Vanderbilt Children's Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

"Stay away from these people. The scheduling department cancelled a standing 4 month appointment due to an error on Cigna’s end. Vandy called and told me my sons insurance wasn’t showing up so I called Cigna. Cigna told me the error was a clerical one one their end and the matter was escalated to the coverage team who assured me my son would be added within 72 hours. Vandy, still cancelled the endoscopy appointment for the procedure on February 16. I paid them $4,000 of our deductible for an endoscopy last fall that was covered by insurance but they can’t wait 72 hours for Cigna to correct their mistake. Do not trust your children’s safety to these people. Relationships and mutual trust should matter in healthcare. Clearly the scheduling department lacks any concept of these ideals. Response to Owner: Yes, I have shared this with Patient Relations. They were absolutely no help. Again, I say to any interested parties, be very careful doing business with Vanderbilt Childrens Gastroenterology."

"I can’t speak for every doctor in this office, but ours has been nothing short of amazing with our son. We’ve been seeing Dr.Jose Martinez since our son was born, he’s always gone above and beyond for him, ordering any tests or procedures needed, helping us get formula and any supplies needed covered by insurance, etc. He genuinely cares about our son and his health, so has everyone on his team. He now sees a nutritionist as well and they have been great with us too. I’m sorry for those who have had a bad experience with any other provider in this office, but if you want a great doctor I highly suggest Dr.Jose Martinez!"

"I have taken both of my children here in the last year as we do not have a local pediatric gastroenterologist in Paducah, therefore I drive almost a 4 hour round trip for the appts. Obviously, if you are referred to a specialist, there is something concerning or undiscovered that needs specialized care by a physician who is an expert in the area of concern. Scheduling is typically 1-3 months out depending on if you want a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician. In my experiences thus far, one child has seen a physician, the other a NP. Dr. Thame has great bedside manner and I feel is compassionate and does explain his analysis of the issue however, I did not leave with a definitive diagnosis for either child and the issues have not yet resided, one child has actually had a significant weight loss and received a prior diagnosis at the ER but she seen the NP at Vandy. My concern is that no tests were ordered, no imaging or studies were performed and both children were prescribed the same medication by 2 different providers. I do not have any medical training or education yet I have common sense and I would analyze the scenario and want to find if something either environmental or intrusive and contagious was causing the symptoms as both children suddenly developed similar ongoing symptoms that required a visit to a specialist help after numerous visits to the ER, PCP and missed school. The explanations I received was very broad and generalized. I feel that doctors don’t see patients to cure them anymore, they see them to reschedule them again and again but this isn’t the drs fault, it is insurances."

"I echo every single one of the negative reviews posted here. We have been working with pediatric GI for almost three years now, and it has been incredibly frustrating. It is impossible to communicate with the clinic and getting someone to call back, whether the dr, nurse, scheduling folks, etc is very difficult. We recently declined a procedure because we were not going to be allowed back with our son. The fact that Vandy doesn’t follow best practice guidelines (most current research plus other hospitals strongly encourage parents to be present for this procedure) is frustrating. Then, to be treated like I’m the problem simply for advocating for a holistic approach to my child’s treatment has been disappointing. Now the provider will not get in touch with us and we have been left without any guidance on how to navigate our son’s chronic constipation. I did get in touch with Patient Relations, which was the only way I was able to get a call back from the dr. However, he attempted to call me twice and I was at work and unable to answer (as most folks aren’t available to just answer a call whenever the dr decides to try to get in touch). I messaged him back via the patient portal and gave him multiple windows in which I’d be available. I never heard back, and received a call just this morning that he is leaving Vanderbilt. I asked to be scheduled with the one other motility specialist and was told that that wasn’t possible. She wanted to schedule me with a regular GI provider who didn’t have an appointment available until February. And, we had already been working with a regular GI provider for two years before being referred to Dr. Thame, a motility specialist. Today’s phone call was typical in what it feels like to work with the dysfunctional system that is Vanderbilt GI. How unfortunate to have such a well respected university hospital in my own hometown and have such a difficult experience. The fact that the response to each of the negative reviews below is identical is the perfect example of how impersonal and not helpful dealing with them is. It feels like banging my head against a brick wall!"

"They are really earning these 2 star reviews. So the first one we went it would have been 5 stars but since I’m shocked at how it’s been going. There was so much care and respect given at first that when you see it fade it very disappointing. I had nothing but good things to say about how good the patient care was for my child but now not so much. We’ve already seen a GI primary to here and had a diagnosis but needed further follow ups but they haven’t happened here. They’ve only take the diagnosis that already existed but not taken time to further investigate anything. Which is what would have happened prior to coming here. You shouldn’t have to fight to get adequate care and I hope that Vanderbilt looks into what’s going on here. Not all facilities are created equal when it comes to patient care. Haven’t spoke to the doctor since the first appointment but she seemed knowledgeable. If it doesn’t change we will look for a GI doctor that provide the patient care that all children deserve. It’s such a shame when you know what good care is and even had it until for whatever reason it suddenly changes."