St. Louis is fortunate to have a strong medical community, with physicians across a wide range of practice areas. The August issue highlights just a small sampling of their inspiring work, with a look at the latest across the local healthcare landscape, as well as a list of the Best Doctors in America®, as chosen by their peers. (Look for the list to be published online in mid-August.)
Among those physicians is Dr. Gina M. Marusic, who is featured on the cover of the August 2017 issue. Her father, Dr. Napoleon Maminta, moved to St. Louis from the Philippines more than 50 years ago to become a resident in pathology, and his family soon followed. Later, U.S. Senator Charles Percy of Illinois helped Maminta obtain a rare deportation waiver to ensure his permanent stay. Several of Maminta’s children, including Dr. Marusic, went on to become doctors themselves.
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Writer CJ Lotz asked Dr. Marusic and other top St. Louis physicians to share knowledge they’ve gleaned over the years, from choosing their specific fields to memorable cases, the latest advances to everyday advice.
Gina M. Marusic, M.D.
Pediatrics/General, SSM Health–Sunset Hills Pediatrics
On a current topic of interest: “I’m very interested in teaching my families about mindfulness and staying present. My advice: Enjoy the now. It is especially important in this age of technology and social media. Anxiety in children is at its all-time high. I want children to learn how to enjoy their families and friends and what is happening right in front of them. It is important to not worry about yesterday or what will happen in the next few days, weeks, or months.”
Mark J. Tullman, M.D.
Neurology, The MS Center for Innovations in Care, Midwest Neurology
On an important lesson: “Despite access to the most sophisticated technology for diagnosis and assessing disease progression, nothing is more important than being a good listener, talking to patients about their symptoms, and addressing their concerns.”
Lenise Cummings Vaughn, M.D.
Geriatric Medicine, Washington University Physicians
On the importance of putting patients first: “A dear patient of mine recently died, and I was reminded that knowing your patient is one of a doctor’s most important responsibilities. Our job is to assist patients in attaining their health and quality of life goals, if able. Patient care always helps me to set my compass in my research and educational pursuits.”
Vito Mantese, M.D.
Surgery and Vascular Surgery, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
On a memorable case: “I recently treated a young man emergently with an acute aortic dissection, using a technique only used at a few institutions. Procedures in the past would not have been able to successfully address his complex situation. He ultimately required his entire aorta to be repaired but has completely recovered from these operations and continues to be a fully independent man.”
Sheryl S. Ream, M.D.
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics/General, St. Anthony’s at Arnold Family Health Care
On choosing her specialty: “I enjoy taking care of patients of all ages. Now that I have been in practice for 27 years, my patients have aged with me, so I tend to take care of more geriatric patients. I enjoy talking with patients about their family and mine and sometimes even care for their children and grandchildren.”
Ravi P. Nayak, M.D.
Pulmonary Medicine and critical care medicine, SLUCare Physician Group
On a memorable case: “A patient with sarcoidosis affecting her eyes was completely blind. She responded well to treatment and regained vision in one of her eyes. At her next follow-up, she looked at me and said, ‘Dr. Nayak, you have a mustache.’”
Marcie Garland, M.D.
Psychiatry, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
On changes in her practice area: “I think we are reducing the stigma of mental illness. People need to be OK to reach out and ask for help. If you’re struggling, it’s a smart idea to reach out, whether that’s to a social worker, a therapist, or a counselor. I hope seeing a professional becomes normal and people don’t think it means they have a weakness.”
Fred J. Balis, M.D.
Internal Medicine, Medical Specialists of St. Luke’s Hospital
On serving as program director of the residency in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital: “The work is challenging and tremendously gratifying. We have residents from 15 countries who develop into fantastic physicians. Enabling the success of our residents is a powerful motivation and keeps me excited about working each day.”
Pirooz Eghtesady, M.D.
Thoracic Surgery, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
On choosing his area of practice: “I love kids and was fascinated early on in medical school about the complex physiology of congenital heart disease. I also had a Ph.D. in transplantation/immunology. The overlap between taking care of newborns, managing complex physiology, and practicing transplantation naturally lent itself to pursuing pediatric heart surgery.”
