Megan McDonald and Hannah Wallace
Even in our little slice of paradise, we have to watch our health—and we need good doctors to watch it with us. Fortunately, as in so many other things, we’ve got choices. Many world-class physicians have come here to enjoy the same sunshine, arts and lifestyle we do. They’re also drawn by our demographics, which include lots of boomers and seniors with the motivation—and the resources—to stay healthy and vital well into their later years. As a result, our little town enjoys big-time medical services. Need proof? Representing 31 specialties and many more subspecialties, the 52 physicians on our top doctors list are just the tip of the iceberg, the highest echelon in a community of expert healthcare. The doctors you see here were nominated by their peers and rigorously screened by Castle-Connolly Medical, a research firm that compiles listings of top doctors throughout the country. But you don’t have to take their word for it: In the following pages, you’ll also hear from four patients who received life-changing treatment from the top doctors on our list. In your quest for a doctor who suits your needs, consider this list a jumping-off point. Personal chemistry and your own comfort are vital when it comes to healthcare, so finding the best doctor for you takes more than professional accolades. After all, it’s their job—but it’s your health. -Hannah Wallace A 55-year-old heavy smoker develops lung cancer. Surgery gives him a second chance. Joe Buccolo, a Bradenton-based, motorcycle-riding retired financial director, and his neighbor, Naples, Italy-born thoracic surgeon Dr. Alessandro Golino, were friendly. They would wave when they saw each other, but when Buccolo, 55, needed Golino’s medical expertise, their casual acquaintance deepened into a different kind of relationship. “I had shortness of breath and was sweating profusely,” Buccolo explains. “My regular doctor suggested a chest X-ray.” The chest X-ray revealed a large tumor in the upper right lobe of Buccolo’s lung—lung cancer. His doctor referred him to Manatee Cardiac Surgery and Golino. “One day I saw him driving down the street; the next he showed up at my office,” Golino says. “And when I looked at his CT scan, I was concerned. With a lung cancer patient, you ask yourself three questions: 1. Can we completely remove the cancer? 2. Are the patient’s lungs strong enough to take the surgery? 3. Are the lymph nodes involved? Joe’s lungs were really bad; he was a heavy smoker, and his lungs reflected that. But the cancer hadn’t spread to the lymph nodes, and we were able to proceed.” Buccolo was scheduled for surgery on Dec. 10, 2007, to remove a third of his lung. “Dr. Golino had some other surgeries that day, so mine kept getting pushed back,” Buccolo says. “Finally, at 7 p.m., he was able to operate—and it took until almost midnight. But he was fully confident that he could do it, even after that long day, and he did.” Buccolo spent five days in the hospital and says that during that time he really came to know his neighbor. “The guy’s just phenomenal,” he says. “He took the time to explain and help me understand what was going on. I would never want to go through what I went through with anybody but him.” Golino stresses the importance of having symptoms like those Buccolo was experiencing checked by a doctor. “Lung cancer is very treatable,” Golino says, “but you should never underestimate your symptoms. Joe got lucky—and now he’s back on his Harley.” —Megan McDonald At the gym, a 39-year-old suffers a major heart attack. A new cardiac program helps save his life. After a demanding cardio routine at the gym, 39-year-old Tim Beach was standing in the lobby talking to his business partner. “Suddenly I got a terrible pain in my back,” Beach says. “I thought I’d done something working out.” But a minute later, Beach says, “I felt a rush, like I might pass out.” He lay down on the floor and asked the owner of the gym to call an ambulance. Dr. James Fox, an interventional cardiologist and the founder of the national Direct Angioplasty Saves Hearts (DASH) program, was on call at At the lab, Fox inserted a catheter through Beach’s groin and discovered a piece of plaque had broken off the side of his artery wall and caused total blockage. “I was wide awake, watching TV. It was pretty bizarre,” Beach says. “I said, ‘Doc, I’ve got a wife and two kids—please don’t let me die.’” Fox inserted a stent to hold Beach’s artery open and cleared the blockage within 20 minutes. “The heart can recover in about six hours, but after 60 to 90 minutes, the condition becomes more severe,” he explains. “Time is muscle.” Thanks to the speed and efficiency of his treatment, Beach had virtually no heart damage. “Dr. Fox said that had I waited two or three hours longer, we could have been talking about a heart transplant,” he says. “I’m a testament to the idea that you should listen to your body if something [feels] wrong.” Beach made some dietary and exercise changes and now goes to see Dr. Fox regularly. “He’s a brilliant surgeon and a genuinely warm, nice guy,” he says. “He spent an hour with me in the recovery room and assured me that I was going to be OK. Even during surgery in the cath lab, he talked me through everything. That’s a great quality in a doctor when you’re going through something like that.” —Megan McDonald Fourteen-year-old Caci Burke, an eighth-grader at Caci’s mother, Tina Burke, began her pregnancy with high blood pressure and chronic hypertension. Her doctor referred her to Dr. Washington Hill, a specialist who’s currently the director of maternal and fetal medicine and the prenatal center at “When you have high blood pressure, your vessels are constricting,” Hill explains. “During pregnancy, that causes decreased blood flow to the placenta, which means the baby is not getting enough nutrition, and its growth is stunted.” Tina’s high blood pressure led to the development of toxemia, or pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition that meant that Caci had to be delivered at only 27 weeks. “I said, ‘Only Dr. Hill can deliver my baby,’” Burke says. “When the time came for Caci to be born, he was away at a conference, but he got on a plane and came right back. “Timing played a big factor in Caci’s birth,” Hill says. “To have a 12.9-ounce baby is one thing, but to have a 12.9-ounce baby at 27 weeks is another, especially with the stress of the pregnancy. That’s an unusual combination.” “She was small, but everything was there,” says Tina Burke with a laugh. “And after she left the [neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU], there were no complications. She just needed to gain weight.” The Sarasota NICU is the only one of its kind in the area and one of the few NICUs on the west coast of Caci, who lists hanging out with friends, music and writing as her favorite pastimes, sees Dr. Hill regularly at NICU reunions, along with several of the nurses that helped deliver her. “Dr. Hill is a real nice gentleman,” she says with a big smile. “I knew I was going to be fine.” —Megan McDonald Steven and Kim Motycka knew something was wrong when Steven, the normally healthy 48-year-old owner of a home security company, developed slurred speech and weakness in his right hand in 2003. After a series of tests and assembling a team of other specialists, neurologist Dr. Donald Negroski could conclude only that Motycka’s symptoms were similar to, but not completely consistent with, multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, Motycka kept getting sicker. He was admitted to the hospital and fell into a coma, relying on a breathing machine to stay alive—with no diagnosis determined. As a last resort, Motycka’s doctors did a brain biopsy and sent it to John Hopkins. The results: Motycka had intravascular lymphoma, a cancer that has appeared in only 10 patients over the last several years. “There’s only been a handful of cases in the world,” Negroski says. “A few in Because intravascular lymphoma is so rare, there’s no standardized treatment for it. So Negroski and his team, which included Dr. Jameel Audeh and Negroski’s colleague, Dr. Dean Sutherland, among others, came up with a handcrafted approach. “We used Rituxan, a chemotherapeutic agent that’s been used in some newer cases,” Negroski says. “Luckily, Steven began responding to it.” Almost instantly, Motycka started to wake up. At first he couldn’t talk, eat or sit up and needed constant assistance. But now, five years after his diagnosis, Motycka, who chokes up when he discusses his experience, is walking and talking. He doesn’t remember much of his stay in the hospital and still has some coordination problems, but he does light exercise daily, plays golf as often as he can, and spends time with a core group of friends that’s served as an unwavering support system, which also includes the couple’s three children, Steven Jr., Nicole and Michael, who still live in the area. The children and his wife, Kim, decided to celebrate Motycka’s five-year-old remission this summer. “We’re taking a big family cruise,” Kim says as she smiles at her husband. —Megan McDonald Behind the List What you need to know about Top Doctors. Where does the list come from? Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a 16-year-old, New York-based healthcare research company, identifies top doctors throughout the country and creates national, regional and specialized lists that have been featured in a number of publications, including Money Magazine, Redbook and New York Magazine. How are doctors chosen? Castle Connolly sends nomination forms to a randomly selected group (about 50 percent) of board-certified doctors in the area (in this case, Where does the information in the listings come from? Nominees submit extensive professional biographies, including current practice information such as languages spoken and the length of time to secure an appointment. Can doctors buy their way in? No. Doctors do not pay Castle Connolly to be placed on the list, and there is no link between this list and advertisers in Does My doctor received notification from Castle Connolly and is listed on Castle Connolly’s Web site. Why doesn’t he appear on this list? Castle Connolly provides How can I see the whole list? You may search among all of Castle Connolly’s approximately 20,000 top doctors by registering and paying a fee to become a premium member on Castle Connolly’s Web site, www.castleconnolly.com. Memberships are available for one-day, one-year and two-year increments. The top 1 percent of doctors in the nation also appear in Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors 7th edition. My doctor isn’t named by Castle Connolly at all. Does that mean she’s a bad doctor? No. Many outstanding doctors are not included on this list. The list represents only those physicians who have been nominated as top doctors by their peers and verified through Castle Connolly’s research team. The company continually identifies and adds outstanding doctors to its database. However, Castle Connolly readily admits that it cannot list every excellent doctor practicing medicine today. TOP PATIENTS What you need to know to get the best from an excellent doctor. Like it or not, you, the patient, bear a good deal of responsibility for your own care, especially when it comes to finding the right doctor, understanding your options and maintaining a healthy relationship with the people handling your medical needs. If you’re new to town or just looking for a new doctor, start with referral lines, Web sites, friends and family. Hospital referral lines especially can give you a quick summary of a doctor’s credentials, specialty and background, so that you can pinpoint doctors who meet your preferences. And doctors with hospital affiliation have already undergone a rigorous screening process. Plus, referral lines can usually tell you which doctors are currently accepting patients—and that can be an issue here, especially in certain specialties. Above all, you must find a physician with whom you can comfortably communicate. This may mean visiting more than one doctor—stick with it. Some patients may prefer an aggressive, take-charge physician; others are comfortable with a relaxed listener; still others are looking for a doctor with a formal, businesslike demeanor. Figure out what personality works best for you, and don’t settle for a doctor who makes you uncomfortable and hesitant to discuss your health. He can’t help you if you can’t tell him how you feel. Write down your history, symptoms, questions and concerns before your appointment. Don’t leave before you’ve covered everything on the list. Call the office if you have additional questions. Your doctor should be accessible, and his staff can be valuable resources, too. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. This is your health; no one cares about it the way you do; and you’re entitled to gather all the information you need. And remember, a second opinion should not come from the Internet or a telephone consultation. You need to be examined in person so that the doctor can form a complete and educated opinion. When looking for a doctor to give you a second opinion, ask trusted friends or your health insurance provider. You can even ask your own doctor for a recommendation. “Don’t worry about hurting your doctor’s feelings,” says the Web site for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Most doctors welcome a second opinion, especially when surgery or long-term treatment is involved.” Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Using mail and telephone surveys, and electronic ballots, they ask physicians and the medical leadership of leading hospitals to identify highly skilled, exceptional doctors. Careful screening of doctors’ educational and professional experience is essential before final selection is made among those physicians most highly regarded by their peers. Physicians selected for inclusion in this magazine’s “Top Doctors” feature may also appear as Regional Top Doctors online at www.castleconnolly.com, or in one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors guides, such as America’s Top Doctors® or America’s Top Doctors® for Cancer. The List Allergy & Immunology Donna Jamieson (941) 366-9711 Cardiovascular Disease Stephen Culp Heart Specialists of (941) 917-4250 Interventional Cardiology Michael Mollod Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 917-8185 Coronary Artery Disease, Cardiac Catheterization Alberto Montalvo (941) 748-2277 Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Daniel Pacifico 1540 (941) 917-0060 Richard Golub Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 341-0042 Dermatology Alfred Hernandez Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 957-4767 Dermatologic Surgery, Mohs' Surgery, Skin Cancer Cathy Milam (941) 364-8220 Skin Cancer, Acne, Eczema Susan Weinkle (941) 794-5432 Skin Cancer, Mohs' Surgery, Cosmetic Dermatology Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Jose Antunes (941) 365-0333 Diabetes, Cholesterol/Lipid Disorders, Thyroid Disorders Family Medicine Jeff Nelson (941) 752-2800 Barry Stein 6128 (941) 923-5882 Gastroenterology F. Scott Corbett Gastroenetrology Associates of (941) 365-6556 Endoscopy Elliot Livstone Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 955-0000 Esophageal Disorders, Endoscopy, Diarrheal Diseases Gynecologic Oncology James Fiorica (941) 917-8383 Gynecologic Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer Infectious Disease James Knapp (941) 475-3980 Internal Medicine Carlos Caballero Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 917-8365 Concierge Medicine Scott Elsbree Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 379-8481 Charles Hollen (941) 379-5121 Robert Schulman Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 379-8481 Interventional Cardiology James Fox 1540 (941) 917-0060 Cardiac Catheterization Maternal & Fetal Medicine Washington Hill First Physicians Group-Maternal Fetal Medicine (941) 917-6260 Pregnancy-High Risk, Prenatal Diagnosis, Multiple Gestation Medical Oncology Richard Brown Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 957-1000 Medical Oncology Caryn Silver Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 957-1000 Breast Cancer Nephrology Lazo Pipovski (941) 917-8722 Hypertension Neurological Surgery John Cassidy (941) 484-3404 Brain Surgery, Spinal Surgery Neurology Donald Negroski (941) 487-2160 Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Migraine Obstetrics & Gynecology Gary Easterling Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 379-6331 Jennifer McCullen (941) 907-3008 Preventive Medicine, Women’s Health Ophthalmology Liaquat Allarakhia (941) 727-3937 Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration Orthopaedic Surgery John Hand Doctors Hospital of Sarasota 2800 (941) 921-2600 Hand Surgery Mark Lonstein Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 917-6500 Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Spinal Disc Replacement Otolaryngology Matthew Byers Intercoastal Medical Group-Otolaryngology (941) 379-1800 Trauma-Face, Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Nasal Surgery, Head & Neck Cancer Jack Wazen Silverstein Institute (941) 366-9222 Skull Base Surgery, Meniere's Disease, Acoustic Neuroma, Hearing & Balance Disorders Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Jennifer Mayer All Children's Hospital All Children’s at 1700 (941) 917-7490 Pediatrics Francine Gross (941) 359-3737 Helene Hubbard (941) 922-5366 Developmental & Behavioral Disorders, Developmental Delay, Learning Disorders Robert Weiss (941) 366-3000 Adolescent Medicine Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation David Siegel Comprehensive Rehab, 10 East Tower (941) 917-7622 Plastic Surgery John Leikensohn (941) 792-4157 Cosmetic Surgery-Face & Body, Cosmetic Surgery-Breast David Mobley Doctors Hospital of Sarasota 2255 (941) 366-8897 Cosmetic Surgery James Schmidt 2255 (941) 366-8897 Psychiatry Robert Mignone (941) 408-8988 Anxiety & Mood Disorders Pulmonary Disease Glenn Adams (941) 917-8772 Sleep Disorders/Apnea Rheumatology Daniel Small Doctors Hospital of Sarasota 3500 (941) 365-0770 Arthritis Surgery Nanette Wendel (941) 748-1471 Laparoscopic Surgery Thoracic Surgery Alessandro Golino Manatee Cardiac Surgery (941) 744-2640 Cardiothoracic Surgery Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 952-1913 Cardiothoracic Surgery Urology A. Joseph Bilik (941) 309-7000 Edward Herrman (941) 792-0340 Kidney Stones, Incontinence, Laparoscopic Surgery, Erectile Dysfunction Alan Treiman Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (941) 917-8488 Prostate Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Bladder Cancer, Prostate Disease Vascular Surgery Michael Lepore (941) 371-6565 Endovascular Surgery, Aneurysm-Aortic, Minimally Invasive Vascular Surgery, Angioplasty & Stent Placement
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