• MS: medical school
• RS,FS: residency and/or fellowships
• YIP: years in practice
• BC: board certification
• HP: hospital privileges
• NP: accepting new patients?
• TP: types of patients, diagnoses most often seen
• APT: how long to get an appointment?
• AW: average waiting time for patients in waiting room
• AT: average time per patient visit
• PW: number of patients seen per week
• ND: number of days per week allotted to seeing patients

Jonathan Matz, 36

MS, RS: George Washington U. FS: National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Colo. YIP: 5. BC: Internal medicine, allergy/immunology. HP: Hopkins, Sinai, Franklin Square. NP: Yes. TP: Allergy and asthma, especially difficult asthma cases. APT: 4-6 weeks. AW: None. AT: New patients 2 1/2 hours. PW: 45-60. ND: 4. Hobbies: "Skiing, complaining about HMOs." How medicine will change in 20 years: "More managed care, bigger groups of physicians." Best wisdom you’ve received: "During a code [when patient is in full arrest], take your own pulse first." 7939 Honeygo Blvd., No. 219, Baltimore, 410-931-0404.

John R. Bacon, 49

MS: George Washington U. RS: U. of Michigan (internship), Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, chief resident in pediatrics at the U. of Michigan. YIP: 17. BC: Pediatrics, allergy/ immunology. HP: St. Joseph’s, GBMC, Franklin Square, St. Agnes, U. of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Mercy. NP: Yes. TP: Primarily allergy/immunology. APT: New patients 6 weeks, established patients 2 weeks. AW: Under 30 minutes. AT: 1 hour consultation, 30-minute followup visits. PW: 65. ND: 6. Hobbies: Indian Guides, making models. Should medical outcomes data be public? "Yes, with proper interpretation." Best wisdom you’ve received: "From the first day of medical school, when the elderly surgeon lecturer came in and pointed his hand to us and said, ‘If you have an abscess, drain it.’ Then he slowly exited the stage." 120 Sister Pierre Dr., No. 201, Towson; 2112 Belair Rd., Fallston; 410-321-0284.

Allergy-Immunology/pediatric

Kenneth C. Schuberth, 49

MS: Johns Hopkins. RS: Hopkins for pediatrics and allergy/immunology. YIP: 20. BC: Pediatrics, allergy/immunology. HP: Hopkins, GBMC, Sinai, St. Joseph’s. TP: General primary care pediatrics and pediatric allergy/immunology. APT: Consultations 1-3 weeks, sick visits same day. AW: 0-15 minutes. AT: 10 minutes sick visit, 20 minutes physical, 90 minutes allergy consultation. PW: 120. ND: 5. Hobbies: Golf, homebrewing of beer. Regarding physician-assisted suicide: "Appropriate in certain circumstances." How medicine will change in 20 years: "More corporate, regimented, and controlled." Other info: See related story, page 65. 10807 Falls Rd., Suite 200, Lutherville, 410-321-9393.

Robert A. Wood, 41

MS: U. of Rochester. RS, FS: Johns Hopkins. YIP: 10. BC: Pediatrics, allergy/ immunology. HP: Johns Hopkins, Sinai, GBMC. NP: Yes. TP: "Practice split between directing Johns Hopkins pediatric allergy clinic and private practice, where I do both pediatric allergy and general pediatrics. The diagnosis I most often see is asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy." APT: 2-3 weeks, sick patients sooner. AW: A few minutes. AT: 1 hour for new patients, 30 minutes for follow-up. PW: 75-100. ND: 5-6. Hobbies: Tennis, gardening. How managed care affects patient relationships: "Patients are often much sicker by the time they come to see me because referral was so delayed." CMSC 1102, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore; 10807 Falls Rd., Lutherville; 410-825-9500.

Cardiology/general

G. Robert Medalie, 47MS: State U. of New York. RS: U. of Maryland. YIP: 15. BC: Internal medicine, cardiology. HP: GBMC, St. Joseph’s, Mercy. NP: Yes. TP: Heart problems with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations. APT: 1 day if urgent. AW: 5 minutes. AT: New patients 1 hour, old patients 20-30 minutes. PW: 60. ND: 4. Hobbies: Golf, martial arts. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "I can think of no logical reason not to." Should medical outcomes data be public? "So long as the same is done for attorneys, Congress, plumbers, bus drivers, secretaries, etc." Advice for future docs: "Become a malpractice attorney on the side." 6565 N. Charles St., Suite 305, Baltimore, 410-321-9701.

Stephen J. Plantholt, 45

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: St. Agnes. YIP: 15. BC: Internal medicine, cardiology. HP: St. Agnes, U. of Maryland. NP: Yes. TP: Clinical cardiology; also serves as chief, division of cardiology, St. Agnes. APT: 24 hours. AW: Varies. AT: 20-30 minutes. PW: Varies. ND: 5. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "INAPPROPRIATE." 3449 Wilkens Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, 410-644-5111.

James K. Porterfield, 42

MS: West Virginia U. RS: Johns Hopkins U. YIP: 10. BC: Internal medicine, cardiology. HP: GBMC, Johns Hopkins, St. Joseph’s. NP: Yes. TP: "Adult patients with cardiovascular diseases." APT: 2-3 weeks, no wait for urgent patients. AW: 5-10 minutes. AT: New patients 1 hour, established patients 30 minutes. PW: 50. ND: 5. Hobbies: Tennis, squash, golf. Should medical outcomes data be public? "No, it makes hospitals/surgeons shy away from the high-risk cases that will de facto make their statistics worse." Thoughts on the drug-approval process: "FDA safeguards are necessary—look at thalidomide." Suite 600, 6569 N. Charles St., Baltimore, 410-825-5150.

Nicholas J. Fortuin, 56

MS: Cornell. RS: Johns Hopkins. YIP: 26. BC: Cardiology, internal medicine. HP: Johns Hopkins. NP: Yes. TP: "Mostly consultative cardiology with emphasis on noninvasive techniques, valve problems, cardiac surgical evaluation." APT: "Immediate for sick people, 3-4 weeks for routine." AW: 5-10 minutes. AT: 30 minutes for old, 60 for new. PW: 50-60. ND: 5. Hobbies: Photography, golf, skiing, cycling. How medicine will change in 20 years: "Likely a swing back to traditional values as managed-care experience proves to be a failure." 10755 Falls Rd., Suite 320, Lutherville, 410-583-2666.

Shellee E. Nolan, 43

MS: Georgetown U. RS: Johns Hopkins. YIP: 10. BC: Cardiovascular medicine. HP: GBMC, Johns Hopkins, chief of cardiology at St. Joseph’s. NP: Always. TP: General cardiology, preventive cardiology, special expertise in echocardiography. APT: Depends on nature/urgency of problems. AW: 15-30 minutes. AT: 30-45 minutes. PW: 30. ND: 4 1/2. Hobbies: Horseback riding, children. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "I am a firm supporter of living wills, withdrawal of life support, and relief of pain and suffering." How managed care affects patient relationships: "It has not at all, although there is clear pressure to see more patients (reduce time with patients) in order to maintain income level." Thoughts on direct-to-the-consumer advertising of prescription drugs: "I think it is a great idea. It stimulates the patient to ask their doctor good and important questions." Best wisdom you’ve received: "From my grandmother at age 100: ‘I never was sick a day in my life until I saw a doctor.’" 7505 Osler Dr., Suite 405, Towson, 410-828-9563.

Cardiology/catheterization

Andrew Ziskind, 39

MS: U. of Pennsylvania. RS: Massachusetts General; fellowship in cardiology. YIP: 8. BC: Internal medicine, cardiology. HP: U. of Maryland. NP: Yes. TP: "Interventional and clinical cardiology. Emphasis on coronary disease, valvular disease, and general cardiac." APT: Same day if urgent, otherwise 1-2 weeks. AW: 45 minutes. AT: 30 minutes. PW: 5-10 outpatients. ND: 1/2 day per week for outpatients, inpatients all the time. Hobbies: Woodworking, photography. Do you play golf? "Never in my life. I absolutely refuse." How medicine will change in 20 years: "Fewer physicians. Medicine will be more of a commodity (bad). Some of the excessive waste will be gone (good). 250 W. Pratt St., Suite 880, Baltimore, 410-328-0978.

Mark G. Midei, 39

MS: Northeastern Ohio College. RS: Johns Hopkins. YIP: 10. BC: Cardiovascular disease. HP: St. Joseph’s, Church, Johns Hopkins, Sinai, GBMC. NP: Yes. TP: "I care for patients who are having heart attacks or are about to have a heart attack. . . . We take patients directly to the cath lab to open blocked coronary arteries and stop the heart attack." APT: Less than 30 minutes. PW: 40. ND: 7. Do you play golf? "Poorly, in the woods." Regarding the medical use of marijuana: "Patients should not inhale." Should medical outcomes data be public? "Yes. What do we have to hide?" Regarding the drug-approval process: "I think that for all the criticism the FDA takes for drug and device approval, it remains the consumer’s best line of defense against unforseen danger of drugs and devices." Why you would/would not want to be cloned: "Ask my wife." St. Joseph Medical Center, Catheterization Laboratory, 7620 York Rd., Towson, 410-825-5150.

G. Robert Medalie, 47

See listing under cardiology/general.

Cardiology/pediatric

Joel Brenner, 51

MS: New York Hospital. RS: New York Hospital, Cornell U. YIP: 21. BC: Pediatrics, pediatric cardiology. HP: U. of Maryland, GBMC, Union, Mercy, Howard County General, Franklin Square, Sinai, Harbor Hospital. NP: Yes. TP: "Pediatric cardiology, fetal cardiology, adults with congenital heart disease." APT: 2 weeks. AW: Less than 1 hour. AT: 15 minutes-2 hours. PW: Varies by week, 5-55. ND: 1-5. Hobbies: Tennis, swimming. Do you play golf? "No. Am I the only one who doesn’t?" Thought about the medical use of marijuana: "Good idea, hard to control." Thoughts on the drug-approval process: "It’s very thoughtful, too tedious. In a highly litigious society, is this bad?" U. of Maryland Hospital, NSW 40, Baltimore, 410-328-6666.

Dentistry/general

Leon D. Katz, 50

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: Sinai. YIP: 21. BC: General practice dentistry; fellow, Academy of General Dentistry. HP: Sinai. NP: Yes. TP: "High-quality, general dental care including crown and bridge, cosmetics, restorative, and periodontal care." APT: Routine 3-5 days, emergency within 24 hours. AW: 0-10 minutes. AT: 30-60 minutes. PW: Dental 50-60, plus 50 periodic exams with hygiene. ND: 5. Hobbies: Photography, sailing, jewelry making, woodworking. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "This should be a private decision among the patient, physician, and family." 6210 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, 410-764-7341.

Dentistry/periodontics

Sylvan Feldman, 57

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: Periodontics, prosthodontics. YIP: 32. BC: Periodontics. HP: Sinai, Children’s. NP: Yes. TP: "Combination of periodontics, prosthetics, and implants; generally treat patients with advanced periodontal disease and missing teeth." APT: New patients, 1-2 weeks. AW: 10-20 minutes. AT: 1-2 hours. PW: 40. ND: 5. Hobbies: Golf. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "Should be legalized." Should medical-outcomes data be public? "No, because of the lack of data available as to the cause of a situation." How managed care affects patient relationships: "It has helped my practice. Once they have been treated in a managed-care practice, they come back." 10807 Falls Rd., Lutherville, 410-821-8800.

Dentistry/prosthodontics

Charles Walowitz, 58

MS: U. of Pennsylvania. RS: Prosthodontics, Fitzsimmons General Hospital, U.S. Army Medical Service. YIP: 35. BC: Prosthodontics. HP: GBMC, Sinai. NP: Yes. TP: Prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthodontics, dental implants. APT: 1-2 weeks. ND: 4. 10085 Red Run Blvd., Owings Mills, 410-356-1400.

Dentistry/surgery/general

Michael Schwartz, 41

MS: Northwestern. RS: Johns Hopkins. YIP: 12. BC: Oral and maxillofacial surgery. HP: Hopkins, GBMC, Northwest, St. Joseph’s. NP: Yes. TP: "Comprehensive practice specializing in extraction, implants, trauma, pathology, etc." APT: Consultation within 1 week. AW: 10-15 minutes. AT: 30 minutes. PW: 150. ND: 5 1/2. Hobbies: Tennis, skiing, boating. How managed care affects patient relationships: "Disaster! Significantly restricting appropriate treatment." Thoughts on direct-to-the-consumer advertising of prescription drugs: "Very misleading, deceptive." 10 Warren Rd., Suite 330, Cockeysville, 410-666-5225.

Dermatology/general

Regina Anderson, 46

MS: U. of Oklahoma. RS: U. of Maryland. YIP: 14. BC: Dermatology, internal medicine. HP: Union Memorial. NP: Yes. APT: 4-6 weeks. AW: 20 minutes. AT: 15 minutes. PW: 200-250. ND: 5. 4100 N. Charles St., No. 114, Baltimore, 410-889-7600.

John F. Strahan, 71

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: Internal medicine, dermatology at U. of Pennsylvania. YIP: 40. BC: Certified dermatology, qualified internal medicine. HP: Johns Hopkins. NP: Yes. APT: 3-4 weeks. AW: 15-30 minutes. AT: 20 minutes. PW: 100. ND: 4. Hobbies: Golf, travel. Thoughts on direct-to-the-consumer advertising of prescription drugs: "Brain washing!" 7401 Osler Dr., Towson, 410-821-6050.

Bruce Beacham, 50

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: U. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA Hospital. YIP: 17. BC: Dermatology, internal medicine. HP: St. Joseph’s, Franklin Square. NP: Yes. TP: General dermatology with some cosmetic dermatology. Acne and psoriasis are most common. APT: 6 weeks for new, 1 week established. AW: 10-15 minutes. AT: 15 minutes. PW: 250. ND: 5. Hobbies: Fishing, jogging. How medicine will change in 10 years: "There will be more managed care, and there will be more litigation." 9101 Franklin Square Dr., Suite 308, Baltimore; ODEA Building, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Suite 501, Towson; 410-574-3100, 410-337-8433.

Dermatology/pediatric

Bernard A. Cohen, 46

MS: Johns Hopkins. RS: Pediatrics and dermatology at Johns Hopkins. YIP: 13. BC: Pediatrics, dermatology. HP: Johns Hopkins, Sinai, Kennedy-Krieger, St. Agnes. NP: Yes. TP: "Pediatric dermatology, laser surgery. Any child with skin problems." APT: 1-3 weeks, emergencies seen immediately. AW: 15-30 minutes. AT: 10-15 minutes. PW: 90. ND: 5. Hobbies: Avid gardener, rewriting my book, Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology. How managed care affects patient relationships: "It’s driving me crazy, but my patients and I are adapting. They can always come out of the network in a pinch." Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe St. Baltimore, 410-955-2049.

Nancy K. Barnett, 46

MS: George Washington. RS: Johns Hopkins, residencies in pediatrics and dermatology. YIP: 15 1/2. BC: Pediatrics, dermatology. HP: Johns Hopkins, GBMC, Sinai. NP: Not currently. TP: General pediatrics and pediatric dermatology. APT: Routine 4 weeks, emergency that day. AW: 5 minutes. AT: 15 minutes. PW: 80. ND: 4 1/2. Hobbies: Sketching and painting, flea markets. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "Right or wrong, it’s been occurring for centuries." Thoughts on the medical use of marijuana: "I have witnessed its ability to relieve pain in cancer patients." Other info: See related story, page 58. 10807 Falls Rd., Lutherville, 410-321-9393.

Endocrinology/general

William Valente, 49

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: U. of Maryland, National Institutes of Health. YIP: 20. BC: Endocrinology and metabolism, internal medicine. HP: GBMC, Mercy, SJMC, Union. NP: Yes. TP: Thyroid specialist. APT: 1 month or sooner depending upon urgency. AW: 5-10 minutes. AT: 15-60 minutes. PW: 75. ND: 4. Hobbies: Italian cooking, skiing, tropical fish. How managed care affects patient relationships: "Not much any more. We now ignore MC ‘directives’ and do what is best for patients." Thoughts on the drug-approval process: "Way too long and cumbersome." Advice for future docs: "Get an MBA with the MD degree." 8415 Bellona Ln., No. 216, Ruxton Towers, Towson, 410-494-1886.

Marie Bellantoni, 36

MS: Johns Hopkins. RS: Case Western Reserve, U. Hospitals of Cleveland, internal medicine; Yale School of Medicine, endocrine fellowship. YIP: 3. BC: Internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism. HP: Franklin Square, Good Samaritan, St. Joseph’s, GBMC. NP: Yes. TP: "Multispecialty group primarily and endocrine practice. About 50 percent diabetes, 40 percent thyroid, 10 percent misc. I’m especially interested in calcium metabolism and osteoporosis." APT: 0-1 week. AW: 0-15 minutes. AT: 30 minutes. PW: 40-50 (still building a practice). ND: 5. Hobbies: Guitar, travel, biking. Do you play golf? "Only miniature. In real golf, I once shot a 17 on a par 5 and was only half way to the green." Thoughts on the medical use of marijuana: "Against it until investigation shows this drug is more beneficial than available pain/nausea drugs. The tar and carcinogen content of marijuana is very high." Thoughts on the drug-approval process: "The FDA has saved us from a lot of mistakes." How accurately is medicine portrayed in film/television? "Very badly on the whole. Reality is a lot duller." Your favorite medical TV program while growing up: "I wanted to be Dr. McCoy on the Starship Enterprise." 9512 Harford Rd., Baltimore, 410-882-9450.

David S. Cooper, 49

MS: Tufts U. RS: Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. YIP: 18. BC: Internal medicine, endocrinology. HP: Sinai, Johns Hopkins. NP: Yes. APT: 2 months, next day for emergencies. AW: 5-10 minutes. AT: 20 minutes. PW: 20. ND: 2-3. Your personal physician: "I don’t have one." Hobbies: Reading, stamp collecting. Do you play golf? "I have never held a golf club." Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "Generally in favor in terminal illness." Division of Endocrinology, Sinai Hospital, 2401 W. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, 410-601-5961.

Endocrinology/diabetes/general

James H. Mersey, 51

MS: Johns Hopkins. RS: Johns Hopkins, Peter Bent Bringham Hospital. YIP: 20. BC: Internal medicine, endocrinology. HP: GBMC, St. Joseph’s, Good Samaritan, Union Memorial, Johns Hopkins, U. of Maryland, Church, Fason Memorial. NP: Yes. TP: "Specialty practice for patients with diseases, hypertension, thyroid, lipid disorders, and other glandular diseases." APT: 2-4 weeks. AW: 15 minutes. AT: 20 minutes. PW: 100. ND: 5. Hobbies: Tennis, children. How managed care affects patient relationships:
"It consistently gets in the way. I refuse to follow managed-care rules if they interfere with patient care, and they do all the time, so I spend a good part of my time fighting with bureaucrats." Thoughts on direct-to-the-consumer advertising of prescription drugs: "Not helpful, and confusing to the patient." Best wisdom you’ve received: "When you hear hoof beats, don’t look for zebras." 6565 N. Charles St., Suite 411, Baltimore, 410-828-7417.

Endocrinology/diabetes/pediatric

Leslie Plotnick, 52

MS: U. of Maryland. RS, FS: Johns Hopkins. YIP: 23. BC: Pediatrics, pediatric endocrinology. HP: Hopkins. NP: Yes, but waiting list is substantial. TP: "Pediatric endocrinology only, ages 0-18 years mostly. Growth, puberty, diabetes, pituitary/hypothalamic thyroid, adrenal, calcium/parathyroid." APT: 2 months. AT: New patients 1 hour, followup 20-30 minutes. PW: 35. ND: 2 1/2. Hobbies: Skiing, reading. Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, 410-955-6463.

Barry Reiner, 40

MS: Albert Einstein College of Medicine. RS: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. YIP: 10. BC: Pediatrics, pediatric endocrine. HP: Harbor, St. Agnes, Howard County, Sinai, Hopkins. NP: Yes. TP: "Diabetes (children’s) and growth tissues." APT: 1-2 weeks. AW: 5-10 minutes. AT: New patients 1 hour, followup 15-40 minutes. PW: 50-60. ND: 5. Hobbies: Bible study and classical music. Thoughts on physician-assisted suicide: "Strongly against this." Thoughts on direct-to-the-consumer advertising of prescription drugs: "I am appalled by this." 3001 S. Hanover St., Baltimore; 10810 Hickory Ridge Rd., Columbia; 410-347-3405.

Family medicine

Kevin S. Ferentz, 39

MS: SUNY Buffalo. RS: U. of Maryland. YIP: 11. BC: Family practice. HP: U. of Maryland. NP: Yes. TP: Traditional family practice including obstetrics. APT: "With me, a month; with partner, today." AW: 30 minutes. AT: 15 minutes. PW: 30. ND: 3. Your personal physician: "Don’t have one." When was your last physical exam? "Never." Hobbies: Piano, theater. 29 S. Paca St., Baltimore, 410-328-8792.

Joseph W. Zebley III, 47

MS: U. of Maryland. RS: U. of Maryland, Department of Family Medicine. YIP: 18. BC: Geriatrics. HP: Children’s, Union Memorial, St. Joseph, GBMC. NP: Yes. TP: "We try to integrate Western medicine and complementary practices in a holistic approach." APT: As long as 6 weeks for diagnostic evaluation, same day or next day for urgent calls. AW: 20 minutes. AT: 20 minutes. PW: 100. ND: 5. Hobbies: Agriculture, music. 3901 Greenspring Ave., Suite 300, The New Children’s Hospital, Baltimore, 410-462-0940.