ABOUT THE THYROID TOP DOCTORS DIRECTORY

The following listing includes recommended doctors and practitioners for your thyroid care.

Please note that being listed here in the Thyroid Top Doctors Directory doesn't necessarily mean a doctor is the right one for you. The doctor may be an empathetic and warm physician, but not open to working with drugs like Armour or T3 drugs. Or the doctor may be quite costly and not on insurance programs. Always call the doctor's office ahead of time to find out more about the doctor's philosophy, approach, costs, and other important factors before going in for your first appointment.

Please let us know if you have feedback about doctors listed here, or would like to recommend your doctor.

Coffeyville

Dr Meggin Blex, general practice, womens health, 1501 W 4th Street, Coffeyville, KS 67337, 1-620-251-2400, A reader writes: "She listens to you and your symptoms, does not just run the standard test. Dr Blex is very interested in womens health issues." (Added Apr 06)

Kansas City

Dr. Jeanne Drisko, Family Practice/Holistic Therapies, KU Medical Center and KU Midwest, Kansas City and Shawnee Mission, KS (913)588-5000, www.acam.org. "Dr. Drisko listened to my complaints and took me seriously immediately, and is very caring. She encouraged me to keep learning as much as I can about how to be healthier, and has very good intuition about medical conditions. Her intuition turned out to be in line with what my tests showed. She ordered different types of tests for me, explaining that blood tests don't show all there is going on in someone's body. She is an M.D. at KU Medical Center, but knows many holistic and alternative therapies as well. I highly recommend her. You can find doctors that have a similar mind set on the website www.acam.org." (added 1/04)

Kansas City and Shawnee Mission

Dr. Martin Emert, Cardiology/Electrophysiology, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas 913-588-9600, www.KUmed.com. "Dr. Emert combines compassion, enthusiasm, expertise, and professionalism to provide the best care for his patients. He took time and made effort to try to find the proper treatment for my difficult case. He, as well as his staff, treats patients with respect, dignity, and a sense of true caring. Dr. Emert takes time to listen to his patients and he makes you feel like a person rather than a case."

Leawood

Dr. Lisa Pioli -- NO LONGER LISTED -- (She requested she be removed as she felt being listed as "Top Doc" would be misleading to patients) (April 2006)

Liberal

Dr Bob Sager, Family Practice, 2330 N Kansan Ave, KS 67901, 620-626-7080. A reader writes: "He has really helped me with pregnancy recovery. I wanted someone who works with Armour Thyroid/ natural hormones and uses natural methods as well as medications with my treatment. He has me feeling well again and I'm so thankful. It is so nice to feel good and be able to be able to enjoy my children after 8 years of infertility. He even lets me e-mail him and he answers back himself (WOW). This has been a great help since his office is 3 1/2 hours away from my home." (Added 6/05)

McPherson

Sheila Gorman, Mcpherson Medical and Surgical Associates 1000 Hospital Drive Mcpherson, KS 620-241-3721. "She is great!" says one reader, "She takes the time to listen to your complaints and questions. You don't feel like she's trying to push you out the door, she actually makes the time to talk to you until you're done talking (rather than until they're done listening). She is also a very compassionate doctor. The first time I went to her and described my symptoms she said "You're an interesting case." I told her I didn't want to be interesting and she said "Well, we're going to see what we can do to make you more boring." Not once did she mention depression or anxiety. She felt my throat and sent me off to a sonogram and a surgeon because it didn't feel right to her. My old doc felt it, and just said "Yep, it's enlarged". Dr. Gorman did more for me in two hours than my old doc has in 7 years! She's a family practitioner, not an endocrinologist, but she's been a BIG help to me. It seems like she understands just how horrible it is to feel sick all the time and actually wants to do something to make you better. She's also the first doc I've ever seen who calls you HERSELF to discuss test results."

Newton

Dr. Michael N. Bates, Gynecologist 212 S. Pine, Newton, KS 67114 316-283-4153. This reader writes, "Dr. Bates takes the time to listen to what you are feeling and combines that with test results to help make the best diagnosis. He really works at being a caring doctor, not just one who shuffles you in and out. He takes a more holistic approach to your health, focusing a lot on hormones and how they interact in your body. What a relief to know he was already my GYN when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism!"

Overland Park

Ryan Shelton, Family Medicine, 11791 W 112th St, Overland Park, KS, 66210, Phone: 913-491-3230, www.wholebodyhealth.com, A patient writes: "Dr. Shelton takes so much time with his patients and is very compassionate about listening to the patient's needs. He is also very well educated about alternative medicine." (Added: Dec. 04)

Overland Park

Dr. Mini Abraham, Midwestern Endocrinology, Endocrinology, 5520 College Blvd. Suite 330, Overland Park, KS 66211, 913-451-9888, A reader writes: "I was very impressed with Dr. Abraham's thoroughness in her evaluation of my thyroid situation and eventual diagnosis of thyroid cancer. It took several tests for her to diagnose but her thoroughness paid off and resulted in a very early detection. I feel confident in her ability to monitor my progress. She always answers all my questions and is very personable. She is definitely a "top doc!" (Added Apr 06)

Salina

Dr. David Prendergast, Gynecologist, Sante Fe Mowery Clinic, Salina, KS 67401, 785-825-9024. "I recommend Dr. Prendergast because when I complained about my symptoms he was on the ball and had me tested without making me feel stupid. He has been on top of it with having my blood checked regularly and when I said I felt awful on one of the medicines he changed it." (added 1/04)

Shawnee Mission

Dr. Bradd Silver. A reader informs us, "He was very receptive and shared his philosophy that dealing with my thyroid condition is a team effort - both doctor and patient. He was not opposed to treating me with both T4 AND T3 (IF blood tests showed that to be necessary). He said he appreciated my questions and the fact that I have tried to educate myself. He also stated that just because the blood tests (TSH, T4, etc.) may come back normal, it doesn't mean a person is feeling the best they could. He explained the difference between Total T3 & T4 tests vs. Free T3 & T4 tests, and that if you are on oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy that you really should have the FREE T3 & T4 tests done as well. He educated me (imagine that - it seems like it has been so long)! So far, I am very impressed with Dr. Silver!"

Wichita

Dr. Ron Hunninghake, holistic M.D., Olive W. Garvey Center for Healing Arts, 3100 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219 (316)682-3100. This reader tells us, "He listens...is knowledgeable about T3 testing...uses symptoms as a guide as well as lab values...calls himself a "co-learner" along with his patients."

Wichita

Dr. Brent Lancaster, Surgeon, Wichita Surgical Specialists, 818 N. Emporia, Wichita, KS. (316) 263-0296. A reader writes, "Dr. Lancaster did two surgeries to remove my thyroid in 1998, and today I have only the tiniest scar. I am a singer, and I was very concerned about my voice being damaged. He carefully and adeptly removed my cancerous thyroid without damaging my voice. He was wonderful as a follow-up doctor as well, always taking the time to answer my questions. He was extremely patient with me when I came to appointments with a notebook full of questions, and recognizing that a cancer diagnosis is always a scary thing, was careful to address all of my concerns as fully as possible. I do not believe you could find a better thyroid surgeon in Wichita than Dr. Lancaster."

Wichita

Dr Drew Shultz DO Doctor of Osteopathy 2131 Ridge Road Wichita, KS (316) 721-1200. A reader writes: "This great doc treats symptoms first labs second if necessary. He listens, cares, is willing to hold your hand. He gives out free samples of meds that he's recommending if he can to make sure that the treatment works before you spend any money. Being cute also helps a great deal, nothing worse than being sick and looking at someone really ugly, a since of humor here too." (Added 11/02)

Wichita

Dr. James K. Speed, Endocrinologist, Wichita Clinic Northrock Branch, (316) 315-1500. "He is wonderful about explaining everything," writes this reader, "giving the patient options, and thoroughly examining the patient during the appointment. He has addressed all of my concerns and has given me the power to make some of my own decisions, rather than making them all for me. I feel he is a very caring doctor with an excellent staff."

Wichita

Dean Youngberg, MD Internal Medicine, 959 N. Emporia, Ste. 201 (316) 268-6075. A reader writes, "Dr. Youngberg does more than just test for and treat the symptoms of thyroid disease, he looks for the underlying causes. He is not afraid to seek other opinions or provide referrals if he feels there is another doctor with more expertise."

Wichita

Dr. Brian Michael, Endocrinologist, Wichita Clinic Diabetes and Endocrinology, Wichita, KS, 316-315-1500. A reader writes: "Dr. Michael is very caring and compassionate. He will work hard to get to the root of a problem and continue to adjust medications until he gets the best possible dosage for the patient. He has a very calm demeanor and immediately puts the patient at ease with his unique bedside manner." (Added 10/05)

Why is a Particular Doctor No Longer Listed?

Doctors who were previously listed here are removed for a number of reasons.

1. The doctor has requested that his/her listings be removed because: he/she does not agree with this site’s philosophy or patient-orientation; the practice is too busy and can’t accept new patients; the doctor does not feel comfortable handling complicated thyroid problems; the doctor did not agree with what was said in the patient recommendations; or the doctor said “take me off the list” and offered no explanation.
2. The doctor has moved, retired, or died.
3. The doctor has lost his/her license, or given up his/her license, and is no longer practicing medicine.
4. Patients have provided negative input about the doctor that is of sufficient concern that, in the opinion of the editor, the doctor should no longer be on the Top Thyroid Doctors List.

Thyroid Top Doctors would face legal concerns if we published specific information about why patients had negative opinions about doctors, or if we shared a doctor’s occasional ranting ”take me off” email, or if we publicized doctors with licensing problems. So please, if you see that a doctor has been taken off the list and want to know why, talk to the doctor directly. If you write to us to ask why a doctor was taken off the list, we’re sorry, but we won’t be able to answer you or share that information.

LATEST UPDATE:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mary Shomon, the patients who have recommended these physicians and practitioners, or physicians and practitioners who have recommended/listed themselves make no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or validity of the information provided here. Mary Shomon, patients writing in to recommend their doctors, and the doctors/practitioners themselves assume no responsibility for any services provided by listed physicians or practitioners. It is your responsibility to investigate any physician with whom you plan to have a consultation, and you consult with physicians listed here expressly at your own risk.

Copyright © 2006, Mary J. Shomon. PO Box 565, Kensington, MD 20895. All rights reserved.