Meet the Faculty

Program Director: Claire Gould, MD

Dr. Claire Gould, a Legacy CBG Fellowship alum, has led the program since 2020. She began her medical training in Texas, graduating from Baylor College of Medicine and completing her residency at the Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in San Antonio. She went on to serve 12 years in the United States Air Force, shaping her commitment to service and education.  Her clinical interests include complex hysteroscopy, endometriosis care, and surgical options for fertility patients. She is especially passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians.  Outside of work, Dr. Gould enjoys reading, yarn crafts, watching sports, and spending time with her family.

Assistant Program Director: Amanda Ecker, MD

Dr. Amanda Ecker specializes in providing gynecologic care for women of all ages.  She has advanced training in laparoscopic surgery and is able to treat a variety of conditions including fibroids, heavy periods, pelvic pain, endometriosis and ovarian masses with small incisions. She feels that it is important to offer these services so that patients can have the shortest recovery and the most minimal impact to their daily lives. She takes pride in developing personalized treatment plans, working together with every patient to allow her to regain control of her health and improve her quality of life.

After living in Pittsburgh for six years to complete her training, she was ready to move back to Oregon, her home state. When not at the hospital, Dr. Ecker enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, kayaking and traveling. She also enjoys gardening, baking and is something of a foodie.

Leslie Palacios-Helgeson, MD

Dr. Palacios-Helgeson is a board-certified gynecologist fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery.  Her clinical scope of practice involves all aspects of gynecology, specializing in complex surgical management of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and reproductive health conditions as well as surgical and non-surgical management of abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis and sexual health. Dr. Palacios completed her medical degree at University of Colorado, her residency at University of California San Francisco and fellowship at Legacy Health. 

Kristen Woodward, MD

Kristen Woodward, MD is the current second year CBG Fellow at Legacy Health and is excited to stay on as faculty at Legacy Health after graduation in July 2026. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she completed medical school at the University of Florida before traveling north for OBGYN residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her interests include endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, complex hysteroscopy, and the physician-patient relationship. She enjoys hiking throughout Oregon and Washington, going to concerts, and enjoying the Portland food scene with her husband. 

Research mentor: Jacqueline Wong, MD

Dr. Wong completed an OB/GYN residency at Northwestern University and a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at the University of North Carolina, during which time she also completed a Masters of Science in Clinical Research. Her clinical focus is on the holistic care of medically and surgically complex patients and long-term solutions for chronic pelvic pain. Dr. Wong’s research focuses on surgical technology and ergonomics and the multimodal treatment of chronic pelvic pain. Outside of work, she enjoys winning the ‘best chocolate chip cookie’ competition among her Chronic Pelvic Pain Clinic colleagues (Amanda Ecker came in a distant 2nd) and exploring the PNW outdoors.