The Gulfshore's Top Doctors 2006

ou tell them about your aches and pains, your worries and sometimes even your sorrows. They're with you through life's milestones-puberty, pregnancy and the years while your children grow. A physician who feels as close as family can be one of your most rewarding relationships; and to help you in your search, we're presenting our annual list of the Gulfshore's top doctors.

In this issue, we asked patients to talk about their experiences with some of the doctors honored here. Through their stories, you'll meet an obstetrician-gynecologist who is nearing his second decade of delivering babies in Naples. You'll also learn about a specialized eye surgeon, an allergy expert and a gastroenterologist who played a pivotal role in helping a patient survive colon cancer that struck before his 30th birthday.

The specialists who made our list must pass a rigorous set of criteria for inclusion. We've once again partnered with Castle Connolly Medical in New York to publish the list of Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties' top physicians. Castle Connolly conducts a national survey of physicians and the medical leadership of leading hospitals. After the votes are tallied, Castle Connolly ensures the physicians meet the company's criteria, which include a board certification requirement, a minimum number of years of unsupervised experience in their specialties and a clean disciplinary record. Any additional training and/or faculty appointments are factored in as well.

"Castle Connolly strongly believes that consumers need multiple trusted sources of information that they can use in concert to identify the most appropriate and most outstanding doctors for their healthcare or the healthcare of their family," says William Liss-Levinson, vice president and chief strategy and operations officer for Castle Connolly. "Castle Connolly represents one such trusted source."

The 2006 results include 81 physicians representing 25 specialties."We have more primary care obstetricians and gynecologists that we've identified [this year] versus the two preceding years," Liss-Levinson says. "[We also see] some increases in neurology, neurological surgery and ophthalmology."

While this list is a great place to start, it should not be a patient's only resource. Contact county medical societies, local hospitals and state and federal Web sites (such as the National Institutes of Health,

www.nih.gov, or the Florida Department of Health, www.doh.state.fl.us) for information on finding a physician.

Allergy & Immunology

Mark A. Greenberg, M.D.

12630 Whitehall Drive

Fort Myers, FL 33907

(239) 939-7555

Brett Stanaland, M.D.

1000 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 200

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 434-6200

Special expertise: asthma, insect allergies

Cardiovascular Disease

Victor Howard, M.D.

The Heart Center

2484 Caring Way, Suite B

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

(941) 625-6223

Silvio Travalia, M.D.

694 Eighth St. N.

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 434-9222

Steven R. West, M.D.

Cardiology Consultants of Southwest Florida

14171 Metropolis Ave.,

Suite 101

Fort Myers, FL 33912

(239) 415-4900

Special expertise: coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure

Colon & Rectal Surgery

Anthony M. Vernava III, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Colorectal Surgery

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: colon and rectal cancer, fecal incontinence, inflammatory bowel disease

Dermatology

Charles Camisa, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department

of Dermatology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: psoriasis, oral dermatology, lichen planus

Craig Eichler, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department

of Dermatology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: skin cancer, dermatologic surgery

Brian Harris, M.D.

Harris Dermatology

9090 Park Royal Drive

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 936-3344

Stephen A. Spencer, M.D.

Coastal Dermatology

3161 Harbor Blvd., Suite A

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

(941) 613-2400

Cynthia R. Strohmeyer, M.D.

702 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 200

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 261-2255

Special expertise: cosmetic dermatology

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

Todd D. Brodie, M.D.

Endocrine Specialists

730 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 205

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 436-3666

Special expertise: thyroid disorders, osteoporosis

Family Medicine

John Diaz, M.D.

Anchor Health Center

800 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 310

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 261-8555

Special expertise: preventive medicine, health and wellness

Gregory Krill, M.D.

Lee Physician Group

16271 Bass Road

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 432-3322

Special expertise: geriatric medicine

Gastroenterology

H. Scott Harris, M.D.

Associates in Digestive Health

665 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 1

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 772-3800

Corey Howard, M.D.

1000 Goodlette-Frank Road, Suite 100

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 643-2112

Hand Surgery

Ronaldo S. Carneiro, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of

Hand Surgery

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist surgery, arthritis hand surgery

Infectious Disease

Christine Forszpaniak, M.D.

848 First Ave. N., Suite 230

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 434-7779

Ronica M. Kluge, M.D.

Internal Medical Associates

24600 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 400

Bonita Springs, FL 34134

(239) 948-3761

Special expertise: AIDS/HIV, viral infections

Nicholas J. Lekas, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of

Infectious Disease

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: bone and joint infections, heart infections, travel medicine

Internal Medicine

Kathleen Broderick, M.D.

700 Second Ave. N., Suite 204

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 263-2200

Manuel Del Sol, M.D.

Internal Medical Associates of Lee County

1528 Del Prado Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 458-3338

George Ferguson, M.D.

Anchor Health Center

787 Fourth Ave. S.

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 262-0501

Patricia S. Poling, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of

Internal Medicine

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: women's health, preventive medicine

Leonard A. Schlossberg, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of

Internal Medicine

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: cholesterol and lipid disorders, preventive cardiology, geriatric medicine

Medical Oncology

Lowell Hart, M.D.

Florida Cancer Specialists

3840 Broadway

Fort Myers, FL 33901

(239) 275-6400

William Harwin, M.D.

Florida Cancer Specialists

15681 New Hampshire Court

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 437-4444

Daniel Morris, M.D.

400 Eighth St. N.

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 649-3335

Mark Moskowitz, M.D.

Florida Cancer Specialists

6360 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 201

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 353-6636

Mark Rubin, M.D.

Florida Cancer Specialists

9776 Bonita Beach Road

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

(239) 947-3092

Thomas Teufel, M.D.

Florida Cancer Specialists

811 Del Prado Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 772-3544

Nephrology

James R. Sterrett, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department

of Nephrology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: chronic kidney disease, dialysis, hypertension

Joel Van Sickler, M.D.

Associates in Nephrology

7981 Gladiolus Drive

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 939-0999

Special expertise: kidney transplant medicine

Carolyn Venable, M.D.

3699 Airport-Pulling Road N.

Naples, FL 34105

(239) 430-1212

Neurological Surgery

Paul D. Dernbach, M.D.

Collier Neurologic Specialists

730 Goodlette-Frank Road,

Suite 100

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 262-1721

Special expertise: spinal disorders

John J. Dusseau, M.D.

2780 Cleveland Ave., Suite 819

Fort Myers, FL 33901

(239) 336-6800

Douglas Savage, M.D.

Southwest Florida Neurological Associates

12700 Creekside Lane, Suite 101

Fort Myers, FL 33919

(239) 432-0774

Special expertise: lower back and neck pain

Neurology

Paul F. Driscoll, M.D.

Florida Neurology Group

12670 Whitehall Drive

Fort Myers, FL 33907

(239) 936-3554

Michael Finkel, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Neurology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: lower limb movement disorders, ADD, ADHD, headaches for women

Maurice R. Hanson, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Neurology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, Alzheimer's disease

Michael Novak, M.D.

Neuroscience & Spine Associates

1660 Medical Blvd., Suite 200

Naples, FL 34110

(239) 566-3434

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Heather Auld, M.D.

Physicians Primary Care

13031 S. McGregor Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33919

(239) 482-6881

Blane M. Crandall, M.D.

1660 Medical Blvd., Suite 101

Naples, FL 34110

(239) 596-2300

Jeffrey A. Heitmann, M.D.

A Woman's Place

1660 Medical Blvd., Suite 300

Naples, FL 34110

(239) 513-0053

Special expertise: laparoscopic surgery, high-risk pregnancy

Dennis Hidlebaugh, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Gynecology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: advanced laparoscopic surgery, reconstructive vaginal surgery, infertility

Richard Murray, M.D.

15641 New Hampshire Court

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 275-4300

Mary Yankaskas, M.D.

Physicians Primary Care

1265 Viscaya Parkway

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 574-2229

Ophthalmology

George F. Corrent, M.D., Ph.D.

661 Goodlette-Frank Road,

Suite 105

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 262-6288

Special expertise: corneal disease

Mark Gorovoy, M.D.

12381 S. Cleveland Ave.,

Suite 300

Fort Myers, FL 33907

(239) 939-1444

Special expertise: LASIK, refractive surgery, corneal disease, glaucoma

Mimi Groom, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: glaucoma, cataract surgery

David Poeltl, M.D.

661 Goodlette-Frank Road,

Suite 105

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 262-6288

Special expertise: cataract surgery, glaucoma

Paul Raskauskas, M.D.

Retina Consultants of Southwest Florida

6901 International Center Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33912

(239) 939-4323

Special expertise: retinal surgery

Joseph P. Walker, M.D.

Retina Consultants of Southwest Florida

6901 International Center Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33912

(239) 939-4323

Special expertise: retinal disorders, macular degeneration

Orthopedic Surgery

Mark Davis, M.D.

Davis Orthopedic Center

1951-B Tamiami Trail

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

(941) 613-3800

Special expertise: joint replacement, hip and knee arthritis, minimally invasive techniques

Howard Kapp, M.D.

Anchor Orthopedics

130 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 220

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 434-5700

Richard G. Pigeon, M.D., Ph.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic/Spine Surgery

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: minimally invasive spinal surgery

Robert J. Zehr, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: skeletal reconstruction, fractures, hip and knee surgery

Otolaryngology

David Greene, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: facial plastic/reconstructive surgery, nasal and sinus surgery, snoring/sleep apnea

Hector N. Hernandez-Jamardo, M.D.

21297 Olean Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

(941) 764-0660

Special expertise: sinus disorders, balance disorders, swallowing disorders

Patrick Kane, M.D.

848 First Ave. N., Suite 330

Naples, FL 34102

(239) 263-8855

Pediatrics

Dulce V. Dudley, M.D.

Anchor Health Centers

1845 Veterans Park Drive,

Suite 260

Naples, FL 34109

(239) 254-7602

D. Benjamin Helgemo, M.D.

2040 Tamiami Trail, Unit C

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

(941) 629-4464

Irwin J. Kash, M.D.

Lee Physician Group,

Associates in Pediatrics

4751 S. Cleveland Ave.

Fort Myers, FL 33907

(239) 939-1000

Martin Sherman, M.D.

Lee Physician Group,

Associates in Pediatrics

4751 S. Cleveland Ave.

Fort Myers, FL 33907

(239) 939-1000

Plastic Surgery

Robert J. Brueck, M.D.

Associates in Cosmetic Surgery

3700 Central Ave., Suite 1

Fort Myers, FL 33901

(239) 939-5233

Special expertise: cosmetic surgery

Andrew E. Turk, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of

Plastic Surgery

6101 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

(239) 348-4000

Special expertise: cosmetic surgery, breast reconstruction, craniofacial surgery

Pulmonary Disease

Stephen Hannan, M.D.

Associates in Pulmonary Medicine

9981 HealthPark Circle,

Suite 279

Fort Myers, FL 33908

(239) 275-1170

Carlos E. Maas Herken, M.D.

3161 Harbor Blvd., Suite B

Port Charlotte, FL 33952

(941) 613-1777

Special expertise: sleep disorders

Mitchell L. Petusevsky, M.D.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine