BEST HIV SPECIALIST
Steven M. Pounders, M.D.
3500 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 600
214-520-8833
In his lobby, Steven M. Pounders has framed animation cels with the likes of Bugs Bunny, Garfield and the Simpsons. He’s ether a huge cartoon fanatic or it’s his clever way to bring a smile to the hardly-fun doctor’s visit. It’s also reflective of Pounders and his staff’s nature when it comes to patient care.
"It’s nice that we can provide a place where people can feel comfortable and satisfied that we’ve done a thorough job," Pounders says. With stress related to illness, especially the HIV-positive patients for who he’s a readers’ favorite, Pounders’ office is not only a respite from mental and physical unease; it might even give you a chuckle thanks to the likes of Daffy Duck or Mickey Mouse.
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
Billy Young, C.P.T.
COREhealth Wellness Center
3626 N. Hall St., Suite 629
Opens Monday–Friday at 8:30 a.m.,
Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-219-3300
CoreHealthWellness.com
No train, no gain. When it comes to getting fit and staying in shape, there’s nothing quite as motivating as a certified personal trainer pushing you to greatness and holding you accountable for your diet and other lifestyle choices that could get in the way of fitness success. Lead trainer at COREhealth Wellness Center and "chief drill sergeant" at Dr. Peay’s Booty Camp (yeah, it’s really like that you damn grunts!), Billy Young is like a Fairy Godtrainer — under his guidance, magical things happen. Whether you prefer to go solo, three-way or large-group, his training sessions don’t require a gym membership, either … just the desire to achieve greatness and increase your flex appeal.
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Sunstone Yoga
2907 Routh St. (and additional locations)
Open Monday–Friday at 6 a.m.,
Weekends at 8 a.m.
214-219-3300
SunstoneYoga.com
We’re sweatin’ out last night’s appletinis at Sunstone Yoga. The studio, which specializes in the Bikram-style hot yoga, offers a variety of detoxifying classes, all heated at or above 90 degrees and 50 percent humidity. The Metal series is a vigorous 90-degree practice geared toward the fitness minded, while Fire is set at 98.6 degrees and performed at a more moderate pace. Sunstone 2½ is a yoga-fit program that promotes strength, flexibility, weight loss, cardiovascular health, emotional health and stress relief, all in just 2.5 hours a week. Newbie perk: 10 days of unlimited classes for $10. Namaste.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
COOLEST PLACE TO BECOME ONE WITH THE COSMOS
Karmany Yoga
5014 McKinney Ave.
KarmanyYoga.com
You don’t have to let your bank account dictate your cosmic consciousness — you name the price at Karmany Yoga. Founded on the belief that yoga should be available to all (regardless of financial means or skill level), this donation-based studio features some of Dallas’ most popular teachers and offers a variety of yoga styles. We’re all about Jivamukti Yoga, a vigorous practice that begins with meditation, mantras (Sanskrit chants) and pranayama (breathing exercises). We like to balance our chakras with Yin Yoga, a softer style of yoga that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and elongates connective tissue. Suggested donation is $15 per class, but don’t worry: You won’t get the stink-eye if your pocketbook doesn’t allow it. That’s wouldn’t be good karma.
BEST GENERAL PRACTITIONER
Jaime Vasquez, D.O.
2929 Welborn St.
Open Monday–Friday at 9 a.m.
214-528-1083
VasquezClinic.com
BEST DENTIST
Clint Herzog, D.D.S., Herzog Dentistry/Floss
2828 Routh St., Suite 310
Open Monday-Thursday at 8 a.m.
214-969-1000
HerzogDentistry.com
BEST COSMETIC SURGEON
David E. Martin, M.D.
7777 Forest Lane
Open Monday–Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m.
972-566-6988
DMartin.com
BEST DERMATOLOGIST
Farhad Niroomand, M.D., P.A.
2501 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 450
Open Monday-Thursday at 8 a.m.; Friday at 7:30 a.m.
214-303-1102
UptownDerm.com
BEST OPTOMETRIST
Keith Dishman, O.D.
4311 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite C125
Open Mon at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday–Wednesday, Friday–Saturday at 9 a.m.
214-521-0929
KeithDishmanOD.com
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
Eric
Peay, D.C., COREhealth Wellness Center
3626 N. Hall St., Suite 629
Open Monday–Friday at 8:30 a.m., Saturday at 10 a.m.
214-219-3300
CoreHealthWellness.com
BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
Chad Collom, DNP, PMHNP-BC, Solace Counseling
1475 Prudential Drive
214-522-4640
SolaceCounseling.com
BEST FREE HIV/STD TESTING
Nelson-Tebedo Health Resource Center
4012 Cedar Springs Road
Open Monday–Saturday at 9 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m.
214-528-2336
ResourceCenterDallas.org
BEST PHARMACY
Walgreens
3802 Cedar Springs Road (and additional locations)
Open 24 hours.
214-443-5160
Walgreens.com
BEST GYM
Gold’s Gym
2425 McKinney Ave. (and additional locations)
Open Monday–Friday at 5 a.m., weekends at 8 a.m.
214-306-9000
GoldsGym.com
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 19, 2010.