Two Wabash Doctors Named Indy's Best

A survey of more than 5,000 Central Indiana physicians conducted by Indianapolis Monthly magazine has ranked two Wabash College graduates the "Top Doctors" in their areas of specialty.

The annual "Top Doctors" issue of the monthly magazine features Wabash graduates James R. Cumming ’61 and Patrick Healey ’76 as the top docs in their respective fields of pediatrics and geriatrics.

Cumming, a member of the Wabash College Board of Trustees, has previously been honored as physician of the year by St. Vincent Hospital, and has been a regular in the Top Doctors issue of Indianapolis Monthly. The pediatrician practices at St. Vincent Hospital and Women's Hospital in Indianapolis.

In a profile of Indy's top pediatrician, the magazine salutes Cumming for putting himself in the shoes of his pint-sized patients. Says Cumming, "I remember how it feels—a visit to the doctor can be frightening."

Dr. James Cumming

Of specific concern to Cumming is the increased number of obese children he sees in his practice. He estimates that 30-40 percent of his patients are overweight compared with 5-10 percent 25 years ago. The physician, who has practiced for 34 years, is also concerned with over-prescribed psychoactive drugs in children.

This is not the first time that Dr. Healey, who is in practice with his wife, Diane Healey, has been named Indianapolis' top geriatrician. Indianapolis Monthly's annual survey has had him at the top of his field for nearly a decade.

The Healeys' practice on Indianapolis' northside and work primiarly with St. Vincent Hospital.

Says Indianapolis Monthly, "The 2003 edition of our Top Doctors list is based on the informed opinions of those who know best—the local medical community's own practitioners." The magazine sends confidential surveys to more than 5,000 physicians in greater Indiananpolis.

Each year approximately 8-10 percent of Wabash's graduating seniors are bound for medical school. Wabash graduates gain entry to medical schools at about 85-88 percent each year or more than twice the national average.