Looking for a good internist

[speechlady]

My husband and I are looking for a good internist. We have an interview appointment at Pinellas Health Center later this month, but would be willing to see any doctor in the area that people have had successful experiences with. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Ellen

[Bizdoc]

My parents are now patients of Dr Norman Novis (office on 466 near American Legion). I'm impressed with him and if I were ever to leave my Doc at Colony, I would switch to him.Very good. He actually listens to his patients and tempers what he does with what the patient wants and what is realistic. We have had several discussions about tests and proceedures in light of their age and general health (some things are just dumb ideas for an 89 year old demented patient!)

[speechlady]

thank you for your feedback- much appreciate.

[Carl in Tampa]

I think Dr. Novis is good, but after a couple of visits with him I decided to find someone else.

1. This is me, not him, but I have trouble understanding some Oriental people, him among them. It may be that he talks too softly, but I had to ask him to repeat almost everything he said.

2. At the time I saw him he did not have a full time office in The Villages. He was here only a couple of days a week. I wanted someone who had a full time office here. He may have one now.

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Upon the recommendation of my cardiologist, I went to see Dr. Angel Tafur. Some people do not like Dr. Tafur. My first impression was not good. He seemed to me to be quite arrogant; a bad "bedside manner."

However, when I developed medical issues I found him to be extremely thorough and his decisions were medically sound. I also gradually realized that he genuinely cared about me as an individual.

When I had some questions about a medical condition he took the time to draw some diagrams and explain my options. He does not rush through his appointments with me.

When I needed major spine surgery he directed me to a surgeon who was not a personal friend of his, but who had an outstanding reputation in the central Florida area.

Dr. Tafur is the son of a doctor who ran his own medical clinic in Lima, Peru. He has always wanted to be a doctor.

I had an interesting conversation with Dr. Tafur recently. He did not identify the patient, but he was outraged that the patient, who was in good health, wanted the doctor to write him a prescription for a hot tub spa so he could get it through medical insurance. The doctor refused. He then went on to talk about how upset he was in general with people who tried to swindle medical insurance companies.

Dr. Tafur is the medical director at the Freedom Pointe rehabilitation facility on El Camino Real, where I spent some time after recent surgery. He is well liked by the employees there. Some will say that he is brusque, but very thorough.

His wife is his ARNP and is very pleasant to work with.

This is just my view and I know there are others who see him differently.

[Carla B]

Carl, That is a very thorough and well-thought-out critique.

[CharTalk]

My parents are now patients of Dr Norman Novis (office on 466 near American Legion). I'm impressed with him and if I were ever to leave my Doc at Colony, I would switch to him.Very good. He actually listens to his patients and tempers what he does with what the patient wants and what is realistic. We have had several discussions about tests and proceedures in light of their age and general health (some things are just dumb ideas for an 89 year old demented patient!)


I go to Dr Norman Novis as well and have highly recommended him to my friends. He's caring, a good listener, a good diagnostician and very competent.