Jackson Free Press

Finding a good doctor, dentist, physical therapist, hospital and everything in between is of utmost importance to our health and happiness. Here at the Jackson Free Press, we want to make finding them easier, so we do things like ask you to vote on your favorites in our Best of Jackson Medical ballot. Here are this year's results.

Best Dentist; Best Pediatric Dentist: LaMonica Davis Taylor

Smiles on Broadway Dental Care for Kids, 5442 Watkins Drive, 601-665-4996, smilesonbroadwaydental.com

Dr. LaMonica Davis Taylor, owner of Smiles on Broadway Dental Care, was inspired to enter the dental field after a Cleveland dentist named Dr. James Taylor (no relation) fixed her teeth after she fractured them in a bike accident when she was 12.

Taylor opened her private practice in November 2014. Smiles on Broadway offers cosmetic dentistry for children and also specializes in treating adults with special needs.

"Not many patients do treat special-needs adults in part due to the difficulty and a lack of equipment for working with them," Taylor says. The clinic also offers their caregivers information on how to manage their teeth, she says.

In addition to managing Smiles on Broadway, Taylor is an assistant clinical professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Dentistry. She also once worked as a pediatric dentist at the Delta Health Center in Hollandale, Miss.

—Dustin Cardon

Best Dentist finalists: April Watson-Stringfellow (Watson Family Dentistry, 2181 Henry Hill Drive, 601-922-1171, watsonfamilydental.com) / Charles F. Ezelle (Jackson Dental Care, 2655 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-932-8212, jacksondentalcare.com) / Deidra Snell (Ridgewood Smiles Dentistry, 5800 Ridgewood Road, Suite 105, 601-398-2934, ridgewoodsmilesdenistry.com) / Matthew Harris (Mississippi Smiles, 310 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave., Suite 400, 769-230-1940; 1189 E. County Line Road, Suite 101, 601-308-2022, mississippismilesdentistry.com) / Peter Boswell (Boswell Family Dental Care, 1513 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-1242)

Best Pediatric Dentist finalists: Emily Dasinger Heitzmann (Magnolia Family Dental Care, 112 S. Maple St., Ridgeland, 601-707-5585 / Jerrick Rose (The Pediatric Dental Studio, 201 Riverwind E. Drive, Pearl, 601-965-9549) / Henry Cook (Pediatric Dentistry of Brandon, 142 Gateway Drive, Brandon, 601-824-1950) / Susan Fortenberry (Pediatric Dentistry, 5315 Highway 18 W., 601-922-0066 / Tiffany P. Green (Southern Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, 101 Luckney Station, Flowood, 601-992-8000)

Best Doctor: Timothy Quinn

Quinn Healthcare, PLLC, 768 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-487-6482, quinntotalhealth.com

Timothy Quinn, a general practitioner and owner of Quinn Healthcare and this year's winner for Best Doctor, says he decided to open his private practice in Ridgeland in 2003 after what he saw as a disparity of doctors in the Jackson metro area, and because he was coming back home.

"There is such a great need in Jackson not just for medical doctors, but for ones who are from the community to serve the community," Quinn says. "As a (Mississippi) native, I've gained a great rapport with the community so I can make sure the people of Jackson benefit."

Quinn Healthcare is a family medicine clinic that offers care for patients of all ages for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as acute problems such as back pain and the common cold.

In addition to running his clinic, Quinn gives lectures and organizes social-media campaigns on physical fitness, obesity prevention, health education and more. He has also been a health column contributor for the Jackson Free Press since 2009.

—Dustin Cardon

Finalists: Justin Turner (TurnerCare, 2135 Henry Hill Drive, 601-398-2335, turnercarems.com) / David T. Flemming (Baptist Medical Clinic Family Medicine-Greenfield, 3011 Greenfield Road, Pearl, 601-825-6181, mbhs.org) / Rosie Walker-McNair (Merit Health River Oaks, 1030 River Oaks Drive, 601-932-1030, merithealthriveroaks.com) / Kimberly Smash (Prolific Health & Wellness, 2675 River Ridge Drive, 601-718-0308) / Rhonda K. Sullivan-Ford (East Lakeland OB-GYN Associates, 1020 River Oaks Drive, Suite 320, 601-936-1400, eastlakelandobgyn.com)

Best Nurse Practitioner: Stacia Dunson

Harmony House Calls and Medical Services, 7 Lakeland Circle W., Suite 500, harmonyhousecallsllc.com

Stacia Dunson, founder and chief executive officer of Harmony House Calls and Medical Services in Jackson, decided to open a home hospice service out of a desire to assist the elderly patients who would face long wait times during her former career as a nurse practitioner at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center.

"The original plan was to do house calls, which was something that used to happen in my grandparents' time," Dunson says. "I could provide care for the elderly in their homes without them having to travel. I felt doing that would serve a better purpose both for them and for myself."

Dunson opened Harmony as a house-call-only service in July 2018 and later expanded to also operating a physical clinic in October 2018. The clinic provides services such as diabetes education for patients and their families, as well as medications, and diet and exercise management. This summer, Dunson plans partner with local physical therapists, trainers, social workers and other community health centers to launch the R.E.A.C.H., or Reaching Every American Concerning Health and Awareness, initiative. It will work to educate the Jackson community on topics such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and health education, she says.

—Dustin Cardon

Finalists: Alisha McArthur Wilkes (Quinn Healthcare, 768 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-487-6482, quinntotalhealth.com) / Bethany Edwards (TrustCare Express Medical Clinics, 4880 Interstate 55 N., 601-487-9199, feelbetterfaster.com) / Keila Brown (Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, 601-362-5321, jackson-hinds.com) / Kelly B. Engelmann (Enhanced Wellness Living, 115 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, Suite 1E, 601-202-5978, enhancedwellness.com) / Tina Greg (GI Associates & Endoscopy Center, 2510 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-355-1234, gi.md)

Best Hospital: University of Mississippi Medical Center

2500 N. State St., 601-984-1000, umc.edu

Did you know that this year's winner for Best Hospital is also the only research hospital in the state of Mississippi? University of Mississippi Medical Center is also has the state's only Level 1 trauma center, Level 4 neonatal intensive care nursery unit and has the only organ transplant program in Mississippi. Besides the campus off Lakeland Drive, UMMC offers its primary, specialty and subspecialty care all over the state, including through telehealth and telemedicine, and can help with anything from birth to major surgery to weight management. For more information, visit umc.edu.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St., 601-968-1000, mbhs.org) / Merit Health Central (1850 Chadwick Drive, 601-376-1000, merithealthcentral.com) / Merit Health River Oaks (1030 River Oaks Drive, Flowood, 601-932-1030, merithealthriveroaks.com) / St. Dominic Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive, 601-200-2000, stdom.com)

Best Women's Health Clinic: Jackson Healthcare for Women

291 E. Layfair Drive, Flowood, 601-936-9190, jhcfw.com

With two floors, Jackson Healthcare for Women may seem daunting because of its size, but the volume of space allows for the clinic's total of 17 providers. And for the most part, patients can get in and out relatively quickly.

While the office does annual physicals, its doctors can also treat infertility, postpartum depression, pelvic floor dysfunction and more, and it screens for illnesses such as cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. JHCFW is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit jhcfw.org.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Lakeland Premier Women's Clinic (2506 Lakeland Drive, Suite 600, Flowood, 601-939-1600) / The Woman's Clinic (501 Marshall St., Suite 400, 601-354-0869; 401 Baptist Drive, Suite 402, Madison, 601-354-0869) / Women's Health Associates (1050 River Oaks Drive, Flowood, 601-420-0134)

Best Urgent Care: Baptist Medical Group Clinics

multiple locations, baptistmedicalclinic.org

Baptist Medical Group Clinics, has one factor that may have helped it win Best Urgent Care: the sheer volume of clinics. It has 15 locations across the metro area, so no matter where you are, you can probably find one, including an ear, nose and throat clinic, and internal medicine location.

Baptist has more than 90 providers across all clinics who can handle chronic-disease treatment, non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses, and more. For those who need more serious treatment, the clinics have support from Baptist Health Systems, and Baptist Medical Center is here in Jackson. For more information, visit baptistmedicalclinic.org.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: MEA (multiple locations, meamedicalclinics.com) / MEA Primary Care Plus (multiple locations, meamedicalclinics.com) / Corner Clinic Urgent Care (132 Lakeland Heights Blvd., Suite A, 601-992-0004, cornerclinicurgentcare.com) / TrustCare Express Medical Clinics (multiple locations, feelbetterfaster.com)

Best Specialty Clinic: Mississippi Sports Medicine

multiple locations, mississippisportsmedicine.com)

If you've ever needed special care for some type of injury or know someone who has, chances are, you've heard of Mississippi Sports Medicine. It's one of the state's only providers of specialized orthopaedic care, with everything from walk-in urgent orthopaedic care, rehabilitation services, outpatient surgery and nutrition services. The doctors can help problems with feet and ankles, hands and wrists, hips and knees, shoulders and elbows, necks and backs, and more. And it's not just in one place: Mississippi Sports Medicine has metro-area locations in Jackson, Flowood and Madison. For more information, visit mississippisportsmedicine.com.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Enhanced Wellness Living (115 W. Jackson St., Suite 1E, Ridgeland, 601-202-5978) / Jackson Oncology Associates (1227 N. State St., Suite 101, 601-355-2485; 2969 N. Curran Drive, Suite 200, 601-974-5600) / Specialized Physical Therapy (533B Keyway Drive, Flowood, 601-420-0717; 113 W. Jackson St., Suite 1A, Ridgeland, 601-420-0717) / The Strength Center Physical Therapy (4435 Mangum Drive, Suite A, 601-932-0305) / Synergy Myofascial (115 Village Square Drive, Suite E, Brandon, 601-398-3171)

Best Physical Therapist: Brittany Flaggs

Healing Hands Rehabilitation Services, 105 Lexington Drive, Suite H, Madison, 601-910-7300, hhrehab.com

At the age of 16, this year's winner for Best Physical Therapist, Brittany Flaggs, discovered her passion for helping people when she started working as a rehabilitation technician at a physical therapy clinic.

On what she liked about her job there, she says: "The one-on-one that I was able to establish helping the physical therapist in the clinic during my rehab tech duties, and just being able to see how the therapist actually works so closely with patients."

She also liked seeing patients' progress, she says.

The Natchez, Miss., native attended Mississippi State University, from which she graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in biology. She received her doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2011.

She opened Healing Hands in 2016 with fellow physical therapist Jasmine Smith. The clinic has services such as physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy, and more.

For more information, visit the Healing Hands website or find them on Facebook.

—Alex Forbes

Finalists: Angela Cason (The Strength Center, 4435 Mangum Drive, 601-932-0305) / Brian Hendley (Madison Performance Therapy Clinic, 501 Baptist Drive, Madison, 601-856-7757)/ James Rankins (Visions Physical Therapy, multiple locations) / Jerome Foster (Specialized Physical Therapy, 113 West Jackson St., Suite 1A, Ridgeland, 601-420-0717) / Jodie Joyner (Specialized Physical Therapy, 533B Keyway Drive, Flowood, 601-420-0717) / Mark Ware (The Strength Center, 4435 Mangum Drive, Suite A, 601-932-0305) / Prasanth Prasanna Saswathan (Synergy Myofascial, 115 Village Square, Suite E, Brandon, 601-398-3171)

Best Chiropractor: Stanley Sims

Sims Chiropractic Clinic, 500 E, Woodrow Wilson Ave, Suite F, 601-982-0988

Dr. Stanley Sims gravitated toward chiropracting during his time as a biology major at Jackson State University. As he learned about the field, it piqued his interest, he says, and he chose to pursue that career path.

Now, Sims owns and operates Sims Chiropractic Clinic, which has been in business for 16 years. Over his total of around 20 years of chiropractic experience, Sims has learned each individual that enters his office may be facing a different issue, and he endeavors to identify and resolve these health complications, he says. "... All patients are not the same. ... [A] lot of patients are walking around with a condition that is causing their spine to contract or their body to come into a diseased state," he says.

—Nate Schumann

Finalists: Andrew Cefalu (Foxworth Chiropractic, 117 Fountains Blvd., Suite 1, Madison, 601-932-9201) / Chris Fowler (Fowler ProChiropractic & Wellness Center, 5230 Highway 80 E., Suite A, Pearl, 601-932-1070) / Daniel Garvey (Garvey Wellness Clinic, 766 Lakeland Drive, Suite B, 601-982-2916) / Dominique Chagnon (Action Chiropractic, 6935 Old Canton Road, Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-956-6050) / Laura Stubbs (Body in Balance Healthcare, 5472 Watkins Drive, Suite C, 601-376-5636)

Best Cosmetic Dentist: Deidra Snell

Ridgewood Smiles Dentistry, 5800 Ridgewood Road, Suite 105, 601-398-2934, ridgewoodsmilesdentistry.com

Dr. Deidra Snell first decided to pursue dentistry because of how it can improves someone's confidence. She also wanted to be a dentist so she could give good dental care to people who cannot afford it and people who can, she says. "Dentistry is my ministry, in all essence," she says.

She received her dentistry degree from University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2008. She opened Ridgewood Smiles Dentistry in 2016.

—Alex Forbes


Finalists: John Patterson (Patterson John DDS, 4793 McWillie Drive, 601-366-4891) / Kalil Abide (Harmony Dental Care, 3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 515, 601-713-1923) / Michael R. Nichols (Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, 266 Katherine Dr, Flowood, 601-420-3223) / Preston L. Cobbins (Smilebuilders, 1863 Highway 43, Canton, 601-859-7050) / Stewart Strange (Mississippi Dental Center, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 235)

Best Orthodontist: Chandra Minor

Smile Design Orthodontics, 201 Riverwind Drive E., Pearl, 601-965-9561, smiledesignorthoms.com

As a rare woman African American orthodontist in Mississippi, 
Dr. Chandra Minor sits in a unique spot. She currently practices at Smile Design Orthodontics, which she opened in November 2014.

She graduated as valedictorian from Hazlehurst High School in 2004. She received her bachelor's degree from Alcorn State University in 2008. Afterward, she attended the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry on a Robert Hearin Scholarship and graduated with her doctorate of dental medicine in 2012.

—Nate Schumann

Finalists: Camille Sandifer (Sandifer Orthodontics, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 247, 601-981-5004, sandiferortho.com) / G. Dodd Brister Jr. (Brister Orthodontics, 3007 Greenfield Road, Pearl, 601-824-5878, bristerorthodontics.com) / Eugene C. Brown Jr. (Smiles by Design, 5800 Ridgewood Road, Suite 103, 601-957-1711, dreugenebrown.com) / Jason Vassar (Bierdeman Vassar Orthodontics, 2680 River Ridge Drive, 601-981-3036; 525 Thomastown Lane, Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-856-3054; 749 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-926-1772; bvortho.com) / Priscilla Jolly (Jolly Orthodontics, 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 7201, Ridgeland, 601-605-2400, jollyortho.com)

Best Cosmetic Surgeon: Scott Runnels

Runnels Center, 1055 River Oaks Blvd., 601-939-9778, runnelscenter.com

Dr. Scott Runnels, a plastic surgeon and owner of The Runnels Center in Flowood, is probably one of the best-known plastic surgeons in the area. The center, which he opened in 2005, specializes in breast-cancer reconstructive surgery, as well as cosmetic features such as facial enhancements, Botox, liposuction and breast augmentation.

Runnels is an artist as well as a surgeon, and focuses on graphite sketches and oils and acrylics on canvas, his website says.

In 2010, Runnels established the Runnels Foundation, which supports breast-cancer research and screening programs for underrepresented women. His center also partners with the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation to host the annual "Komen Race for the Cure" in Jackson.

The Runnels Center also includes SKIN the Spa, which offers facials, chemical peels, laser procedures, eyebrow microblading and more.

—Dustin Cardon

Finalists: Adair Blackledge (Blackledge Face Center, 1659 Lelia Drive, 601-981-3033, blackledgefacecenter.com) / George Eli Howell II (Howell Plastic Surgery, St. Dominic Hospital, 971 Lakeland Drive, Suite 225, 601-981-2525, stdom.com) / Jeptha Cole (Cole Facial Clinic & Skin Care, 204 E. Layfair Drive, Flowood, 601-933-2004, colefacialclinic.com) / Shelby K. Brantley Jr. (The Face & Body Center of Plastic and Hand Surgery Associates, 2550 Flowood Drive, 601-202-4294, faceandbodycenter.com) / Stephen F. 
Davidson (The Face & Body Center of Plastic and Hand Surgery Associates, 2550 Flowood Drive, 601-202-4294, faceandbodycenter.com)

Best Optometrist/ Ophthalmologist: Tonyatta Hairston

Envision Eye Care & Optical Boutique, 1316 N. State St., 601-987-3937, 987eyes.com

Ever since the age of 6, Tonyatta Hairston, this year's winner for Best Optometrist/Ophthalmologist, has been fascinated with eyes. Her love for the field came from her first experience with an eye doctor, she says. "(It) was just so amazing," she says. "I enjoyed the interaction that I had with the doctor, and I was just mesmerized by all the instruments that he used to look inside my eyes."

She graduated from Tougaloo College with a bachelor's degree in biology and received her optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. She founded Quality Eye Care of Mississippi in Magee in 2003, and in 2006, she moved her business to the Jackson metro area and renamed it Envision

—Alex Forbes

Finalists: Arthur Dampier (Ridgeland Eyecare Center Inc., 8 Professional Parkway, Ridgeland, 601-957-8444) / Christopher Bullin (Mississippi EyeCare Associates, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave., 601-366-9020) / Dewey Handy (Handy Dewey a OD, 1815 Hospital Drive, Suite 410, 601-373-0714) / Elizabeth Mitchell (Eye Group, 501 Baptist Drive, Suite 220, Madison, 601-985-9120, eyegroupms.com) / Marjorie McLin Lenoir (Reflections Vision Center, 101-C, Lexington Drive, Madison, 601-605-4423; 2129 Grand Ave., Yazoo City, 662-716-8161) / Rebecca Patton (Spectacles, 120 District Blvd. E., Suite d109, 601-398-4662, spectaclesms.com) / William C. Ashford (Eye Group, 501 Baptist Drive, Suite 220, Madison, 601-985-9120)