LinkedIn: [maryclare-sarff-md-739215110](http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryclare-sarff-md-739215110)
Professional Role and Affiliations
Dr. MaryClare Sarff serves as a General Surgeon specializing in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at St. Charles Health System (SCHS), primarily based at the Bend Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Services location (2200 NE Neff Rd Suite 302). She holds significant leadership positions including:
- Associate Trauma Medical Director (since January 2023; tenure approximately 2 years 9 months)
- Medical Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) (since January 2023)
She is affiliated with multiple hospitals within the St. Charles Health System, including St. Charles Medical Center Bend and St. Charles Redmond.
Education and Training
- Completed Fellowship in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in 2010
- Completed Residency in General Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University in 2009
- Completed Internship at OHSU (year not specified, but prior to residency)
- Medical degree obtained from Indiana University School of Medicine (1996)
- Undergraduate study at Illinois State University
Clinical Expertise and Specialty Areas
Dr. Sarff specializes in:
- General Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Acute Care Surgery
- Surgical Intensive Care Unit management
Her clinical focus encompasses the treatment and surgical management of trauma patients and critically ill surgical patients. Her role as Medical Director for SICU implies critical involvement in ICU-level patient care coordination and strategic clinical leadership.
Research and Academic Contributions
Dr. Sarff has contributed to the medical literature, particularly in the domain of substance abuse and withdrawal in critical care settings, including:
- Publications addressing the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndromes and substance abuse in ICU patients, co-authored with Jeffrey A. Gold. These works are available on ResearchGate and are dated as recent as August 2025.
- Participation in studies analyzing the effect of resident work hour regulations on operative case volumes during surgical training, indicating engagement with surgical education and workforce issues.
She has been involved in conference presentations, notably:
- Speaker at the 2025 Northwest States Trauma Conference at OHSU, highlighting her role as a subject matter expert in trauma surgery.
She is associated with broader research themes on physician burnout and health care communication, though direct attribution to her in these areas is less explicit.
Clinical Ratings and Peer Recognition
- According to U.S. News & World Report, Dr. Sarff holds a 4 out of 5-star rating, based on 6 patient reviews, indicating a strong professional reputation locally.
Professional Network and Influence
- Maintains an active LinkedIn profile with approximately 150 professional connections, predominantly within the medical and healthcare community.
- Holds long-term tenure at St. Charles Medical Center with nearly 7 years, reinforcing institutional knowledge and stability within the regional healthcare system.
Operational and Location Information
- Office primarily located at Bend Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Services, operationally critical in regional trauma and acute surgical care provision.
- Given the multiple leadership roles starting in 2023, Dr. Sarff appears to be pivotal in both clinical and administrative aspects of trauma and critical care surgery at SCHS.
Actionable Insights
Dr. Sarff’s dual leadership roles in clinical trauma surgery and SICU management, combined with her academic contributions on complex critical care conditions such as substance withdrawal, position her as a key decision-maker and influencer within the St. Charles Health System. Her focus on acute surgical care and trauma aligns with high-acuity patient management and ICU operational efficiency. Engagements that intersect with critical care protocols, trauma service line improvements, or enhancements in surgical ICU workflows would be relevant to her scope. Her recent research activity underscores an interest in improving clinical treatment pathways related to withdrawal syndromes and critical care complications. Her established presence in regional trauma conferences indicates ongoing commitment to professional development and expertise dissemination.
