Rick D. Pittman, MD, is board-certified in venous and lymphatic medicine and fellowship-trained in vascular surgery. He is recognized as one of the Pacific Northwest’s leaders in treating venous disease. After 28 years in private practice at his Salem Vein Center, he joined Silver Falls Dermatology (now Frontier Dermatology) to expand patient access to comprehensive vein treatments.
Dr. Pittman completed his general surgery training at The Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He then studied under Dr. Toshio Inahara at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Oregon, and spent three intensive months training with Dr. Walter DeGroot, considered by many the father of modern vein treatment.
As the first physician in the Willamette Valley to use therapeutic injections (sclerotherapy) for spider and reticular veins, Dr. Pittman has completed more than 50,000 vein procedures. He frequently lectures on vein disorders and has served as Assistant Clinical Professor of Vascular Surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University since 1997. Physicians from Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California refer patients to him for specialized care.
In 2017, Dr. Pittman earned an MBA in healthcare administration to deepen his understanding of the evolving healthcare system. He remains committed to staying at the forefront of venous and lymphatic medicine, attending two international conferences each year.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Pittman pursues photography and is the club photographer for the Oregon Porsche Club of America. A lifelong car enthusiast, he enjoys restoring collector cars and taking road trips with his wife, Jennifer.
His column, The Last Word, appears in the Marion Polk Medical Society’s newsletter, Chart Notes, where he blends education with entertainment and thought-provoking commentary.
“I am passionate about caring for patients with venous and lymphatic disease. Over the last 40 years I have sharpened my skills to a razor’s edge. I believe the patient always comes first. And the first rule is to do no harm, by doing the right thing.” — Dr. Pittman