Welcome to Colon and Rectal Surgery
The colon and rectal surgery team at VCU Health treats complex colorectal and anorectal diseases with a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach.
From the Chair
Research
NEWS (1/5/2023): Cellf BIO Begins Phase 1 Clinical Trial of BioSphincter™ Implant for Fecal Incontinence
We have a strong focus on research and evidence-based patient care. Our faculty are engaged in multiple research endeavors. This includes translational research for regenerative medicine treatments of fecal incontinence, clinical research for integration of palliative care into surgical treatment pathways and quality care improvement research to improve clinical outcomes in colon and rectal surgery.
Current Research Projects
- Implantation of BioSphincter™ for treatment of severe passive FI, Jaime Bohl - PI
This is a two-center, first-in-human prospective study of the immediate and long-term safety of the BioSphincter, an implanted internal anal sphincter (IAS) bioengineered from autologous cells to treat patients with severe passive FI who have failed standard therapies. Fecal Incontinence (FI) is the inability to control your bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. It is a problem faced by about 1 in 12 adults in the US. FI affects all aspects of peoples’ lives, greatly reducing quality of physical and mental health. For some patients, medical treatments have not allowed for sustained resolution of FI. Cellf BIO provides a treatment that aims to restore the normal physiological function of the anorectum. The BioSphincter™ is bioengineered from patient’s own smooth muscle cells and neural stem cells, retrieved in a biopsy procedure — eliminating any risk of rejection.1 The newly grown autologous sphincter is implanted in the area of the defective sphincter and will form a new continuum of the patient’s own gastrointestinal tract.1
- Racial Disparities in Pain Care: A Comprehensive Integration of Patient- and Provider-Level Mechanisms with Dyadic Communication Processes Using a Mixed-Methods Research Design, Emily Rivet: Co-I on an NIH with The Department of Psychology.
Colon & Rectal Surgery Team
Division Faculty
Jaime Bohl, M.D., FACS, FASCRS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Jaime Bohl, M.D., FACS, FASCRS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Department of Surgery
Chief, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, VCU Health
Chair, VCU Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Phone: (804) 827-0049
Email: jaime.bohl@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
1200 East Broad Street
Box 980167
Richmond, VA 23298-0167
Emily Burke Rivet, MD, MBA
Associate Professor of Surgery
Emily Burke Rivet, MD, MBA
Associate Professor of Surgery
Department of Surgery
Colon & Rectal Surgery Specialist, VCU Health
Phone: (804) 827-0049
Email: emily.rivet@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
1200 East Broad Street
Box 980167
Richmond, VA 23298-0167
Stephen P. Sharp, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Stephen P. Sharp, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Department of Surgery
Colon & Rectal Surgery Specialist, VCU Health
Phone: (804) 827-0049
Email: stephen.sharp@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
1200 East Broad Street
Box 980167
Richmond, VA 23298-0167
Nicole Wieghard, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Nicole Wieghard, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Department of Surgery
Colon & Rectal Surgery Specialist, VCU Health
Phone: (804) 827-0049
Email: Nicole.Wieghard@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
1200 East Broad Street
Box 980167
Richmond, VA 23298-0167
Support Team
Khalil N. Bitar, PhD, AGAF
Cindy Chenault, AGACNP, Inpatient Nurse Practitioner
Annette Dean, CWOCN, Clinical Nurse
Kenna Joyce, RN, Clinical Nurse
Joann Plencner, RN, CWOCN, Ostomy Nurse
Danielle Robledo, Medical Assistant
Surgery Education
General surgery residents at VCU are vital members of the CRS surgical team. Residents learn endoscopy, as well as clinical and surgical management of anorectal, colon and rectal diseases. Residents participate in open, laparoscopic and robotic procedures.
Surgery EducationContact Us
Phone: (804) 827-0049
Fax: (804) 827-0670
Jaime L. Bohl, M.D., FACS, FASCRS
Chair, Colon and Rectal Surgery
jaime.bohl@vcuhealth.org
Biliana Ivanova, MBA
Associate Administrator
biliana.ivanova@vcuhealth.org
Office Location
West Hospital
1200 East Broad Street, 4th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Mailing Address
Box 980167
Richmond Virginia 23298-0167