Sarasota's Top Doctors 2011
A competitive market benefits consumers, and that’s abundantly evident in Sarasota’s healthcare industry, which has attracted more than its share of gifted physicians. After all, doctors love beautiful weather and topnotch culture as much as the rest of us. But that’s not all that draws them here: Award-winning hospitals, groundbreaking medical research and, of course, a significant number of talented peers increase the area’s appeal. Doctors who could practice anywhere come here to challenge themselves—and each other—to be the very best. That means that not only do we have some of the best doctors in the country, but also they’re happy to work and live in Southwest Florida—even if it means a little healthy competition.
The achievements of local physicians, and their passion for the area, are evident in this annual listing of Castle-Connolly’s Top Doctors. This year’s listing includes 97 Sarasota and Manatee physicians who were nominated by their peers and then thoroughly vetted by Castle-Connolly Medical, a national medical research firm that specializes in marrying career accomplishments with peer review. These doctors are not chosen simply for their resumes; they’re also nominated based on their dedication and their care as observed by their fellow doctors. They’re an accomplished and inspiring group, and we laud them for their dedication to their calling and our community.
In addition to presenting the listing of top doctors, we asked four physicians how recent medical breakthroughs have affected their practice and the lives of their patients. Their stories are uplifting examples of the care and compassion these doctors dedicate to their work. You can also read about how research going on right here in Sarasota is creating even more medical breakthroughs that will benefit people all over the world.
Plus, we peeked into some of our top doctors’ lives to see what invigorates them when they’re not practicing medicine.
We hope this feature serves as an introduction to our talented medical community, but it’s by no means the full extent of the area’s excellent physicians. As always, you are the final authority about your own healthcare, and we encourage you to find the physician who best suits your needs, your preferences and your personality. You need look no further than these pages to see just how great the right doctor’s influence can be.
Breakthrough
Open Heart
New heart-surgery technology saves a young boy who 15 years ago would have died.
In 2004, Nissi Luvavali was born in Sarasota with hypoplastic left heart syndrome—an undersized lower ventricle choking off his body’s supply of oxygenated blood. His parents, recent Kenyan immigrants, came to pediatrician Dr. Patricia Blanco.
As a resident at All Children’s Hospital in the early 1990s, Blanco had taken care of a child with the same congenital defect. “There was very little we could offer back then,” she says. “He went on palliative care and died.”
But surgical practices have improved drastically. “It’s amazing how medicine evolves,” Blanco says. Thanks to a more effective heart/lung machine and stronger, more intricate surgical grafts, Nissi’s condition was now treatable through a series of open-heart surgeries. He underwent his first surgery just four days after birth.
Hypoplastic children are sometimes called “blue babies.” While most people have blood oxygen levels of 98 or 99 percent, theirs can be in the 70s and 80s. Even with today’s improved practices, the hypoxia remains until an afflicted child’s final surgery, three or four years after birth, and can affect IQ and other brain functions. That’s a huge worry for parents and surgeons.
For four years, while Nissi’s mother worked as a professor, his father stayed at home and looked after him. Despite his vulnerability, the little boy thrived. “This kid was talking to me at age three, reciting continents and states the way some kids tell you their ABCs,” says Blanco. When nurses gave him his shots, Nissi would respond with a polite, “Thank you.”
In 2008, he underwent his sixth and final operation.
“My entire office was praying for him,” says Blanco. “He’s been an inspiration to us.”
Now, at age six, Nissi’s blood oxygen is normal. He attends New Gate School and is a talented pianist. “He loves math,” Blanco boasts. “Most kids get ‘white coat phobia’ because they’ve been hurt so much. He’s had his sternum opened multiple times, and he just walks right in here.”
Her voice softens. “Sometimes he refers to me as nyanya, a Kenyan term of endearment, like ‘grandmother,’” she says. “He’s an incredible young man.”—Hannah Wallace
The Big Chill
A new strategy of inducing hypothermia prevents brain damage to a nurse in cardiac arrest.
The middle-aged nurse began having chest pains at home, but she didn’t want to call an ambulance. Instead, she called her husband to drive her to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. On the way, she lost consciousness, and when paramedics made it to the scene, she was in cardiac arrest.
Cardiologists began working on her immediately after her arrival at the hospital, but they knew that after 10 or 15 minutes of CPR, a patient can suffer serious brain injury. Enter pulmonologist/critical care specialist Dr. Kenneth Hurwitz, who, with other local physicians, has helped to write a protocol for inducing hypothermia that’s proven effective in preventing lasting brain damage in these cases.
“We put a catheter in the large vein of her leg,” Hurwitz explains, “and cool saline went into her veins to act like a refrigerant. The saline circulates back out through these balloons alongside the catheter—it’s like in a car’s radiator—but the cooling of her body temperature to 91 degrees, for about 24 hours, helped to suppress the inflammatory response that would have swollen her brain cells. Basically, it’s like if you sprain your knee and put ice on it [to keep the swelling down].”
It worked like a charm on the nurse-turned-patient. She woke up a little groggy but within a couple of days was back to almost normal and within a week was back at home. “I still see her a couple of times a year in the office,” says Hurwitz (who was voted 2009 Physician of the Year at Sarasota Memorial by his peers). “Every time she comes in, I say, ‘I’m really glad to see you!’ She’s working, driving, everything back to normal.”
In all, Hurwitz adds, physicians at SMH have “cooled” more than 150 patients with the hypothermia protocol since they began using it eight or nine years ago. He recalls another patient, a seemingly healthy high school teacher with whom it was touch-and-go after a collapse. “The first day [after the cooling], he was very out of it,” he recalls. “The next time I went in to see him, he was sitting up reading a novel.”—Kay Kipling
Less is More
A new emphasis on helping cardiac patients lose weight revitalizes a 68-year-old woman.
After his 68-year-old patient endured her third surgery for heart disease, Sarasota cardiologist Dr. Edward Bermudez knew a different approach was needed. “She spent weeks on the ventilator,” he remembers. “We didn’t think she was going to make it.” And when she was finally taken off the ventilator, she still couldn’t walk more than 10 feet without being out of breath. “To get her through this traumatic, invasive surgery and her still not feeling well was a huge disappointment,” he says.
The problem, Bermudez knew, stemmed from her obesity, but for years physicians simply didn’t involve themselves in their patients’ weight struggles. “At one point in my training, obesity was not thought to be a risk factor in coronary disease,” he says. Even as studies revealed the negative effects of excess fat, most doctors felt weight loss wasn’t their concern. “I’ve been guilty of it,” he admits. “‘Blood pressure’s still running high? Write another prescription.’ These people end up taking 10, 15 pills a day.”
This time, rather than rely on technology-guided “end-stage miracles,” Bermudez decided to work with the patient to develop a healthy exercise and diet program that included Take Shape For Life, a meal-replacement program also used at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In the last four years, physician-guided weight loss has revolutionized cardiology as a fundamental, and often preventive, treatment for heart disease. Heart patients are getting new medical diet plans and even accessing doctor-monitored weight-loss websites. Bermudez says weight loss has become as important in his practice as stopping smoking and lowering cholesterol.
His three-time heart surgery patient lost 30 pounds and was taken off much of her medication, including her pills for diabetes. “She was a new person,” he says. “She wasn’t using her cane anymore. She was bright, cheery, and loving life. She wanted to get back to her motorcycle rides with her husband.”
Weight loss “is one of the most impactful aspects of medicine we’ve become aware of,” Bermudez adds. “We’re getting to the fundamentals of treatment.”—Hannah Wallace
A Leg Up
New tools simplify knee-replacement surgery—and restore an 82-year-old’s youthful cheer.
One of the best things about orthopedics, says surgeon Dr. William Mehserle, is the doctor can physically intervene and “remove the problem” from a troubled patient. And new technology is making that easier all the time.
An 82-year-old woman complained to him often of chronic knee pain, so debilitating that it had soured her personality and affected her relationship with her family. Still, she stubbornly resisted knee-replacement surgery—an intense procedure that traditionally requires an incision up to 14 inches long. “She had a really negative outlook,” Mehserle says. “But it got to the point where it was either surgery or a wheelchair.”
Fortunately, Mehserle is at the forefront of a surgical joint-replacement revolution. “It’s not the implant itself but the instrumentation we use to align the joint that requires the large incision,” he explains. “So I developed a line of tools that allows me to do the operation through a much smaller incision. There’s less blood loss, so the heart and lungs aren’t as affected. You cause less trauma to the whole body.” For this patient’s full knee replacement, the incision was less than four inches long.
Three weeks later, the woman returned to Mehserle’s office—and she brought candy for everyone. “I told the assistant, ‘Don’t eat the candy yet. Let me go see her,’” he recalls with a laugh. As it turned out, her gratitude was sincere. “I didn’t recognize her. She’s got a big smile on her face, she’s relaxed, she’s cheerful,” he says. “She brought her cane with her, but she said she didn’t need it.”
A few months later, Mehserle got a call from the woman’s son. “He wanted to thank me for giving them back their mother,” the doctor recalls. “He said he remembered, as a kid, how fun she was. But she hadn’t been there for years.”—Hannah Wallace
Medical Detectives
Physicians and scientists are conducting new research right here in Sarasota. Here’s a sampling.
Identifying B-amyloid, a common bodily protein, as a possible trigger of Alzheimer’s disease and studying medicines that target it. Roskamp is also partnering with the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration to improve rehab for veterans with memory loss and decreased brain function.
Conducting studies as part of an international effort to develop a drug that breaks down arterial blockage to reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks and heart disease—the most deadly medical issue in the Western world.
Developing new devices for incision-less treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The minimally invasive devices could dramatically reduce post-operation recovery time and eliminate the need for further operations. They’re also studying an experimental medication to treat people with peripheral arterial disease and eliminate the need for invasive procedures.
Extracting stem cells from patients’ own blood to treat diseases such as Tay-Sachs, Lou Gehrig’s disease and Parkinson’s, as well as conditions like arthritis and skin aging. They’re also utilizing brain stem cells and nerve growth to develop new treatments for memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Developing technology for state-of-the-art, implantable hearing devices and testing new drugs and therapies for hearing loss and balance disorders.
Developing non-surgical methods of treating prostate cancer, including external radiation and seed implantation, and gathering statistics to compile the largest and longest-standing data collection of non-surgical treatment for prostate cancer. — Beau Denton
Private Lives
Our top doctors aren’t just good at medicine. Here’s a sampling of their other accomplishments and talents.
At October’s “ Dancing with our Stars” benefit for Community AIDS Network, vascular surgeon Russell Samson wowed the audience with his steamy rendition of Al Pacino’s tango from Scent of a Woman.
Dr. Harris Silverman of The Eye Associates co-founded Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. in 1982. Since its inception, the organization has teamed more than 2,500 dogs with visually impaired owners.
When Dr. Johnny Alvarez started working as a pediatrician in 1988, he bought his first new car: a Volvo 240. Since then, he’s owned as many as five Volvos at once and has become an expert Volvo repairman, too. In his spare time, he works on his three Volvos—which include that first Volvo 240.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Richard Peterson of Riverview Cardiac Surgery has loved to sail. This summer, he, his wife and a friend will sail Peterson’s HYLAS 49 to Europe. The Petersons’ son will fly from China to meet them in Bermuda for the Atlantic passage.
Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Alessandro Golina was born in Italy and received his M.D. from the University of Naples. When he came to the United States, he says, “Everybody assumed I could cook pasta. So I learned!” His specialty is pasta with vodka sauce.
Cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Marguerite Barnett, a former Army Major, is a trained Indonesian and Balinese dancer. She often performs a fire and sword dance at Siesta Beach’s Sunday drum circles.
In 2005, gastroenterologist Dr. Elliot Livstone began taking what’s grown to be 25,000 photographs of wild birds. He and his wife, Carol, travel the state seeking out these “fascinating and beautiful” creatures, says Livstone. “It’s the perfect combination of exercise, artistry, science and psychotherapy.”
Dr. Jack Wazen, an otolaryngologist, is an accomplished drummer. He and his wife, Laura, a vocalist, and his partner, Dr. Herbert Silverstein, a jazz musician, have a band called Doc & the Ear-iginals. Wazen also performs in the Dr. Idol fund raisers featuring local physician musicians.
Allergist and immunologist Dr. John Cella doesn’t just preach about the importance of exercise; he practices it. Cella was on a winning triathlon-relay team at Siesta Key two years ago. And this July, he’ll continue his tradition of swimming across the harbor from Port Charlotte to Punta Gorda at the Fourth of July Freedom Swim. —Forest Balderson
The List
ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
John P. Cella
Manatee Memorial Hospital
5701 21st Ave. W.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-4151
Internal Medicine, Allergy and Asthma, Insect Allergies, Sinus Disorders
Donna M. Jamieson
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
2650 Bahia Vista St., Suite 304
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-9711
Rajivi P. Rucker
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Suncoast Allergy and Asthma Center
6124 53rd Ave. E.
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 758-0588
Allergy and Immunology, Insect Allergies
CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
Walter R. Hepp
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1950 Arlington St., Suite 400
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-4250
Arrhythmias
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
George Abernathy
Venice Regional Medical Center
1370 E. Venice Ave., Suite 102
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 412-0026
Echocardiography, Nuclear Stress Testing
Edward A. Bermudez
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1921 Waldemere St., Suite 301
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-8744
Interventional Cardiology, Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease
James J. Fox
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1540 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 401
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-0060
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization
Alberto E. Montalvo
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Bradenton Cardiology Center
316 Manatee Ave. W.
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 748-2277
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angioplasty/Stents
Daniel S. Pacifico
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1540 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 401
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-0060
Interventional Cardiology
COLON & RECTAL SURGERY
Richard W. Golub
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Surgical Specialists
3333 Cattlemen Road, Suite 206
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 341-0042
Colon and Rectal Cancer, Laparoscopic Surgery, Hemorrhoids
DERMATOLOGY
Elizabeth F. Callahan
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
5911 N. Honore Ave., Suite 214
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 308-7546
Mohs’ Surgery, Skin Laser Surgery,
Botox Therapy
Alfred D. Hernandez
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1849 S. Osprey Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 957-4767
Dermatologic Surgery, Mohs’ Surgery, Skin Cancer
Cathy P. Milam
Milam & Bogart Dermatology
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
7400 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 364-8220
Skin Cancer, Acne, Eczema
Susan H. Weinkle
Blake Medical Center
5601 21st Ave. W., Suite B
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 794-5432
Skin Cancer, Mohs’ Surgery, Cosmetic Dermatology
Joseph J. Yohn
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
IMG Dermatology
3333 Cattlemen Road, Suite 106
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 379-1799
Skin Cancer, Acne, Psoriasis, Hair and Nail Disorders
ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM
Jose R. Antunes
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
2400 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 365-0333
Diabetes, Cholesterol/Lipid Disorders, Thyroid Disorders
Jesus B. Perez
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
IMG Endocrinology
3333 Cattlemen Road, Suite 104
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 379-1777
Thyroid Disorders, Osteoporosis, Diabetes, Obesity
FAMILY MEDICINE
Joseph J. Larkin Jr.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
IMG—Palmer Ranch
8592 Potter Park Drive, Suite 100
Sarasota, FL 34238
(941) 921-6618
Preventive Medicine
Barry I. Stein
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
6128 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 923-5882
GASTROENTEROLOGY
F. Scott Corbett
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Gastroenterology Associates of Sarasota
2089 Hawthorne St., Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 365-6556
Endoscopy, Pancreatic/Biliary Endoscopy (ERCP), Barrett’s Esophagus
Douglas A. Kuperman
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Gastroenterology Associates of Sarasota
2089 Hawthorne St., Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 365-6556
Barrett’s Esophagus, Liver Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Endoscopy
Elliot M. Livstone
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1515 S. Osprey Ave., Suite C-11
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 955-0000
Esophageal Disorders, Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Barrett’s Esophagus
Bruce W. Trotman
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Digestive Disease Specialists of Manatee
5715 21st Ave. W.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 761-1800
Biliary Disease, Hepatitis B and C, Colon and Rectal Cancer
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
Deven M. Dave
Venice Regional Medical Center
1720 E. Venice Ave.
Venice, FL 34292
(941) 483-9700
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
James V. Fiorica
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1888 Hillview St.
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-8383
Endometriosis, Breast Cancer, Uterine Cancer
HAND SURGERY
John D. Hand
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1950 Arlington St., Suite 111
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 921-2600
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Eliot W. Godofsky
Manatee Memorial Hospital
6010 Pointe West Blvd.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 746-2711
Hepatitis C, Clinical Trials, Viral Hepatitis, HIV
James E. Knapp
Venice Regional Medical Center
406 N. Indiana Ave., Suite 9
Englewood, FL 34223
(941) 475-3980
INTERNAL MEDICINE
David B. Bittleman
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
3333 Cattlemen Road, Suite 210
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 371-3337
Carlos F. Caballero
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1801 Arlington St., Suite 2
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-8365
Concierge Medicine
David C. Daiello
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
2881 Hyde Park St.
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-2460
Geriatric Medicine
Scott B. Elsbree
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
5831 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 210
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 379-8481
Charles R. Hollen
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
3333 Cattleman Road, Suite 208
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 379-5121
Robert S. Schulman
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
5831 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 210
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 379-8481
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY
Stephen C. Culp
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Culp Cardiology
3830 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 201
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 929-7272
MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE
Washington C. Hill
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
First Physicians Group-Maternal Fetal Medicine
1888 Hillview St.
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-6260
Pregnancy-High Risk, Prenatal Diagnosis, Multiple Gestation
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
Richard H. Brown
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Florida Cancer Specialists
1970 Golf St.
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 957-1000
Steven W. Mamus
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Cancer Center of Sarasota and Manatee
3830 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 301
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 923-1872
James R. Rubinsak
Venice Regional Medical Center
836 Sunset Lake Blvd., Suite 101
Venice, FL 34292
(941) 408-0500
Caryn L. Silver
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Florida Cancer Specialists
1970 Golf St.
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 957-1000
Breast Cancer
Robert C. Whorf
Blake Medical Center
Florida Cancer Specialists
2401 60th St. Court W.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-1881
NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY
John R. Cassidy
Venice Regional Medical Center
842 Sunset Lake Blvd., Suite 302
Venice, FL 34292
(941) 484-3404
Brain Surgery, Spinal Surgery
Christopher Guerin
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
842 Sunset Lake Blvd., Suite 302
Venice, FL 34292
(941) 484-3404
Brain Tumors
NEUROLOGY
Julio C. Cantero
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Intercoastal Medical Group
943 S. Beneva Road, Suite 102
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 906-7155
Epilepsy, Sleep Medicine
Mauricio Concha
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Intercoastal Medical Group-Neurology
943 S. Beneva Road, Suite 102
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 906-7155
Stroke/Cerebrovascular Disease
William A. McElveen
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Bradenton Neurology
3930 Eighth Ave. W.
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 746-3115
Vascular Neurology, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke
Donald Negroski
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1921 Waldemere St., Suite 701
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 487-2160
Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Migraine
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Gary W. Easterling
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
5741 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 390
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 379-6331
Robotic Surgery
Michael S. Finazzo
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1921 Waldemere St., Suite 307
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-8565
Karen F. Liebert
Blake Medical Center
Manatee Gynecology—Blake Park
1850 59th St. W., Suite B
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-4993
Gynecology Only
G. Michael Swor
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1617 S. Tuttle Ave., Suite 1A
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 330-8885
Gynecology Only, Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, Urogynecology
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Liaquat Allarakhia
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Bradenton Eye Clinic
4812 26th St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34207
(941) 727-3937
Cataract Surgery-Lens Implant, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Dry Eye Syndrome
Melvin C. Chen
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
3400 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 921-5335
Retinal Disorders, Retinal/Vitreous Surgery, Macular Disease/Degeneration, Strabismus
John P. Fezza
Doctors Hospital
Center for Sight
2601 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 925-2020
Oculoplastic Surgery, Orbital Reconstruction
Harry Grabow
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Sarasota Cataract and Laser Institute
3920 Bee Ridge Road, F Building, Suite A
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 921-7744
Cataract Surgery, Refractive Surgery, Clinical Trials
Thomas L. Schwartz
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1219 East Ave. S., Suite 105
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 957-4216
Cataract Surgery, Cornea and External Eye Disease
David Shoemaker
Venice Regional Medical Center
Center for Sight
2601 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 925-2020
Cataract Surgery-Lens Implant
Harris Silverman
Blake Medical Center
Eye Associates
6002 Pointe West Blvd.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-2020
Cataract Surgery/Lens Implant
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
William L. Mehserle
Venice Regional Medical Center
1525 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 602
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 497-2663
Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, Sports Medicine
Joseph Noah
Englewood Community Hospital
Suncoast Orthopaedic Surgery
836 Sunset Lake Blvd., Suite 205
Venice, FL 34292
(941) 485-1505
Sports Medicine, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, Knee Injuries/ACL
Arthur L. Valadie
Blake Medical Center
Coastal Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
6015 Pointe West Blvd.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-1404
Sports Medicine, Arthroscopic Surgery, Knee Reconstruction
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Matthew D. Byers
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Intercoastal Medical Group—Otolaryngology
3333 Cattleman Road, Suite 204
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 379-1800
Trauma-Face, Nasal and Sinus Disorders, Nasal Surgery, Sleep Disorders/Apnea
Michael J. Gurucharri
Manatee Memorial Hospital
701 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 202
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 748-2455
Head and Neck Cancer, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Laser Surgery, Allergy
Robert P. Hillstrom
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
5911 N. Honore Ave., Suite 120
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 355-3223
Cosmetic Surgery-Face, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Nasal Surgery
Jack J. Wazen
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Silverstein Institute
1901 Floyd St.Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-9222
Skull Base Surgery, Meniere’s Disease, Acoustic Neuroma, Hearing and Balance Disorders
PEDIATRICS
Johnny D. Alvarez
Manatee Memorial Hospital
3908 Ninth Ave. W
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 747-3116
Immunizations
Patricia J. Blanco
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
8460 Cooper Creek Blvd., Suite 101
University Park, FL 34201
(941) 360-1266
Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), Neonatal Addiction
Helene R. Hubbard
Manatee Memorial Hospital
408 Manatee Ave. E, Suite 1
Bradenton, FL 34208
(941) 922-5366
Developmental and Behavioral Disorders, Developmental Delay, Learning Disorders, Autism
Robert A. Weiss
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Pediatric Associates
1215 East Ave. S., Suite 303
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-3000
Adolescent Medicine
PLASTIC SURGERY
Christopher D. Adamson
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
5741 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 510
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 343-9900
Breast Augmentation, Liposuction and Body Contouring, Cosmetic Surgery-Face
Marguerite P. Barnett
Venice Regional Medical Center
1715 Stickney Point Road
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 927-2447
Cosmetic Surgery-Face, Liposuction and Body Contouring, Cosmetic Surgery-Breast, Breast Reconstruction
David L. Mobley
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
2255 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-8897
Cosmetic Surgery-Face, Cosmetic Surgery-Breast, Liposuction and Body Contouring, Laser Surgery
Charles L. Rodriguez
Venice Regional Medical Center
Renaissance Plastic Surgery
329 Nokomis Ave. S.
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 488-7727
Breast Augmentation, Cosmetic Surgery-Breast, Liposuction and Body Contouring, Cosmetic Surgery-Face
James A. Schmidt
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
2255 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-8897
Facial Rejuvenation, Cosmetic Surgery-Breast, Liposuction and Body Contouring
John L. Strausser
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1900 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 955-9096
Cosmetic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Cancer Surgery
PSYCHIATRY
Robert J. Mignone
Gulf Coast Health Services
153 Center Road
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 408-8988
Bipolar/Mood Disorders, Complementary Medicine
PULMONARY DISEASE
Glenn D. Adams
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
4411 Bee Ridge Road, Box 440
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 917-8772
Sleep Disorders/Apnea, Restless Legs Syndrome, Narcolepsy
Kenneth M. Hurwitz
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Lung Associates of Sarasota
1921 Waldemere St., Suite 705
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-5864
Critical Care
Janine M. Mylett
Blake Medical Center
The Lung Center
2210 61st St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-0611
Sleep Disorders/Apnea
RADIATION ONCOLOGY
Stephen J. Patrice
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
3210 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 364-8887
Lung Cancer, Brain Tumors, Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Gray B. Swor
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
21st Century Oncology
3210 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 364-8887
Breast Cancer
RHEUMATOLOGY
Jeffrey L. Kaine
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Sarasota Arthritis Center
3500 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 365-0770
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Nephritis, Lupus/SLE, Clinical Trials
Daniel A. Small
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Sarasota Arthritis Center
3500 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 365-0770
Arthritis
SURGERY
Brian J. Kimbrell
Blake Medical Center
2020 59th St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-6611
Trauma
David A. Napoliello
Venice Regional Medical Center
8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Suite 101
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 388-9525
Minimally Invasive Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery
Scott B. Stevens
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
3333 Cattlemen Road, Suite 206
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 341-0042
Laparoscopic Surgery, Obesity/Bariatric Surgery
Nanette K. Wendel
Blake Medical Center
Bradenton Surgical Associates
5601 21st Ave. W., Suite D
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 748-1471
Laparoscopic Surgery
THORACIC SURGERY
Alessandro Golino
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Manatee Cardiac Surgery
623 39th St. W., Suite 2
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 744-2640
Mitral Valve Surgery, Carotid Artery Surgery
W. Peter Graper
1569 Oak Way
Sarasota FL 34232
(941) 371-9710
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Richard J. Peterson
Blake Medical Center
Manatee Cardiac Surgery
623 39th St. W., Suite 2
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 744-2640
Heart Valve Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Atrial Fibrillation, Carotid Artery Surgery
Atiq Rehman
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1540 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 303
Continued on page 68
Continued from page 67
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-8791
Robotic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Heart Valve Surgery, Coronary Artery Surgery
UROLOGY
A. Joseph Bilik
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Florida Urology Specialists
1 S. School Ave., Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 309-7000
Robotic Surgery
Robert I. Carey
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Urology Treatment Center
1921 Waldemere St., Suite 310
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 917-8488
Robotic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Prostate Cancer, Kidney Cancer
Edward Herrman
Manatee Memorial Hospital
200 Third Ave. W., Suite 210
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 792-0340
Kidney Stones, Incontinence, Erectile Dysfunction, Minimally Invasive Surgery
Alan R. Treiman
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1921 Waldemere St., Suite 310
Sarasota, FL 34239-2941
(941) 917-8488
Prostate Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Stones
VASCULAR SURGERY
Michael R. Lepore
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
600 N. Cattlemen Road, Suite 220
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 371-6565
Endovascular Surgery, Aneurysm-Aortic, Minimally Invasive Vascular Surgery, Angioplasty and Stent Placement
Russell H. Samson
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
600 N. Cattlemen Road, Suite 220
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 371-6565
Peripheral Vascular Disease, Vein Disorders
The doctors chosen for this—and for every magazine feature Castle Connolly does—are a representative sample of the top doctors selected in this region. For a fuller list of Castle Connolly top doctors who may be available in the Sarasota Magazine area, readers are encouraged to search online at Castle Connolly’s website, castleconnolly.com.
$34.95 (paperback); available online at castleconnolly.com, via toll-free 1 (800) 399-DOCS (3627) and at major national bookstore chains.
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. is a healthcare research and information company founded in 1991 by a former medical college board chairman and president to help guide consumers to America’s top doctors and top hospitals. Castle Connolly’s established survey and research process, under the direction of an M.D., involves tens of thousands of top doctors and the medical leadership of leading hospitals.
Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Physicians—in private practice as well as those in medical leadership positions in hospitals—are invited via mail, fax, email and various communications directly to hospitals and county medical societies to participate in an online nominations process 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.
The result—we identify the top doctors in America and provide you, the consumer, with detailed information about their education, training and special expertise in our paperback guides, national and regional magazine “Top Doctors” features and online directories.
Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected and profiled as Castle Connolly Top Doctors.
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. —Castle Connolly Medical