Meet Our 2017 Men In Business!
We are pleased to introduce you to this year's lineup of distinguished business professionals from the Shreveport-Bossier area.
These
men are trailblazers in their respective industries and are recognized
for their integrity as well as their base of knowledge. Gentlemen all,
their leadership and motivation are a driving force in our region, and
we invite you to call on them for your professional needs. Read about
them on these pages. You'll see they mean business. And, when you call
on them, let them know that Forum sent you!
–Jay Covington, Editor
Dr. Christopher Cosse
Children
and adults seem to love visiting the offices of Drs. Christopher Cosse
and Jeff Silmon, both orthodontists in Shreveport- Bossier City.
That’s because the staff at Cosse and Silmon Orthodontics have three
main goals: quality, efficiency and fun.
“Our
goal is to do whatever it takes to make sure each one of our patients
will receive the best quality care in orthodontics anywhere,” Dr. Cosse
said. “While providing excellent quality care, we will ensure that we
are efficient in everything we do. We will also include fun for all of
our patients, no matter what age.”
The
staff at Cosse and Silmon Orthodontics offers patients a number of
orthodontic treatments with individualized care. The staff strives to
create smiles that exceed patient expectation. Treatment options include
traditional braces with metal or clear brackets, Invisalign clear
aligners and Damon Smile self-ligating braces, as well as treatment for
sleep apnea.
Dr. Cosse
is a native of Shreveport who graduated from Captain Shreve High School
and Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge. He was accepted into the
dental program at Louisiana State University School of New Orleans
(LSUSD) and received certification in orthodontics and dentofacial
orthopedics from Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore. He
also studied the differences in orthodontics and prosthodontics between
the United States and Europe for a term at the University of Freiberg,
Germany in 1997. Dr. Cosse was awarded the Pierre Fauchard Award for
Academic Achievement while at LSUSD.
Dr. Jeff Silmon
Dr.
Cosse joined his father's practice in 2000 and has since furthered his
orthodontics knowledge and training. In 2008, he was chosen to join an
honorary task force called the Pathfinders, a group created of 25
orthodontists from around the world charged with reducing treatment
times and improving quality. In fact, Dr. Cosse has several orthodontic
patents to his name. In 2006, Dr. Cosse was presented with the
Louisiana Dental Association New Dentist Award, an award presented to a
Louisiana Dental Association member who has distinguished himself by
giving his time and talents to his community, and shown an unselfish
devotion to the dental profession. He currently holds the title of
president of the Louisiana Association of Orthodontists.
Dr.
Silmon is a native of Bossier City who graduated from Airline High
School and Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge. He attended LSU
School of Dentistry in New Orleans, where he also completed his
orthodontic training and certification. In 2004, he was awarded the J.
Jerome Hebert Award of Orthodontic Excellence by the Louisiana Dental
Association.
Dr.
Silmon has been practicing in Shreveport since September 2005. His
philosophy is to provide the best quality patient care possible by
creating harmony between function and esthetics. Dr. Silmon is currently
a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as Past
President of the Northwest Louisiana Dental Association.
Dr.
Cosse and Dr. Silmon continue to drive progress in the field of
orthodontics, having both been invited to join an international group
of experts called the Insiders, who meet twice a year in different
parts of the world to develop state-of-the-art techniques and
materials.
Dr. Silmon
is an active participant in Give Kids a Smile and is a Toothprint
provider. "We want not only to provide the best treatment possible, but
an atmosphere that the kids enjoy," he said. "It makes it so much
easier on the parents knowing their children have fun during our office
visits.”
“I love
what I do,” Dr. Silmon said. “I know how fortunate I am to have a job
where I can make someone feel better about themselves by giving them a
healthy, beautiful smile."
COSSE AND SILMON ORTHODONTICS 
A fun place to get a great smile!
Shreveport
230 Carroll St #1 | Shreveport, LA 71105 | (318) 869-1248
BoSSier City
4001 Viking Dr, Suite B | Bossier City, LA 71111 | (318) 213-5437
www.cosseortho.com
Keith Carter 
ABC Shreveport
Senior CAre
4700 Line Avenue, Suite 111 Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 424-5300 abc-shreveport.com
Keith Carter was having a hard time hiring caregivers to help his aging father, who did not want to leave his home.
“My
father needed sitter care,” said Carter. “I searched in Northwest
Louisiana and could not find any agency that was properly licensed,
trained and shared the same Christian values.” His response? “I found a
franchise, Always Best Care, and I purchased it,” Carter said. “My
father began receiving the care he needed, and we have been welcomed
with open arms (by) hospitals, rehabs, churches, home health agencies
and our friends.”
Always Best Care is a national franchise.
We
work with our clients to determine each individual’s needs, Carter and
his staff make sure they are well cared for by trained and experienced
caregivers who provide “from four hours of companion care to certified
nursing assistants (CNAs) live-in care 24/7.”
“Our
sitters and CNAs offer complete personal care, including light
housekeeping, transportation, companionship (and help) bathing,
dressing, etc.,” said Carter. “Always Best Care offers affordable
live-in care and accepts long-term care insurance and some private
insurance policies” as well as worker’s compensation and VA benefits, he
said.
Adding services & expanding clientele “As
important as the senior market is to our company, I saw additional
needs for service not offered in this area,” Carter continued, “Always
Best Care offers these important new services for NW Louisiana.”
“We
now provide Contract CNA Service to nursing homes, assisted and
independent living facilities. We take care of the hiring and HR piece
allowing the facility to focus on providing care services,” said Carter.
“Another
new service is ABC Mom Care, designed to assist new mothers and
families before and after childbirth or following an adoption.” Carter
continued, “A new mom often needs an extra hand to assist with household
duties and keep the family running. We provide specially trained
sitters to fill this need from a few hours a day, to overnight, to 24/7
Live-in assistance.”
Always
Best Care also offers Assisted Living Placement Services. “When it is
time to move from the family home to an Assisted Living environment we
can work with the family to recommend placement in the proper
facility.” Carter told us. “We evaluate the client’s needs and make the
best match possible, setting up campus visits and assisting the family
through each step of the process.”
It has been a rewarding experience to help people who have found themselves in the situation that he once found so frustrating.
For more information, contact Always Best Care Senior Services at (318) 424- 5300.
Joseph Guin
Joseph Guin Salon
711 Texas Street | Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 865-2525 josephguinsalon.com
Joey Guin has been an integral part of Shreveport/Bossier beauty for the past 18 years.
His
business philosophy is “More than just beautiful Hair,” and you’d
better believe it. His impeccably appointed 112-year-old building is
Mid-Century modern perfection in the heart of historic downtown
Shreveport. Joseph Guin Salon offers a therapeutic beauty experience
that combines the best elements of your local neighborhood salon with
the hospitality, expertise and confidence-instilling experience of its
highly educated staff.
“It’s
medicine,” Guin said. “Hair-dressing is a part of who we are. It’s in
our blood. We speak a common language with like minds, and we are
proudly serving our Shreveport- Bossier City community.”
The
staff at Joseph Guin Salon combines that friendly local vibe with the
latest technology in personal hair care and styling. “We’re staffed by
an elite group of stylists that are here to offer you the most detailed
and dedicated style services,” Guin said. “We want your salon
experience to make your day.”
Our
product line is Kevin Murphy, and it will make your hair healthier
than ever before. Kevin Murphy’s “Treat Me” conditioning treatments
target a plethora of problems including Strengthening for damaged hair,
Moisturizing for Dry hair, Plumping for thinning hair, and even one
that replaces your hair’s natural balance due to aging.
Joey
is a believer in feeding the industry that feeds him, and his
commitment has earned him a position
as one of 10 (in the world) Kevin Murphy Diamond Cutting Key
Educators. Joseph Guin Salon is also the first salon in North Louisiana
to become Green Circle Certified.
From
the sourcing of ingredients to the disposal of packaging and products,
the salon and beauty industry has long posed many challenges to the
environment. Because of this, we joined forces with Green Circle to take
a stand for our planet and work together to reduce our ecological
footprint and make our industry more sustainable.
Through
our partnership with Green Circle Salons, we will be redirecting what
was once considered garbage out of our water streams and landfills to
be repurposed into innovative green solutions. Starting May 2017 all
hair clippings, extensions, any excess colour and developer, papers and
plastics, foils, aerosol cans and colour tubes from Joseph Guin Salon
is being collected by GCS – effectively cutting down our salon’s total
waste, literally overnight, by 85-95 percent!
Joey’s
vision for the future is one of forethought for the client, the planet
and game-changing innovation. Come in for a complimentary consultation
or call for an appointment today!
Lance Mosley & Gordon Mosley
Mosley Title Company
1914 Citizens Bank Drive Bossier City, LA 71111
(318) 549-2009 www.mosleytc.com
Lance
Mosley, owner of Mosley Title Company, LLC, was raised in Bossier City
and has been in the title business for over 20 years. He has assisted
developers and builders, both commercial and residential. He has also
helped home buyers navigate the maze of home acquisition by performing
residential closings of sales, builder interim financing, new mortgage
loans or refinances.
“At Mosley Title, we provide our customers with unparalleled customer service throughout the closing process,” Mosley said.
“We
represent some of the strongest insurance companies in the country.
Our staff takes customer service to the next level, and we maintain
high ethical standards to protect our customers from title claims.”
Mosley
will soon welcome his son, Gordon Mosley, to the Bossier City firm.
“Gordon is a judicial clerk for the 26th Judicial District Court and
will be joining me in August,” Lance said. “I am excited that my son
will be joining me after his judicial clerkship.”
Mosley Title Company is located at 1914 Citizens Bank Drive in Bossier City. For more information, call (318) 549-2009 or visit www.mosleytc.com.
Scott Forte 
Assurance Financial
NMlS#102756
1423 W. Causeway Approach Mandeville, Louisiana (985) 275-0334 lendtheway.com
Scott
Forte is one local businessman who knows how to make people
comfortable when purchasing a home. The new Mandeville branch manager
for Assurance Financial, Forte enjoys meeting with clients and helping
turn their goals into reality.
“A
home is the biggest purchase of someone’s life, so they’re going to be
nervous,” Forte said. “I give them the information that makes them
comfortable.”
Formerly,
Forte played baseball in college, and his enthusiasm for sports is
paired with his passion for people. His friendly personality and
in-depth knowledge of the industry makes him a perfect match for
mortgage needs and he's got the success to prove it.
Forte
graduated LSU, and soon after, a friend offered a job lead in the
mortgage industry. His persistence paid off, and he was awarded the
position out of 300 loan officers competing. He grew with Assurance
Financial and started moving up the ranks. In 2016, he was named the top
producer for Assurance Financial.
Forte looks forward to continuing to assist clients and grow his business.
Assurance
Financial is a national company covering nine different states in the
Southeast, offering a broad range of residential mortgage loan
products.
They’re located at 1423 W. Causeway Approach in Mandeville. Learn more at lendtheway.com.
Chef Giuseppe & Gio Brucia
GIUSEPPE´S PASTACAFFÉ
920 Pierremont Rd Suite 110 Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 946-8698 mypastacaffe.com
Passion
is pasta for the Brucia family, who recently opened Pastacaffé, a
restaurant dedicated to housemade pastas using the freshest ingredients.
Although
the new café is run by Gio and Natalie Brucia and lifelong friend
Jimmy Orellana, the influence of Gio’s father Chef Giuseppe Brucia is
in every bite.
“I
learned everything I know about Italian culture and food in the best
way possible,” said Gio Brucia, “watching my dad and working with him
for twelve years. He still comes in and helps us. He’ll buy tomatoes or
get arugula for us. He’s always smiling ear to ear.”
Pastacaffé
is definitely a different venue. “It’s a much smaller space and very
streamlined,” Gio said. “We prepare traditional pastas but packaged
differently in a fast casual environment. We use imported meats and
cheeses and it’s as Italian as we can make it.” Our pastas are made
entirely from scratch in our pasta making machine from Italy, using
nothing but the best Semolina flour and farm fresh local eggs available.
Lunch
and dinner pastas come in a choice of artisan, gluten-free or spinach.
Accompanying sauces include pomodoro, alfredo or fresh tomato with
basil, all enriched with quality olive oil or cream. Fine Italian meats
fill the Panini sandwiches. Prosciutto, salami or meatballs meld with
asiago and smoked mozzarella for a divine meal to go. Traditional
Italian soups and fresh salads are also available, along with a nice
little wine list.
“We also serve breakfast to go,” Gio said.
“Start
with a cappuccino from our cappuccino machine from Italy,” he said.
“Then add one of our breakfast Paninis, like the one made with fresh
fruit marmalade with melted butter and sweet blue cambozola cheese” Gio
will be competing for the Louisiana Food Prize in August. “I’m looking
forward to that,” he said. “It all lines up with our goal for
Pastacaffé. We want to provide Shreveport- Bossier City with as
authentic an experience as you can get anywhere in the United States.
We’re an Italian family who moved here in the mid-70s. It doesn’t get
any more real than that.”
Diners can get a mouth-watering video preview by visiting www.mypastacaffe.com.
Royal Alexander
Attorney
(318) 344-7030
Mike Tatum 
Majestic tent & event
813 King Place | Shreveport, LA 71115 (318) 797-0772 majestictentrentals.com
Want to feel like royalty?
Whether
you’re planning a wedding, throwing a party or just want a magical
moment between you and your loved one, Majestic Tent & Event in
Shreveport has options for you.
Mike Tatum, owner, started his rental business in 2003 but has been in the event business for over 30 years.
“I
saw a market for a business dedicated to events in this area even
though there was another rental company that rented event décor,” he
said. “There was nobody focused strictly on events and the needs and
logistics of putting large-scale events together.”
That’s
where Majestic Tent comes in. The full-service rental company not only
specializes in tents, but also tables, chairs, dishes, draping,
lighting and sound equipment.
“I
love what I do. It’s always changing – from trends to technology,” he
said. “You are always on the move from event to event and challenged to
make each one special.”
But
how do you know which tent is right for your event? Frame tents can
provide more framework to hang decorations and/or lighting from. For
milder weather months, clear frame tents are an alternative option
allowing in the natural beauty of your surroundings. Pole tents aren’t
as flexible when it comes to bridging them together, but they are a
lower cost option.
“What
people need to know about tents is that you need enough space to
accommodate not only the number of guests but all the extras such as
food, bars, dance floors and stage,” said Tatum. “We can help to make
your event as stress-free as possible by working with you from the very
beginning.”
So you
know what kind of tent you want – how big should it be? Banquet-style
seating for table and chairs is generally 12 square feet per person.
Theater-style seating is eight square feet.
Majestic
Tent reaches beyond just events – they even have special industrial
tents for storage, fabrication and lunch sites. Their goal is to bring
your vision to life and create a seamless setting you’ll always
remember.
“Every
client that comes to us has one focus, and that is to have a memorable
event, no matter if they are having 50 guests or 500,” Tatum said, “Each
is just as important.”
Ronnie Remedies 
SHREVEPORT LIMOUSINE
Ronnie
Remedies is Shreveport native, businessman and public servant always
on the move and whose actions speak much louder than his words. A
lifelong resident of Shreveport, Ronnie was born at Barksdale AFB and
grew up in south Shreveport, graduating from Southwood High School in
1996. He spent about ten years as a Professional Firefighter with the
Shreveport Fire Department and has continued serving our community in
several capacities, including the Metropolitan Planning Commission as
board member since 2014 and a year on Shreveport's Fire & Police
Civil Service Board. In 2012 & 2016 he was elected to represent the
4th Congressional District at the Republican National Conventions as
well as elected by residents of Southeast Shreveport to serve as
District 38E representative to the Republican Party of Louisiana. He is
a member of the Committee of 100 for Economic Development and past
president of both Chief Executives Organization (C.E.O.) and North
Shreveport Business Association.
He
opened Shreveport Limousine in 2001 with one red limousine parked in
his driveway at home, and today has North Louisiana's largest luxury
transportation company, operating a fleet of luxury sedans, buses,
limousines and recently added a vintage Bentley S1 Sedan for weddings.
In 2005 Ronnie opened Twin Oak Investments, a real estate firm, to flip
residential properties that has morphed into a flourishing commercial
real estate development firm, focused on repurposing large historic
properties, building and managing retail strip centers and office
buildings.
While
serving on the Metropolitan Planning Commission, Ronnie led the fight
against what he calls "bureaucratic overreach" in the proposed Unified
Development Code, set to be implemented later this year, and admits to
being adversarial at times. “It’s my obligation as a business owner to
be a voice for the business community. Too often bureaucrats want to
implement policy according to “studies”and not reality which leads
Shreveport to lose developments to other communities.” “Small business
is the backbone of our economy, and if we choke them out, we all lose.
The UDC is necessary, but we must think these things through from a
business perspective before recommending it to the council and
commission to pass.”
The
luxury transportation industry has seen its ups and downs over the
last 16 years and now with the TNCs (Uber, Lyft, etc.) consuming part
of the sedan industry. They've recently shifted some of their focus to
the large people movers, adding large vehicles to the fleet like the
new limo bus and Mercedes Sprinter with plans to acquire several more
by the end of 2018." Although the film industry has all but dried up
locally and the oil and gas industry is only in early stages of
recovery, we've seen continued growth in our business year after year,
which has not been easy."
Rarely
seen in a business setting without his black binder that contains his
daily to-do list as well as updated goals for the month and year,
Ronnie is adamant about putting his plan of action in writing on a
daily basis; in fact, he requires it of everyone in his organization.
"A defined plan of action that is constantly updated is the difference
between just existing and living life to the fullest while maximizing
potential. I am diligent about that; it's the secret to our success."
On
the real estate front, Remedies is betting big on what many call the
"Trump Effect," which has stirred lots of buzz in the business world as
we hear about lower taxes on businesses and incentives to manufacture
goods on U.S. soil, rather than over seas. "We are currently working on
four real estate projects right now in the region, with several more on
the drafting table."
His
visionary and entrepreneurial spirit have seen local success, most
notably, the purchase of several buildings in the 1200 block of Marshall
Street in Shreveport's Central Business District, transforming a
blighted neighborhood into a destination spot for tourists and a cool
new place for professionals to work and play in a complex that houses
the Red River Brewing Company and several other businesses. In North
Shreveport, his real estate firm was one the first to take a big chance
and develop along I-49's corridor more than ten years ago, a gamble
that has paid off.
When
not negotiating the next deal, Ronnie enjoys his family time with wife
Andrea, who is currently in State Farm's agent aspirant program, and
son Wesley, who is an honor student at Fairfield Elementary Magnet. As
an avid pilot, Ronnie holds a private pilot's certificate with
multi-engine and instrument ratings. He logs several hundred hours each
year, adding to the nearly fifteen hundred in the books.
The
family loves traveling often, scuba diving and visiting monuments of
American history, including attending the 2017 Inauguration of President
Donald Trump on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
According
to Remedies, Shreveport is home and a wonderful place to live and
work, which is why his optimism for the future is so bright. "As long
as I am blessed with good health and resources, I will continue to
invest time and money into my hometown. If we won't take a chance on
our community, why would anyone else want to?"
T. Craig Lewis III, CPA, CFP
Lewis FinanciaL Group
8658 Business Park Drive Shreveport, LA 71105
318-797-0447
www.lewisfinancialgroup.com
T.
Craig Lewis III, CPA, CFP®, has been named thirteen times as “One of
the Nation’s Best Financial Advisors for Doctors” by Medical Economics
magazine. Lewis and his professional team offer all the traditional,
professional wealth management and investment services. They specialize
in IRA rollovers and in retirement distribution planning, and utilize
an Income for Life Model ® . This asset allocation strategy is designed
to maximize retirement income and minimize risk aversion. www.tclewis.incomeforlifemodel.com
They also use patented risk alignment software that objectively
calculates an investor’s true risk tolerance level. Every investor
should know their Risk Number determined by utilizing a scientific
framework that won the Nobel Prize for economics.
Then
portfolios can be custom created based upon each client’s Risk Number.
Many investors are invested wrong. This objective analysis aligns
their portfolio with their Risk Number. Do you know your Risk Number?
Complete the risk number questionnaire at www.lewisfinancialgroup.com.
Lewis
is uniquely qualified as both a CPA and a Certified Financial Planner
(CFP ® ). Unlike other financial advisors, he is not an employee or
representative of any one company. This independence allows him to best
serve his clients without any conflicts of interest. His clients’
concerns are his only concerns. Lewis has more than 30 years experience
in the financial services industry.
Lewis
began his career with KPMG, one of the largest international CPA
firms. He is currently the owner and principal of Lewis Financial
Group, L.C., which is a member of FINRA and SIPC. www.lewisfinancialgroup.com
Stephen W. Wheat, MD
WHEAT MEDICAL NERVE & MUSCLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SINCE 1991
385 West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Suite 500 | Shreveport, Louisiana (318) 352-4477
Dr.
Stephen W. Wheat is one of the top physicians in the region
specializing in electrodiagnostic medicine to diagnose the cause of
nerve and muscle pain and the only physician in Northwest Louisiana to
use ultrasound as a non-invasive, visual approach to diagnosing the
cause of neuro-musculoskeletal pain. He is dedicated to helping patients
receive an accurate diagnosis so that they can quickly return to an
active, pain-free life.
“Diagnosing
the exact cause of a patient’s pain is why I do what I do. Everything
hinges on an accurate diagnosis,” said Dr. Wheat. “I’m the only
physician in the region who uses the evidence-based, fact-based tools
that I use to provide answers to a patient’s pain symptoms. I don’t want
people to hurt, and when they do, I want to help them find out why. I
have performed greater than 14,000 electrodiagnostic procedures in my
more than 25 years as a physician. That level of competence along with a
triple board certification in Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Internal
Medicine and Physical Medicine enables me to provide a service to
patients that no one else offers,” added Dr. Wheat.
Dr.
Wheat is committed to quality, compassionate care and patient
satisfaction. He has been recognized as one of Louisiana’s Top Docs by Louisiana Life Magazine. He
uses advanced diagnostic capabilities including ultrasound,
Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) to diagnose
chronic pain issues. His treatment plans are derived from the latest
scientific advances. Dr. Wheat is one of the most trusted and skilled
physicians in the region and has trained extensively at leading
institutions. Dr. Wheat now teaches and lectures at some of those same
leading institutions.
“I
teach physicians at the Baylor College of Medicine: Department of
Neurology, University of Houston, Texas, and I have found that it is one
of the best ways to keep current with up-to-date pain diagnostics,”
said Dr. Wheat. “Teaching others what they need to know to be skilled,
knowledgeable physicians requires that I keep current with the latest in
electrodiagnostic medicine and that I know the practice backwards and
forwards. The benefits transfer directly to my patients with a unique
commitment and energy to use the latest knowledge and expertise to
quickly return patients to a pain-free life,” added Dr. Wheat.
The
electrodiagnostic tests in which Dr. Wheat specializes are used to
determine how well the body’s electrical signals are traveling to nerves
and muscles. These tests are used to help diagnose or rule out nerve
and muscle disorders including, but not limited to, carpal tunnel
syndrome, sciatic nerve problems, herniated disk disease, polyneuropathy
and neuropathy, peripheral nerve injury and pinched nerves.
“I
have spent almost three decades working to find the most reliable
tools to diagnose people’s nerve and muscle pain and to help them, as
well as their physicians, get them back to their normal lifestyles as
quickly as possible,” said Dr. Wheat. “Patients come to my office with a
specific concern and that becomes my #1 concern. I don’t believe there
is anything worse for patients than not knowing why they hurt. No one
in the state is as qualified or committed to giving these patients a
more comprehensive assessment and answers than I am,” added Dr. Wheat.
Dr.
Wheat is a graduate of Louisiana State University Medical School,
Shreveport. He earned a residency in Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation at Louisiana State University Medical Center, New
Orleans. In 1997, Dr. Wheat completed an Internal Medicine Residency at
Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport, and then earned a
board certification in Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Dr. Wheat has
served as a member of the Mayo Clinic Professional Practice and
Professional Program Committees of the American Association of
Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine and is a regular guest
lecturer at the Baylor College of Medicine: Department of Neurology,
University of Houston, Texas.
Dr. Wheat’s Shreveport office is located at 385 West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Suite 500.
He
also practices in Natchitoches at 138 East 5th Street. To find out
more about his practice and how he can help find the source of your
pain, call 318-352-4477.
Dr. Bryan Vekovius M.D.
CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
Dr.
Bryan Vekovius, M.D., Oculoplastic Surgeon and Neuro- Ophthalmologist
is one local businessman dedicated to helping his patients receive the
finest in eye care.
“I
have a passion and unique fervor for taking on and solving difficult
problems for my patients,” said Vekovius. “I often have patients coming
to see me who have very little, if any, hope left for their situation.”
He enjoys the challenge, and the chance to help make a huge difference
in someone’s life. “I enjoy treating patients’ tearing problems,
eyelid malpositions, and I have a great deal of experience making
uneven eyelids more symmetrical,” said Vekovius.
Vekovius
is committed to quality, compassionate care, superior patient
satisfaction and excellence in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He’s
known as an expert in aesthetics and treatment of diseases and
syndromes involving the eye, eyelid, tearing system and the optic nerve.
He’s performed over twelve-thousand procedures on the eyelid alone,
and is one of the few cosmetic surgeons who is a member of the American
Board of Ophthalmology.
“I’ve
always been a very technical person,” said Vekovius. “With my
engineering background, I feel confident in my problem solving ability
and am very fortunate to have a good eye for aesthetics, which is
important in making an eyelid look good and, of course, function
correctly.”
Vekovius
completed his Ophthalmology training at Louisiana State University in
2001. “I was always intrigued by this field,” said Vekovius. “I love
helping improve the quality of life for patients. It’s very rewarding.”
He then went on to complete his fellowship training in Oculoplastic
surgery, specializing in techniques of plastic surgery as it relates to
the eye and the related surrounding structures, such as eyelid repairs,
brow-lifts, tear duct surgery and treatment of thyroid eye disease.
The
health of the patient is always Vekovius’ number one concern– and he
hopes his patients will keep that as their number one priority as well.
“I direct all patient care toward not only the cosmetic appearance of
the eye and eyelid, but also on the health of the eye,” said Vekovius.
Trained
by Thomas C. Spoor, M.D., Vekovius also was taught the art of laser
skin resurfacing and treatment of facial veins and blemishes, as well as
the use of Botox and fillers. He then sought further training in
Neuro-Ophthalmology, which is the subspecialty of Ophthalmology and
encompasses the optic nerve, the nerves which control eye movement and
the connections with the brain. In addition, Vekovius is an expert in
skin cancer excision and reconstruction. Today, he continues to perform
multiple surgeries each month to remove cancer from the eyelids and
face and rebuild the defect to produce an aesthetically pleasing
result.
Some think of
cosmetic surgery as something for movie stars and the very wealthy.
That’s not the case. “This isn’t a glamorous profession–it’s for
everyone,” said Vekovius. “What I do in my practice is really
service-oriented. I’m truly dedicated to my patients’ vision and overall
health.”
Despite the
lack of glamour, for Vekovius, his chosen career is akin to a dream
job–he gets to help others and make a difference. “I’m really here to
help people in need,” said Vekovius. “My staff and I are wholly
committed to providing quality, compassionate care, while using the most
current and up-to-date techniques.”
“You
want to see better and look more rested and attractive, while still
maintaining a natural look. No one wants to appear to have had cosmetic
surgery.” Vekovius adds, “Look Better, See Better!” Not all issues are
cosmetic. There are many common eye diseases that can cause pain or
vision problems, as well. Dr. Vekovius is a specialist of treatment of
tearing, watering eyes, dry eye syndrome and ophthalmic manifestations
of neurologic disease such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s
disease. Other conditions which Vekovius treats on a daily basis are
eyelids which turn out (ectropion), eyelids that turn in (entropion) and
misdirected eyelashes (trichiasis).
Dr.
Vekovius’ Shreveport office is located in Ashley Ridge Business Park
at 450 Ashley Ridge Boulevard. To learn more, call 318-675-3733 or
visit www.drveko.com.
