Tyler (KYTX) -- There's more evidence backing Tyler's reputation as a booming medical hub. An online news publication touts the city as an attractive place for doctors.
The website Medscape, a resource for physicians online, named Tyler as one of the best places to practice medicine in the United States. And it snagged the top spot in the southwest/south central region.
"There's a large community of physicians here and it's a nice little secret that we probably don't want getting out," Dr. Sheldon Freeberg, a cardiologist at the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, said.
Freeberg traded in the bright lights of Chicago 10 months ago. "I've only had to shovel snow one time since I've been here in Tyler which is a great relief," Freeberg said.
He can attest many things would attract doctors to settle down in the East Texas community.
"You're able to offer, at least from the cardiovascular standpoint, state-of-the art cardiovascular care without all the hassle of a big city," Freeberg said.
Meaning-- Tyler is attractive to physicians because isn't as saturated with the competition of a larger city-- and services a large region. Another doctor from UT Health Northeast explains there's less red tape.
"As a primary care doctor we have a lot more freedom to do things because it may be hard to get that referral to Dallas," Dr. Ryan Menard, a family physician at UT Health Northeast, said.
Menard has lived in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, before jumping the border for residency training.
"I grew up in a small town and I think Tyler has a small town feel to it and has amenities of a larger city. I met my wife here, it's a great place to raise kids," Menard said.
The survey took into account quality of life factors inside and outside of the office, quality of practice, cost of living and even taxes.
ETMC released this statement:
"Physicians who practice in Tyler enjoy tremendous support from our community and from local healthcare systems, such as ETMC."
