Hospital employees honor Dr. Laird

Because of his hands-on patient care and his strong skills as a surgeon, the employees of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital selected Dr. David Laird for the Guest Excellence Doctor of the Year Award.

“I feel very blessed,” Dr. Laird says. “It was a very big honor for me to receive that award from the employees of Jackson General.”

Dr. Laird, a partner with Jackson Surgical Associates, has been practicing in Jackson for more than five years. A board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Laird specializes in surgery of the endocrine organs, G.I. tract and vascular system. He also specializes in thoracic surgery, diseases of the breast and many other ailments.

“We’re fairly aggressive surgeons, and we treat the full range of surgical conditions,” Dr. Laird says.

Showing patients that you care, and letting them know that you’re there to care for them is extremely important, he adds.

This focus on hands-on patient care consistently leads to positive comments on patient satisfaction surveys. He is also known by the nurses as a good communicator and an approachable doctor willing to teach the hospital staff.

In recommending Dr. Laird for the award, one hospital employee wrote: “Dr. Laird is a good surgeon, has a professional attitude with hospital staff and treats his patients with utmost care and compassion. What more can you say?”

Dr. Laird went to medical school at Emory University, and he completed his surgical residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

He enjoys his work, he says, but he also enjoys spending time with his family. He says it’s important to make time with his wife and three sons outside of the practice.

As for the award, Dr. Laird says he appreciated the recognition from the hospital staff. “It makes me feel that I’ve made at least some difference, and it’s an honor to be recognized by the employees.”