Jackson Eye Associates

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IT'S CARE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL

Taylor Smith, M.D. chose ophthalmology because it is a field where results show up quickly for patients. "You get to help people and see your results pretty quickly. It's interesting to follow people for years and get to see their kids and their family members and their friends. It's a rewarding profession," explains Dr. Smith.

Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Smith attended Ole Miss for undergraduate classwork and returned home to Jackson for medical school and residency at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Dr. Smith's choice of studying ophthalmology rested on professional and personal aspects. "Ophthalmology is a field where you get to do clinic side and surgical side of the profession but also enjoy a good work-life balance being able to spend time with my family and activities outside of medicine," Dr. Smith states.

Dr. Smith practices comprehensive ophthalmology, "I do a little bit of everything. See all ages, except for little kids. And surgically, I mainly focus on cataract surgeries."

When asked what he enjoys most about treating patients, he answers, "Being able to help patients stay healthy with what most people consider their most important sense, the sense of sight and vision."

Patients can depend on all the physicians at JEA. "JEA is different from other eye clinics because we have a large group that has just about every sub-specialty available. Our doctors are there to help their patients. It's not just a business, we're actually looking out for our patients and taking care of them at the highest level," responds Dr. Smith.

For fun outside of taking care of patients, Dr. Smith is a big sports fan. He and his wife have three active boys participating in baseball, basketball, and football. "It's a sport for me, not a hobby, following them with whatever sport they are playing," shares Dr. Smith. Their mini golden doodle puppy rounds out the family and occupies a lot of their family time but they love that.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

Choosing ophthalmology for Dr. Browning seemed like a perfect fit. "I enjoy the balance of seeing patients in the clinic as well as performing surgeries and getting the opportunity to improve and preserve a patient's vision."

I JUST LIKE WHAT I DO

Professionally speaking, he enjoys the relationships he builds with his patients, adding “I just like what I do. I've been in practice for over 40 years now and several of those patients have been with me since the first year. I am able to follow my patients long-term.”

IT'S A CHALLENGE I LIKE

As a young boy growing up in Macon, Mississippi, John McVey spent hours on end tinkering. He loved to build and fix things, and particularly, small things and small parts. He found joy in the tinkering and success in the ability to make things work. Now, Dr. John McVey, is still tinkering but in a very specialized way, helping his pediatric ophthalmology patients improve their quality of eyesight.

DR. McGUFFEY TEACHES AT ASCRS

Our own JEA physician, Dr. Daniel McGuffey, recently helped teach a wet lab on advanced lens fixation techniques at the annual American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) meeting alongside his mentor, Dr. Kamran Riaz. *<br>* *<br>* Photo: Dr. McGuffey 2nd from right; Dr. Riaz 6th from left

WHEN THEY'RE HAPPY, I'M HAPPY

His extensive schooling and varied locales prepared Dr. Alex Whittington for a career in Comprehensive Eye Exams, Cataract Surgery and Eyelid Surgery but he is most happy when he is able to help give his patients restorative function.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONTACT LENSES

Our newest physician, [Charles D. McGuffey, M.D.](https://jacksoneye.com/physicians?30), is a specialist for Cornea & External Disease, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery. He is providing education for all our contact lens users.

THE EYE BANK OPENED MY EYES

Kenneth P. Toler, Jr., M.D., knew from his very first day in medical school exactly what he wanted to do for a career, and he hasn’t looked back since.

IT WAS PERFECT FOR ME AND I LOVE IT

Take a pinch of the Mississippi Delta. Add a generous heaping of a nurse’s heart.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER TO DIVE

Dr. Mallette is a homegrown Jacksonian. After a pivot from Vanderbilt with plans to be a lawyer to pre-med at Millsaps focused on medicine, Mallette had major influences along the journey. The switch from law to ophthalmology was a surprise for some.

THE COOLEST JOB IN THE WORLD

A second generation ophthalmologist, Dr. Mark G. Kosko knew from an early age his father’s calling would be his. “I remember praying to God at five years old that I could grow up to do what my dad did too,” he poignantly recalls. “I grew up around my father’s office. I saw him love what he did and I saw his patients love him right back. I just thought that was the coolest job in the world.”

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