Virgilio V. George, M.D., joined the Department of Surgery as associate professor and head of the section of colon and rectal surgery in 2015. His primary academic and clinical focus is in the field of colorectal surgery including benign and malignant disease.

Dr. George leads the multidisciplinary team to obtain a center of excellence for rectal cancer. He is developing successful programs in minimally invasive colorectal surgery. This includes collaborations with the division of gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine for inflammatory bowel disease and with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center to provide specialty surgery services in colorectal surgeries to include robotic surgical techniques.

Dr. George trained as a medical doctor in Venezuela where he attended the Universidad Centroccidental "Lisandro Alvarado" School of Medicine. In 2001, Dr. George moved to the United States to complete a residency program in general surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. During that time, he developed a special interest in the treatment of colorectal diseases through surgical intervention and in 2006 he completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery under Dr. James Fleshman at Washington University in St. Louis Missouri.

Dr. George is recognized for his excellence in colorectal surgery both nationally and internationally. His clinical interests cover the range of inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, colon and rectal cancer, benign anorectal disease with special interest in minimal invasive colon and rectal procedures, and transanal endoscopy microsurgery for rectal tumors. He participates in multiple genetic cancer studies as well as American College of Surgeon Oncology Group (ACOSOG) studies focused on laparoscopic versus open colon resection for cancer patients.

Not only has Dr. George been a very active and creative surgeon, but his research accomplishments have been many. His research interests include a very strong focus in the area of oncology, with scientific interests including work in the basic sciences, specifically in the areas of signal transduction through the application in translational research in certain cancers, including therapy and pharmacogenetics. He has studied and performed the most single-site colectomies in the country. This work has led to multiple publications in the topic of single-site colectomies demonstrating the safety and benefits to the patient.

An expert in his field, he serves as a reviewer for a number of journals, including World Journal of Gastroenterology, Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Surgical Endoscopy, Annals of Surgery, and The Journal of Pediatric Surgery. He has served on numerous committees for The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons including the video education committee, new technologies committee, and research development committee.

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