IntestinalDiverticulitis near Culpeper, VA

Biography: Eric L. Thomas, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon at Premier Surgical, affiliated with Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dr. Eric Thomas has extensive expertise in robotic surgery and is the only surgeon in the region who trains fellow surgeons in the use of cutting-edge robotic surgical techniques. Dr. Thomas earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, and completed his general surgery residency at Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. A distinguished veteran of the United States Navy, Dr. Thomas served as a flight surgeon with Marine Air Group 39 at Camp Pendleton, California. He also served as the general surgeon aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and at Naval Hospital Bremerton. Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Thomas specializes in advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgery, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy. With extensive experience, he treats a diverse range of conditions, including gallbladder disease, appendectomy, complex hernias, breast and gastrointestinal disorders, anti-reflux procedures, and colon/rectal surgery. Dr. Thomas actively contributes to the training and professional development of post-residency surgeons as a proctor and site for case observations with Intuitive Surgical (Da Vinci Surgical Systems). Throughout his career, he has mentored and trained medical and surgical residents. He held positions within the family practice residency program at Naval Hospital Bremerton (2006-2009), the general surgery residency program with the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance (2011-2021), and the general surgery residency program at Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital (2019-2021). In leadership roles, Dr. Thomas served as Chair of the Department of Surgery at Naval Hospital Bremerton (2006-2009) and as Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital in Peoria, Arizona (2019-2021), as well as at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona (2018-2019). Dr. Thomas is a fellow and active member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). He welcomes new patients and referrals.

Biography: Dr. Minal Patel, MD is a Gastroenterology Specialist who practices in Reston, VA. She is 46 years old and has been practicing for 10 years. Dr. Minal Patel, MD is affiliated with Reston Hospital Center.

Care Philosophy: Renick Smith, MD, is a gastroenterologist practicing in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dr. Smith is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology/hepatology. During his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship at Vanderbilt University, he trained under leaders in the fields of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology and colon cancer research. His fellowship clinical research interests included those of pancreatic and bile duct cancer. He is experienced and proficient in the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, ERCP, wireless video capsule endoscopy, high resolution manometry, and hemorrhoidal banding. He enjoys all aspects of digestive disease, but his special interests include colon cancer screening, gluten sensitivity, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and female predominate disorders such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Dr. Smith has a personal commitment to provide his patients and their families with education and support about their health issues to allow them to become more active participants in their own care.