Dr. Welke is currently a cardiothoracic surgeon and Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. After earning a BSE in engineering from the University of Michigan, Dr. Welke completed medical school at the University of Illinois and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, where he also earned an MS with a concentration in Heath Care Improvement. He completed a residency in thoracic surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he also was a research fellow in Outcomes and Health Services Research. He is board certified in thoracic surgery and general surgery. In addition to practicing and teaching, Dr. Welke is actively engaged in research, having published more than 30 scholarly articles and book chapters and delivered presentations at numerous professional conferences. He has published his work in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, New England Journal of Medicine, Medical Care, American Journal of Medical Quality, Circulation, and others.