastrointestinal and liver diseases. He joined Salem Gastroenterology Consultants in 1997 and specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), celiac plexus block and neurolysis, therapeutic ERCP and ERCP with SpyGlass, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, luminal stenting, therapeutic colon polyp management, and endoscopic mucosal resection.

A graduate of Stanford University, Dr. Ponec earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California, where he graduated first in his class and received the Dean’s Award for Excellence each year of medical school. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at UCLA Medical Center, followed by a Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship and an additional Therapeutic Endoscopy fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Ponec has served in numerous leadership roles at Salem Hospital, including Chief of Gastroenterology, Chairman of GI Cancer Services at Salem Cancer Institute, and Board Chair of the Salem Hospital Foundation. His commitment to quality improvement and patient-centered care is reflected in his ongoing roles on the Physician Leadership Council and Quality Operations Committee.

A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Gastroenterology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American Gastroenterological Association, Dr. Ponec is widely recognized for his clinical expertise, teaching, and contributions to the field. His research on advanced endoscopic therapies has been published in leading medical journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine.

When not caring for patients, Dr. Ponec enjoys teaching, mentoring, and contributing to the advancement of gastrointestinal medicine through education and service.