Lugerner Stanley, MD

I went to see Dr. Lugerner about a ringworm infection that was spreading. He was not engaged in the checkup whatsoever, and couldn’t even remember where he was in his checklist of questions, asking the same ones again and again. To make matters worse, he told me not to bother covering the ringworm (!!) and that it wasn’t possible that it had spread from one of my legs to the other (!!!). This guy doesn’t know what he is talking about, isn’t engaged as a helpful doctor, and should definitely be avoided.

I think Dr. Lugerner is ok. Although his exam for my annual check up /​physical was so cursory that I think he’s relying on my health factors to determine whether I merit more attention or not. This means if something is unusual or wrong I’m wondering if he wouldn’t miss it. On both occasions I have been there, I’ve had to wait far beyond my scheduled appointment time, despite showing up early. They need to time manage /​stop overbooking people. We have our own schedules to meet too. Finally, no one told me about fasting before my exam so now I’ve got to return and no doubt spend more of my time waiting to be seen.

Adding a second to someone else’s review — if this practice is convenient for you and on your insurance, then go to Dr. Junker.
I had been to him (Junker) once before and found him very professional, more or less thorough and caring. A few days ago, a post-​surgical scar had a small infection — which naturally freaked me out. My surgeon is in NYC, so his office suggested I get the first available at my DC general practitioner. Dr. Legerner was the only option for a same-​day visit (not surprising after what happened), so I made the appointment.
First, when I told him that I had a brachioplasty, he didn’t know what that was. Ok… maybe that’s fine. When I told him about the infection, and went to take off my shirt to show him (its in my armpit) he said ‘whoa whoa, don’t take off your shirt!’ Uh… you’re a doctor!
Ok, so at his request, I slid my arm out of the sweater, meaning he got a slightly odd and obstructed view. He looked at it for no more than 30 seconds, no exaggerating. Then said ‘it looks ok’
To reiterate: my surgical scar was red and splotchy and had pus coming out of it just an hour before the appointment, when I took a shower, dried the infection site, and got dressed for the doctor. !!!
I told him the opening probably didn’t actively have pus coming out because I had showered an hour before, but he dismissed that. I told him my doctor asked for the infection to be cultured, to rule out something worst-​case like staph and to customize a regimen of antibiotics. He said he didn’t want to squeeze the infection to try to get pus out (which is what you’d culture), because that could be painful. Hello?!? The discomfort would be worth it to make sure this doesn’t get worse. He really didnt want to do the culture
I asked him if this kind of thing is common — my surgery was 5 weeks ago and I thought I’d be out of the danger zone. He said he didn’t know because he’s not a surgeon! Don’t you think they teach the basics of infection causes and care to everyone in med school?
In the meantime, he asked me why I had a brachioplasty — sorta irrelevant, but I told him it was because I lost 80 pounds (now am happily at 140) but was very unhappy about my flabby arms. His response was to hand me a photocopied sheet about how to lose more weight! First, why the hell would I need that, if I took myself with diet and exercise from 220 to 140 lbs. Second… what?!?
At that point, I realized the appointment was almost over, so I flat out demanded the culture. He then just stuck a swab on the opening in the skin without bothering to even touch my arm, pretty much guaranteeing that there wouldn’t be enough pus to culture. Three days later, nobody’s ever called me about the results of the culture.
The whole appointment was about 3 minutes. I left insulted (about the weight stuff) and very worried about my arm. He gave me no antibiotics — nothing. Like others said, he’s very uncaring and his lack of knowledge was extremely worrisome.

Dr Lugerner has been great with me. I am able to get an appointment quickly and he will even talk to you on the phone about your symptoms. The only problem I have is that someone on staff keeps sending my prescriptions to the wrong pharmacy. I give them the correct info and they mess it up every time, which is really irritating when you just want to pick up a prescription and get on with your day. I gave them the correct pharmacy phone number and address 5 times this year and they have still get it wrong. Irritating.

I had been going to another doctor at the same practice for some time but he was out of town for some time when I needed medical care and so I went to see Dr. Lugerner. Not a horrible doctor but he didn’t seem to really listen or care with what I had to say and seemed to know very little about what he prescribed me. The entire time it was as if he was saying «meh» about being a doctor and that he’s just ready to retire.

Dr. Lugerner was friendly and efficient. He listened carefully to the description of my symptoms, gave a quick diagnosis, and had the referral and prescriptions I needed ready in no time. He seems like a nice guy and won’t waste any of your time. I was able to get an appointment within 24 hours. The office staff was also friendly, and I do not think the previous negative comments are warranted.

If you go to this practice, check out Dr. Herman Junker instead, I believe he is newer, younger, and a better physician all around because he cares about his patients.
Dr. Lugerner should quite honestly not practice anymore. He doesn’t have manners. Will not let his patients speak, cuts them off, and lost all etiquette (no shaking hands, no thanking the patient for coming in, no asking if he/​she has any questions). Don’t waste your time and money with this man. Avoid like the plaque.

He
s been my doctor for years. He is caring, attentive, concerned, respectful and educates me. He is a bit gruff at first, but warms up when he knows you and I feel like I get excellent care. he has no hesitation about referral when it is appropriate.

Worst place ever. Turned me away because my health insurance card was on my iPhone and not printed out. I asked if I could send the receptionist an email so she could print it out on the printer next to her — she responded: «We don’t have email.» She suggested I reschedule. I think not.

I agree with Mark L– after many years of medical problems I have had my share of doctors and Dr. Lugerner does have one of the worst bedside manners, and on top of that he didn’t even diagnose me! I am not a baby nor do I expect to be treated like one, but I do expect to have a competent doctor who considers my complaint legitimately and gives me more than 1 minute of his time.
The back-​story: Dr Shepherd (his partner) is my primary, so I am not bothered by their brusque no-​nonsense attitude– however he was unavailable so out of desperation I made an appointment with Dr. Lugerner after suffering for over a month from a tongue infection.
Admittedly, I was 5 minutes late for the appointment, but after that I had to wait an additional 25 minutes in the room for him. When he did come in he asked me what was wrong and I told him I wasn’t sure but I had done some light research on the internet and thought it might be Glossitis– his response: «ugh the internet! my job’s gonna be outsourced to India soon with everyone self-​diagnosing…»
Um WHAT? 1: research has shown that most doctors appreciate patients doing background research to help them save time and narrow down a diagnosis
2: If self-​diagnosis was making your job obsolete why would it be outsourced to India?
Anyway…he told me to just tell him my symptoms and he would diagnose me; I proceeded to go through my list of symptoms (meanwhile he had not even once looked in my mouth to see the actual symptoms)
He finally looked at my tongue (which was so swollen and painful I had trouble even eating) and pronounced it «not that bad». He further said since there were no lesions or growths (ew) it wasn’t that serious. I asked him what he thought it was and he said he didn’t know, it was probably a virus or something that could have a number of causes. When I asked him for some kind of aid for relief because it was so painful he said there was nothing he could give me and that it would go away on its own.
I also mentioned I had lost my sense of taste except bitter and asked if that had something to do with it. his response: «oh well there are a bunch of taste centers on the tongue. I don’t really remember where they all are anymore»
WHAT? Don’t act ignorant in front of your patient, and that didn’t even answer my question!
Finally, when I asked him what to do next he said if it didn’t go away in 2 weeks come back and the next step would be ORAL SURGERY!
So for taking $ 35 of my money he couldn’t tell me:
1. what it was
2. where it came from
3. when it would go away
4. any remedies or medications
5. and the next step was oral surgery
Not to mention the entire time he didn’t even look at me and the whole interaction was about 2 minutes long.
Update: I went to an ENT and was diagnosed within 5 minutes and given a simple antibiotic which cleared up the infection… good thing I didn’t get oral surgery!

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Lugerner’s for over 5 years. I have never had a problem getting in to see him, he and his staff are very attentive, he generally runs on time, returns calls quickly even after hours (in the middle of the night!), and most importantly he treats you like a grown up. Based on the comments I’ve read about him on Unilocal some of the negative reviewers need to see a Pediatrician who will baby them and hold their hand through the medical process. He is not the ridiculously bubbly doctor that you take your kids to see who gets them all happy before their flu shot. He is the doctor who talks to you, tells you what’s going on, how to fix it, or how to keep up what you’re working on. I won’t be changing doctors unless I move.

I am DEFINITELY leaving this practice. Dr. Lugerner’s bedside manner is very poor (although Luisa, the physician’s assistant, is great), I had the feeling that they are pushing tests and prescriptions I didn’t need (Vitamin D) and their office has screwed up the billing for a routine physical so badly that I have wasted HOURS trying to resolve the stupid thing. And then there was the added joy of them rarely answering the phone. It seemed like the few times I called, it almost always went to voicemail even though the office was open. As much of a pain as it is to find another doctor (particularly after having gone to the practice for a few years), I am taking my business elsewhere.

Quite possibly the doctor with worst bedside manner I’ve seen. After going to see the other doc in the office (Shepard), I was switched to this one without warning. Went to interview & set up a new PCP after move, see how the office works, etc. First, I was just switched to this doc instead of Dr. Shepard (better reviews) without notice until I showed up at the office. I later found out that Shepard took vacation. Nice. I had scheduled more than a month in advance.
At the appointment, he gets on an unsolicited soapbox about exercise that 5 yr olds know about. And proceeded to get irritated when asked about medical necessity forms needed for reimbursement. By the way, docs are part of the healthcare system and don’t have the option of not knowing. Ended up giving me a useless script.
Recently, I went back because of some unprecedented nasty flu symptoms that would not go away. After a couple of sentences, he interrupted with a viral flu diagnosis before impatiently allowing me to continue with the description. Went out of his way to dismiss my observations of unusual disease course. He was more concerned with epi of pneumonia than diagnosing the patient in front of him. Took a moment to make disparaging comments about otc meds, some of which I know a thing or two about professionally.
After these brief interactions, I can’t make a call on his medical know-​how. But this attitude is not worth dealing with. No point in going back.

Dr. Lugerner is getting a bad rap on Unilocal.Yes, he’s direct and somewhat brusque, but I’ve dealt with him and his office for several months now, for several (often complicated) medical reasons and I’ve found him (and his office) to be unfailingly responsive, knowledgeable and professional. It’s easy to get into see him, and he returns calls promptly.
I would have preferred a woman PCP, but couldn’t find one due to limitations of my insurance (First Choice), but since I had to go to my second choice, a male doctor, Dr. Lugerner has proven himself to be a good choice!
Just remember, always bring CASH to pay your co-​pay. they don’t take anything else.

Dr Lugerner has been my PCP for 3 years now. His style and mine mesh well — I’m a medical professional, and I respect his knowledge, and he respects mine.
I’ve never felt rushed in the exam room, and I was impressed during my most recent visit that required a referral, he called the other office himself, and made sure that they took my insurance, too! (That’s a first for me — I’ve never had a doctor look out for my pocketbook when sending me to another doc). When I’ve called with questions, he has always gotten back to me the same day, and taken the time on the phone that I need.
He’s not much for eye contact, and his speaking manner is direct. I think that may be off-​putting for some, but I’m forthright as well, and so we work well together.

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, diagnosed by another doctor several years ago. I completely recovered and had a vibrant life working out as much as 2x a day (I’m a former marathoner) when I got a virus that triggered a complete relapse of the old illness. Lugerner was not only not helpful — he gave wrongful & harmful advice «Just try to exercise» — when exercise is known to exacerbate the symptoms of this disease. He was very unfocused (I had to remind him that I was returning to see my test results, though I had seen him just a few days prior) and kept probing me about depression when I had made it clear I’m about the happiest person on the planet under normal circumstances, but was rightly depressed about having a sudden debilitating condition that wouldn’t allow me to walk more than a few blocks. He prescribed antidepressants and referred me to a shrink «to help me cope with my symptoms.» No problem-​solving skills — the best he could think of was to refer me to a rheumotologist, which wasn’t even appropriate given that my particular CFS symptoms weren’t rheumotology-​related. I left his office feeling worse than when I walked in. Oh yeah, and they don’t accept credit cards, cash only for your co-​pay.

I have never met a bigger asshole in my entire life. Not only does he not seem to care in the least bit about his patients, but he actually goes the extra length to berate you and make you feel like an idiot when you are in his office. His receptionists are also ornery, unmotivated, and slow. Do yourself a favor and never consider «Dr» Lugerner as a choice. Ever.