We’re thankful for all the doctors at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital every day of the year, but in advance of National Doctors’ Day on March 30, we’d like to give a special shout-out to those who practice here.
The hospital welcomed many new providers in recent years, thanks to adding 38 new clinical specialties in the past six-plus years, saving many from having to travel off-Island for quality care.
And for those who do need additional care, being part of Mass General Brigham gives patients access to not only the best healthcare providers in Massachusetts, but among the best in the world.
There’s no better example of this collaboration than the care Dr. Jeffrey Barnes provides cancer patients.
During a ceremony at the hospital in June 2023 to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Dr. Barnes, who is the center’s medical director, said the cancer center is “more excellent than it deserves to be, to be honest, for the size and scope of this program.”
We know how fortunate we are to have doctors that patients can count on, but don’t take our word for it. Here’s what patients have to say.
“My wife and I had a very good first visit with Dr. Jeffrey Barnes,” said one patient. “He gave us a comprehensive overview of my cancer, which he reiterated is very treatable. I left the visit feeling very fortunate that the treatment I’ll be receiving at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will be equal to that of a major cancer facility.”
Patients are also pleased that Dr. Ellen McMahon returned to MVH. She left in 2020 during COVID to go to a small practice in Maine, but returned in December of 2022, as the medical director of ambulatory and chief of medicine.
A patient notes, “She is an excellent physician, one of the best, if not the best, I’ve had in the past 86 years.”
Dr. Daniel Pesch, associate chief medical officer, VP of Medical Affairs, and Dr. Karen Casper, emergency medical department director, and medical director for substance use disorder program, are also longtime doctors who receive rave reviews.
“I feel the hospital should feel very grateful, as I do, to have Dr. Pesch, who has been a caring doctor here at MVH for so long,” said a patient.
Another said, “Dr. Casper was one of the best doctors I’ve seen at the hospital in 40 years. She was so kind and thorough, and covered everything.”
Simply put, one patient said, “The world needs more Karen Caspers.”
Dr. Peter Hedberg, chief of surgery at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, is a general and trauma surgeon, who received this comment from a patient who is a doctor.
“I got very good care,” said the patient. “I have no suggestions for improvement. So, thanks for the Vineyard Hospital, and thank you for Dr. Hedberg.”
The comments come from NRC Health, a patient experience company that surveys millions of patients annually.
The comment below nicely sums up what the majority of patients are saying about the care they receive.
“What I want to say is throughout the M.V. Hospital system, I have always received the utmost care and response from any and all of the nurses and doctors that I have seen there so far. There isn’t a bad one in the bunch.”
We want to acknowledge and give a shout-out to ALL of our fabulous doctors this Doctors’ Day, and always!
Health Beat is sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. It informs and advises on health issues, shares health tips, and helps the community to become better acquainted with Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the physicians, and staff. For more information, visit mvhospital.org.
