I have recently moved myself and my family to the Miss-Lou. The reasons were multiple, including the obvious such as climate, history, recreational opportunities, dining and importantly the warmth and reception of the population.

Health care, however, was also a very important concern, both as a potential patient and as a new healthcare provider. I plan on practicing in the Miss-Lou until my retirement. It was extremely important that hospital services, physicians, nurses and other health care providers could assist me in my practice of orthopedic surgery.

During my multiple visits before my move, what I could see from the outside made me feel very comfortable of my decision to move to the area. I can truly state that since my relocation and during my time practicing orthopedic surgery in the area since September that the health care facilities, personnel and other physicians have exceeded my expectations.

The Miss-Lou’s health care is truly a gem and the facilities are excellent, as is the support staff, colleagues in primary care and the various surgical and medical specialties. I feel extremely comfortable with my decision to relocate and stay in the area. The only thing lacking in the community is the subspecialties that are currently not represented, such as cardiac surgery, rheumatology and neonatal intensive care.

I have seen, however, since my arrival in September, that the facilities and services in the area continue to expand with the opening of the cardiac cath center at Natchez Regional Hospital and the addition of Dr. Patel, vascular surgeon, to the area to join the two fine general surgeons already practicing here.

I have also found that my orthopedic colleagues, Dr. Haimson, Stanford University trained and Dr. Fairbanks, Tulane University trained, are excellent physicians, and I feel honored to be able to join the orthopedic community here in the area.

I have lived and trained in many large cities, Houston, Boston and Atlanta and practiced in Peoria, Ill., for 25 years before arriving to Natchez. All of these cities had tertiary health care facilities, medial schools and level 1 trauma centers.

I can state that the care and ancillary staff in Natchez is equal to these major medical centers. In addition, physicians here are intelligent and qualified enough to know if something involves a subspecialty in which they are unable to care for, to send the patient to the appropriate regional medical center in Jackson, Baton Rouge or New Orleans.

Since my arrival, I have utilized local health care facilities, for myself, my family and patients and have been extremely satisfied with both the quality, compassion and skills of the local medical community and the hospital facilities.

Jeffrey F. Traina, M.D.

orthopedic surgeon