Ray T. Ramirez, M.D, Named A Hampton Roads Health Care Hero for Colorectal Surgery

CHESAPEAKE – Ray T. Ramirez, M.D., a colorectal surgeon who practices with Chesapeake Surgical Specialists, part of  Chesapeake Regional Medical Group, was recently honored by Inside Business as one of 22 honorees recognizing individuals, companies and organizations for their contributions to improving health care in Hampton Roads.

A second-generation colorectal surgeon, Ramirez decided to enter the same specialty as his father, a well-known colorectal surgeon in the community. More than 20 years later, he is a nationally-recognized colorectal surgeon who has earned the respect of his peers and accolades from his patients.

Often the first to test advanced technology in an operating room, Ramirez’s superior work produced such successful outcomes that he was asked by Ethicon, a corporation that advances innovation in surgery, to become a teaching consultant. For the past several years he has taught surgeons from around the country to use a less-invasive approach. A surgery scheduler working with Ramirez said, “Immediately I knew that this was a doctor who cared deeply about his patients, their outcomes and quality of life. The dedication he has to the quality of care and patient outcomes is exceptional. I track quality data for the colon and rectal program, and Dr. Ramirez’s length of stay, readmissions and complication rate for elective primary colon and rectal surgeries surpass national outcomes.”

Ramirez specializes in complicated cases of the small intestine, colon and rectum. His proficiency in hand-assisted colon resection and sphincter-sparing minimally invasive surgery make him one of the most in-demand surgeons in Hampton Roads, taking on cases that require his detailed expertise. Of the 95 elective colon and rectal surgeries he performed in fiscal year 2018, 88 were minimally invasive resections with an average length of stay about 2.36 days below the national average.

After earning his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Ramirez completed his general surgery residency at EVMS and was named Outstanding Senior Surgical Resident, then Outstanding Chief Surgical Resident. He completed a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana and is a member and past president of the Southeastern Virginia Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and a fellow of both the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and of the American College of Surgeons. He and his wife Vicky have five children.

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