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What I Do

As chief of staff, it’s my job to make sure each hospital I oversee maintains the highest quality medical care. I review our protocols, updating them when there is new research and then training the doctors and staff on the new practices.

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Why I Do It

I have a passion for pets and a passion for people, and I love the puzzle of figuring things out.

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My Big Career Moment

After working for a private practice, I discovered that there’s so much opportunity beyond running a small clinic. I realized I didn’t have to own my own practice, I could lead hospitals – like I do now at Banfield.

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Veterinarians are Essential Workers

06/10/2020 06:00am | 4722 views

by Kim Perez

 Veterinarian Maria Ramirez-Gorton talks about what it’s like to lead pet hospitals through a pandemic.

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No Matter Where You Came From or When You Start – There are Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine

14/11/2018 12:00am | 3989 views

Many veterinarians will tell you they’ve known since childhood that they wanted to work with animals. 

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About Our Associates

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Maria Ramirez-Gorton

Chief of Staff
Banfield Pet Hospital

Dr. Ramirez-Gorton earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture animal science from California Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2002. She attended Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her DVM degree in 2006. Dr. Ramirez-Gortonpracticed in California for a year prior to moving her entire family to the East coast and she has resided in Hampton Roads ever since. 

She joined the Banfield team in 2010 and is currently chief of staff at both the Newport News and Hampton locations. Her special interests include dentistry, dermatology, and internal medicine-endocrine. 

Dr. Ramirez-Gortonespecially enjoys mentoring students and doctors. Her “free time” is hectic but fun with her husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a pot-bellied pig named Ernie. Dr. Ramirez-Gortonis an avid runner and enjoys the marathon distance the most. She can be found many weekends pounding the pavement or participating in local road races.