A few months back, I found myself inside a cardiologist’s office for the first time in my life. After experiencing bad chest pains for the better part of a week, I was instructed by my doctor to get an EKG, which turned up with an abnormality, leading me to be face to face with a heart specialist later that afternoon. Needless to say, I was nervous. The doctor used the word “trivial” when dissecting the issue and claimed my immediate discomfort was likely a bad muscle pull and unrelated. I assume he was trying to calm my nerves, but it did little to stop my worrying, especially since I was only two weeks removed from the sudden passing of my father.
After a month, two EKGs, a stress test, an echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test, I was told all is well with my heart. Whew. It sure felt like a long way to go for something “trivial.” With the anxiety of it all behind me, I am quite thankful the doctors put me through these steps to assure not only was there nothing wrong with me, but to have a baseline should any unforeseen issues arise in the future.
I’m sure the cardiologists would say they were just doing their job, no big deal. Except it is a big deal. That’s why finding the right doctor, one you can trust and depend on, is paramount. They may care for hundreds of patients, but the individual attention you receive makes you feel like their only responsibility. This month, the issue you hold in your hand is complete with a list of 492 such doctors. Turn to Page 68 to meet this year’s Best Physicians, a list of medical marvels that have helped keep South Jersey on the cutting edge of health care.
Speaking of health care, you’ll also want to turn to Page 94 to read our exclusive story about the ongoing concussion lawsuit against the NFL. One Haddonfield attorney is leading more than 1,000 retired players in a fight against the league, and the results of the case could forever change the game of football from the pros to Pop Warner.
You’ll find plenty of other interesting reads this month as well, from our look at those who scammed their communities out of thousands of dollars to one Marlton teenager who turned a near-fatal car accident into an inspiring movement.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Kind regards,
Peter J. Proko
Editor-in-Chief
Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 5 (August, 2013).
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