| The COPD Advocate Hall of Fame
Pulmonary patients with whom I correspond often ask, "Where can I find a doctor who will help me?" Whether they seek a pulmonologist or a primary care physician, they are often desperate because their condition is deteriorating and they know they haven't received proper care (or proper caring) from doctors they have been seeing.
Others ask where they can find a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center or a local support group.
I've created this web site as a step forward in getting answers for some of these folks. It is intended to be a listing of compassionate doctors who understand the needs of the chronically ill; who listen to their patients, talk to their patients, and take aggressive measures to treat both their physical and psychological needs.
If it is to realize even a fraction of its potential, this list must be more than entries from a "yellow pages" directory, and must be free of the commercial or "political" influence represented by the "800 Number" or "Call your local medical association" approaches. At the same time, it must be recognized that I lack the credentials (or resources) to qualify me for the job of deciding who belongs on such an "All-Star Team."
I resolved this dilemma by deciding to go directly to people who know more about chronic pulmonary disease than many doctors and have absolutely no personal or financial motive in selecting such an All-Star Team. I've asked the patients, themselves; the patients who received the agressive treatment they needed and have experienced an improved quality of life as a result of their physician’s care, or their rehabilitation work. These are patients who would not hesitate to recommend their medical care to their closest friend or to suggest to whom they would send their most-loved family member.
So, that’s what enshrinement in this "Hall of Fame" will connote: a patient’s appreciation and "public" recognition of a difficult job exceptionally well done, and a recommendation of that service to others.
If you wish to nominate a candidate, send the complete name, address, phone number, email contact, and area of medical specialization, with your full name, screen name, and the state in which you reside. I will enter the data and advise your nominee of the fact by "snail mail" letter, similar to the sample printed below. (Should you know that your doctor is not accepting new patients, that fact will be noted on the listing.)
There are two sections of "All-Star Nominees," listed in geographic order and a list of Endorsers:
I hope this humble undertaking makes things a little easier for other pulmonary patients, and for their families.
COPD Advocate
March 4, 1999
Paul J. Ovando, M.D.
RE: "All-Star Doctor" Designation
Dear Dr. Ovando:
I am volunteer coordinator and web master for a group of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease who correspond regularly on the Internet, from across the United States, Canada, and many other countries around the world.
Though the specifics of our diseases vary, we share the extraordinarily similar experience of our often-lengthy searches for a doctor whose skills in applying the science of medicine are matched by his mastery of the art of ministering to the emotional and psychological needs of his patients. We unanimously applaud those exceptional doctors who work with their patients and encourage them to gain the knowledge and find the strength to more successfully manage their diseases and enjoy a higher quality of life. We especially endorse an aggressive course of treatment that includes a multi disciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation (or "wellness) program.
It is a pleasure to advise that, upon my personal recommendation, as one of your patients, we have bestowed upon you the designation, "All-Star Doctor," and included your name in the "SOB Hall of Fame," our humble web site directory of doctors who we believe deserve very special recognition. We hope you will accept this "award" as a gesture of genuine respect and gratitude for the service you so generously render.
A list of our membership is available at our web site address, below.
With warmest regards,
Bill Horden, Coordinating Volunteer
If you believe this is a worthwhile project (even if you have no nomination to make) you can be an Endorser. Just email me and provide your full name and the state in which you reside.
Paul J. Ovando, M.D. (Thoracic Surgery)
I believe Dr. Ovando epitomizes all a patient could desire and stands at the head of this list as a model for physicians everywhere. I consider him my mentor and it would be remiss of me to list him otherwise.
Edsel P. Hayes, M.D.
Shailesh Patel, M.D.
Jamail S. Gugga, M.D.
Brian Quick, M.D.
Kenneth DeFusco, M.D.
James Donahue, M.D.
John Politis, M.D.
John Schaaf, M.D
Brian W. Carlin, M.D.
403 Locust Ave.
Robert Keenan, M.D.
Marc Judson, M.D.
Edward M. Flores, M.D. & John R. Griffin, M.D.
Marcia Katz, M.D.
Johnny Wong, M.D.
Eric E. Stevens, M.D.
Mark A Gerard, M.D.
Marrhew Parker, M.D.
Roger Fox, M.D,
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachussets
Michigan
Missouri
New York
New Jersey
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Australia |
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