Access to top-notch healthcare is among the criteria that position our region as one of America’s best places to live. From the onset, Long Island’s physicians, hospitals and laboratories have paved the way for advancements in nearly every area of medicine.

Pulse’s extensive database of medical professionals enables us to conduct a peer review of the region’s top physicians to make choosing a doctor—one of life’s most important decisions—a little easier. This wholistic system invites professionals in specific areas of medicine to recognize peers who are leaders in their fields—experts choosing experts.

Participants nominate those whose practices were so outstanding in 10 specified areas, they could be considered the best. After weeks of online voting, we tallied the results to form a composite of seasoned professionals who strive for excellence, set the standards for their fields and continually give back to their communities.

The following pages feature these Doctors of Distinction you’ll want to call the next time expert medical advice is needed.

Sometimes our career chooses us instead of the other way around. In college, Dr. Jon DeGorter separated his shoulder and after spending four weeks with his arm in a sling, he could barely pick up a baseball. Several doctors recommended surgery, which seemed like the only option until a friend suggested going to see a sports chiropractor, which sealed the fate of both Dr. DeGorter’s arm and his professional life. “After five visits, I was able to move my shoulder with full range of motion. This is what inspired me to help others.”

Dr. DeGorter’s story also dispels one of the common misconceptions about chiropractors: that they only deal with the spine and back. In fact, Dr. DeGorter can handle all types of cases, “from the bottom of your feet to the end of your fingertips.”

This theory came to fruition when he treated a retired FDNY runner who tried for years to run the New York City marathon only to be struck down with injuries during training. “One year he had plantar fasciitis, the next year a stress fracture and another year a hamstring injury.” After being recommended to Dr. DeGorter, the runner followed the doctor’s running program and was finally able to successfully complete the marathon with no pain—in less than five hours to boot.

Link to original article: http://lipulse.com/2018/03/26/best-doctors-long-island-2018/