Page 137 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2021

SLIDELL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Matthew D.
McElveen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist,
SMH Regional Cancer Center Medical Director, Vice President of Medical Affairs
for SMH Physicians Network
BOARD CERTIFICATION
American College of Internal Medicine
LOCATION
1120 Robert Blvd., Slidell, LA 985.280.6600 www.slidellmemorial.org
Number of years you’ve practiced: 16
What characteristics make a great doctor?
Intensely focused patient outcomes, comfort and confidence, as well as a strong dedication to excellence in up-to-date care.
Who or what inspired your medical career?
My best friend’s father, who also happened to be my physician as a young person, gave me the
honor of taking care of him when he developed stage IV prostate cancer. He never sought a second opinion, rather he put all his trust and faith in me. It was intimidating and scary as
a new physician, but he taught me more with that gesture than I ever could have learned in school. He helped me build trust in myself – a very tough thing to do as an new physician.
In your opinion, what is the public’s biggest misconception about your field?
Most think oncology is all sadness. To the
contrary, there are as many – if not more – successes than failures in this field, and those successes make dealing with those unbearably bad moments worth the effort.
What does practicing medicine mean to you?
It’s my life. I love what I do and feel completely blessed that I am able to do it.
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