Digestive Disease Center

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center’s Digestive Disease Center provides patients with diagnosis, treatment, support and education. Our multidisciplinary team of board-certified surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and nurses work together to ensure patients receive comprehensive, personalized care.

The Digestive Disease Center specializes in the treatment of all disorders of the colon and rectum, including colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases and anorectal disorders.

At the center, patients have access to advanced diagnostic testing and the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques. Our dedicated physicians and nurses have specialized training in treating digestive conditions. The team works with each patient to provide the best possible care with the best possible outcomes.

In fact, we are so dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal diseases that in 2011 U.S. News and World Report ranked Chesapeake Regional  one of the "Best Hospitals in Hampton Roads" and named it a "high performing" hospital for gastroenterology. The physicians are also nationally and regionally recognized at top surgeons in their field.
 
At CRMC, patients have access to advanced diagnostic testing and the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques. Our dedicated physicians and nurses have specialized training in treating digestive conditions such as:

• Anal abscess
• Anal cancer
• Anal fistula
• Anal fissure
• Bowel incontinence
• Colon cancer
• Colorectal polyps
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticular disease
• Hemorrhoids
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Rectal prolapse 
• Rectal cancer
• Ulcerative colitis

Schedule your appointment with us today by calling 757-842-4499.

Our Program Coordinator

The Digestive Disease Center offers the personalized service of our program coordinator, Mindy Petit, R.N., C.G.R.N., who guides patients through every step of their journey to recovery. Petit knows that a diagnosis can be scary. That’s why, on the day of diagnosis, she visits with patients to provide support and schedule their initial consultation, which is often within the same week. Whenever possible, the physician accompanies Petit to discuss the diagnosis, provide preliminary information and order testing that can be done prior to their first visit, providing more efficient and timely care.  

Petit’s services as a patient advocate ensure that patients receive:
•    Seamless, coordinated case management throughout all treatments
•    Necessary labs and appointments with specialty physicians
•    Patient advocacy and education
•    Referrals, support groups and resources
•    Follow-up care with a PCP

The program coordinator can be reached by calling 757-842-4491.

Our Physicians

Dr. Beth R. Jaklic
Chesapeake Surgical Specialists
Medical School: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
Internship: National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
Residency: National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
Fellowship: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn.

A retired U.S. Navy captain, Dr. Jaklic was twice recognized as one of the top five surgeons in the Navy for patient satisfaction. During her career, Dr. Jaklic has held academic posts as assistant professor of surgery at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. and as associate professor of surgery at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va.  She also served as program director of the general surgery residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Va.

Dr. Jaklic is board-certified by both the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and is a fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons as well as the American College of Surgeons.  She is a member of the Southeastern Virginia Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and served as its president from 2004-2006.

Dr. Ray T. Ramirez
Colorectal Surgeon
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va.
Internship: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va.
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va.
Fellowship: Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, La.

A board-certified colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Ray T. Ramirez practices with Chesapeake Surgical Specialists, an affiliate of Chesapeake Regional Medical Group. Dr. Ramirez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va. He completed his general surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., and his colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. Dr. Ramirez is board-certified by  the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. He is a fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons as well as the American College of Surgeons.

See all of the surgeons of Chesapeake Surgical Specialists.
Learn more about our gastroenterologists.