Meet Dr. Porter

Dr. Porter is the most experienced robotic surgeon in the Pacific Northwest. He is the current Medical Director for robotic surgery at Swedish Medical Center, where he also oversees the Robotic Urology Fellowship. Dr. Porter is currently training his 22nd robotic fellow. Additionally, he is the Director of Robotics for Providence St. Joseph Health. He also serves as a Clinical Professor in Urology for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. Prior to his tenure at the Swedish Urology Group, he was Chief of Urology at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and Head of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery in the Department of Urology at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Dr. Porter graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in 1990 and completed his residency in urology at the University of Washington in 1996. He later became a faculty member of the Department of Urology at the University of Washington, where he achieved the rank of Associate Professor. He received his laparoscopic training in Heilbronn, Germany, under the guidance of Professor Jens J. Rassweiler. Dr. Porter was the first surgeon in the Pacific Northwest to utilize the laparoscopic approach for prostatectomy, donor nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. He is credited with pioneering the retroperitoneal approach for robotic partial nephrectomy and performed the first robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy in June of 2006. He also introduced the supine approach for robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for the treatment of testicular cancer.

Dr. Porter is a dedicated mentor who actively promotes and teaches minimally invasive surgical techniques to the national and international urologic community. He is a leading global advocate for robotic surgical platforms, which offer surgeons enhanced vision, precision, and control. He has presented and performed live surgery multiple times at the American Urology Association and has educated thousands of surgeons worldwide on advanced robotic techniques. He is the former President of the Society of Urologic Robotic Surgeons.

Dr. Porter believes that robotics and simulation will greatly shorten the learning curve for the next generation of surgeons. As the number of training centers grows and robotic systems become standard, he emphasizes the importance of education, research, technical analysis, and data collection for future success. Above all, the hallmark of a successful robotics practice is a cohesive and consistent team effort over time.

Dr. Porter decided to pursue urology at the age of 14 while on a golf course in Toledo, Ohio. There, Dr. Kenneth Kropp, head of urology at the Medical College of Ohio, inspired the young caddy, encouraging him to find a profession that he would be willing to do every day, even if he did it for free.

"I have dedicated my professional life to reducing the pain and suffering of patients who undergo surgery and to teaching future surgeons the same approach and commitment," says Dr. Porter. "It is an honor to come to work every day and have the opportunity to prolong lives."

Dr. Porter lives in Seattle with his wife and daughter and enjoys traveling with his family, gardening, and golfing.