Specialty Definitions
Our medical staff members share the common goal of helping patients heal and keeping them healthy. Not sure which kind of doctor you should see? Here's a quick glossary to get you started. Then search the specialty box to see local providers for each specialty.
Allergy and Immunology
An allergist/immunologist has specific training to provide prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the immune system such as allergies, asthma, eczema, food allergies, insect sting allergies, inherited immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune diseases. Search
Cardiology
Cardiologists are trained to provide comprehensive care for the heart, lungs and blood vessels, performing diagnostic tests and treating conditions, such as heart attacks and life-threatening, abnormal heartbeat rhythms, that affect or are affected by the heart. These specialists are able to provide care for heart-related conditions while monitoring other factors that may affect the heart or related structures, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes. Search
Family Medicine
A family practitioner provides health care for the entire family. They are trained in comprehensive health care, not limited by age, gender or organ system. They can take care of a great number of your family’s needs, from unexpected emergencies and illnesses to diagnosis and preventative care, hospital services, some major and minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics. Search
General Practice
A general practitioner is qualified to diagnose and treat general medical and surgical conditions in all body systems and regions in all age groups. Search
General Surgery
A general surgeon specializes in the diagnosis, pre-operative, operative and post-operative management of the broadest range of surgical problems, including, but not limited to, colon, skin, breast, head and neck, abdomen, arteries and veins, female and male reproductive organs, endocrine and lymphatic glands, and surgical management of benign and cancerous disease. Many general surgeons skillfully perform laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures, “lighted scope” and laser surgery. Search
Gynecology/Obstetrics
A gynecologist and obstetrician has a graduate medical education and appropriate certification of special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders. They also treat fertility disorders and offer obstetric care from pre-conception through delivery. The concentrated education on women’s bodies also enables this specialist to serve as a consultant to other physicians and as a primary care physician for women’s overall health and wellness issues. Search
Internal Medicine
An internist has specific training to provide evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for adolescent through geriatric healthcare needs, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, digestive diseases and disorders, thyroid disorders, infections, kidney diseases, respiratory disorders and lung disease, allergies, high blood pressure, arthritis, blood diseases and more. Working with other specialists, internists can help you identify and prevent many medical problems. Search
Nephrology
A nephrologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the kidneys and provides a full range of kidney care services. Search
Oncology
Oncologists are physicians specifically trained in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cancer as well as the comprehensive medical management of patients with cancer. These internists are cancer specialists in providing chemotherapy treatments and often work with radiation oncologists and surgeons to care for someone with cancer. Search
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists provide prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases associated with the eye, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts and macular degeneration, and can provide surgical and non-surgical treatment. Search
Orthopedics
An orthopedist treats patients surgically and medically for injuries or diseases of the bones, joints and muscles. Search
Otolaryngology
Sometimes called ENT, this surgeon specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the ear, nose and throat. Search
Pathology
Pathologists are doctors who research, study and diagnose disease and infection by looking closely at samples of bodily fluids, tissues and organs at a microscopic level. The microscopic analysis is used to determine the causes, nature, diagnosis and optimal treatment of diseases and disorders. Search
Pediatrics
A pediatrician specializes in the care of newborns, children and adolescents from well-care to the most serious illnesses. Pediatricians work not only to treat illness, but to teach parents how to care for their child’s routine health care. They also provide a child with necessary immunizations and assess proper growth and development from childhood through adolescence. Search
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgeons are highly trained specialists capable of performing complex surgeries to restore form or function throughout the body - operations may be either reconstructive or cosmetic in nature. Search
Podiatry
A podiatrist focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders, diseases, injuries and anatomic defects of the feet. Search
Psychiatry
A psychiatrist is certified by the Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and is skilled in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, addictive and emotional disorders. A psychiatrist is also prepared to intervene with individuals and families who are coping with stress, crises and other problems in living. Search
Pulmonology
Pulmonologists are highly specialized doctors who treat respiratory disease and other illnesses that affect our ability to breathe, treating conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD and lung disease. Search
Radiology
Radiologists utilize a wide range of medical imaging modalities, such as MRIs, X-rays and CT scans, to understand, diagnose and treat all types of conditions, diseases and disorders. Interventional radiologists are also specialized to provide minimally invasive image-guided diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Search
Sleep Medicine
Sleep specialists assist patients who suffer from disorders or conditions, like sleep apnea, narcolepsy and night terrors, that disturb usual sleep patterns or behaviors. Search
Urology
An urologist specializes in problems of the urinary tract and kidneys. Some also specialize with diseases of the prostate and male reproductive system. Search