Fernicola Patrick J MD

While I believe he is a good orthopaedist, his concern for YOUR time is non-​existent. I had two appointments with him for my shoulder. The first one was in the middle of the day and I expected that by then he might be running behind, but when the second one was at 8:45 in the morning, I arrived at 8:30. I informed the patient representative that I had a meeting at 10 a.m. and I needed to ensure that I would be seen by then. At 9:30, I was still in the waiting room. I asked to be rescheduled. I did not have my calendar with me and asked that the office manager call me. I NEVER received a return call from them. This appointment was to evaluate whether or not the physical therapy prescribed by him had been successful and whether or not surgery on my shoulder could be avoided or if more therapy was necessary. I am still in pain in my shoulder, but he does not care as no one has ever followed up with me.
As a healthcare risk manager, I can tell you, this is not a good thing. Losing a patient to follow up that is your fault is potentially a claim waiting to happen. This is a shoulder that has not been fully evaluated. The cause of the pain is unknown. I still receive their newsletter via e-​mail, but I have not been contacted by them and it has been over a year. I no longer live in the area and will see an orthopedist in this area that my internist to whom my internist refers me. This way I will have recourse if I am treated as shabbily as I was by Dr. Fernicola. All I can say is, if someone does not see you in a reasonable amount of time, leave. If he does not answer your questions, leave.
You are the patient. He is not in charge. You are in charge of our body. He is not doing you a favor. Do not allow the surgeon and his ego be the one who rules you. You are the important one here. The surgeon needs to understand that you are more important than he is. Without you, he would not have a job. Your time is as important as his time.