Gastroenterologist recommendation in Wash DC area?

BenY

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 60

Posted 12/19/2007 11:34 AM (GMT 0)

Can anyone recommend a Gastroenterologist they are happy with in the Washington, DC area? Thank you!

Rio in Maryland

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2007

Posts : 891

Posted 12/19/2007 9:52 PM (GMT 0)

I go to Dr. Schulman at Digestive Disease Consultants in Rockville, MD. He takes the time to explain courses of action and shows genuine concern for his patients. However, since the practice is very busy you won't get him on the phone in-between visits but his nurse will act as a go-between and is prompt at addressing patient queries. I got his information from the Washingtonian list of 'Best Doctors'. If Rockville isn't convenient for you then take a look at the list on the Washingtonian website as they have GI specialists in other parts of the DC metro area. Hope that helps and all the best.

momhatesuc

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 78

Posted 12/20/2007 3:59 AM (GMT 0)

I hope there are some good ones! I went to a new doctor today in Alexandria and I was not at all impressed. Maybe I'll check the washingtonian too :)

UMDTerp2001

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 246

Posted 12/20/2007 8:31 AM (GMT 0)

I have been a Kaiser paient since having IBD last year and am now on my 3rd GI. Not at all impressed with their doctors across the board but im sure there are some good ones. My first and second doctors, Dr Bakhshi and Dr Shenk were decent but didnt want to take any time to explain anything or empathize. They did know how to prescribe the right meds which in retrospect is an important aspect of a good GI. My latest GI Dr Butterfield was touted as a good doctor on others recommendations and although my interaction has been minimal given ive been mostly in remission my visit with her was nothing to write home about. I guess with such a complicated disease we expect more feedback more direction than just here take these pills. I have also heard that Johns Hopkins has good doctors which is in the Baltimore area. Best of luck with your choice.

momhatesuc

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 78

Posted 12/20/2007 6:33 PM (GMT 0)

UMDTerp, I had Kaiser before I recently switched insurance and I LOVED Dr Butterfield. She is very compassionate, and at times when I called A LOT, she would always call me back at a time that was convenient to me (I was a teacher). I hope you find her to be the same :)

BenY

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 60

Posted 12/21/2007 12:38 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks! Yes, Rockville is convenient for me. I'm not so sure about the Washingtonian ratings, since my doctor is on there and I am not so impressed by him. Checkbook Magazine made a list based on recommendations from other doctors. Their top ten gastros are in the area are:

Dr. Lynn Duffy (18 recommendations)
Dr. Gabriel Herman (16)
Dr. Louis Korman (16)
Dr. Donald O'Kieffe (14)
Dr. Pradeep Gupta (14)
Dr. Richard Ranard (13)
Dr. Richard Gelfand (13)
Dr. Michael Albert (11)
Dr. Michael Schindler (11)
Dr. Ian Leibowitz (10)

But its always best to have personal recommendations!

UC Wife in MD

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 63

Posted 2/8/2008 6:19 PM (GMT 0)

I would NOT recommend Dr. Robert Hardi. My husband has been seeing him for about a year and it has been the worst year of our lives. He seems to just treat symptoms and not the underlying cause. I feel like he doesn't really care about my husband and he's just another body to see. In retrospect I think the Dr. made some very bad decisions regarding putting my husband on certian medications and taking him off of others.

We are looking for a new GI Dr.

I should add, my husband has lost 60 pounds in the last six months and he wasn't a big guy to begin with. He's 5'9" and 116 lbs, was 175lb.

And Hardi just says wait for the appointment next week.

Post Edited (UC Wife in MD) : 2/8/2008 12:03:03 PM (GMT-7)

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