Who is your good doctor?

[orphanedhawk]

Is there someone you'd recommend to others in your area?
From time to time, someone on the forum needs a referral.
Who do you see ? Why do you like them ?
Tell us if the doc is a GI or Hepatologist or other, where they're located and how to contact them.

Although, my GI had suggested I see a specialist at CPMC in S.F., it was a member here who recommended a specific  hepatologist several years ago. He is still my liver doctor.

Many of us refer to our doctors and how much we like them, so lets help others.

(For anyone concerned with privacy issues, by law medical professionals can not share information about patients other than with specific professionals.)

[orphanedhawk]

I see Dr. Todd Frederick, a hepatologist  in San Francisco:
Specialty: Liver Disease/Hepatology, Liver Transplant, Gastroenterology
He can be seen in San Francisco, Ca. and currently also at clinics in Chico California and Reno, Nevada.

I like him because he is knowledgeable, compassionate, flexible, and answers my emails promptly.

He is one of several liver specialists based in S.F. @ CPMC who also work at outreach clinics in Northern California and Nevada.

For more information about them:
http://www.sutterpacific.org/services/liver.html
Click on Dr. Frederick to connect to the link about him.

[nygirl7]

Dr. Ira Jacobson Heptologist NYC.  He is one of the premiere heptologists in all of the world. He does not take insurance but you can submit out of network.

[hrsepwrguy]

Gregory T. Everson, MD, FACP
James "Jay" R. Burton, Jr., MD

Are the monitoring docs of my trial, located at UC Denver Hepatology Dept

[jules2551]

Dr. Santiago J. Munoz, MD, FACP, FACG
Professor of Medicine, Director of Clinical Hepatology, Medical Director of Liver Transplantation

Temple University in Philadelphia, PA

[nygirl7]

Ira M. Jacobson, M.D. | Weill Cornell Physicians Organization ...www.weillcornell.org/imjacobson/Cached

Ira Jacobson, M.D. is Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vincent Astor Distinguished Professor of Medicine, The Joan Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, & Attending Physician, NewYork-PresbyterianHospitalCornell Campus.

Dr. Jacobson is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, andis a world-renownedexpert in Hepatology and Liver Disease. He is the Medical Director for the Center for the Study of HepatitisC, and is a principal investigator on many important trials involving antiviral therapy for both hepatitis B and C. He haspublished twotextbooks: ERCP and Its Applications, Lippencott and Raven, 1998, and ERCP Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications,Elsevier,1989. His special interests include hepatology, and endoscopy.

[MagTX]

I have shopped for hep docs in Houston since the early 1990's and have met many of them for consults over the years.

Here's who no one should consider doing TX with (I did) or have your liver BX with, Dr. G at Texas Liver Specialists.  If anyone is considering him or is already a pt of his, you can PM me if you're interested in knowing more.

The best hep docs in Houston seem to all be at the Baylor College of Medicine.  They have a large practice with many hep docs that work together and pt's meet more than one if you are a long term pt, it's nice being able to hear each doc's opinions and knowledge.  Another good thing about this group is that they all get together in a weekly meeting to have a look and have a consensus with liver bx pathology slides even after the pathologist gives his report... Then they discuss individualized plans for TX or their recommendations.  I personally think anyone in this entire group is very knowledgeable and would recomend any doc there, however, have never done TX with Baylor so have nothing to add about that...

My hep doc (Dr. Schiff) in Miami, at U of M is very good too, very nice knowledgeable doc!

[Idyllic]

Oy. I have a sinking feeling this thread might not be such a great idea....Having said that: If it is OK I would much rather mention my Dermatologist, Dr. Jeffrey Meffert with the Dermatology Center at Texas MedClinic  in San Antonio, Texas.

Believe it or not, it is quite often the case that a Dermatologist is the first doctor to pick up on the possibility of HCV since often times the virus manifests itself in some type of skin condition at first (or eventually).

Dr. Meffert is familiar with many of the side effects of  HCV meds, HIV meds, Cancer meds and other medications that have Dermatological side effects. He helped me with my tremendous hair loss the first time around by prescribing an ointment/drops for my scalp that I believe helped my hair grow back fast. Then when I was through treating, I made a solution with those drops, Minoxidol and Azaelic acid and my hair grew back fast and super healthy. That is the reason I am not freaked out while I watch my hair fall out by the glob!

The reason I met him in the first place is due to an unusual side effect I had the first time I treated. It is very uncommon so I won't bore you with that but I eventually healed with no scarring. I do not think I would have fared as well with a lesser experienced Dermatologist.

He is affordable and accepts insurance.
______________________________________
Dr. Jeffrey Meffert is Board Certified in Dermatology and has written over 40 journal articles and book chapters on a variety of topics.  He is also a frequent speaker to primary care physicians on general dermatology issues and is actively involved in the American Academy of Dermatology as a member of both the Education and Bioterrorism task forces.


Born into a military family, Dr. Meffert graduated from Marshall High School in San Antonio prior to attending Rice University in Houston.  Upon completing his medical school training and Family Practice residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Dr. Meffert practiced family medicine in Virginia and flight medicine in Alaska with the United States Air Force.  He returned to San Antonio and completed his Dermatology training at Wilford Hall Medical Center in 1995.  Dr. Meffert was in the Air Force for over 21 years, completing his Air Force career as Program Director of the combined Army/Air Force Residency in dermatology at Wilford Hall and Brooke Army Medical Center.  He has been practicing dermatology for the past ten years.

[can-do-man]

In Indiana they don't come any better then Paul Y Kwo at IU medical center, lead researcher and principal Investigator for Victrelis (Boceprevir) and Mercks go to doctor. Besides being down to earth with a great since of humor. He's not afraid to treat, or treat outside the norm.

Kwo loves it when patients take this serious and are well informed, he's very open to ideals and doesn't feel threatened.
-------------------------------------

Dr. Paul Y. Kwo is associate professor of medicine and medical director of the adult liver transplant program at Indiana University Health.  
  
Dr. Kwo's clinical interests include Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and liver transplantation, while his research interests include Hepatitis C and alcohol metabolism.

[His way]

In NJ, I highly recommend Bindu Balani Internal Med + Infectious disease.
Hepatitis Treatment Center, 20 Prospect St Hackensack NJ 07601
The best Doctor I have ever had. Lots of experience. She treats the entire patient, not just the disease.  She is always available when you need her and is dedicated to getting you through your cure.
Great office and staff

[nygirl7]

I think this thread is a great idea and don't see how it can be harmful in any way.   We're not going to get into any 'my doctor is better than yours' arguments or anything.  People are asking all of the time who we could refer them to in certain parts of the country, at least this way it will have all the best doctors in one thread to point them too!

[3xlucky]

I second dr Ira jacobson. He does not
Take insurance but runs a lot of trials and is a leading
Doctor in the latest treatment options for hep c. I have been in the Gilead 9881 and 9541 for the last six months and received excellent from the whole team.

[Advocate1955]

Dr. Renuka Battacharya at the University of Washington Medical Services and Transplant Center.  We really like her a lot.
She is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Chief of Clinical Hepatology at the University of WA.  
Her education is:
M.D., University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
Residency in Medicine, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Fellowship in Gastroenterology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
American Board of Internal Medicine Transplant Hepatology 2010
American Board of Internal Medicine Gastroenterology 2003
Advocate1955

[Dee1956]

This is a really great idea!  Thanks so much Hawk for thinking of it.  I would like to find a really good Hep Doc in Virginia.  I think Dr Schiffman is in Richmond VA and he is excellent, has a very good reputation.  If I were to relapse I would go to him though he is several hours away I have heard good things about him
Thanks you guys.
Dee

[working dog]

dr allen kilby....portland maine...gi....very good doctor as well as very good nurse practitioner...and all the folks down at maine med are great!...billy

[stormy456]

We have two, both exceptional.  Our primary hepatologist, is Robert Gish at UCSD, in SD, and the doctor we deal with on a day to day basis is his partner, Dr. Anthony Martinez.  Dr Gish is usually off traveling around the world speaking about liver disease, but continues to respond whenever we need him.  Dr. Martinez has been the most extraordinarily responsive and knowledgeable doctor I've ever met.  I know how fortunate we are to have two hepatologists treating my husband when it's so difficult for many to find even one.  

[orphanedhawk]

I know Hector goes to Dr. Norah Terrault at UCSF. If I didn't already adore my hepatologist, I'd go to her in a heartbeat.

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/cgi-bin/expertDetail.cgi?doctorid=1409

Idyllic:
Unlike you,the word dermatologists leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
For years I had a spider angioma, a big red spot on my upper chest. Every dermatologist I saw (4, in different locations) said it was because of sun damage. None suggested I get a liver panel. None.
If one of them had, my hep C might have been discovered much sooner and it's quite likely my life's course would have been altered.
I do realize that some know more than two words, 'sun damage' but that's all they every said to me.

[jules2551]

I have to agree with the dermatologist comment.  Four years ago I went to the dermatologist because my hands broke out in blisters.  He gave me steroids and a topical cream.  He didn't run any bloodwork at all.  Maybe if he had I would have known sooner.  Oh well what's done is done

[FaithforHealing]

I'm new and maybe everyone already has this link, but I think it is interesting that many of the names already mentioned so far in this thread, including Hector's fav, are on the faculty list found at
http://www.hcvcme.tv/cme_faculty/index.cfm
Mine is on there, too.

Ira Jacobson, MD (named several times in this thread) signs the welcome statement as the Chairman of  HCVcme.TV.
http://www.hcvcme.tv/index.cfm

Seems to me this is a good resource if someone does not name anyone in your area. I believe these guys are the best especially since their names are coming up in this thread, too. I know the one listed from Detroit is considered the "god of hcv" in MI.

[indy531]

Dr. William Gramely and other GI specialists in coastal NC (Hanover Medical Specialist - GI group). I am UND for EOT vl and feel great!

[Tekelcat]

In Melbourne, Australia, Assoc. Professor Dr. Joe Sasadeuz @ Royal Melbourne Hospital. Super hepatologist; super human being

[mykids247]

I see Dr. Guy Neff at Tampa General in Tampa Fl. Great Dr. but very busy office as it is part of University of Tampa and he is head hepatologist at the transplant ctr. and getting phone calls returned is at times VERY frustrating, other than that no complaints......

[mykids247]

I forgot I wanted to comment on the dermatologist comment also. A year before I found out I had hepc I went to my derm because of spider veins on my face and chest and he told me the same as OH, sun damage and wanted me to get laser needless to say after treatment spiders are just about gone or much less visible especially on my face.

[hrsepwrguy]

James "Jay" R. Burton, Jr., MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Medical Director of Liver Transplantation

Education
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA; 1993-97
Residency: Internal Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY; 1997-2000
Fellowship: Hepatology, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY; 2000-2001 and
Gastroenterology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR; 2001-2004
Board Certified: Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology

Honors/Awards
Peak Performer Award, 2009
Present at 7th Annual Rocky Mountain Hospital Medicine Symposium - Recognition in Excellence in GI & Hepatology
AASLD/Schering Advanced Hepatology Fellowship Award, 2003-04
Raphael Dolin Resident Research Award, Dedication to Patient Care, Critical Scholarship and Teaching, June 2000

Clinical Interests:
Dr. Burton is the medical director of liver transplantation at the University of Colorado Hospital. His clinical interests include management of complications of end-stage liver disease (variceal bleeding, ascites and liver cancer) and liver transplantation.

Research interests:
Dr. Burton's research includes retransplantation for recurrent hepatitis C infection and understanding how the immune system responds to hepatitis C virus infection with antiviral therapy and after liver transplantation. He is a coinvestigator on the Adult to Adult Liver Donor Transplant Cohort Study (A2ALL) and many trials of drugs to treat Hepatitis C.

Gregory T. Everson, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine
Director, Section of Hepatology

Education
•Medical School: Cornell University Medical College
•Internship/Residency: 1976- 1979, Creighton University
•Fellowship: 1979-1982, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Honors and Awards
•Phi Beta Kappa
•National Institutes of Health Clinical Investigator Award, 1983 1986
•American Gastroenterological Association Research Award, 1983 1984
•American College of Physicians Teaching & Research Scholarship, 1983 1986
•Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation, Research Award, 1992-1993
•Best Doctors in America Award, 1999
•Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP), 1999
•Fellow, American Gastroenterological Association

Committees and Responsibilities
•1992 - Present  Training and Education Committee of the AASLD
•1995 - Present  Member of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board for the PBC Ursodiol Methotrexate Placebo Study (DSMB /PUMPS)
•1996 - Present  Board Member, American Liver Foundation
•1999 - Present  Co-Chair, Ancillary Committee, NIH-NIDDK 98-4 Hepatitis C Clinical Trial
•1999 - Present Steering Committee, NIH, HALT-C Clinical Trial
•2000 - Present  Exemption Committee, NIH, HALT-C Clinical Trial
•2000 - Present  Recruitment Committee, NIH, HALT-C Clinical Trial
•2002 - Present  Clinical Outcomes Committee, NIH, HALT-C Clinical Trial
•1999 - Present  Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors
•1996 - Present  Executive Board Member, American Liver
•2002 - Present  American Society of Transplantation Awards Committee
•1997 - Present  Chairman, Transplant Outcomes Committee
•1998 - Present  Member of the Clinical Practice Committee
•1996 - Present  Chairman, Association of Transplant Physicians and Surgeons
•1999 - Present  Faculty Committee to Review Infrastructure Support for Clinical Research
•1991 - Present  Chairman, Patient Selection Committee for Liver Transplantation

Research Interests
Dr. Everson's Lab laboratory is interested in new and emerging therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B as well as interests in Hepatitis C/HIV Co-infections.

I would like to add that the entire staff I have dealt with has been great

[FaithforHealing]

This is off OH's original topic, but in reference to drs who don't seem to ID HCV symptoms. (Probably needs a new thread of its own) I have been wondering about this for years, they keep saying HCV has few symptoms unless there is severe liver damage, etc., but  debilitating symptoms finally led me to two rheumatologists and I was simultaneously dx'd with "fibromyalgia" and HCV....and no dr has ever answered me in the affirmative that my "fibromyalgia symptoms" could actually be the symptoms of the HCV....they just don't want to acknowledge it. Why? Especially when they can't prove what "fibromyalgia" is. I had a friend unsuccessfully treated for horrible vasculitis for years...guess who had HCV? So, I just came across this 2011 "HCV fact sheet" (for what it's worth) that fibromyalgia is more commonly found in the HCV population than the general. They also list the vasculitis, skin disorders and many other extrahepatic conditions. I have my suspicions as to why no one says anything, but I'll keep that to myself.
I still have the fibromyalgia symptoms...I am wondering if they will go away if I am cleared of the HCV? I've always found it difficult to buy into fibromyalgia. No one thought my HCV warranted immediate tx, but now I am wondering if I've lived with these supposed untreatable "fibromyalgia" symptoms for years when it's been the  HCV all along? For quality of life, it would have been worth it to treat a long time ago.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Extrahepatic.pdf