Neurosurgeon tops list of dedicated doctors

Best Doctors

Dr. Steven Agata, neurosurgeon
Dr. Jerry Cade, director of HIV services, University Medical Center
Dr. Alex Little, thoracic surgeon and chairman of the department of surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine
Dr. Marietta Nelson, ophthalmologist and pediatric ophthalmologist
Dr. Mike Petruso, internist
Dr. Otto Ravenholt, chief health officer, Clark County Health District
By Joe Hawk
Review-Journal
     American medicine has come a long way from "Take two aspirins and call me in the morning."
     No matter what your ailment or affliction or illness, chances are there's a doctor specializing in that field. In Southern Nevada alone, there are more than 1,800 physicians, and their phone numbers and advertisements take up 105 pages of the 1,933 Yellow Pages.
     (For the record, the number of pages devoted to doctors ranks third behind the 147 taken by attorneys and the 134 used by direct-to-your-hotel-room female entertainers. What a surprise!)
     Hey, is this a good time to be sick or what?
     "Over the past decade, the quality of health care in Southern Nevada has improved greatly," said Dr. Mitch Keamy, an anesthesiologist and president of the Clark County Medical Society. "Almost every specialty is available here today.
     "I'm proud of my relationship with this medical community -- as I think all physicians in Southern Nevada are."
     With that idea in mind, we polled a number of local doctors to determine the best of the best in the area. Not surprisingly, a lot of names crossed our desk -- most of them illegible. Sorry, can't resist a cheap laugh.
     But there were six whose names appeared several times. And we present them to you, in alphabetical order:

Steven Agata, neurosurgeon: Specializing in cerebrovascular disease and brain tumors, Agata, 48, was the first doctor in Southern Nevada to perform placement of specialized chemotherapeutic agents into malignant brain tumors. In conjunction with Dr. Ashley Sikand, the region's first neuro-otologist, he is working on forming a skull-base team approach to difficult tumors at the base of the skull. Agata also has extensive experience in spinal surgery and has performed hundreds of surgeries for herniated disks in the lower back and neck.

Dr. Jerry Cade, director of HIV services, University Medical Center: Known throughout Nevada as a physician who treats people with HIV and AIDS and the co-founder of the HIV/AIDS unit at University Medical Center, the 43-year-old Cade began work as a family practitioner but became involved with HIV/AIDS patients in August 1985. In December 1995, he was named a member of President Clinton's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Cade also is a community leader in the battle for HIV/AIDS education and against HIV/AIDS discrimination.

Dr. Alex Little, thoracic surgeon and chairman of the department of surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine: Given the "Good Housekeeping seal of approval" in October 1992 as one of the 400 best cancer specialists in the country by the magazine Good Housekeeping, Little, 54, has been serving the Southern Nevada community since 1988. Little was honored by the magazine under the specialty of lung cancer surgery. He also has vast experience and has written numerous articles on thoracic surgery and esophageal cancer.

Dr. Marietta Nelson, ophthalmologist and pediatric ophthalmologist: Nelson, 44, began her medical career as a pediatrician in 1979 but moved into the field of ophthalmology in 1985 after being exposed to the "beauty of the surgery." Still licensed as a pediatrician, she has combined the two fields, working "50-50" today with adults and children suffering from eye diseases.

Dr. Mike Petruso, internist: As one of his medical peers described him, Petruso, 52, is the "Mr. Encyclopedia of Medicine." He began his Hippocratic career a little late, opening his practice in 1991 after having spent 18 years as a guitar player in Strip showrooms where Paul Anka, Connie Stevens and Bobby Vinton performed. When Strip showrooms went to taped music in the early 1980s, Petruso opted for medical school. Today, he routinely awakens at 4 a.m. to research the latest treatment for his patients.

Dr. Otto Ravenholt, chief health officer, Clark County Health District: Although he doesn't work in private practice, his 34 years of service with the Clark County Health District has made the 69-year-old Ravenholt "a true legend in medical professionalism in Southern Nevada," according to one pollster. For Ravenholt, who plans to retire this summer, the county's rapid growth over the past three decades has kept the job from becoming dull.
     By singling out six does this mean the other 1,800 or so doctors in Southern Nevada aren't as good? Certainly not.
     In fact, this sampling only serves to illustrate the breadth of medical care in the area. While the physicians polled preferred not to be identified for fear of showing favoritism to a colleague, they all agreed with Dr. Keamy in his assessment of what makes a good physician.
     "Choosing a doctor is very situational," Keamy said. "If you go into a doctor's office and you don't feel comfortable with a situation, by all means walk out.
     "You have to feel comfortable and you have to feel you have a caring relationship with your doctor. In my mind, that's as important as anything else."

Choose a catagory:
EAT AND DRINK SHOPPING ENTERTAINMENT PEOPLE	HOTELS SPORTS SPOTS LOCATIONS BEST OF THE WORST
Best of Las Vegas Index

Neurosurgeon tops list of dedicated doctors

Best Doctors

Choose a catagory: