JL Castelli, DO

Dr. Castelli is an amazing doctor and surgeon. He really cares about his patients. He truly loves his work and it’s very obvious. He is true man of God and is passionate about serving others. I am very skeptical about the negative reviews I have seen, it’s quite startling to me and numerous other patients I know that sees Dr. Castelli. Dr. Castelli is very professional and calm and that may (very questionable) be interpreted as «dismissive». Frankly, I don’t expect my OB to be my shrink or therapist– that’s a completely separate field. What I want is a good surgeon who is ethical and intelligent. Women during pregnancy and post pregnancy can be a little too emotional and we look to our doctors to keep us sane but that’s NOT their job and that is not what they should be expected to be. I appreciate doctors who are frank and honest. I honestly do not believe that he did anything to jeopardize anyone’s health and the women who are complaining about this bedside manner– go find an incompetent surgeon who will spend hours with you listening to your emotional mood swings. I want a surgeon who can make quick decisions and is rational and calm.
Both my mom and I have been under his care for many years now and we have referred other people to him. My husband is a surgeon and really respects Dr. Castelli’s input in regards to my overall health. Also, anyone looking for an OB/women’s primary care, my husband always recommends Dr. Castelli and everyone has given only positive feedback.

I have been going to Dr. Castelli since I first moved to PA in 1999. He was recommended by co-​worker because she said he was a good doctor and trusted him. It wasn’t until 5 years ago, when decided to start trying to conceive. He was open and honest with us. Explained to us the risks and challenges we would face, since I was trying to conceive at a high-​risk age. At every appointment, he would answer all of our questions and concerns. I knew that I was in good hands throughout my pregnancy.
Dr. Castelli is a great doctor. He has delivered many of friends’ and neighbors’ children. Even when you hear about potentially difficult deliveries, he has quickly assessed the situation for a safe delivery for both mama and baby. With that kind of reputation and if there was ever a problem with my delivery (Thank God everything went well), I had no reservations nor worries. His whole staff and practice is great!
I would highly recommend Dr. Castelli.

After a long time of suffering with a heavy menstrual cycle, I decided to go to Dr. Castelli for options. We decided that an ablation using NovaSure was my best course of action. I had the procedure done in the office, with my husband at my side. Dr. Castelli was professional, gentle and kind during the entire event. It has been over four years since I have had my period. I could not be happier with the procedure or the provider. I would recommend Dr. Castelli and his team, along with the technology of NovaSure to anyone.

Do check the other negative reviews that point to the same arrogant and dismissive manners i experienced and almost ended up killing me. And notice how all positive reviews started after 2013.
Twenty twenty hindsight. Dates and facts incorrect. Is caring for patients ignoring their plea for help and not addressing abnormal bleeding and pain? And enquiring about the patient two years after the facts only because of a poor Unilocal review? If you really want good care, go elsewhere. Period.

I am so confused by these reviews because I know the exact opposite to be true. I’ve been going to Dr. Castelli for 21 years and he has been professional, well dressed, well mannered and even found a lump in my breast that I wasn’t even able to detect after he pointed it out. I love that he is thorough and quick and I’ve not remotely felt brushed off or treated without respect. I actually had to read that it was the same Dr. Castelli because I couldn’t believe that he could be any other way. I really love him and The comfort I’ve felt being his patient has kept me there all this time.
Take these reviews with a grain of salt. I absolutely am not saying these people don’t have a right to their opinion and there’s no excuse for some of the actions stated, I’m just saying I have never once experienced anything but a delightful Dr.
:)

This doctor is the worst one I have ever encountered. He has ZERO bedside manner, is rude, and insensitive. He should not be delivering children nor deal with pregnant women.

I had a somewhat similar experience with Dr. Castelli. After meeting with Dr Hirshman I had agreed to meet with Dr. Castelli because my times were conflicting with Dr. Hirshman’s schedule. I waited at least an hour and a half to see the doctor. After I was called back with another woman, a cup was basically thrown at me and I sat in a room waiting again. He finally came in barely said anything and seemed annoyed that he was there late (this was a 5:00 appointment that didnt being until 6:45) He spent about 10 minutes in the room with me. He performed the fetal heartbeat, but did it so quickly that I couldn’t even hear it (I am still not convinced that I even heard it) — I think he held it there for less then 30 seconds. I left the appointment wondering why I even needed to go because I got absolutely nothing beneficial from it, it was literally a waste of my time. If I didn’t like Dr. Hirshman so much I would leave the practice. I am scheduled to meet with him again, but will try to change it to meet with Dr Hirshman instead.
I also called the office this morning it wasn’t until 9:15 that they remembered to turn the phones on and then when I finally got through I got immediate attitude from a woman named Rae. She answered the phone and I asked her one question (the first question) and in an annoyed voice she said «Like I said before» Sorry Rae, but no you didn’t say anything before because I hadn’t asked you anything before. Then proceeded to give me attitude and when I called her out on being rude asked to speak with someone more appropriate she quickly put me on hold with no warning. Thank goodness someone with people skills answered, but it was obvious that they didn’t want to give me her name because I had to ask 3 times before it was given to me in a low voice.
I am beginning to question my choice in practices.

Worst doctor experience EVER. If I could give negative stars, this would be it. Castelli (I don’t even want to call him «Doctor») is the most arrogant and appalling human being I’ve ever had the misery of meeting. He’s the head doctor of Womens Health Care Specialists, which is the office located here. I had been in to Dr. Philip Hirshman, who also works at this practice (and is amazing!).
Long story short (walking the fine boundary here between TMI and trying to explain why you should avoid Castelli at all costs), I had a mysterious lump that I wanted checked out ASAP, and Dr. Hirshman was booked for the next few weeks. However, Castelli was free the next day. That probably should have been my first red flag. But the receptionist said that he’s been practicing for over 20 years, so I agreed.
I show up for my appointment, and wait in the waiting room for over an hour. Next, I’m shepherded into a room, where I’m told to undress, and then end up waiting another 20 minutes (with not even a magazine to amuse me). I was already annoyed at having waited so long, and it really was just downhill from there.
Finally, Castelli walks in, no apologies or introductions. He smarms at me for about 30 seconds, making light of something I was stressed out about, took one look, said he couldn’t tell what it, and prepared to end the appointment. At no point did Castelli take my history, ask if I was sexually active or if I’d ever had a pap, mention HPV or STDs (or any possible cause at all!), or give me any advice on what to do.
At this point, I should mention that I have no qualms about asserting myself, and that I’ve been in the field of sexual health/women’s health for over ten years, so I of course started asking totally reasonable questions, like, «What should I do? Is it going to go away? Can you test to see if it’s anything I should be concerned about?»
In response to each question, he kept on saying that he’d «addressed that already» (he had not) and that I should «do nothing» and keep progressing as normal. In other words, I should just wait it out and see if it gets worse or comes back. There was nothing I should do. Nothing at all. And this «advice» was given to me only after I specifically asked, because he definitely didn’t offer up any of this «information» during his initial exam.
I finally managed to get him to mention some treatment I could look into if the bumps came back, and I asked him to write down the name of that treatment. And HE LITERALLY SAID NO. I asked again, and he groaned, and said, «Fine – it’s called [this].» I ask him to spell it, and again he groans, then spells it really quickly. Ugh.
I should also note that he was also wearing a douchey blackberry headset on his ear the whole time (at least have the respect to take the damn thing off when you’re looking between your patient’s legs!), and was dressed unprofessionally in too-​short, sloppy jeans with white ankle athletic socks and sneakers.
Anyway, it turned into this whole ordeal, because at some point, I was so frustrated, stressed, and annoyed that I began to shed tears of anger. And I am *not* someone who cries easily. At the end of the appointment, I called him out on everything – not apologizing for the wait, not introducing himself, and being rude, condescending, dismissive, and unhelpful.
He stared blankly at me, and essentially told me that he could tell that I was «smart» and that he knew that I wouldn’t be satisfied with his answers, so that’s why he wouldn’t give me any specific information. Umm… what? At this point, I just wanted this to be over with, so I told him that an apology would be nice, and he gave me this quick «Sorry,» like a five year old does when he doesn’t really mean it.
After he left and I put my clothes on, I asked to speak to the office manager. I told her what had happened, and from her reaction, I had the sense that my experience wasn’t the first time something like this happened. At my request, she also gave me a tiny tiny (like maybe 20%) discount off my appointment (I was flat out refusing to pay at this point), and said that if I wanted to make a follow-​up appointment with my regular doctor, I’d only have to pay that 20% difference.
Ugh. In short, Castelli is a horrible, unprofessional «doctor.» Avoid at all costs. [P.S. everything turned out fine, and it really wasn’t anything – not that you were wondering.]
Tip: Try Dr. Philip Hirshman – he’s the antithesis of Castelli and was helpful, considerate, friendly, and a great doctor.