What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Have you found a general practitioner? Who do you go to? After sifting through several doctors who were really arrogant and didn't convey a positive attitude toward us as patients, we finally landed with Dr. Steven Rivers. He is a relatively young man with a fairly new practice. It's hard to explain but the first few doctors we tried seemed like they were treating "end of life" patients and didn't want to establish a personal relationship. One doctor examined me, never told me what he found, walked out and sent his nurse in with two prescriptions. Did not even try to tell me what I had that needed treatment.

I still have 30 more years of good life left and want to be treated like a real human being and not "the next stupid ole troublesome patient."

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

We found a very nice M.D., Larry D. Foster who practices with Leesburg Family Medicine. He is located on 441/27 and you can get there via golf cart. The practice used to take walk-in's which made you feel like you were on a cattle call but they have done away with that. Dr. Foster has always taken time to answer any questions and appears to be very caring.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

I go to Dr. Rivers also, never met him personally, have always seen the nurse practitioner, Glenn, which I guess is ok. The nurse, Kathy Lee is the best and makes it all worth my going there!!!

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

I am very fortunate to be with Dr Camelita Eburuche MD. She is located just of Buena Vista on Mulberry Lane. Dr. Eburuche is an internist and really knows her medicine. She treats me like a friend. Barb

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Great question and I await more relies. I was shocked by the reply about Dr Foster. I didn't have the same experience as the previous comment but that is good. Maybe I just caught him on a bad day or something. He hardly gave me the time of day. I guess we have to be careful of first impressions as well.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Another vote for Dr. Eburuche.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Because I am in a PPO I have to follow a list of doctors in order to have coverage. My biggest problem is finding an English speaking doctor. There are a lot of doctors here but not all speak English and not all are very good. At my age, 64, I need a specialist in Internal Medicine. I am diabetic; have heart issues and back problems so a general practitioner won't work for me.

Went to ExpressCare in Leesburg and over the months it got intolerable. Never saw a doctor but had many, many tests ordered. Ultimately left and now see Dr. Schwartz at Sumter Landing. He is very bright and personable but you do have to wait to see him. This is a major problem, waiting and getting appointments.

I fear doctors who are not educated in this country, always have. I don't know what is required for them to pass in overseas medical schools and do not trust the schools in the "islands" because I have seen 60 Minutes stories about them.

I don't know how foreign doctors are credentialled here and if they are required to do internship and residency in our hospitals. What tests do they have to pass, etc. Also, a doctor being "board eligible" is not the same as "board certified" in a particular speciality. Graduates from medical school are board eligible....to take the credentialling tests. Those who are board certified have passed the appropriate tests. Lots of HMOs have "board eligible" doctors and that won't work for many.

So, I am still, after almost two years, on the horns of a dilemma about medical care here.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

I too just saw Dr. Eburuche for the first time last week. My first impression of her was very favorable.

She is a graduate of Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and did her residencies at Yale/New Haven.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

I have been seeing Dr. Dinesh Khanna for over three years. I have no reason to see him except periodic check-ups, but when I do go I find him very personable as well as professional and knowledgeable. I would recommend him.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

I have been going to Dr. Eburuche, an internist, since she opened her practice and find her very personable and she Listens. She is located on Mulberry Lane. I also go to to Dr. Jason Davis, a chiropractor, he is great. He is located in Laural Manor under the water tower.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Whatever Doctor you pick, ask first , Where does he/she practice. It is a real bummer if your Doc. only goes to Ocala and the ambulance takes you to Leesburg. The Docs do not talk to each other from different hospitals, so it means you get the "catch of the day" at the receiving hospital, and whatever is wrong with you, docs you have never seen or heard of before will be taking care of you. They are very good at each hospital, but it helps if you are in familiar territoroy. If you want to go to Leesburg then pick docs with privileges there, same goes for Ocala. TVRH will send you to your docs practicing facility.In most cases!

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Anybody know any thing about Dr. Vivian Woodard??? She is across from home depot.

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Is there a good cardiologist here who is here more than one day a week and is who is US educated?

Thanks ::)

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Dr Sampong is the greatest heart Dr. around Very kind and caring he is with the heart instiute in Lessburg he also has an office in the villages

Another Vote Against The Doc Already Mentioned With Mixed Reviews
 

A doctor already mentioned above with a positive and negative vote mis-diagnosed an infection I had so badly that I wound up in TVRH ER a few days after my appointment with him. Thinking back on the appointment I had with him, it's now apparent that he simply didn't take the time to figure out what was wrong. It was as if he had his mind made up before asking any questions.

Needless to say, I have severed my relationship with him (although he probably doesn't know it). If you've read the posts above, you can figure out which doc has now one vote "for" and two "against".

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

I tryed to figure out from the previuos posts which MD had a vote of 1 for, 2 against and couldn't do it. Any better hints Kahuna?

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

i agree with jjdees. it is too hard to figure out which doctor you are referring to. please, please, please just tell us. take care the kar guy

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Sorry you had such a bad experience Kahuna. Guess we will all have to be proactive and make sure we ask the Dr's more questions. The problem is it isn't just the medical care in Fl because when I lived in NY I had a bad sinus infection that the Dr. gave me a prescription for. My legs swelled so much I could barely walk. I went back to the Dr. and he sent me to a Dermatologist who asked me if my Dr had ordered blood work for me. I said no he sent me to you! He just shook his head, ordered the blood test and told me I was allergic to the penicillin that was prescribed. I ended up seeing a Nephrologist for a year because it affected my kidneys. I use the internet for researching anything medical just to try and double check what I'm told by a Dr. now.

Same First Name As "........, The Cable Guy"...
 

...does that get you close enough?

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Kahuna, ever drink an Australian beer?

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

Most of the recommendations I get from neighbors are based upon the doctor's personality and the neighbors gut feel. So I treat these recommendations (to use or to avoid the doctor) with a large grain of salt.

Researching the internet is also a"crap shoot" as so nicely outlined in the original post to this discussion.

What's left? Maybe we could create a Consumer's Medical Rating score card. Rating to be based upon facts only and not feelings. I envision things like:

Diagnosed disease other doctor(s) missed.

Missed diagnosing a disease other doctor caught.

Prescribed wrong medication

Starts session late (how often - how late)

Office performance should be as follows: (records up to date and correct- billing smoothly-only authorized individuals in the office are allowed to say anything that relates to your medical condition - appointments are not cancelled frequently- etc)

Credentials - these are readily available but the person who fills out the score card should include credentials if possible. Credentials should include universities attended, degrees attained, internship location, years of practice, published works, advance education, special seminars, board certifications (distinguish between certified and certifiable). Wouldn't it be nice if they were required to publish their grades. :)

Maybe each category should be graded either satisfactory, unsatisfactory or unknown. If unsatisfactory, an explanation would be given.

Perhaps a doctor with poor performance record should be offered a chance to refute the score card. I would guess no doctor would bother to do that unless there was a large distribution of the score card in his market area. (I know what market area the doctors I see wish to serve. :) )

I wonder about the legal aspects of this. Can one be sued for publishing a list like this?

Anyone have any thoughts on this.

Regards,
John

Re: What doctor do you go to? Are you a human being or "the next patient"
 

We agree, Dr. Sampong is the best as are the surgeon's at the Leasburg Heart Institute.

This is EXACTLY why I got onto this thread today!!! I have a serious thyroid condition and I cannot find anyone to listen to me...much less treat me like a human being and not someone who has one foot in the grave!! I am soooooo sick of being treated badly and getting bills for hundreds of dollars and having no more information than I started out with. Is it because we're in FL and there are LOTS of old people or is it just a sign of the times???? I REALLY need a GOOD Internist or Endocrinologist...one that will LISTEN to me, care about me, and that I can understand (ie: English). I'm interested in learning more about this Dr. Eub.... that I think is in Mulberry? Please, folks, if you have any ideas or experiences with this Dr. Eub...e-mail me at jkpowlison@embarqmail.com
Thank you.

Internist
 

Patches -
Please let me know if you find a good Internist - Next month, I will have been here three years and on my third internist -
still not pleased at all. :cus:
I've thought about commuting to Gainsville because there is a teaching hospital, but..what happens in an emergency?
Please keep me posted on your responses. - Thanks.

JohnFurey - I think your idea is an excellent but can't see how it would work.
Some of my background research that sounds impressive has not been at all - in person.

I think if everyone could regularly post on here a NEGATIVE or POSITIVE experience or general information (revealing names) to keep us up to date would be very helpful to all.

Unfortunately, I can't steer you toward a good internist...wish I knew one. But I can comment on the reason for everyone's frustrations. It may be that we're in Florida, but more likely it's a sign of the times.

I used to go to a husband/wife practice in South FL. She is an internist; he's a gastroenterologist. I'll quote from a letter they sent when they converted their practice to "concierge" status in late 2007:

"The pressures of our patient volume, decreasing reimbursements from Medicare and private insurance companies, sky-rocketing expenses and high malpractice insurance premiums, have taken away from the satisfaction of practicing medicine and considerably limits the amount of time needed to provide the highest quality care to our patients...we can no longer absorb the fee cuts and meet our obligations."

The fee to sign on as a concierge patient was $1,800 per year. In return they promised to limit their practice to 450 patients each in a "smaller, nonchaotic" environment.

So I think the main problem, is the Medicare/insurance co. rate of reimbursement. Also, it's probably more difficult to have an organized practice as an internist as people are calling in sick and have to be squeeze in.

I didn't sign up for the $1,800 fee as I knew we'd be moving. But neither have I found an internist. Your problems sound serious, so I hope you are able to solve your dilemma satisfactorily and soon.

I would highly reccommend Dr. Dinesh Khanna. He is a very wonderfull doctor and I know that from personal experience. He was my physician for almost 8 years before I moved to Georgia and I miss him very much. He speaks very good English and is a very well educated doctor. I first met him in 1996 when he was the E.R doctor at Leesburg Medical Center and when he went into private practise I signed up with him right away. He is a very kind person and listens to you and has a wonderfull bedside manner. I am sure if you call his office he will make an appointment to visit with you and then you can decide. I have never known anyone who has ever gone to him to say anything but wonderfull things about him

First of all, let me explain that I think IslandGirl's request for "positive and negative" reports is genuine and sincere and not in the least inflammatory.

We want open and frank talk here on Talk of The Villages, but we ask that you be cautious with posting harmful material about those who cannot respond. I have to confess this was brought to my attention right here on this forum. I had never thought previously about medical professional not being able to respond until I read a post here on Talk of The Villages.

I will quote from a post by serenityseeker in another thread.

Defaming a physician, even if its only your "opinion" is hurtful and dangerous, and potentially damaging to professionals that deal with difficult people in some of the most difficult circumstances life has to offer. Many of these patients may in fact have emotional problems that affect their ability to give or receive communication normally, or to honestly and accurately portray the situations they deal with. Who is going to be able to tell the difference?

You can see the entire post and thread at the following link.

serenityseeker's comments

I know Jan and Darrel agree with me and want you to express yourself, but we also want you to carefully consider what you are posting. Read the excellent post by serenityseeker before you post.

Regarding "foreign" doctors and wanting one that "speaks English"...

First, all doctors who practice in the US speak English. Some are just difficult to understand.

Second, unless you are American Indian, we are ALL foreigners at some point in our family history. That is how this country was built. Amazing how quickly some people forget. Just two generations ago, my family tree had NO branches here in America.

Finally, a good friend of mine was a practicing surgeon in Brazil. He decided to come to the US for the great oportunities that this country has to offer. Even though he had gone to medical school (4 years), completed residency (5 years) and was a practicing physician in his country (2 years), he had to go through the entire residency process again to be licensed in the US (another 5 years). He is FAR better educated than most US trained physicians. And, though we tend to think that the US has the greatest of everything, there are many countries that have education systems that far exceed ours.

So, if you're concerned about being able to understand what your doctor is saying, I understand. If you're concerned about your "foreign" doctors training, you are probably getting a better educated doctor. And believe me, I've gone to some US educated doctors that spoke perfect English but couldn't diagnose to save their...I mean my life. I'll take my foreign educated docs any day of the week.

By the way, I recommend Dr. Balingit, a foreign trained doctor. He is a pulmonologist, but I see him for all my routine care. Unforunately, I don't think he is taking on any patient's for routine care anymore, since he is so busy with his pulmonology specialty. You can always give it a try, though.

Family Care Center-Old Camp Rd.???
 

Ani info on Dr Alain B.Smolarski at Family Care Center of TV???? His hours are 8 to 5 Mom.thru Fri which seems pretty good. Jus need more info on the Dr. Thanks Mary

I have had 3 major surgeries in the last year & 1/2. After 9 years here, I am finally blessed with great Doctors.

Patches, I'm not sure if you are the one I answered back about an Endocrinologist a while ago.
Dr. Fish in Leesburg is the smartest one I have ever been to. He is in Leesburg.
I recently had thyroid cancer & needed my thyroid taken out.
Dr Judith Milstead at Lake Ear, Nose & Throat did my surgery. She is fabulous.

Dr. Burress is who I've been going to for 5 years as my GP. He also has a wonderful PA, Sylvia. He is at Lake Family Medicine in front of Recreation Plantation. I just love them there. They take all the time they need to when you are there. Never rush you out.

Like many others, Dr. Burress was my 4th. Dr. here. A couple of them are mentioned on this thread. Hmmmm. I guess we all see things a little different.

Foreign Doctors
 

My husband has diabetes, pulmonary problems, heart failure and other heart related diseases, so he goes to several specialists here in southern NJ. Most of them he is seeing now are "foreign" doctors. I find they are more caring, take their time with the patient, and are very capable. The GP that we've had for 30 years is from Italy. He is the greatest and will spend all the time that you need with you. In fact, the other four specialists that my husband sees are the same. They never rush him.

I'm a little worried that, if we do get to the Villages, doctors will be hard to find.

In my opinion, you have good reason to worry. I've STILL not found ANY doctors that are willing or able to treat me like a person and not a slab of meat. My last incident involved a suspected liver problem. After expensive scans (2 kinds) and ultrasounds and x-rays and over $1500. in lab work...I was summoned to the Gastro Drs. office and given an explanation that I never understood because of his broken English and a prescription for a VERY expensive medication that I take 3Xs a day for the rest of my life and told if I don't take it I die!!! Scary, eh? I made an appt to see my Internist who referred me to this yo-yo and only after completely breaking down in the exam room and sobbing out of pure frustration...did he call the Gastro Dr. and find out what was going on with me and what the medication was for. I can't tell you how many friends and neighbors ALL have the same complaint and it's not getting any better. New Drs. come here because it's a gold mine for them. Where else can you get 70,000+ old people all congregated in the same place and all needing medical attention????? They don't care if they lose a patient here or a patient there because of their lack of caring...there's 2 (or 3 or 4) more to take their place.

With your husband's medical conditions...if you can't afford to fly back and forth to your current Drs....I'd be very careful about coming down here and depending on the same quality of care that you are getting at home now.

I don't want to sound like a doomsayer, but I don't want you to get down here and be in trouble either.

Maybe watch this thread to see what others say about their Drs. I do know that the really good ones are few and far between and when you find one...like the ones mentioned in this thread...they have a 1+ year waiting list for new patients!!!!!

I am so lucky to have found a great Doctor here. It took me 4 trys, but I found him. I go to Dr. John Burress, Lady Lake Family Medicine, on 466. He now has a PA, Sylvia Wallace who is also fabulous.
I think the Drs. will be of better quality now that the hospital is growing. It's attracting some of the better ones.

Doctors
 

Patches -

:agree:

Pretty scary- I guess the palatial offices they build don't ensure their expertise and
I agree with John Furey that background checks are not always the solution.
Very frustrating.

Not Growing...
 

Bonny:

Again, I hate to be a "doomsayer", but.....the hospital is NOT growing. Well, structurally it is but here's the scoop. My friend is an RN. She and her husband moved down here knowing they still had 5 - 6 years to work before retirement but decided to go for it. She is (was) a fulltime RN at the Villages Hospital.

Last Monday she was looking particularly tired and I asked her if she was OK. She told me that when she had gone to work (she works nights) the night before, she was told they were closing her unit (Medical Unit) and consolidating patients in the surgical unit...which they did. She was also told that her hours were being cut, her pay was being cut and she had to pay $180.00 more for her insurance and there was a hiring freeze on...NO more help being hired. She said she was the ONLY person on the floor that night. She was the nurse, the aide, the secretary, the tech...everything. She said there were some people she never even got to see...they could have been dead for all she knew. She also said that the employees that were left were told NOT to speak of this closure/consolidation. Further, she told me there were entire floors of the hospital being unused because of lack of money. Basically, they moved the patients off one floor to another, turned out the lights, shut the door and that's it!!!! I asked her, "how could they build that 3 story cardiac structure addition if they didn't have any money?" She said because it was federal money given to them and they either had to spend it or lose it. I say, "Besides....it looks good to potential new home buyers...yes indeed, very impressive looking." Kind of like a movie set wouldn't you say? Nothing behind the facade. Finally, she said they were told the hospital does not make real money on inpatient care. They make the most of their money on "services" like CT Scans, X-Rays, etc. and that's what they want to concentrate on. Guess that's why my CT Scan at TVRH would have cost $7,000.00+. I called around and found a medical imaging facility that charged $1,500.00. BIG difference...BIG profit.

So...anyhow, I'm just passing on what was told to me last Tuesday by one who should really know.

Just be aware that there ARE other places for medical and lab tests that are highly accredited and are MUCH, MUCH cheaper. Also, there are other hospitals in the area that aren't cutting staff and closing doors to survive!!!

I am appalled that Patches' observations are even possible! Perhaps I am too likely to see things more positively, but this entry is scary, indeed!

I hope that everyone will take to heart this mantra: "With respect to your own health care, you and only you are ultimately responsible!"

Thus, you've got to do your homework before finding the doctor/nurse/clinic/hospital/etc that's really, really right!

SWR

Agreeing with swrinfla.....
 

Although I'm not a resident of TV, this topic is relative to the medical profession anywhere. In my small town in s/Oregon, I don't even have a real primary care physician, she is a PA-C but I don't have any complaints about her.

We are all so fortunate to have at our fingertips the most awesome research tool ever invented..... the internet. We can research our own medical issues, as SWR said "you've got to do your homework" and it is a tremendous asset to educate ourselves before even going to the doctor.

I go to Dr. Paul Snodgrass,...........great guy and easy to deal with...If you can't afford the operation, For $10.00 he'll touch up your exrays.....

healthy fumar

While it may take some time to find the right family care physician for you do not give up! My wife and I finally found Dr. Thumati Jagalur, who's practice is across the street from Too Jays' on Old Camp Road in LSL. He is an internist with credentials to practice here, Leesburg, or Munroe in Ocala. He is a sincere, caring, human being, and is devoted to see that his patients receive the best care possible.

I know it's easiest and most fashionable to complain, but I guess I've been cursed. Prior to moving here, I had a wonderful internist in the DC area. Moving here in '05, I was lucky enough to pick the same Dr. Jag that Gatb discusses above. Both he and his nurse Lori are absolutely caring and professional. I'll never forget the empathy they both demonstrated when the had to give me difficult test results.

Then Dr, Jag's office took over, setting appointments with an oncology practice and a pulmonologist who took my insurance and could see me immediately. Dr Iyengar and her cancer treatment staff have been wonderful --- Chemo sucks, but the people were wonderful. And when we had an occasional downturn, I felt it more my task to console and buck up Dr. Iyengar and my sister than to overworry about my health.

The pulmonologist was a trip. There's a sign in Dr. Albino's office explaining that he tries as hard as he can to stay on schedule but emergencies and an occasional patient requiring more attention might cause him to run late. If you as the patient could not tolerate periodic delays, you were more than welcome to seek a different pulmonologist. Damn, I thought, what an egotistical bast**d. However, 5 minutes into his examination room, I began to think the guy was pretty sharp. 10 minutes later, I was convinced this was one of the smartest, most caring doctors I'd ever met.

Not long later, I fell in the night, shattering my radius. Into TV hospital emergency room, I was well-treated, the wrist stabilized, and I was thoroughly examined. Problem was that no one could determine why I fell, so they had to assume the worse. I was put in the cardiac wing, and after the bone surgeon consulted with the Albino and Iyengar, surgery was scheduled. Jag's hospitalist was there a couple times a day, Albino visited as much as the dinner cart lady. Iyengar's partner kept a close eye on everything and visited daily. And since there was the great unknown, I got me a cardiologist, Dr. Valliban. He quickly ruled out the probability of a heart issue, but kept an eye on me for my hospital stay and two follow-up before giving me a complete pass on the heart. After 2+ days, Dr. Tankson did the surgery and I guess he did a good job -- hey, I can play golf just as miserably today as I ever did.

A couple months later, I started a very long treatment at the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute next to the hospital. Yeah, the first half of the treatments caused a lot of pain -- I could swallow nothing for a couple months -- but the technicians who gave me my daily blast were absolutely superb. They did everything possible to keep my spirits up and almost became family. And my doctor, Sheilaine Mabanta, was, as expected by now, wonderful. How could I possibly stay down in the dumps with her positive attitude, regular encouragement, and bright prognosis.

I have no idea today how everything will turn out, but I do know that regardless, I've received the best and most positive treatment feasible.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Y'know, maybe I have less problem with the hospital and with many caregivers because I realize the sun doesn't rise and set on me and my issues. I realize that there are others who might actually be sicker than me or need the chemo station ahead of me for whatever reason. And I realize that not all days are the same, that occasionally someone might be out sick and throw the schedule awry or maybe the receptionist/nurse/doctor just might have had that final spousal argument this AM or maybe one of their kids or parents are critically ill. Give caregivers the same consideration you expect from the.

Okay, one more thing --- rumors suck! Do not believe rumors! Go to the source and verify, especially before you propagate them.