Needing medical care can be stressful, which is why a great doctor can make all the difference. The Coast physicians on this year’s Top Doctors list have many things in common, among them compassion, exceptional problem-solving skills, a willingness to go above and beyond, impressive expertise and an ability to connect with their patients.
Congratulations to GCW’s Top Doctors of 2023, whom our audience voted the best in their fields.
ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
Dr. Mark Murray
What others say: “He spends time with his patients and listens to what we are telling him. He never rushes through the appointment and really cares about his patients.”
ANESTHESIOLOGY
Dr. Brian R. Dix, DO
What others say: “He is an all-around good human who is so humble and kind. Sometimes he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, and he definitely deserves this! He works so hard and makes such a big effort to get to know his patients and find the source of their pain. He goes above and beyond for his patients and his family!”
AUDIOLOGY
Dr. Karen Slater, AuD
What others say: “Dr. Slater has practiced audiology on the Gulf Coast for over 30 years with three locations. She has consistently provided impeccable service and knowledge to her patients and their families. Dr. Slater also has been the leading preceptor for students obtaining their doctorate in audiology. In doing so, Dr. Slater’s influence in her field has spread nationwide.”
BARIATRIC MEDICINE/WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Dr. Delphine Shannon
What others say: “Dr. Shannon spends quality time with her patients to achieve remarkable health and wellness outcomes. Each patient is treated as an individual and not a number. She’s so friendly and extremely passionate about what she does. Her patients and staff absolutely love her. Her facility is amazing and has all the state-of-the-art wellness and aesthetics devices to help her patients feel good on the inside and look good on the outside.”
CARDIOLOGY
Dr. Ahmad Agha, FACC
What others say: “Dr. Agha thoroughly explained my cardiac status and answered all my questions as to what further tests were needed.”
CARDIOVASCULAR/CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
Dr. Jason A. Williams
What others say: “Nice, polite, personable and professional young man. Visit was not at all rushed. He didn’t want to rush me to surgery as two others did. He will decide after more testing is completed. I am pretty perceptive and intuitive. I can tell Dr. Williams is quite sharp, and I’m confident his skills are amazing. After all, not many are granted admission to prestigious Harvard Medical School.”
CHIROPRACTOR
Dr. Aaron J Murphy, DC
What others say: “He is so kind and intelligent. He truly takes his time with his patients.”
Sponsored Listing
Aaron J. Murphy, DC
Murphy Chiropractic
frontdesk@murphychiroms.com
Phone: 228-678-7788
Website: Murphychiroms.com
COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY
Dr. Ramon Brown, FACS, FASCRS
What others say: “Dr. Brown is an exceptionally skilled colorectal surgeon and an excellent communicator.”
DENTISTRY
Dr. Amy Kenny DMD
What others say: “Dr. Kenny is by far the kindest, most gentle dentist with the most extensive knowledge in her field. She has helped me and my family through though dental problems and has done so with such grace.”
Sponsored Listing
Dr. Amy Kenny, DMD
Kenny Dental
228-688-0624
1166 Hwy 90
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
Instagram: @kenny.dental
Website: www.kennydentalBSL.com
Sponsored Listing
Karen Crews, DMD
Beach View Family Dental
www.beachviewfamilydental.com
shamm@sgadental.com
Sponsored Listing
Catherine Bruni, DMD
Hal Jones, DMD
Waveland Dental Center
110 Auderer Blvd. Waveland, MS
(228) 270-0044
wavelanddentalcenter.com
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Fridays by Appointment
DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Angela Wingfield
What others say: “This year Dr. Wingfield celebrates 20 years of practice providing the highest quality care and support to the Gulf Coast community. With four beautiful locations, she is able to serve the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast and provide the latest technology and treatments in dermatology, cosmetics and aesthetics. She is kind and compassionate. In addition to providing excellent care, Dr. Wingfield also serves on the board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast and hosts multiple pre-medical professional students in her clinics each year. She is a wonderful physician and pillar of our coastal community.”
Sponsored Listing
Angela Wingfield, MD
The Dermatology Clinic
holly@thedermclinic.net
228-864-3300 ext 303
www.thedermclinic.net
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Dr. David Eakes
What others say: “I had some chest pain, went to the ER and was seen promptly by Dr. Eakes. Even though it ended up not being something serious, he took me very seriously the entire time and explained everything extremely well and answered all my questions. Even though he probably had patients way more urgent than me, he never made me feel stupid or foolish for coming in. If he was a regular office doctor, there’s no one I’d rather see.”
ENDOCRINOLOGY
Dr. Ellen Caswell
What others say: “Dr. Caswell is a wonderful new physician that spends so much time with each of her patients. She not only treats her patients, but she listens to them as well. Our practice has grown so much, and this is just the start. I have enjoyed every day working with her and believe that she deserves this award!”
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Dr. April Ulmer
What others say: “Dr. Ulmer specializes in the treatment of our little ones. Not only that, but she is a specialist in tummy troubles. This is a very important discipline in the growth cycle of our children’s lives, so she was much needed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
GENERAL SURGERY
Dr. T. Paul Mace, FACS
What others say: “Haven’t meet a good doctor like him for a long time. He took his time explaining what I am facing and what he is going to do to fix it, just like a friend telling you how he is going to help you. Not one bit did he make me feel like just a patient passing thru his office.”
GYNECOLOGY
Dr. Alisha Ware, FACOG
What others say: “Very compassionate and knowledgeable”
Sponsored Listing
Dr. Audrey Murphy
Gulf Coast OB/GYN
Appointments available in Pascagoula and Ocean Springs
228-769-1940
www.gcobgynms.com
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
Dr. Lisa Bond
What others say: “Dr. Lisa Bond is the best! She’s very kind and caring, as well as highly capable in her field of oncology. She takes the time to answer any questions or concerns you may have. “
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Dr. Okechukwu Ekenna
What others say: “Dr. Ekenna played a vital role in Singing River’s successful response to the COVID-19 outbreak, especially in caring for hospitalized patients, and assisted in the formation of the contact tracing team of positive patient navigators who helped slow the spread in hotspot areas in our community. In 2016, Dr. Ekenna has published a book titled ‘Cases in Clinical Infectious Disease Practice.’”
INPATIENT PHYSICIAN SERVICES
Dr. Dasha Cowart, DO
What others say: “She was very patient with explaining what is going on with my loved one and took time to help us understand the best way to care for our mom. She is so sweet and compassionate!”
NEUROLOGY
Dr. Abha Mishra, MPH
What others say: “Dr. Mishra is thorough and caring. I’ve been seeing her for more than five years now. She has done so much for me. She listens to your needs. I have multiple issues, but my migraines are much better. I don’t have as many, and they don’t last as long. I highly recommend her.”
NEUROSURGERY
Dr. Eric H. Wolfson, FACS
What others say: “I went to Dr. Wolfson with extreme leg and back pain. I had been getting injections, and they had quit working. When I had done the tests, I went to see him the next day. He already had the results and told me that day I needed surgery. So, they set it up very quickly. … The day after surgery, I was able to stand up straight and had no pain in my legs at all! To me, it is a miracle! I would highly recommend Dr. Wolfson. He had come highly recommended to me from two other doctors. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!”
OBSTETRICS
Dr. Preston Parry, MPH
What others say: “Dr. Parry is the best there is at what he does. He helps build families, which is such a beautiful thing.”
Sponsored Listing
John Preston Parry, MD, MPH
Positive Steps Fertility
(833) POS-STEP (767-7837)
positivestepsfertility.com
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Youtube
ONCOLOGY
Dr. Allison Wall
What others say: “I have been seeing Dr Wall since she first came to Memorial. She is one of the most caring and kind people that I have ever met. Not only is she caring and kind, but she is an outstanding physician. I would highly recommend her and her staff to anyone!”
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Dr. Cornelius Regan
What others say: ““He really is the best doctor, and if you experience his care firsthand, you will realize that he cares greatly. He spends adequate time with all the patients so that they understand completely the anatomy, diagnosis, prognosis and plan of care. He takes the time to answer every question and never turns a patient away. He’s worked with many patients no matter the budget because he knows how important the retina is.”
ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Eun-Chee Lee, DDS, MSD
What others say: “She is a great orthodontist who cares about her patients and the results they get. Dr. Lee changes lives and boosts confidence by giving patients a beautiful smile.”
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
Dr. Philip Myers, DO
What others say: “Dr. Myers replaced my left hip in November 2022. His bedside manner, guidance and the success of my surgery were incredible. I’m a more difficult case, and I flew in from Charlotte, North Carolina; that’s how confident I was in him. So much so, in fact, I’m back for my eight-month follow up and plan to talk about my right hip.”
Sponsored Listing
Joseph T. Cox, MD
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists
228-230-BONE (2663)
BienvilleOrtho.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bienvilleortho
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bienvilleortho/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bienvilleortho/
Sponsored Listing
Yekaterina Karpitskaya, MD
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists
228-230-BONE (2663)
BienvilleOrtho.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bienvilleortho
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bienvilleortho/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bienvilleortho/
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Dr. Vincent J. Pisciotta, FACS
What others say: “Vincent Pisciotta provides tireless service and compassion in serving our community and is always willing to take another patient. He works very hard to stay patient focused and available in the changing medical market as an independent provider since 1997.”
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Dr. Brian Dix, DO
What others say: “He is one in a million. I know so many people he has helped, and he is one who really deserves the recognition. I can honestly say I would not be up and walking without him. He is also a man who goes to church, and that means a lot to me. I know not everyone cares about that, but it shows in his bedside manner. He will also listen to you and answer all your questions. Even when I know he’s busy, he always makes time for his patients. For that, I am very grateful. I cannot express my gratitude enough for all his help!”
PEDIATRICS
Dr. Tamara W. Harper, FAAP
What others say: “She’s good at her job, and she loves what she does.”
PLASTIC SURGERY
Dr. Anna Pavlov
What others say: “She’s an amazing surgeon, always going above and beyond for her patients. She has a positive attitude all the time and is one of the best surgeons to work for as well.”
PODIATRIST
Dr. Renita Parker, DPM
What others say: “She spends time with her patients and truly cares about their wellbeing.”
PRIMARY CARE
Dr. Tana Cooper, DO
What others say: “We absolutely love Dr. Cooper. She always gets to the root of my health issues. Her staff is friendly and helpful.”
PSYCHIATRY/PSYCHOTHERAPY
Dr. Dustin Marmalich
What others say: “Compassionate and considerate — highly recommend!”
PULMONOLOGY
Dr. Bobby Tullos
What others say: “He’s wonderful and truly cares about his patients! He goes above and beyond to get them the care they need.”
Sponsored Listing
Dr. Bobby W. Tullos
Memorial Hospital Gulfport
228-575-1775
https://wearememorial.com/service/pulmonology/
RADIOLOGY
Dr. Leena Pande
What others say: “Dr. Pande is the lead interpreting physician over mammography at our hospital. She is very good at stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsies. She communicates well with the patients and puts them at ease. She is a dedicated radiologist.”
RHEUMATOLOGY
Dr. Richa Gupta
What others say: “Dr. Gupta is amazing. I have several autoimmune issues, and she explains everything to me in a way that I can understand it. I recommend her to everyone.”
UROLOGY
Dr. David Owens
What others say: “I have worked for him for nearly three years, and I can honestly say I have never heard one patient complain about him. He is kind and very knowledgeable about urology, but at the same time, he takes the time to explain the situation to you, even drawing pictures to explain. I’ve seen him give his personal cell phone out to patients to ease their worries. He goes above and beyond for his patients.”
VASCULAR/BLOOD HEALTH
Dr. Andrea Barker
What others say: “Dr. Barker practices and treats each individual with respect and shows genuine care and compassion when it comes to patient care. Dr. Barker is attentive in each and every aspect of her patients’ care. Furthermore, Dr. Barker treats every coworker with respect. Dr. Barker truly knows the importance of her nurses, and this is does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. So much can be said about Dr. Andrea Barker, but she truly doesn’t need to be praised. Dr. Barker finds her fulfillment in quality patient care and treatment.”
VETERINARY MEDICINE
Dr. Jacob Church
What others say: “Dr. Church is a wonderful veterinarian. He goes above and beyond to find a solution for my pets’ healthcare issues.”