[jazzeoneaj]

Stay away from this doctor. He is in Leesburg. Comes to Villages 1 day a week.

CT scan done in Dec.. due to bad respiratory illness...didn't see him until Feb..that was his or his office scheduling.None the less, that was wrong.

CT scans should be discussed within a short time especially when you are dealing with an 79 year old patient in good health otherwise.

2 months to wait to discuss a CT scan when you are told you have a serious respiratory problem is unheard of.

His bedside manner is very weak, he is not a good listner and experience has said he doesnt' seem to see a sense of urgency when one is diagnosed with a problem when there is no 'cure'.

Just explore your options and always get a 2nd option. My friend did and once off the pills Ortiz prescribed, etc...he is back to normal. The respiratory dx was wrong. Be your own advocate of your body and get 2nd or even 3rd opinions if need be. Life isn't a dress rehersal folks.

[Debree]

Needed respiratory doctor for my mom. Her primary referred her to Dr. Ortiz. Just spoke to his office and she would have a month and a half wait. I explained she needed to be seen sooner because she is 90 and had respiratory failure. I'm going to be looking for another doctor.

[John_W]

I go to Dr. Balingit, he's right across from The Villages Hospital in those brown spanish style buildings, bldg. 1200 at 1501 Hwy 441. I was referred by my Medicare doctor at Pinellas, Dr. Balingit phone is 352-751-0448. I saw him on Friday and again this afternoon. He scheduled me for a CT scan at Lake Imaging on 9/1 and to see him again on 9/13. I had a breathing test today and next week a walking test. So far, he is very efficient and his office is well run. I didn't know I was in such bad shape, just kidding, but he said he would probably prescribe a couple of enhalers and wants to make sure I get the right ones.

[Bjeanj]

I was referred to Ortiz and needed to see dr pretty quickly. Couldn't get in for months; told woman I needed to see someone soon, was there any wiggle room in his schedule? No, but she offered to schedule me with dr in same office-Dr. Naem Shahrour within a few days.

What a great dr! Sits and listens very carefully to your concerns, offered good suggestions, prescribed appropriate medication. SO glad I didn't get in to see Ortiz!

[Debree]

Thank you John W.....will give his office a call tomorrow.

[Debree]

Originally Posted by Bjeanj

I was referred to Ortiz and needed to see dr pretty quickly. Couldn't get in for months; told woman I needed to see someone soon, was there any wiggle room in his schedule? No, but she offered to schedule me with dr in same office-Dr. Naem Shahrour within a few days.

What a great dr! Sits and listens very carefully to your concerns, offered good suggestions, prescribed appropriate medication. SO glad I didn't get in to see Ortiz!

Spoke to her today and she couldn't get me in with any doctor before Sept. 13.

[Bjeanj]

I am sorry it wasn't possible to get in to see Shahrour sooner. With all the comments on other threads about the VHS/United Healthcare, it made me start wondering whether the non Villages Health doctors are getting inundated with new patients. Just curious. Don't know that I will ever know, although I suspect there will be a lot of speculation.