March marks National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month which is a time dedicated to increasing screening rates, encouraging early detection, and educating communities about preventing gastrointestinal cancers. As colorectal cancer rates continue to rise, particularly among younger adults, the need for trusted medical voices has never been more urgent. Enter Dr. Veronica Jarido, a gastroenterologist committed not only to treating disease, but to transforming how patients understand and access care.
Currently practicing in rural Tennessee, Dr. Jarido is transitioning into her role as an independently contracted physician. Her work centers on health equity, expanding access to care in underserved and impoverished communities, and simplifying medical information so patients can make empowered decisions without feeling overwhelmed by clinical jargon.
Her medical journey reflects both excellence and intention. Dr. Jarido earned her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, completed her Internal Medicine residency at Duke University, and went on to finish her gastroenterology fellowship at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Each step prepared her for a specialty that blends diagnostic precision with hands-on intervention.
“I chose gastroenterology because I’m passionate about managing gastrointestinal diseases and performing procedures that make a tangible difference in patients’ lives,” she explains. “This field allows me to care for patients from diagnosis to treatment and long-term management. I value being able to identify the problem and directly intervene, ensuring continuity of care and building strong, lasting relationships.”
For Dr. Jarido, GI medicine is far from routine. It is a constantly evolving field shaped by new research, advancing technologies, and emerging treatments. “It keeps the work intellectually stimulating,” she shares. “But what truly makes it meaningful are the relationships. Helping patients understand their symptoms, guiding them through complex conditions, and watching their quality of life improve over time is incredibly rewarding.”
One of the most pressing issues she addresses is the rise of colorectal cancer in adults under 50 — a trend that challenges outdated assumptions about who is at risk. According to Dr. Jarido, younger adults must be vigilant about symptoms that are often dismissed.
“Colorectal cancer is no longer just a disease of older adults,” she emphasizes. “Unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits such as new constipation or narrow stools, and unexplained iron deficiency anemia should never be ignored. Persistent abdominal pain also deserves evaluation. Early recognition and timely screening can dramatically improve outcomes.”
Beyond the exam room, Dr. Jarido recognizes another modern challenge: misinformation. In an era where health advice circulates widely on social media, physicians must step into digital spaces with clarity and credibility.
“Doctors have a responsibility to communicate proactively,” she says. “Using professional platforms to share evidence-based information helps reach wider audiences. But just as important is addressing misinformation directly during clinic visits — listening to concerns, clarifying misconceptions, and building trust.”
For Dr. Jarido, medicine is more than procedures and protocols. It is about accessibility, education, and equity. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and beyond, her message is clear: awareness saves lives, early detection matters, and informed patients are empowered patients.
