It’s important when relocating or coming into adulthood to find a doctor you can trust. As a black person it is also just as important to find a doctor, who has an abundance of positive experience working with black people or who is also black. With all the doctor horror stories that have come to light 2020 and the stereotype that black people don’t feel pain, I don’t feel the need to further explain why this is important.
There is no point in building a relationship with a doctor that doesn’t care for your well-being, that has little knowledge in black health, or that you feel uncomfortable or uneasy around. Insurance or no insurance, health care is too expensive to be dissatisfied with your service. It is important that you understand you can choose your doctor and at anytime you can change your choice of doctor or facility.
The point of this article is to introduce the black community of Phoenix, Arizona to a list of black doctors available locally.
OBGYN
Dr. Charmainge St Halaire of Harmony by Nature Wellness Center
Doctor Charmainge ST. Halaire, N.D. is a licensed naturopathic physician who received her doctorate from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ. Prior to medical school, Dr. ST. Halaire completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association, and the Naturopathic Medical Institute. As a naturopathic physician, doctor ST. Halaire has a focus in primarily women’s medicine. In office, she will treat, reverse, and prevent both acute and chronic conditions by restoring the harmonious elements of optimal health. Dr. ST. Halaire will work with each patient virtually on their individual health goals, and support them through each phase of the healing process. She focuses on education and prevention, while empowering patients to take responsibility and control of their health.
Dr. Sharon Thompson, MD, MPH, FACOG of Central Phoenix Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Thompson received her undergraduate
degree in Biology from Vassar College and a
Masters in Public Health from the University
of California at Berkeley. She went on to
medical training at Mount Sinai School of
Medicine in New York City and recently
completed her postgraduate training in
Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Harvard affiliated integrated Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospital residency program. Dr. Thompson’s special areas of professional interest include young women’s health, and helping women of all ages to make
empowering life choices. She enjoys karaoke, conversations about theoretical physics and has recently discovered dance, dance revolution.
Family Practice
Dr. Imani N. Williams-Vaughn, MD of Chandler Regional Medical Center
Dr. Imani Williams-Vaughn, MD is a Family Medicine Specialist in Chandler, AZ and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University / Medical College of Virginia School of Medicine medical school in 2001. After med school, she completed her Family Practice residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. During residency, she was named Intern of the Year her first year, Resident of the Year her second year, and Chief Resident her third and final year. She also participated in several hospital committees regarding Quality Assurance and Graduate Medical Education. During those years she developed a passion for patient education, as well as an interest in hypertension and diabetes management, particularly in those communities most effected by those chronic conditions. Those interests continued to grow while working in community health in central Phoenix for a number of years. She is affiliated with Chandler Regional Medical Center. She is accepting new patients and has indicated that she accepts telehealth appointments.
Dr. Charmonique Tims, NMD
Dr. Charmonique Tims, NMD is a Naturopath in Phoenix, AZ
Dr. Dana Gillespie Webb, MD of HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center
Dr. Gillespie-Webb graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1998. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital in 2001. She works in Phoenix, AZ and 7 other locations and specializes in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics and Pediatrics. Dr. Gillespie-Webb is affiliated with HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. Her care philosophy is to give full attention and expert care to each patient for their individual needs.
Dr. Christopher T. Pullins, MD of Mayo Clinic
Dr. Pullins received his undergraduate degree in Biology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1996 and his Masters from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in 2000. He went on to complete the Family Medicine Residency Program, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in 2003. Dr. Pullins has an interest in preventive care, diabetes, geriatrics, and community medicine. He is a professional member of numerous groups within the Mayo Clinic organization.
Cardiology
Dr. Lishan Aklong, MD
Dr. Lishan Aklog, M.D, serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at PAVmed Inc. since June 2014. Dr. Aklog is a Founder and Principal of Pavilion Holding Group, LLC. He served as Associate Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City focusing on the introduction of minimally- invasive cardiac surgery and establishing a satellite cardiac surgical program. He served as the Chairman of the Cardiovascular Center and Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center’s Heart and Lung Institute in Phoenix, Arizona and Boston Children’s Hospital. He received advanced training in mitral valve repair and aortic root surgery under the tutelage of Professors Carpentier and Yacoub in Europe as part of a traveling fellowship sponsored by the American Association of Thoracic Surgery. He returned to join the Harvard faculty as its youngest heart surgeon ever. Dr. Aklog is a leader in innovative approaches to heart surgery — including mitral valve repair, OPCAB using arterial grafts, minimally-invasive and robotic surgery and pulmonary embolectomy. He has published numerous journal articles and book chapters and has been invited to lecture and operate throughout the world.
Dr. Aklog completed his clinical training in cardiothoracic surgery at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, He received his A.B., magna cum laude in Physics from Harvard University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Aklog received his M.D., cum laude, from Harvard Medical School.
Dentistry
Dr. Craig L. Smith DDS of Smile for Life Dentistry
Dr. Ronald K Thompson, DDS Of East Valley Dental Care
Dr. Thompson received both his Bachelor’s and dental degrees from The University of California at San Francisco and has been providing outstanding dentistry for over 20 years. Dr Thompson ensures that he is up-to-date on the newest developments in dentistry through numerous continuing education courses, including those in conscious sedation, infectious disease, cosmetic dentistry and infection control. Dr. Thompson is active in the dental community as a member of the American Dental Association, the Arizona State Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.
In addition to his commitment to family, and patient comfort and satisfaction, Dr. Thompson serves his community as an active member and past president of the Mesa West Rotary Club. A native Arizonan, he is proud to reside in Mesa, Arizona with his family.
Dermatology
Dr. Toni Stockton, MD FAAD of Stockton Dermatology
Dr. Stockton graduated from the Howard University College of Medicine,Howard University College of Medicine in 1983. Her love of dermatology stems from a personal experience with a dermatologist in her youth. She works in Phoenix, AZ and specializes in Dermatology, Dermatopathology, Internal Medicine and Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Stockton is affiliated with Banner Desert Medical Center, Chandler Regional Medical Center and Abrazo Scottsdale Campus.
Dr. Jeanette M. Pitts, MD of Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale
Dr. Jeanette Pitts, MD is a Dermatologist in Scottsdale, AZ and has over 27 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Pitts has more experience with Dermatologic Oncology and Mohs Surgery than other specialists in her area. She graduated from University of Kansas / School of Medicine medical school in 1994.
Pediatrics
Dr. Duane M. Wooten of Wooten Healthcare
Dr. Duane M. Wooten was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, the fourth of six children to HG and Georgia Wooten. From his early childhood, he has had a passion to take care of children, declaring at age 8 that he was going to be a pediatrician. He excelled in elementary, junior high and high school academically, graduating with honors from Maryvale High School in west Phoenix. He was also an athlete, excelling in basketball and football.At the time of his graduation from high school, Dr. Wooten had been offered over 130 academic scholarships and 8 athletic scholarships. He chose Northwestern University and majored in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Wooten completed his undergraduate training in three years and applied to medical school at the young age of 19 years old! He was fortunate to be accepted to all medical schools he applied to and decided to attend the University of Arizona College of Medicine, becoming the first African American in 8 years at that institution, as well as the only 3rd African-American ever. Dr. Wooten graduated as one of the youngest physicians in Arizona ever, and began his residency at the Phoenix Hospitals Affiliated Pediatric Program. After completion, he went to do a fellowship for a short time in pediatric critical care at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix before going out in private practice. Over the years, Dr. Wooten has won almost every kind of award imaginable, including the Thomas Dooley Medal-physician of the year in Maricopa County in 1998, scores of community service awards, as well as the highly touted Calvin C Goode-Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award given by the City of Phoenix in 2016. Dr. Wooten serves on a multitude of medical committees and physician advisory boards, as well as having a history of serving for years on such boards as the American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Psychology
Dr. Walanda Smith PhD
Dr. Walanda Smith is a psychologist practicing in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Smith specializes in the treatment of health mental problems, and helps people to cope with their mental illnesses. As a psychologist, Dr. Smith evaluates and treats patients through a variety of methods, most typically being psychotherapy or talk therapy. Patients usually visit Dr. Smith because they have been experiencing depression, anxiety, stress or anger for a significant period of time and are seeking help. Psychologists may perform a variety of exams and assessments to diagnose a mental condition.
Dr. Eddie Taylor PhD
Dr. Taylor received his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Southwestern Christian College (HBCU). He went on to receive two Master’s Degrees, one in Religious Studies from Concordia University Chicago and another
in Christian Ministry from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Taylor received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He specializes in anger management, fears & anxiety, bipolar disorder, Christian counseling, and depression. He offers individual therapy sessions in and around Scottsdale, Arizona.
As with anything that costs you energy, time and money, the process of selecting a doctor to fit your health and wellness needs should not be taken lightly. Do some extensive research! I recommend really looking into the doctors you may be considering as the care provider for yourself or your loved ones. A few areas to consider might be their customer ratings on numerous platform, their specialties and health interests, their workplace experience and education or the impression and overall personal experience you receive in a consultation.
You could also just take a risk and just choose somebody, skip the research. It could work out, the first physician you choose may be a match made in heaven. But… It could also be a complete disaster and waste of time, money, or energy. I must admit, this idea is -10/10, I don’t recommend.
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