Page 242 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2016

THEFINALSAY
DAISY
KARAM- READ
Author of From Manhattan to Mississippi: A New Yorker Falls in Love with the South and The Love Affair Continues: From Manhattan to Mississippi, Part Two
A major metropolis offers an abundance of everything
— restaurants, theaters, schools, shops, museums and healthcare. The advantages of living in smaller towns include charm, personal relationships with neighbors, lighter traffic, shorter commute times, less pollution,
and usually, a lower cost of living. Regardless of where one chooses to live, a prime consideration for almost everybody is the need for good medical care. So while the relative peace and quiet of a hamlet is lovely, some of the most important services, such as top rate hospitals and excellent doctors, might be in short supply.
When I moved from Manhattan to Mississippi seventeen years ago, I was pleased to see that the Mississippi
Gulf Coast is home to a fine selection of highly trained, trustworthy, compassionate doctors, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and therapists.
I was most fortunate, through my husband, to
meet members of the health care industry whose professionalism is beyond reproach. Had I relocated to Mississippi knowing no one, it would have been much more difficult to determine the quality of health care in my new environment. Word of mouth is often, but not necessarily, accurate. Frequently, one hears, “Oh, I have the best doctor!” but how does one measure best? A good bedside manner, as important as that is, is not a substitute for skill.
I learned that a great hospital staff starts at the administrative level, something to which I had never given much thought. Seven years ago, when I needed a referral quickly during a serious medical situation, Kent Nicaud,
who was Vice President, Physician Services
Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, came to my aid expertly and immediately; we will be forever grateful to him. He’s now their Chief Operating Officer-Operations, fully committed to hiring the best physicians, while assuring that the daily operations of the hospital run seamlessly.
When my husband Jerry and I first met ophthalmologist Christopher Hogan, we felt we were in the presence
of a man who was born to be a doctor. I’d be willing
to bet that he has had that desire since childhood;
he’s one hundred percent dedicated to the patient’s wellbeing. Highly respected for his ability to perform cataract surgery, among other procedures, Dr. Hogan’s proactive stance regarding collaboration and referrals is impressive. He calls upon other specialists from Alabama, New Orleans and Jackson for second opinions on retina problems, glaucoma, and complex neuro-ophthalmological conditions.
Who enjoys a dental visit? No one I know. I was hesitant to go to a new dentist because I loved my dentist in Los Angeles and am very loyal to good doctors. Still, what
if I should become acutely ill with a dental malady?
OY! Thankfully, Dr. Marvin Liberto is a dentist of great experience, who makes our time sitting in the chair as pleasant as possible. He’s very sensitive to his patient’s feelings. The slightest movement on the patient’s part, and he immediately pulls back and asks how you are.
Now that’s a little bit of heaven, isn’t it? And these are just a few examples of the quality healthcare providers we have on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
242 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • June 2016
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