and nurses could tell you exactly who's who.

The best friend to have is an OR nurse. She knows which doctor is on cocaine, who cannot stop shaking when handling the scalpel, who cannot bother with a prep checklist before a surgery.

If you are doing surgery for a loved one, consult an OR nurse. They will tell you what's up.

Best of all, nurses all talk to each other, so chances are someone in their group will know that Dr. Charming over at hospital X is nicknamed The Undertaker by in-the-know staff...

Definitely true.

I've seen that and honestly, as long as they do the job well, I let it ride.

I've also seen doctors where their social skills honestly impaired them from getting through to people and thus getting the needed outcomes.

Also... Your "roadkill" doc may do well with me. Smooth talkers always seem to come up short for me.

Oh, if you want the best neurosurgeon around, and you don't mind someone who's about as charming as a bedpost, I've got your man. Technically, he's a god. Personally, there's nothing there. But if I needed neurosurgery, that's who I'm seeing.