Mitchell, Whittaker & Wu

Wow, I’m really sorry to see the 1 star reviews for this practice, but I see they are for specific doctors… just not mine. :) Dr. Mitchell is hands down the best PCP I’ve ever had. I’ve been his patient since 2007. He’s attentive, honest, genuinely cares, personally calls his patients with updates, and handles my stubbornness with ease. Finding a PCP that you like, that truly cares about their patients, AND takes your insurance is a gold mine. #Blessed.

I used to be a patient of Dr. Mitchell a while back. I moved outside the area and had to change doctors. I’m back in the area and decided to contact them again, to find out that the only doctor that would take my insurance was Dr. Wu. I gave him a try and will never be back. He couldn’t care less about my concerns. I couldn’t believe that after 5 min with him he said to continue seeing the specialist I was seeing and to keep him posted. I would not trust my health with Dr. Wu. It sounds to me they don’t need new patients so maybe they should stop accepting them.

The staff is always friendly and after only a few visits knows you by name when walking in. Through relocations throughout Northern VA I have continued to go and see the staff there and Dr. Whittaker for the last 12 years! They are extremely responsive, compassionate and when I have actual emergencies I am always able to get in. The sense of humor the doctors have is always a welcomed change from the day to day grind. Even when Dr. Whittaker isn’t available his partners are equally helpful, professional and value your time. I couldn’t imagine going to a different doctor or seeing a different team, they compliment each other nicely!

*I’m currently kicking myself!* I am a devoted Unilocaler, yet somehow neglected to review my primary care physician. Dr. Mitchell became my PCP in 2012 when I moved to the area. I kind of «tried him out» to establish care and ultimately realized he was the perfect fit. From day 1, he has always been attentive to my concerns, followed up personally by phone, and spends just enough time at the bedside to let you know he cares.
I am also a physician, but when it comes to MY health I want to be a patient. He recognizes this and educates me as such. Dr. Mitchell is an all around pretty awesome physician!
Oh… and the front desk staff. Ok, so I have seen instances where they lack professionalism. One time they wouldn’t even let me in upon arrival, 3 minutes before their lunch break ended (I was only picking up a prescription btw) LOL
My fiancé actually cringes at their desk etiquette. HOWEVER, they get their job done and I have never had any issues with things being carried out. If you are looking for a «stiff» militant front desk… not your place. If you are looking for one where you may overhear some gossip, but your paperwork, prescriptions, appointments, and all other aspects have already been handled… here you go! The phlebotomists are excellent and never had any issues with blood draws… quick and painless!
That’s about all I can say regarding the staff… I don’t know the other doctors and likely will never meet them, because no way I am seeing anyone other than Dr. Mitchell.

This is an update I am posting on behalf of my husband who is not a Unilocaler. After their scheduler messed up his appointment three times this week with Dr. Whittaker, he was literally out of regular meds and needed refills plus had been sick enough for two weeks that they nearly had to Medevac him off an island in Alaska. He got to see Dr. Wu this afternoon. My husband gives him the story for his need for refills, how he has been extremely ill gastrointestinally and nasally so much so that the Navy was going to make him leave to get care and Dr. Wu basically took two minutes writing out his regular meds and then handwriting the one med he takes which is a controlled substance. Dr. Wu then leaves. As Dr. Wu is walking out the door, my husband goes «Wait– is that all I am going to get? I tell you all of these symptoms and the severity of them and you dismiss me?» and he said Dr. Wu’s response was «Well it’s not like you’re tipping me or anything.»
So at that, he lost his mind (rightfully so) and said «You know what — Eff You! I deserve better treatment than this and when Dr. Whittaker gets back from vacation I am filing a complaint with him and the office manager. How dare you talk to me like that or dismiss my symptoms.»
Dr. Wu then reluctantly wrote a prescription for antibiotics and said «Will this work for you?» rather sarcastically so my husband then said just as sarcastically «You’re the freaking doc. You tell me.»
So, yeah — now you see why I despise this practice.

I’m seriously shocked by this office’s overall rating. It should be WAY higher. I guess I can’t speak for everyone, but every time I go, I have a pleasant experience. The front desk staff members are always kind and I just love my doctor, Dr. Mitchell! He’s seriously the BEST PCP I’ve ever had. I always do lots of research before picking a doctor and besides his obviously stellar credentials, he also has the best bedside manners. He never makes me feel stupid or awkward or uncomfortable. He is very thorough and answers all of my stupid questions. He’s very patient with my low tolerance for blood and needles and I never feel rushed when I have a doctor visit. Plus his office is really close to my house, so that’s a plus!

I tried making an appointment at this place today since its less than a mile from my place. When I called, I explained in detail what I needed and that I didn’t have insurance. I asked what the visit would cost… The lady answered, «Anywhere from $ 109-​$ 450.» Ok, but this is a program you all offer… What’s the standard visit cost? «I don’t know, it really depends on how he feels…» Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy?
Back to google I go…

I am a new patient and visited Dr Mitchell for a physical. I was told that I had to have a new patient office visit before I could have the physical. I was not told that an office visit is not covered by insurance. The office visit consisted of a 30 minute conversation with the doctor about medical history, diet, exercise, and other preventative health topics. Dr Mitchell was professional and courteous, but it was unclear why this visit was necessary before having a physical.
After the visit I received a notice from my insurance saying that the claim was not covered and the physician sent me a bill for $ 150. Are you kidding me, $ 150 for a 30 minute conversation that I had to have instead of the physical I actually wanted? Now it is clear that the new patient office visit is a way to extract money from patients in advance of providing them the services that they request.
I spoke with the practice regarding the outlandish bill and received very curt, unprofessional, condescending remarks from the Office Manager.
This office takes advantage of its patients. Not exactly the type of relationship I’d want to have with my doctor. I will not be paying them a dime or visiting them again.

I called this place to schedule a physical exam because I heard only wonderful things about Dr. Mitchell. The unhelpful and unfriendly person who answered the appointment line, told me that I have to first have a «new patient consultation» and only two month after that I may schedule a physical. Really? Is that legal? If it is, I am sure that it is a great way to make more money off of patients. See ya Dr. Mitchell!

I wasn’t crazy about the doctor I’d been going to, so I thought I’d try a new one.
I needed a physical, and I found a lump in my chest I wanted looking at.
Would they give me a physical? Nooooooo. They utterly refused to until I went to a «new patient consultation», which no other doctor in my 38 yrs of living has required.
The consultation consisted of Dr. Whittaker basically making fun of me for whining about the problems I need addressed, and making fun of my shirt for being too tight.
The lump I wanted looked at – he walked out without looking at it, and I had to call him back in for it.
The bill? $ 331.00, with a patient responsibility for me of $ 208.00.
For nothing. I got my prescriptions reviewed, and he felt a lump for 1 minute and told me «watch it to see if it gets worse».
Yeah. I was already doing that. Anything to avoid spending money, everything to be able to collect $ 300.

I went in this past week and the very first thing Dr. Wu said to me was «for all new patients, we check the Virginia Board about medications and it seems you have taken a lot of pain medication and I am NOT giving you any» — The very first thing he said to me. I was NOT there to get pain medication, I was there because the ER told me to follow up. I have an OBVIOUS issue -. He didnt even look at my chart and the paperwork I brought with him — if he would have, I think he may have had a different tone. The staff is very very nice, helpful. Dr. Wu seems knowledgeable but I left there not knowing what the answer or possible answer to my issue was.
I received a slip to get some further testing done — which I am scheduled for next week but I have to say, to barge into the exam room saying what he said and the assumptions — not comforting!

Dr. Mitchell has a terrific bedside manner, and the practice overall is first-​rate. During my first appointment as a new patient, he spoke to me like he was applying for a job and I was the interviewer – telling me that if I choose their practice they would take good care of me. When ill, same-​day appointments have never been a problem.

I live about a mile away from the Alexandria Professional Building, and my previous internist (on the 7^th floor) not only failed to give me sound medical advice, but knew what happened last time I was not given the medication, a grand mal convulsive seizure. The medical advice was verbatim «wait until you have a seizure, and then go to the ER.» I responded «I’m outta here and I’m finding another primary care physician because I’m done at this place.»
So I decided to get on my phone and change my internists to these guys on the 12^th floor. My first appointment with Dr. Wu was great! I told him about what I was told on the 7^th floor and he could not believe it. He prescribed my medication I needed and also gave me the referrals to specialists I see also. My mother also changed from her old physician to this practice and she is impressed.
Once you are an established patient, if you have a matter that is somewhat urgent, you can see one of the other physicians on the same day. I’ve dragged myself when I’ve felt like garbage to get checked up on and anti-​nausea when I had a horrible bug a few months ago that put me out of commission for a few weeks. Wu also went the extra mile to call my professors at GMU that I was seriously ill and allow me time to recuperate!
Excellent healthcare from these doctors, they spend as much time with you as you need or if you just need something quick you are in and out.
2 thumbs up to these guys!

I’ve been a patient here for over a decade. This is a review of the practice as a whole (my review of Dr. Mitchell specifically
).
Located on the 12^th floor of the Alexandria Professional building, the practice is insanely convenient to get to being just off 395 and there’s ample parking on the lot and the garage below — just be careful if you park in the shopping center lot as only the spaces along the retaining wall are available for patient use.
The staff is simply incredible, friendly, and well organized. They deftly handle getting patients in and out in a very efficient manner — while always maintaining sensitivity and respect for the individual.
The nursing staff is very kind and gentle. One of the phlebotomists (who is awesome at getting a stick on the 1^st try) rescued me from the ‘vampire’ on duty before my arm was a sieve and quickly filled the vials. She also told me to tell anyone who needs to draw blood to use a butterfly needle on my ridiculously squirmy veins.
One of the best things is they keep a good number of appointment slots open so that they can handle emergency walk-​ins as needed. I’ve never not been able to get an appointment on the same day when I’ve been very sick. They also have some days with appointments available as early as 7am making it very convenient to stop by and still get to work on time.