Meet the Husband-and-Wife Doctors Transforming Patient Care

In the vibrant city of Gulfport, Mississippi a remarkable duo is improving healthcare. Dr. Michael A. McLarty and Dr. Taylor Hairston, a dedicated husband-and-wife team, are committed to improving patient outcomes through innovation, compassion and community engagement. Their collaborative approach to medicine not only enhances the patient experience but also fosters a nurturing environment for their staff and community members alike.

From first meeting in residency to practicing medicine together every day since, this couple is making significant strides in the local healthcare landscape.

Building a healthier community through preventative medicine

As primary care physicians, Drs. McLarty and Hairston focus on a patient- centered approach. "I like to explain how their different medical problems are affecting their body and why I am putting them on the medicines that I am putting them on, and what I am doing to kind of help correct it.", said Dr. Hairston. As a care team the doctors strive to keep their patients healthy so that they do not need additional medicines and treatments.

 Recently, the field of primary care has expanded to include preventive medicine, screenings and population health for common conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Dr. Hairston notes, "If I could prevent a disease from ever happening, that means a patient may not ever have trouble with it. The biggest way to do that is if you come in and get screened at least once a year to make sure that we are not missing something."

When should you make an appointment with a primary care provider?

To stay healthy, it's important to schedule a yearly checkup with your regular doctor for routine exams, blood tests, vaccinations and assistance with any persistent health issues. Your primary care provider is the first point of contact whenever a medical issue arises. For Dr. McLarty getting his patients to the right specialist, getting them on the right medications or therapy and seeing their lives improve is the most rewarding part of his job as a primary care provider.