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Super Doctors
34 Doctors to look up to...
1 Name to look up
We are pleased to announce that 33 Scott & White physicians have been named to this years list of “Super Doctors” for their outstanding service to the community. These physicians are featured in the December issue of Texas Monthly magazine. They represent a group of achievers with diverse medical experience. They exemplify the high standard of patient service, diagnosis and treatment offered by Scott & White hospitals and clinics.
Allergy and Immunology
John C. Starr, M.D.
David Weldon, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 24 years. I chose allergy/immunology because I was interested in research in the field of immunology and how it applies to cancer therapy. The aspect I enjoy most is the impact that I have to improve a person's quality of life. My most common advice to patients? If it's not broke, don't fix it. Read more »
Cardiology
Gregory J. Dehmer, M.D.
I have been a cardiologist for 28 years. I chose cardiology because I liked managing cardiac patients who were acutely ill, and also because I like performing invasive studies. It has been very gratifying to see our specialty mature to the point that we can now actually fix many conditions that we have just watched evolve in the past. And of course the thing I enjoy most is helping people. Just having one patient say “thanks doc” makes it all worthwhile. The most common advice I give is live a healthy lifestyle, eat better, exercise more and stop smoking. Read more »
John P. Erwin, III, M.D.
I have been a licensed physician for 15 years and a board certified cardiologist for 10 years. I was attracted to cardiology because I enjoy the thrill of seeing critically ill patients get better and having the opportunity to experience continuity of care with them throughout their lifetime. The mix of medical, educational and procedural approaches to my practice allows every day to be different from the next. I also enjoy the aspects of preventative medicine that my field provides. What I cherish the most is building deep and trusting relationships with others. The ability to apply my passion for science and my passion for my God to a living, feeling human being is an exhilarating experience. I commonly tell my patients that one cannot be truly well unless he is well in mind, spirit and body. The most important of these, however, is spiritual wellness - it is the only one that is eternal. "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" - Psalm 31:24 Read more »
D. Scott Gantt, D.O.
I have been in cardiology for 32 years, and the mentors I had are what drew me to this specialty. The aspect I find the most rewarding is saving lives, and the most common advice I have for my patients is to have a good diet, exercise, quit smoking and have regular check ups with a primary physician. Read more »
Cosmetic/Reconstructive Surgery
Dennis Lynch, M.D.
Charles N. Verheyden, M.D., Ph.D.
My career in Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery has spanned 27 years. I was drawn to this specialty because of the great variety and the ability to work all over the body and cross boundaries with many different specialties, allowing me to work with multiple different specialists. Also, the opportunity to combine creativity and artistry with surgery was an attraction. I enjoy the interaction with people and developing relationships with them, some of which have lasted for many years. I also enjoy the continuing challenge of getting the "perfect result" and the privilege of operating on the human body. My most common advice to patients is “Do what the doctor tells you!” Read more »
Dermatology
David F. Butler, M.D., B.A.
I have been practicing Dermatology since 1985. I was drawn to it because of the diversity of patients, diseases and procedures. The aspect that I enjoy the most is being able to help a patient in a very unique way. Dermatologists often see rare conditions, and to be able to treat and sometimes cure a rare condition is very rewarding. My most common advice to patients? Protect your skin from the sun! Read more »
Ronald E. Grimwood Jr., M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 33 years. I chose Dermatology because it is a visual specialty with both medical and surgical solutions to a wide variety of challenging diseases. One of the things I have always liked is the scientific method, and medicine allows one to apply this method to benefit humanity. The most common advice I give patients is to protect their skin from sun damage in order to prevent skin cancer. Read more »
Dentistry and Oral Surgery
Lance A. Read, D.D.S.
I began my career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery after Dental School in 1988. My residency was at Baylor College of Dentistry and Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and was completed in 1992. The opportunity to treat such a broad scope of patients from simple problems to more complex was very exciting. These problems includes toothaches, jaw tumors, temporomandibular joint pain, maxillofacial trauma, sleep apnea and dentoskeletal abnormalities. It is a great joy to alleviate pain and also to improve function with these patients with jaw problems, especially, when it changes their facial appearance and improves their self-esteem. Being a part of Scott & White since 1995, after a 3 years active duty obligation with the U.S. Navy, I am able to practice the full-scope of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Read more »
Endocrinology
Veronica K. Piziak, M.D., Ph.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 27 years, and was drawn to endocrinology because of the exciting diversity of the specialty and rapidly changing effective therapies for endocrine diseases. As a physician, the thing I enjoy the most is taking care of people who trust me with their lives. I most commonly tell my patients to do their best to make decisions about their lives that will keep them healthy. Read more »
Carlos A. Verdonk, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 27 years, and was attracted to endocrinology because I was interested in teaching patients about the nature of their illness, how to deal with it and take charge. The aspect I enjoy most about medicine is being able to make someone feel better. My common advice to patients is that if they do not take care of themselves, who will? Read more »
Gastroenterology
Andrejs E. Avots-Avotins, M.D., Ph.D.
My practice as a gastroenterologist has spanned a 20-year period of time. I was attracted to gastroenterology by the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients and to provide needed interventions to prevent, diagnose and intervene in gastrointestinal disorders. A mutually respectful patient-physician relationship provides me the greatest satisfaction as a physician. I advise all patients to contact my office if there is any uncertainty about treatment plans or symptoms and allow my staff and myself the opportunity to clarify issues and recommend appropriate corrective actions. Read more »
Richard A. Erickson, M.D.
I have been a physician for 30 years. I was attracted to gastroenterology because I enjoy the combination of being able to talk with patients in my clinic, and then help diagnose and treat their problems with endoscopic procedures. Finding the cause of a patient's symptoms is most satisfying to me. Even when the diagnosis is not good, understanding the source of the problem helps patients and their families to cope with it better and move on to the next step in their care.
The most common thing I do is spend time with my patients just explaining what is going on with them. That is often the most therapeutic thing I can do for their care. They are often so very frustrated trying to understand the complexities of 21st century medicine as it relates to their personal experiences. Usually, no one has spent time with them just to explain how and why things happen. I think it is the most valuable thing I can give to my patients. Read more »
Joseph G. White, M.D.
I have been a practicing gastroenterologist for 21 years. Read more »
Internal Medicine
Phillip T. Cain, M.D.
Bruce D. Koehler, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 29 years, and I was drawn to internal medicine because it provides comprehensive, preventive and therapeutic care to adults. What I truly enjoy about medicine is the knowledge that I am contributing to the common good while improving the health of my patients. And my most common advice to them is to exercise daily, avoid high fat foods, lose weight and take your medications as directed! Read more »
Neurology
Richard P. Lenehan, M.D.
Obstestrics/Gynecology
Dudley P. Baker, M.D.
My career in medicine has spanned 46 years. I chose obstetrics/gynecology and oncology because it was a combination of primary, secondary and teaching care, in one specialty. One of the things I enjoy the most is the patient, physician and healthcare relationship. My patients most commonly hear from me, “Your health is up to you, we are here only to serve and guide.” Read more »
Charles V. Capen, M.D.
Bob L. Shull, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine since 1973 and was attracted to my specialty because of the opportunities to provide medical, obstetrical and surgical care to women. As a physician, I enjoy the opportunities to help people have a better quality of life and to teach students, residents and colleagues. One thing I often tell my patients is to be responsible for taking proper care of yourself, because there are many people who love you and depend on you. Read more »
Ophthalmology
Glen O. Brindley, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine since 1975, and was drawn to Ophthalmology because it includes care to all ages, and is both a surgical and medical practice. What do I enjoy most about being in medicine? I think this is what God wants me to do. I commonly tell my patients to be faithful and diligent in following instructions. Read more »
J. Paul Dieckert, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 21 years and was attracted to ophthalmology because of the excellence of the physicians in the specialty who were my mentors. One aspect I enjoy most is that it provides a great opportunity to bring value to those who create value for others. I try to impress upon my patients that they should seek information so that they can make personal decisions that they can be confident in. Read more »
Robert H. Rosa Jr., M.D.
I have been in ophthalmology for 12 years, and I was attracted to this area of medicine because I had mentors to encourage me and I had a keen interest in retinal disease and eye pathology. I also enjoyed the technological advances in the field of ophthalmology. The things that I enjoy most about this specialty are the patient/doctor relationships, making a positive impact on visual health, mentoring young physicians and medical students in training, and finding research opportunities for new, cutting-edge therapies for eye diseases. I often tell my patients to do all they can to diminish the adverse effects of the environment on eye diseases, such as eat healthy, take vitamins/antioxidants, exercise, quit smoking and avoid excessive sun exposure. Read more »
Orthopedic Surgery
Bill Hamilton, M.D.
I have been an orthopaedic surgeon for 27 years. I have an athletic background and it was natural for me to see many doctors during my playing days. I felt all the doctors enjoyed their careers and were always upbeat and empathetic toward their patients. I felt that I would like to be one of those doctors someday, and my parents also encouraged me to consider medicine.
I enjoy seeing patients and trying to help alleviate the pain from their conditions, and also hope to make them more functional. If I am successful at both of these, it can positively affect people and gives me a sense of satisfaction from relieving maybe a small burden from them. I often tell my patients to be positive and to not be discouraged if their pain or function is not where they think it should be. I think that positive reinforcement can be just as important as the interventions in making people better. Read more »
Kirby D. Hitt, M.D.
Robert A. Probe, M.D.
My career in orthopaedic surgery began after I graduated from medical school in 1984. The opportunity to be involved in trauma care is what attracted me to this specialty. Orthopaedic trauma care provides an opportunity to provide immediate and dramatic improvement in patient lives. The better we do our jobs, the better the patient functions for the rest of their lives. Every day, I have an opportunity to watch patients improve. While they often begin this journey incapacitated by injury, the successes they have in the recovery process are fun to watch. That is what I enjoy most about my practice. I commonly tell my patients that recovery from major trauma is a partnership between Scott & White and the patient. We can't realize our goals without both parties putting forward their best efforts. Read more »
Pediatrics
Daniel G. Ransom, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 20 years, and enjoy pediatrics because I have fun taking care of kids and their parents. One of the things I enjoy most about my practice is getting to know my families and feeling like I made a difference in their lives. The most common advice I give to my patients? If you child acts up in public, you can always say that he is your nephew! Read more »
Psychiatry
Michael L. Brown, M.D.
William J. Meek, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology
Jose F. Pliego, M.D.
Thomas J. Wincek, M.D., Ph.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 29 years, and I was attracted to this specialty because of the combination of medical, surgical and laboratory procedures applied to the treatment of reproductive disorders. What I enjoy the most about my practice is getting to know my patients, sharing in their successes and being supportive in their losses. I commonly tell my patients to do what they can to optimize what we can control, and to not expend energy on what we cannot. Read more »
Urology
T. Philip Reilly, M.D.
I have been practicing medicine for 34 years. When I was a student, the residents in urology seemed to enjoy their work and have a good time - it turns out they were right! I also like mechanical "gadgets" and urologic surgery is all about scopes and instruments.
Urology is a combination of internal medicine and surgery, which allows me to develop long term relationships with my patients for their chronic problems, but also "fix" urologic conditions which require surgical intervention. That is what I enjoy the most about my practice. My most common advice to patients is a quote from Winston Churchill - “Never, never, never give up.” Read more »
Vascular Surgery
C.J. Buckley, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I began practicing medicine in 1962, and have been in vascular surgery since 1974. Drs. Clyde Hagood and William Kemmerer were my mentors during my residency. They helped me develop my fascination with vascular surgery. What I enjoy most about this specialty is the gratification that comes with helping patients manage desperate vascular problems to improve their quality of life. My common advice to patients is to practice a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking and be as active as they can for their age and physical impairments. Read more »
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