Surgical Oncology & Colorectal Surgery

Dr. Caba-Molina is an assistant professor of surgery at the LLUH and UCR, a graduate from University Anahuac in Mexico City, graduating "summa cum laude", he completed his General Surgery training at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center-Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and is a graduate from the University of Chicago Complex Surgical Oncology fellowship program where his emphasis during training was advance GI- oncology, HPB surgery, PSM-HIPEC and MIS/Robotic surgery.

During his residency he received a full scholarship for a certificate program in "Value-Based Healthcare", being the first surgeon to complete the program at the prestigious outcome research center, The Dartmouth Institute.

Dr. Caba has a master's in public health and Epidemiology by the University of Pittsburgh (MPH), a master's in science/clinical nutrition (MS) and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in basic science and immunology at the University of Pittsburgh including a mini fellowship in Peritoneal Surface Malignancies and Robotic HPB surgery. He is the first Mexican born surgeon to hold the ABS-CGSO and the only one in the state of California.

He is the associate program director of the Complex Surgical Oncology fellowship at LLUH and holds an academic partnership in basic science research with LLU-Basic Science Department. He continues to be active in academic endeavors with multiple publications, presentations and collaborations.

He is part of several academic committees and task groups including the DEI Board, the communications committee, the International Committee, re-imagination task force, the social media committee and the disease working group in peritoneal malignancies for the prestigious Society of Surgical oncology as he also continues to be actively involved in many other societies including the American College of Surgeons, Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.

He is the Surgical Oncology division chief at RUHS where he has implemented the use of minimal invasive surgery for complex GI malignancies and performed the first robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy in our institution. Under his guidance as the Cancer Committee chair, RUHS obtained the prestigious Commission on Cancer certification by the American College of Surgeons which holds institutions to the highest standards of cancer care.

Dr. Caba is passionate about emerging technologies in MIS, outcomes and disparities, access to cancer care, basic science research, education as well as developing multidisciplinary cancer programs and new treatment modalities and translational research.

Dr. Ramos graduated with honors from the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. He completed his general surgery training at Drexel University and Loma Linda University, serving as Chief Resident at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After finishing his residency, Dr. Ramos pursued a fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Ramos specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal, endocrine, hepatopancreato-biliary (HPB), soft tissue, skin, and breast malignancies. He has a strong interest in minimally invasive techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures for cancer treatment. His research focuses on surgical outcomes and addressing disparities in cancer care.

He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, and the Latino Surgical Society.

Dr. Alexis Plasencia is an accomplished board-certified colorectal and general surgeon. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Riverside University Health System, where he serves as the Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Dr. Plasencia's passion is helping patients. He strives to provide compassionate care and give patients the information needed to make the best decision for their treatment. For him, each patient is unique and requires individualized care. He believes in a multidisciplinary approach, making sure each patient has a team of doctors for all their needs. His expertise is in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, bringing state-of-the-art technology to patients and providing them the most advanced treatments available.

He has helped establish enhanced recovery protocols in his hospital so patients will experience shorter hospital stays, less pain and quicker return to their normal lives. Dr. Plasencia believes in constant learning, making sure to continually improve surgical techniques and outcomes.

He treats all types of complex diseases related to the colon, rectum and anus including: colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, diverticulitis, colovesical fistulas, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, anal fistulas, rectal prolapse, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis/Crohn's), pilonidal disease and fecal incontinence.

Dr. Plasencia was born and raised in Miami, FL. He is descended from Cuban parents. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami. After earning his medical degree at Temple University Medical School, he completed his general surgery Residency at the University of California, Irvine. He then completed a colorectal surgery fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. He returned to Southern California as an Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University and Riverside University in 2020. In 2023, he joined Riverside University Health System full time as the Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery, establishing its first Colon and Rectal Surgery Department.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Plascencia is actively involved in various professional organizations. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. As a committed educator, he contributes to academic literature and serves in leadership roles, including Treasurer/Secretary for the Southern California American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and is a podcast co-host for "Gut Check," the official podcast of ASCRS. He has publications in medical journals. He has served both as a moderator and presenter at various conferences around the nation. He is currently involved in several research projects in order to enhance clinical practice.

Dr. Plasencia is fluent in both English and Spanish, allowing him to connect with a diverse patient population. Outside of his medical career, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, water sports, salsa dancing, traveling and other various outdoor activities.

Dr. Monica S. Camelo is a board-certified General Surgeon and Colorectal surgeon currently practicing at Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley, California. She specializes in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, with expertise in managing colorectal cancer, anorectal diseases, and pelvic floor disorders. Her patient-centered approach focuses on providing individualized, evidence-based care, often in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best outcomes.

Dr. Camelo completed her Colorectal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Rochester and her General Surgery Residency at the University of California, Riverside, where she served as Chief Resident. Prior to her fellowship, Dr. Camelo served on active duty with the United States Navy, gaining extensive trauma experience through multiple deployments. This experience has shaped her ability to manage complex surgical and trauma cases, further enhancing her leadership in acute care surgery.

In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Camelo is an active mentor to surgical residents and a researcher, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and national conference presentations. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is dedicated to providing compassionate care to a broad range of patients. Outside of her practice, Dr. Camelo enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking, yoga, and spending time with her dogs.