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The colorectal surgeons at UC Irvine’s H.H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center (CDDC) are part of a collaborative team with one goal: optimizing care for our patients.

The team also includes gastroenterologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses and an extensive support team. Together, team members at Orange County’s only university hospital are able to address all aspects of colorectal diseases and conditions.

UC Irvine is the only hospital in Orange County and one of only a few in the nation to offer patients this level of coordinated care.

The team includes:

Steven D. Mills Colorectal surgeon

Dr. Mills, who leads colorectal surgery services for UC Irvine Healthcare, is skilled in minimally-invasive surgery for diseases of the colon and rectum, including cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. A board-certified, fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon, he performed the first robotic-assisted colovesical fistula repair at UC Irvine Medical Center. Mills, who has been named one of the Best Doctors in America® for colon and rectal surgery, also specializes in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and laparoscopic colon resections. His research interests include outcome studies for minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery, sphincter preservation for rectal cancer surgery and the study of new devices for intestinal surgery.

Learn more about Dr. Mills. »

Joseph C. Carmichael, MD Colorectal surgeon

Dr. Carmichael specializes in laparoscopic and robotic surgical approaches to diseases of the colon and rectum. Before joining UC Irvine’s School of Medicine, he started the first robotic rectal surgery program in the state of Missouri. He is board-certified in general surgery and colon and rectal surgery. He also is a member of the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and serves on two of its national committees. His major interests include research in robotic colon and rectal surgery and multidisciplinary approaches to the treatment of recurrent/advanced colon and rectal cancer, as well as complex problems in inflammatory bowel disease.

Learn more about Dr. Carmichael. »

Michael J. Stamos, MD Colorectal surgeon

Dr. Stamos, who leads surgery services for UC Irvine Healthcare, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of patients suffering from colorectal disorders while simultaneously promoting responsible cost containment in treating these disorders. Stamos has regularly been named one of the Best Doctors in America® for colon and rectal surgery. He also is actively involved in teaching and training medical students, residents and fellows. He is a member of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and currently serves as the oral examination chair for that organization. He is board-certified and re-certified in general and colon and rectal surgery.

Learn more about Dr. Stamos. »

Anita Kirk, RN Nurse Coordinator

As nurse coordinator, Kirk facilitates and organizes patient visitations for colorectal patients, assists colostomy patients and is the first point of contact for most of UC Irvine Healthcare’s colorectal patients. She has many years of nursing experience in a variety of specialties. She also is a member of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

Elizabeth Garcia Medical Assistant

Garcia plays a vital role in a patient’s journey during their colorectal procedure, preparing patients for procedures by getting their preoperative vital signs, assisting surgeons with minor procedures and providing postoperative care for patients. Garcia is trained as a gastrointestinal technician and is bilingual in Spanish and English

Cynthia Bui Authorization Coordinator

As the authorization coordinator for the Colorectal Surgery Services team, Bui is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for surgeries, office visits, procedures and all necessary specialty referrals. She also schedules patient appointments and surgeries.