Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Gabrielle Sellitti
Digestive problems can affect just about every aspect of your life and sometimes when you’re having more than just a stomachache, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention. If you are experiencing painful or inconvenient symptoms, Physicians Regional Medical Group has a fully staffed digestive health team ready to soothe your pain. Our team diagnoses and treats just about every colorectal and gastric issue in the book. Meet our digestive health team and find the physician that gives you a good gut feeling- figuratively and literally!
Susan Cera, M.D.
Dr. Susan Cera is board certified in colon and rectal surgery. She attended medical school at Georgetown University and completed her residency at Carolinas Medical Center and her fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Dr. Cera specializes in performing colonoscopies, preoperative surgeries, minimally invasive and robotic surgeries and laparoscopies. She also treats patients who suffer from colon/rectal/anal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, adhesions, diverticulitis, fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, anal infections, constipation, colon and rectal polyps and abdominal pain.
Michael Cohen, M.D.
Dr. Michael Cohen is board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He is a native Chicagoan, and graduated with honors from Northwestern University Medical School, and did his Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Miami. Dr. Cohen has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of Gastroenterology and endoscopic procedures. He has a particular interest in inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. He also specializes in noninvasive treatment of hemorrhoids, colon cancer screening and prevention, acid reflux/GERD, and celiac disease/gluten intolerance. In addition, he specializes in gallbladder problems and liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis C, and fatty liver.
Alexandra Grace, D.O., MPH
Dr. Alexandra Grace is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. She attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University and completed her residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center and her fellowship at St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital. She specializes in colon cancer screenings, as well as esophagus, stomach, and pancreaticobiliary disease. She provides treatment for hepatitis, reflux disease, Crohn’s disease, GERD, cirrhosis, hemorrhoids, celiac disease and gluten intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, and ulcerative colitis.
Badar Muneer, M.D.
Dr. Badar Muneer is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine and is the newest member of our Digestive Health Team. He attended medical school at Nishtar Medical College and his residency at Michael Reese Hospital. Dr. Muneer also finished with three fellowships at Case Western Reserve Medical Center, Baylor University Medical Center, and Carilion Clinic- Virginia Tech. Dr. Muneer specializes in advanced gastroenterology, liver disease, and colon cancer screenings, as well as esophagus, stomach, and pancreaticobiliary diseases.
Maria Valdes, M.D.
Dr. Maria Valdes is board certified in gastroenterology and has been practicing for 22 years. She attended medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed her residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center and her fellowship at The Brooklyn Hospital Center. Dr. Valdes specializes in all areas of gastroenterology including colorectal cancer screening, reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Anthony Vernava, M.D.
Dr. Anthony Vernava is board certified in colorectal surgery and has been in practice for over 20 years. He completed medical school and residency at St. Louis University School of Medicine and his fellowship at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Vernava specializes in performing colonoscopies and laparoscopies, as well as preoperative, minimally invasive, and robotic surgeries. He also treats colon, rectal, and anal cancers in addition to Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, adhesions, diverticulitis and fecal incontinence.
Our Digestive Health team members are located at both our Pine Ridge and Collier Boulevard campuses. To schedule an appointment with a member of our team, please visit DigestiveHealthPRHS.com or call (239) 268-6766.