Dr. Ponec graduated from Stanford University, and earned his Medical Degree at the University of Southern California. His Internal Medicine training was at UCLA. He completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship training at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1997.


Current Position
- 1997-Present Specialist in Gastroenterology/Hepatology. Salem Gastroenterology Consultants, Salem, Oregon Practice includes gastrointestinal and liver diseases, pancreaticobiliary therapeutic endoscopy, advanced endoscopic therapy, and endocopic ultrasound.
- 2002-Present Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Oregon Health and Science University (Staff Attending in GI Fellows’ Clinic, Teach Gastroenterology Section at OHSU School of Medicine)
Education
- 1997 | Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellow, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- 1996 | Senior Clinical Fellow, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- 1990 | Residency, Internal Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 1983-1987 Medical School, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- 1983 | Biology Graduate Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
- 1982 | Undergraduate degree: BS, Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Staff Experience
- 2005 | Present Medical Director, Salem Endoscopy Center
- 2004 - 2006 | Chairman, Department of Medicine, Salem Hospital, Salem, OR
- 2002 - 2004 | Vice-Chairman, Department of Medicine, Salem Hospital
- 2002 - 2004 | Director, Medicine Quality Review Committee, Salem Hospital
- 2000 - 2002 | Member, Medicine Quality Review Committee, Salem Hospital
- 1994 | Staff Internist and Director of Residency Training Program, Oakland Navy Hospital, Oakland California
- 1994 | Director of Internal Medicine Clinic, Consult Service, Resident Morning Report, and Residency Teaching Curriculum for Internal Medicine, Oakland Navy Hospital, Oakland, CA
Awards
-

Salem Hospital Service Excellence Award (Elected by nurses and fellow physicians)
- 1997 | Awarded full ASGE Therapeutic Endoscopy Scholarship, University of Washington Medical Center
- 1994 | Navy Commendation Medal for teaching and leadership in Internal Medicine Residency at Oakland Navy Hospital
- 1994 | Elected as best faculty teacher in medicine department in 1991 and 1994, and as best teacher of any department at Oakland Navy Hospital in 1991
- 1987 | Rank of Number 1 in medical school graduating class of 150 at University of Southern California
- 1987 | Dean’s Award for Excellence: Years I,II,III,IV of medical school
Board Certification
- 1996 | Board Certified, Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Re-Certified May 2007)
- 1990 | Board Certified, Internal Medicine. (Re-Certified in 2000)
Professional Affiliations
- 1995 – Present | Fellow, American College of Physicians
  2007 - Present | Fellow, American College of Gastroenterology
- 1986 – Present | Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
- 1995 – Present | Memberships in American College of Gastroenterology, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American Gastroenterology Association
- 1997 – Present Marion-Polk County Medical Society, Oregon Medical Assoc.
Research Publications
- Ponec RJ, Saunders MD, Kimmey M. Neostigmine for the treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. N Engl J Med 1999;341:137-41.
- Ponec RJ, Kimmey MB. Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. Chapter 26, p 367-375 Clinical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Elsevier Science 2005
- Ponec RJ, Hackman RC, McDonald GB. Endoscopic and histologic diagnosis of intestinal graft-versus-host disease after marrow transplantation. Gastrointest Endosc 1999;49:612-21.
- Ponec RJ, Kimmey MB. Endoscopic therapy of esophageal cancer. Surgical Clinics of North America 1997;77:1197-1217.
- Ponec RJ, Kowdley KV. Paradoxical cerebral emboli after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and coil embolization for treatment of duodenal varices. Am J Gastroenterol 1997;92:1372-1373.
- Kimmey MB, Ponec RJ. Primary malignant and metastatic tumors of the esophagus. Chapter in Gastrointestinal Diseases: An Endoscopic Approach. 2002 Blackwell Science, Inc.
   
Dr. Ponec is married to Lori, and has two sons, Steven and Andrew.