Winston C Chua, MD

"Will update review again after another appointment tomorrow ASAP, previously updated with slight improvement after a follow-up visit... Increased from a 2 star to a 3 since they moved into the Ray and Kay Ekstein building things have gotten easier regarding getting in touch with staff and responses to phone calls etc... Did have a bone marrow biopsy, while nothing alone in the test threw up a red flag, I saw several abnormalities, but they were dismissed when I asked about them. Additionally, it feels very much like he read only each individual section of the multiple faceted results and instead of looking at the full picture it sure seems like he's looking at pieces and giving a cookie cutter response where some edges may not be so neat and clean, but he was a little more compassionate and seemed a little less stressed at the visit after the one discussed below and perhaps the pending move was playing a role- I still REALLY want a second opinion... Perhaps he was having an "off day" on the visit referenced below: Previously in 2010 Dr. Chua seemed far more compassionate and was willing to do what tests he believed needed to be done. FF>>> to 2018/2019- he was cold, acted as if my appointment was not necessary, didn't review previous records from his own history with me. I specifically asked for the same test that showed the abnormal results in my prior experience to which he refused to order and when I laid out the initial labs from this time on the exam table with MY COPY of the labs from 2010 and asked him why he wouldn't order the same tests in 2018 that he did in 2010 that allowed him to find the problem when the two were ALMOST identical his response was "things have changed now and I can not order it until this number is lower" when I asked him why, he literally kept repeating "I can't, I can't, things are different and I can't, they will think I'm ignorant" then gesturing at his nurse, said "ask her she's been with me a long time and things have changed, I can't do it now" I don't know who would think he's ignorant, but I offered to pay out of my own pocket for the labs, thinking perhaps he meant the insurance company may not approve it or something... He simply said "ask her and he walked out of the exam room and left his nurse to try to answer my question... She, at least, seemed to care and looked at the previous years labs and said she didn't know, but did say that a lot had changed and she wasn't sure why he couldn't order them, but things had changed in the last 8 years since my first experience with him. He did schedule routine labs every 3 months for the next year out and I was told if anything came up they would get in touch with me for a follow-up and now that my 2nd series is showing exactly what I told him was going to show up (same symptoms as last visit, only worse now) & abnormal results have been updated in my online record, I sent a message to request an appointment, I've called the office during business hours, but continue to frequently get the recording as if it is after hours- regardless, once abnormal labs showed up they would be in touch -despite abnormal results, this hasn't happened, nobody has contacted me from his office to set up an appointment. Hence why I've sent a message and been trying to call them, yet I still haven't heard back from anyone. Previously, in 2010 this same result on labs gave two options, at that time for treatment, one being simple to see if it helped and the other being a bone marrow biopsy to find the reason for this happening, so maybe it's not critical, but it's not something ok with me to not find out what's going on. It's important to me and "could be" serious, yet this office can't even follow-up on abnormal results, as stated. I'm more than disappointed. They have also moved from in house labs to using the Ray and Kay Ekstein Cancer center, behind the hospital. So please be sure to follow your loved ones journey along the way, to be sure they get the best care possible, if they have to see Dr. Chua for anything hematology or oncology related."

"Every one in Nursing, Dr Chua, and the rest of his staff is compassionate and very friendly, I wouldn't want to go to anyone else."

"Staff is very overworked/overwhelmed making it tough to communicate. I found Dr Chua to have a very cold bedside manner. He also became very irritated when a 2nd opinion did not concur w his original (go call hospice) course of treatment. Unfortunately the area has few providers and patients may be forced to use him. Always get a 2nd opinion. Hope area can attract additional caregivers."

"I have been going to this dr for 3 years. He is very knowlegable and caring. I feel safe in his care."

"My MIL has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She had an appt today and he was absolutely awful. He looked at her and said bet you wish you never smoked now. His nursing staff is heartless as well. When they called with the news they told her she was terminal and every question she asked was met with I DONT KNOW IM NOT A DR. Not nicely either. When asked what she could do they just said call hospice. No compassion. No effort. Do not go to these people. When your loved one is sick, scared, and dying they will leave you feeling cold, alone and judged. They will offer no compassion, support or basic human empathy. It’s an absolute disgrace."