Top Doctors 2

This year’s picks are a talented, experienced and outspoken bunch.

When to comes to your health, a great referral is priceless. This year we offer 193 of them, including eight specialists at the top of their game. But as accomplished as these doctors are in their respective specialties, they haven’t lost sight of why they went into medicine in the first place—and they prove it day in and day out, always putting the patient first.

Dr. Timothy Boyek, Cardiology

Years in practice: 16. Education: Hahnemann Medical College, 1982; Abington Hospital (residency); Medical College of Pennsylvania (cardiology/interventional cardiology fellowship). Board certified: 1988 (cardiology), 2001 (interventional cardiology).

Office:

, Building A,

, West Chester, PA 19380; (610) 431-5000. Specialty: Cardiac catheterization.

Biggest misconception about his specialty: “Often patients think catheterization skills are something we learn on the job or do part-time. We all focus on quality of work and this type of training.” Primary inspiration: “In my internal medicine training, it seemed the cardiologists were always the best trained, brightest and enjoyed their work more so than any other subspecialty.” Proudest professional moment: “As the director of the Catheterization Laboratory at Chester County Hospital, I developed the county’s first primary angioplasty program for the treatment of acute myocardial infarctions. Biggest challenge: “Performing a difficult, complex catheterization procedure on a fellow physician while he was in the midst of a heart attack. Unfortunately, doctors get heart attacks, too.” Most preventable problem: “Obesity. It always amazes me how patients improve physically and mentally after major open-heart surgery just by watching their diet and beginning a lifelong exercise program.”

Dr. Michele L. Boornazian, Family Practice

Years in practice: 4. Education: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1998; Memorial Hospital, York (residency). Board certified: 2001 (family medicine), 2004 (geriatric medicine), 2006 (hospice and palliative medicine). Office: Riddle Hospital, Outpatient Pavilion, 1098 W. Baltimore Pike, Suite 3101, Media, PA 19063; (610) 891-9277. Specialty: “I prefer to see ages 40 and up.” Special interest: Geriatrics and hospice.

Inspiration for specialty: “An elderly couple I lived with in State College.” Proudest professional moment: “Passing my hospice certification boards as an osteopathic physician.” Biggest challenge: “Telling patients they can’t drive anymore.” Most preventable problem: “The use of tobacco.” Most exciting advancement: “The development of Alzheimer’s medication.” Best advice for patients: “A low-fat diet, exercise and more ‘me’ time.” Best part of the job: “The variety of patients I treat in various healthcare settings.” If she weren’t a doctor, she’d be: “An owner of a Wings to Go [restaurant].” Idea of relaxation: “Reading and watching movies with my husband, Rich.”

Dr. Stephen Gollomp, Neurology

Years in practice: 26. Education: Albany Medical College (six-year biomedical program), 1976; Albany Medical Center (medical internship); Boston University Medical Center (neurology residency); Columbia University/Neurological Institute of New York (movement disorder fellowship). Board certified: 1981, 2001. Office:

; (610) 642-5371. Specialty: “Diagnosing and managing diseases of the brain, nerve, spinal cord and muscle.” Biggest misconception about his specialty: “That an encounter with a neurologist implies a dire outcome.” Special interest: Diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, tremors and tics. Primary inspiration: “Experience with neurologic disease in my sister and my paternal grandfather.” Biggest challenge: “Whenever I confront someone for whom I can’t really make a meaningful difference, I feel challenged and look intently for that one clue or twist that might make things better. Most preventable problem: “Stroke and vascular disease.” Most exciting advancement in his field: “New medicines and surgery for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease; botulinum toxin for dystonia and muscle spasms; and disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis.”

Dr. Atul Gupta, Radiology

Years in practice: 7. Education: Albany Medical College, 1994; University of Pennsylvania Health System (residency and fellowship). Board certified: 1999. Office:

; (610) 648-1255. Specialty: “Interventional radiology. We specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging for guidance. Our procedures have less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery.” Biggest misconception about his specialty: “That we don’t exist. Many people—including some physicians—are surprised to know all the diseases we can treat.” Proudest professional moment: “When I’m asked by my medical colleagues to perform procedures on them or their family members.” Biggest challenge: “Performing procedures on my colleagues or their family members.” Most preventable problem: “I encourage everyone with leg pain to ask their physician to check them for peripheral vascular disease. Many people incorrectly think that leg pain is a normal part of getting older—it isn’t. We can fix the blocked arteries causing PVD.” Best advice for patients: “Stop smoking.” If he weren’t a doctor, he’d be: “A journalist.”

Dr. Sandra Schnall, Oncology

Years in practice: 20. Education: Jefferson Medical College, 1979; Thomas Jefferson Hospital (residency); Yale University (fellowship). Board certified: 1987 (hematology), 1988 (oncology). Office:

; (610) 525-4511. Specialty: Treatment of cancers and diseases of the blood. Biggest misconception about her specialty: “That it’s depressing, without many victories.” Special interest: Breast cancer, lymphoma, GI tumors. Primary inspiration: “My father and his siblings were physicians. I admired their dedication and love for their profession.” Proudest professional moment: “Watching a young woman graduate college and attend her wedding after she survived a bone marrow transplant.” Most preventable problem: “Convincing patients to obtain timely screening studies.” Best part of the job: “My patients and the close relationships you can develop with them as you guide them through treatment and watch them resume a happy life.” If she weren’t a doctor, she’d be: “A teacher.”

Dr. Joseph Hope, Internal Medicine

Years in practice: 11. Education: Philadelphia College Osteopathic Medicine, 1993. Board certified: 1996. Office: 1098 W. Baltimore Pike,

, Media, 19063; (610) 891-9277. Specialty: “The care of adult and geriatric populations and the prevention diagnosis and treatment of disease.” Special interest: Osteoporosis, geriatrics and dementia. Proudest professional moment: “Being elected to the Medical Executive Committee at Riddle Memorial Hospital.” Biggest challenge: “Dealing with the limitations imposed upon physicians by the insurance companies.” Most preventable problem: “Lack of exercise.” Most exciting advancement in his field: “The prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.” Best part of the job: “Seeing my patients and their families through difficult times.” If he weren’t a doctor, he’d be: “A firefighter.”

Dr. John Benner, Orthopedics

Years in practice: 28. Education: Jefferson Medical College, 1973; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (residency); Abington Hospital (medical internship). Board certified: 1979 (orthopedic surgery). Office:

, Building A,

, West Chester PA, 19380; (610) 692-6280. Specialty: “Treating injuries and conditions of the bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons.” Biggest misconception about his specialty: “That we treat injuries to the ribs and sternum.” Special interest: “Total joint surgery (hips, knees and shoulders), rotator cuff repair and knee injuries.” Proudest professional moment: “Presenting an original paper at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.”

Biggest challenge: “Treating a patient with three open—or compound—fractures from a car accident.” Most preventable problem: “Any orthopedic condition made worse by excess weight.” Most exciting advancement in his field: “The ability to operate through smaller incisions and complex surgeries done using the arthroscope.” Best part of the job: “Getting the chance to talk with 40 to 50 patients a day.” If he weren’t a doctor, he’d be: “A commercial pilot.”

Dr. Barry Jacobson: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Years in practice: 22. Education: Jefferson Medical College, 1980; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (residency). Board certified: 1987, 1997. Office: 2100 Keystone Ave., Drexel Hill PA, 19026; (610) 626-7070. Specialty: “The complete care of the whole woman from early adulthood into the golden years. I now have an office-based practice with great partners who still deliver babies.” Special interest: Post-menopausal health (menopausal therapy and osteoporosis). Biggest misconception about his specialty: “My job is more about education, prevention and entire patient care—not about any one disease state. It’s about helping women stay healthy.” Biggest challenge: “Helping patients deal with loss, grief or unexpected news.” Most preventable problem: “Obesity, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease, among other things. Osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures.” Most exciting advancement in his field: “The ability to perform minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is changing almost daily and is wonderful for patients.” Best advice for patients: “Good diet, exercise, calcium, preventive medicine, pap tests, mammograms, colonoscopy and cholesterol checks. If he weren’t a doctor, he’d be: “I’d love to own a restaurant.” Idea of relaxation: “Relax? Who has time for that?”

Healing Hands

Three doctors who go above and beyond to give back.

Doctors, by nature, are altruistic human beings. They spend their working hours devoted to the health and well-being of their patients. But for some, that commitment goes beyond the office. Here are three volunteers worthy of note:

Dr. Paul Kim

He’s been all over the world—to Africa, India, Guatemala, Bhutan and countless other countries. The trips, however, are not for fun. For the last seven years, Dr. Paul Kim has been involved as a volunteer with the Pittsburgh-based Surgicorps International (surgicorps.org). Kim—along with his partners at Allure Medispa in Paoli, Dr. David Kim (his brother) and Dr. Gary Wingate—have traveled to Third World countries to donate their expertise as board-certified plastic surgeons, treating children and adults with such birth defects as cleft lips and palettes, congenital hand problems and burns.

“There’s need everywhere,” says Kim. “But in the United States, people with these needs get taken care of. In Third World countries, if we don’t do it they live like that or die.”

Kim heard about the work of Surgicorps through his friend, former St. Davids resident Dr. Jack Demos. Since Demos founded Surgicorps 14 years ago, countless lives have been changed through the efforts of its medical volunteers. “When missionaries in these countries spread the news that doctors from Surgicorps are visiting, sometimes more than 200 patients who have traveled days on foot will come for the possibility of a chance to be treated,” says Kim. “It’s unbelievable.”

The trips last anywhere from 12 days to three weeks. Along with Kim, a team of general surgeons; anesthesiologists; nurses; ear, nose and throat specialists; dentists; and non-medical personnel travels to the countries. Non-medical staff contribute to the mission in a variety of ways, from handling paperwork to transporting patients.

“It’s a huge undertaking,” Kim says. “We have to bring all our own supplies, medication—everything we need for surgery.”