• Readers ’ Choice Best Internal Medicine • Dr . Christopher Swift
By Laura Hyche Meridian Star Correspondent
Dr . Christopher Swift at Ochsner Rush Medical Group was voted Best Internal Medicine in the health category of the The Meridian Star ’ s 2024 Readers ’ Choice Awards .
Swift , who was born in Selma , Alabama , moved to Lauderdale County in 1984 . He now considers Meridian home .
He knew as a young boy he wanted to go into the medical field after watching his grandmother suffer and finally succumb to lung cancer when he was 8 years old .
“ My dream of becoming a physician started right then ,” he said . “ Later in life , I read a quote , ‘ Don ’ t ask yourself what the world needs . Ask yourself what makes you come alive , and go do that , because what the world needs is people who have come alive .’
“ Ultimately , I have a love for science and helping people , and this is what led me to become a physician ,” he said .
Swift graduated from Northeast Lauderdale High School and attended college at Mississippi State University . He went on to earn his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City , Missouri , in 2010 . He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of South Alabama in Mobile , Alabama , in 2013 and is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine .
Recently , Swift was selected by the national board to sit on a physician panel that will help design and score ongoing internal medicine board exams .
“ It ’ s an honor to have been selected , and I ’ m excited to leave a mark on the future of the field ,” he said . Swift ’ s typical day starts early around 7 a . m . with a little quiet time . “ After that , I will make a round on any hospital patients I may have , then start at my clinic ,” he said . “ At this point in my career , about 85 % of my time is spent taking care of patients in the clinic .”
Swift believes there are no natural-born doctors ; they are all created . “ One of my mentors once told me that to be a great physician , you need experience and a voracious appetite for reading . The less experienced you are , the more reading is required ,” he said . “ But even more important than that is a compassionate heart and a genuine love for people . These are the characteristics that make a great internal medicine doctor .”
For Swift , caring for people in their times of need is his favorite part of being a doctor . “ As a physician , our ultimate job is to serve people . I enjoy the opportunity to build relationships and help people achieve health and wellness ,” he said .
When he ’ s not at work , Swift describes himself as an amateur sports enthusiast with a below-average golf swing . He also enjoys fishing . His favorite activity is spending time with his family . “ I am married to the love of my life , Lindsey Gallion Swift . We have two children – Will , 22 , and Sarah Pierce , 19 . We attend church at First Presbyterian here in Meridian .”
Swift credits his team at the clinic for being named Best Internal Medicine by the voters . “ What makes our clinic special is , hands down , my team ,” he said . “ I have the best team . My nurse , Courtney , medical assistants , Sam , Malika and Lindsey , and manager , Lisa , truly make this team and clinic what it is .
“ We work together very well and strive to serve our patients as best we can . I hope that , ultimately , our patients feel like they are family ,” he added . “ My goal is to treat every patient as if they were my mom , dad , brother or sister .” He also thanked his patients for their dedication to him . There are so many physicians deserving recognition in this town , so I want to thank our patients for voting us as the best in the Readers ’ Choice poll ,” Swift said . “ We have the best patients and team who have , together , made this possible .” M
30 2024 Reader ’ s Choice