[optv13sp]

We are looking for an Internist and have seen the outstanding glowing reports on Dr. Martinez-Cruz. It does not appear, however, that he is Board Certified. Does anyone have an Internist outside The Villages Health System they can recommend who has good credentials with regard to education and training and is Board Certified? Education and training are more important to us than personality. Of course, both are nice but brains, intellect, and competency are more important in our opinion.
Thanks for your help.

[Chatbrat]

Felix Agbo

[KathieI]

We have been seeing Dr. Cruz for about 4 years and so have a great many of our friends. He is very intelligent, highly educated, has a great understanding of medications and is sympathetic and caring. He's easily reached, especially when you really need him. I must admit, I started off being wary but am now a 100% in love with him. He is very personable and spends a lot of time with you answering questions. I don't think you could go wrong. Have you met with him yet?

[optv13sp]

Originally Posted by KathieI

We have been seeing Dr. Cruz for about 4 years and so have a great many of our friends. He is very intelligent, highly educated, has a great understanding of medications and is sympathetic and caring. He's easily reached, especially when you really need him. I must admit, I started off being wary but am now a 100% in love with him. He is very personable and spends a lot of time with you answering questions. I don't think you could go wrong. Have you met with him yet?

No, we haven't met with him because we are still in the process of researching who might be good. I agree his credentials are good and most everyone seems to love him. We're concerned about his lack of Board Certification. That seems important.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by optv13sp

No, we haven't met with him because we are still in the process of researching who might be good. I agree his credentials are good and most everyone seems to love him. We're concerned about his lack of Board Certification. That seems important.

It is important to me, too. We see Felix Agbo.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Dr. Martinez (his last name is not Cruz) is an excellent physician as well as an excellent diagnostician.
What makes you think that all board certified doctors are good?
You can find lousy doctors anywhere, regardless of what their credentials are.
Misplaced priorities, perhaps?

[CT514s]

Martinez-Cruz also does not carry malpractice insurance. The office is very up front about this, and as a new patient, you are given a notice to sign acknowledging your awareness of this. I agree that he seems very caring and knowledgeable, but after only visit I still haven't made up my mind.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by CT514s

Martinez-Cruz also does not carry malpractice insurance. The office is very up front about this, and as a new patient, you are given a notice to sign acknowledging your awareness of this. I agree that he seems very caring and knowledgeable, but after only visit I still haven't made up my mind.

Just curious -- what are your reservations?
They might be helpful to someone else.

[rn1tv]

I was a patient but got tired of being called "beautiful" and my husband being called "handsome." He has a chart; look at it and call me by name. We left as we did not feel he was as current on some medical issues that were important to us. We are very happy with our current MD.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by optv13sp

No, we haven't met with him because we are still in the process of researching who might be good. I agree his credentials are good and most everyone seems to love him. We're concerned about his lack of Board Certification. That seems important.

His lack of board certification is a personal choice that he made, not something that was denied to him. He has an aversion to spending $ needlessly. He keeps his office visit fee low to facilitate people with no or poor insurance. He also has a sign in his office stating that he does not carry medical malpractice insurance. If you meet with him, he will explain those two decisions to you.

I'm sure you've read my posts about him if you have done a search on him. His work at Mass General in Boston and experience with the many different medical conditions encountered there make him very qualified, in my mind. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he recognized an uncommon vascular disease in a family member and took quick action to avoid organ damage. There was only one symptom, but he knew it from experience.

[Madelaine Amee]

He is an excellent doctor. Believe me you do not get to be at Mass General and Harvard Medical School without knowing what you are doing. He also continues his education through seminars at Mass General.

I have been taking three blood pressure meds for the past 25 years, he recently weaned me off three and onto one. I have lost 11 lbs on the one pill he perscribed, I have a problem with fluid retention and one of the pills I was taking was causing fluid retention!!! On the plus side, my BP pills went from $158 for three months to $6.

I think finding a physician is a very personal thing, rather like kissing frogs until you find the prince. I only hope this man continues practicing until I am no longer in need of a doctor!

Keep looking until you find a doctor you are comfortable with, don't just go by our recommendations.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

He is an excellent doctor. Believe me you do not get to be at Mass General and Harvard Medical School without knowing what you are doing. He also continues his education through seminars at Mass General.

I have been taking three blood pressure meds for the past 25 years, he recently weaned me off three and onto one. I have lost 11 lbs on the one pill he perscribed, I have a problem with fluid retention and one of the pills I was taking was causing fluid retention!!! On the plus side, my BP pills went from $158 for three months to $6.

I think finding a physician is a very personal thing, rather like kissing frogs until you find the prince. I only hope this man continues practicing until I am no longer in need of a doctor!

Keep looking until you find a doctor you are comfortable with, don't just go by our recommendations.

Okay, I'm stealing that "kissing frogs till you find the prince" simile... or is it a metaphor.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Okay, I'm stealing that "kissing frogs till you find the prince" simile... or is it a metaphor.

I'd love to be able to claim it, but no ............."The classic fairy tale “The Frog Prince” is told with many different variations. In the most common modern version a Princess kisses a frog, and the animal is transformed into a handsome Prince. " I hear this phrase from time to time on the TV.