Healthmark Center

I have been going to HealthMark for many, many years. Dr. Gleser is excellent. Ken Gilmet’s meticulous attention to a minor complaint my husband had literally saved his life. When we moved to Austin, I would fly back to Denver to go to HealthMark for my health care. I can highly recommend HealthMark to anyone.

I initially went to Healthmark to see Dr. Gretchen Frey, an OB-​GYN doctor I followed over to this practice. She is great and very thorough. However, when she was out recovering from a bike accident, I had an issue and decided to see a physician’s assistant instead. I told her about my symptoms, she took a quick look and diagnosed me without ordering tests and prescribed me medication.
Later, I called the Practice Manager, to explain that I did not feel comfortable taking a prescription unless my diagnoses was confirmed with hard evidence. She said to come back in and see another P.A. and that they would order some blood work. I went back in and they ordered blood work. However, the PA offered me antibiotics for something that had not even been confirmed by testing yet. I declined the medication saying I would prefer to get the test results back before treating. The tests came back fine, so I am really glad I did not take the heavy antibiotics that the PA was about to prescribe for me.
Two doctors visits later, and I still don’t know what is wrong, because they didn’t order the correct tests to begin with. Both PA’s encouraged prescription prior to testing. I will potentially go back to see Dr. Frey but will not return to see any of the PA’s. I want proper testing before pill pushing! I will have to go somewhere else to get a proper diagnoses.
I gave them two stars due to Dr. Frey, the front desk staff always being helpful and I really like their chiropractor Dr. Ed Flansburg. Otherwise, I would have given them 1 star. It is too bad that I had this experience. I wish it had gone differently. Just another example of pharmaceutical companies taking precedence over patient care.

Avoid this place ESPECIALLY Blanca Pyle!!!
No regard for her patients. Has a strict 7 minute window and she’ll completely deny seeing you if your late, regardless of what you came in for… Obviously that reason is probably important too because you are going to a medical office.
So ironic because how long on average does a patient get to a doctor office and wait for 20 minutes…
Find someone that will actually be concerned with your well being and health.

I have been going to Dr. Gleser at HealthMark for 20 years — he, as well as all the other doctors and personnel — are beyond excellent. Not once in all these years have I had a concern that has not been addressed and managed. I now have my daughter and granddaughter going to HealthMark and they both agree the positive attitude from everybody is refreshing.

My review for the doctors at Healthmark is about a 4 or a 5. This review ONLY pertains to some of the folks at the front desk.
For the context of this review I have been with Healthmark for several years and during my numerous visits I have found most of the receptionists cold and rude at times. No smiles, just cold «business» stares. Again not all but most.
For example, one receptionist sighed after setting up my appointments. Several did not even look at me for the entire time they made appointments. Almost every time I go to the front desk I feel like I am bothering them because of their demeanor. The greeter is usually pleasant but some of these folks need to take classes in customer service and communication.
But my experience today is the deal breaker for me. I had an appointment and was told to sign a «release» form which basically stated that no matter how «negligent» the doctor might have been that he/​she would not be held responsible for any injuries caused to me.
This may be standard practice but I am not willing to let someone do whatever they want and not have accountability for it.
I value my health and I reacted angrily but did not shout, swear or insult the receptionist. When I bluntly stated that I would not sign the form and that I was not informed about this prior to the appointment she gave me a cold stare, a dirty look and appeared in shock as if I had spoken in French. She was literally surprised that I was not willing to sign the release form.
I informed her that I was skipping the appointment and she mockingly gave me a «you have a nice day» comment. I responded in kind and she mocked me with another comment.
I am seeking medical treatment, not signing up for a gym membership. I expect to be treated with respect at all times and have not been treated that way by several folks at the front desk for years so forgive me for getting angry at that. I react in kind sometimes after being treated basically like crap for awhile.
***
I have found several doctors to be excellent at Healthmark but I am not going to put up with the front desk anymore and am going elsewhere from now on.

This review is for Hani Saeed and his assistant Frank.
What sweetness and care I received from both of them. I went for what I suspected was plantar fasciitis. I was right. Frank did all the xrays to make sure that is what it is. He comes across as a gentle giant. So well mannered and pleasant. Something that seems to be rare nowadays. Dr. Saeed is so energitic, pleasant, always a smile, good listener, and good at giving advice to stay out of his office. I have seen Dr. Saeed and Frank maybe 4 times in the last 2 yrs. Three of those times I have had to have shots in my foot. Dr. Saeed is so gentle and has a trick of spraying something that freezes the injection spot so that it does not hurt as much as it would if he didn’t. If you deep breath at the same time it really does not hurt that much. I would recommend Dr. Saeed in a heartbeat.
I never had an insurance issue, the front desk is always pleasant and helpful. Their waiting room can use a little tlc, but overall it’s fine. I called the billing person for the office to ask which of the medical docs were on my insurance. She was very helpful. I have yet to make an appt with one, but will soon and will report back.

1 start for billing!!! My fiancé went to a younger PA for blood tests just to make sure he was ok & that he was in good general health. Since he has no insurance we got a «reduced rate» & paid appx $ 700 out of pocket. That was in NOVEMBER. It’s MARCH & we have received multiple letters from LabCorp claiming we owe $ 1443.
I’m sick of calling Cyndi in billing & honestly don’t think this is the patient’s responsibility. At this point we are prepared to take legal action for harassment & predatory practices. Make sure if you are self pay to get a document proving you have satisfied your balance since apparently they lack the ability to handle billing issues.
4 stars for Drs. I originally saw Dr. Saeed for chronic heel pain. While he was excellent at relieving my pain I didn’t like that the initial consultation was about $ 100 and I had to wait several weeks to go to a different clinic for actual treatment. Waste of money, gas, & time.

Dr Ed is a phenomenal chiropractor. I’ve seen many chiropractors over time and none compare to him! Neck, back, sciatica, wrists he adjusts them and relieves pain. Ask for him it’s entirely worth it.

My foot doctor, Dr Saeed, is through Healthmark, meaning they are the ones who handle appointments and billing. I find them easy to get in touch with, they work to find appointments that fit my schedule, and are always friendly and helpful whenever I’m checking in or checking out. And billing has always been handled correctly.
I don’t know about the other doctors here, but Healthmark + Dr Saeed make everything smooth and easy when it comes to the business side of the doctors office.

Hmmm. I just don’t know. I am going with OK for now and will change if my opinion goes up or down. I have seen two doctors here, had several physicals here, and consider them my primary care physicians.
PROS: They do blood work on site, and the doctors will review with you your blood work after every physical. I was found to be low on Vitamin D and given a powerhouse D scrip which got me back on track a few years back. Useful.
CONS:
Expensive tests: I was told to get about $ 1000 of imaging — I had the results sent to the requesting Healthmark physician and a secondary doctor. The secondary doctor was shocked they would send me for this imaging as she felt it was expensive and unnecessary. This was reflected when I went back to Healthmark– My Doctor who wanted the imaging could not FIND the images or report and shrugged and said, oh well– and it did not change her diagnosis or recommendations– SO CLEARLY the imaging was NOT needed.
The in-​house referral system: Additionally, there is a lot of pressure to give up your own doctors, and go to the Healthmark associates. I have managed to avoid this, but there is a huge amount of pressure. See THEIR Dermatologist, THEIR OBGYN. No thanks. As I am getting really good advice from the ones I have been seeing for 20 years…
Unimpressive: All in all, I have had no major breakthroughs in Health here: The same old stuff you get in magazines: Keep your weight down, eat well, exercise. There has never been an offer for a flu shot, and they recommend going to Walgreens for vaccinations… so, um… Hmm. I am not that impressed.
I recently switched Doctors from Dr. Vanduzer-​Moore whom I found rather hateful, disengaged, and semi-​retired in mind if not in body. So I will report back on the new doc and if anything improves.

I have been seeing Dr Flansburge for over a year because of a severe injury. My own medical doctor missed the diagnosis of a double separation of my clavicle but he caught it right away. I do not know what I would have done with out the help of this amazing chiropractor. He is kind and knowledgeable and very patient. He believes in the perfect blend of eastern and western medicine. He literally has been the only reason I can work and use my shoulder today.

I had a wonderful first experience at Healthmark with my new PCP, Dr. Haber. She was empathetic, warm, and I felt like she really understood. I did not feel judged, or rushed, or made to feel like I was the problem. I also really appreciated that she didn’t treat just *a* symptom, but made it clear that all symptoms are interrelated. I was very impressed.

Please note this review is specifically for the cardiologist, Dr. Flanigan.
I’m not a fan of «alternative» medicine; if something has been proven to work, it’s called simply «medicine.» Everything else is wishful thinking and placebo effect. Hence, I was a little taken aback on arrival at Healthmark. It’s clear from the main entry, where herbs and such line the walls, this isn’t any ordinary medical office. My primary care physician had referred me, though, so I decided to go through with the appointment.
First, the desk staff are marvelous. I’d forgotten my insurance card and had to call home to have it brought to me. Not once did the people behind the front counter make me feel like a nuisance who was wasting their time.
Second, the nice woman who did my blood draw was lovely, friendly, and aced finding a vein, which is really difficult on me.
Finally, Dr. Flanigan himself is personable, professional, and really knows what he’s talking about. I say this because (as another reviewer already said) I manage my own healthcare. Yes, it takes time and effort to research and keep up with current medical studies and pharmaceutical information, and sometimes it’s downright annoying to have to call out a professional when they’ve said or done something that sets off your cognitive dissonance, but it’s worth it. Why? They may not be aware they dropped the ball. They’re humans, too.
What Dr. Flanigan said and did during my appointments was right on the money, down to the advice he gave on changing some personal habits. That’s rare these days — I had to see 9 general practitioners in 10 years to find one that listened and was up-​to-​date on his own profession. The investment of time and effort is worth it, though, because I’M worth it.
So if you have a potential heart issue, go to Healthmark and see Dr. Flanigan. I have zero experience with any other professional there, but if/​when I do, I will update.

Wonderfully competent, serene practice. My husband and I have been going here for 3 years, and have referred several friends, and without exception we’ve all been very pleased with everyone we’ve at Healthmark. Yes, it’s a business, but mostly it’s about a broad approach to healing. Standout for me is Dr. Berenbeim, who’s kept my shoulder from burning pain for many years.
PS: DO’s take and pass the same tests that MD’s do

This place was really disappointing. I’ve been here several times now and the doctors are always running late (even at 9 in the morning). Both receptionists were rude to me, and when I went to their dermo she prescribed this really harsh stuff for me that caused more problems than the one that brought me in. There are absolutely better doctors than the ones here — go and find one of them!

I’ve read the bad reviews for HealthMark and I’d like to explain some things. They’re all misinformed about why docs only spend 15 minutes. Your insurance (and Medicare) dictates what the docs will be reimbursed for — a short visit or an extended visit. If you want to see and talk with your physician for longer than 15 minutes ask for an extended appointment. But you may wind up having to pay more if your insurance company only will reimburse for a short visit. That’s why it seems as if the docs don’t spend enough time with you. As for why the docs are always late, think about it. Somebody wants MORE than 15 minutes. Iif it’s warranted the docs will take the extra time, causing the next appointment to be late. And let’s say you have an emergency going on at home and you don’t know what to do, maybe go to the hospital or just see if you can get into the doctor’s office, or say your child ingested some bad stuff and you want to know what to do. It could very well be that the doc is responding to that, and that’s why the next appointment will be late. They do the best they can trying to serve their patients and meet the requirements of the insurance system.
I’ve been a patient of Dr. Robert Gleser’s for about a decade, and I’ve been to many of the other docs at the HealthMark clinic, including the great dermatologist there, can’t remember her name, and Dr. Rita Starrit. I’ve seen Cathy, the nurse practitioner (can’t remember if she’s a physician’s assistant), Dr. Saeed (fabulous foot and ankle surgeon), and Daneen, the physical therapist. They’re all «top docs (and assistants)» and they all do their best to make sure their patients get the best medical care possible under the current health care system.
As for the new electronic system, give it a chance. I use it and I always hear back. And if the advice isn’t helpful or correct, REPLY! You’ll always get a reply back. And if you’re concerned about your problem (like the person who complained about the advice to go on a diet), SAY SOMETHING! Don’t complain just because you’re unhappy with what they said. Give them the opportunity to be corrected. MANAGE your health care… it’s your responsibility under our current system.
Carping and complaining is always easier than trying to take personal responsibility. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my health care, because I’ve learned how to work within the system and get my own health care needs met, and these people are indeed AWESOME!

Ok, so I’ve been going to Healthmark for about two years now and I’ve just about had enough. Here’s a break-​down of my stars:
— 1 star for the dermie Dr. Krywonis
— 1 star for the blood draw team and nursing staff
For those of you unfamiliar with Healthmark, on paper, it seems like the perfect place — Kind of like the show Private Practice. The Utopian atmosphere ends shortly after entering the building. The nurses are incredible and take the time to answer any and all questions you may have. The doctors, however, schedule appointments in 15-​minute increments and are almost always running late (even early in the morning). While appointments are relatively easy to come by, don’t expect much face time with an actual doctor. And while I love the dermatologist on staff, she’s always in a rush to see her next patient. And I get it, it’s a business and we all have to make money, but to all of Healthmark’s doctors: Take that extra 5 minutes with us!
As for the acupuncture at HM, don’t bother. Matt seems to know his stuff but pushes Chinese herbs and supplements like they’re candy. When I resisted citing my doctor’s and pharmacist’s concerns, he responded by telling me that my doctor and pharmacist don’t know what she’s they’re about. Without getting into too much detail, I’ll just say this about my overall experience: I don’t pay $ 70 for an acupuncture session to feel belittled and ignorant.
Overall, the front desk is adequate, if not understaffed. They started an online portal that is helpful but as of now, I’m looking for a new general practice doctor so I don’t think I’ll be using the online portal too much.
One final thought: This place is always packed so clearly they don’t care about the negative reviews. But here’s one small piece of advice just in case someone at HM is actually reading this: Treat your patients like human beings with problems who are often scared and nervous and not like cattle waiting to be branded. Take the extra time with our insurance forms, too.

I went to Healthmark because I was interested in doctors who were willing to consider alternative medicines.
Here is a recap of one of my experiences:
I went for a check-​up and was told that I would receive a letter in the mail if everything was o.k. If not, I would get a call. So, I was quite pleased when I received my labs in the mail. Until… I came across this highlighted section which said my cholesterol was too high and I should go on an South Beach type diet immediately and then get my blood checked again in three months.
A few weeks later, I had reason to go back to Healthmark. I told my doctor I was very dissapointed that I didn’t get a call and that my diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and NO fast or processed foods. He told me I could become a vegan and it wouldn’t matter, it was hereditary and I needed to go on medication right away. Hmm, glad I didn’t wait three months to go back. I was given a prescription for cholesterol lowering medication and never, ever, asked to return to check oh… I don’t know… the enzyme levels in my liver which can be negatively affected by these medications!!!
This is just one of several negative encounters that both myself and my husband experienced. I have not been back and I don’t recommend ever going.

Be careful!
This organization is kind of fishy and rife with revenue-​boosting internal referrals. Whatever you might have — from a broken arm to prostate cancer to alien-​abduction probe scars — your referrals will suspiciously not reach outside of the Healthmark conglomeration.
I felt neglected by one, Joel Berenbeim, D.O. (read: «not M.D.») and his office is very businesslike. «Businesslike» is good in a business-​only business, but this is NOT the way to create a personalized health-​care environment. It feels like no one cares, not even the doc.
Do not be talked into their treatments without doing your own research and at least one, non-​Healthmark second opinion.
Can’t stress it enough — Be Careful!

I’m one of those guys that doesn’t go to the doctor much. Frankly, I don’t really get sick all that often and I’m lucky enough (or is it mad skills?) that I don’t get hurt much either. However, every couple of years I need to see a doctor, so I grab the book that came with my insurance plan and pick a name that sounds like a good doctor. If you are thinking, «Hey great idea!» you are wrong. I’ve seen doctors I don’t trust, doctors that don’t return phone calls, and doctors that can’t bill my insurance right so they try and make me do it.
Last week, that all changed forever. I’ve been having trouble with my foot. I saw two different doctors for it, one was my wife’s doc, the other was a friend’s. Neither one was very helpful or left me feeling confident. Both said to wait and see what happens. (Hello? Standard doctor avoiding male here! I didn’t come see you until I had already waited so long I was ready to cut the stupid thing off myself.)
Then, I saw Dr. Saeed at Healthmark. Healthmark was founded by a guy (Dr. Robert Gleser) who apparently was ahead of the curve on the whole integrated medicine thing. Do enough Google-​ing and you’ll find him quoted in a lot of articles (including the Wall Street Journal) that are 8 to 10 years old and are all written in the «hey this is really unusual» style regarding the concept of add non-​traditional therapies to standard medicine in caring for patients. His book is out of print, but sounds like a lot of those books out there today making the rounds on Oprah. I guess timing is everything.
Anyway, Dr. Saeed is a podiatrist and he is top-​notch, first rate, outstanding. Quite frankly, he is the best doctor I have ever been to. He understood what was wrong with my foot and more importantly helped ME to understand. He also was able to break out my symptoms so I knew what needed taken care of now (shaving off part of a callus and digging out it’s «core») and what was coming later (tarsal tunnel causes that falling asleep kind of burning on the bottom of your foot.)
Since this is a Healthmark review, I’ll move on from Dr. Saeed. This is a multi-​doctor practice. Sometimes this makes me nervous. At other doctor offices with several doctors I start to feel like I’m at Great Clips for medicine. I didn’t feel that way here. They’ve got 15 or so doctors here, but there are specialists sprinkled in there. The staff at the front desk is both friendly and professional, and it was easy to make appointments. They also seem like they know what they are doing with the paperwork so I don’t think I’ll be hearing from the insurance company.
I have an appointment this week with the woman who will be my new primary doctor, so I’ll update this review if things change, but for now, I highly recommend Healthmark.
By the way, I haven’t used it, but they also have acupuncture and chiropractic here, so if you are looking for that, these might be your guys.
Their website is
– You can tell by the fact that they get to use the Healthmark name despite the American Heart Association trademark of the same thing that they have been around for a while. They must have beaten them to it :)