Mabel Mardones, MD 10107 Ridgegate Parkway, Lone Tree, CO 80124

"Not a day goes by I do not thank Dr. Mardones and her team for giving me a second chance at life—they are nothing short of heroes. Other review sites didn’t allow the amount of characters necessary to sing their praises, but I’ll do my darndest here. –When all hope felt lost, Dr. Mardones reminded me I just needed to fight– After weeks of doing my due diligence researching which oncologist to pick, I showed up to my initial appointment holding a 3-inch binder filled with extensive research, information, and questions. Dr. Mardones had answers for every question, provided additional details, and took extremely thorough notes about everything, and every question we had. All the fears I had were lessened by her scientific prowess, and the reminder that she had a solution (or plan) for everything. When that first appointment came to an end, I wasn’t thinking “I’m going to die” anymore, I was thinking “there’s a game plan to fight this, it’s time to go execute.” Spoiler alert: I’m now officially in remission—not only was Dr. Mardones able to put my mind at ease throughout all phases of the process, she was able to execute on the plan, and we were lucky enough to come out with a win. –When shi* got hard, her team worked harder– Over the last two years, I’ve spent time with 10+ doctors and had appointments at even more facilities, and none are as responsive, timely, or personable as my experiences with her and her team. I’m just going to go right down the list with kudos: - The front desk team always brings smiles and cheer to an otherwise not-so-cheery situation. They are quick, knowledgeable, and have me leaving the waiting room with a positive attitude. - The team who takes your blood, temperatures, etc (ahead of the appt), are kind, educated, and consistently find ways to connect with you and make you feel at ease. To date, they still offer to assist with walking, carrying items, or getting answers to questions they may not have immediate answers to. - The consultations with Dr. Mardones are always informative and motivating—her attention to detail is unmatched. She leads the sessions by creating space for me to tell her how I’m doing, ask any pondering questions, and raise any concerns. We’ll then meticulously run through numbers, next steps, etc. No stone left unturned, no question left unanswered. - Mardones’ nurses are SO efficient. If at any time I have a question, there’s always a way to get a quick response—I get answers in less than 24 hours. A personal shoutout to Madi, who feels more like a pal than a nurse I need to email occasionally at this point. - The infusion team: I dare you to find a better one—to Shanna, Jodi, Caitlyn, Hannah, and everyone else, you were a large part of my life for 8 months, and while I’d prefer not to spend more time in the infusion room with all of you, I’d step in front of a moving vehicle to save each of you (like you saved me). The infusion team found every way to make the most unenjoyable experience, not too shabby. Pick your lounger and view, the infusion ladies will take care of literally everything else—it’s sort of like flying first class actually, and I don’t know too many people who have that association with chemo. - Mardones’ scheduler Vanessa is superb—she remembers my appointment time preferences, books around my chaotic work schedule, and can always get the best appointment slots for offsite facilities. I’d pick Dr. Mardones and her team ten times over again, they’ve always shown up for me, and continue to do so to this day. It cannot be understated just how much I admire and respect Dr. Mardones’ work ethic, intellect, bedside manner, attention to detail, humor, honesty, reassurance, encouragement, and general character. As an added bonus, Dr. Mardones is an athlete, one with a winning attitude. I speak for myself here, but if I have to go into battle, I want to do it with a team of people who want to win as much, or even more, than I do. And that’s precisely what I got, a win, thanks to Dr. Mardones and the rest of her wonderful team."

"My experience with Dr. Mardones and her team during my wife's cancer treatment was disappointing and concerning. I am sharing these issues publicly to hopefully both help the relevant medical professionals improve the care they deliver to patients, and also to inform those considering their cancer care options. Dr. Mardones consistently avoided engaging in detailed discussions about treatment options and the reasoning behind specific medical decisions. For instance, when a study was provided to support a prescription and we found that the study did not seem to support the suggested use, our concerns were dismissed and Dr. Mardones was not willing to discuss it. She said that if we didn't think the drug worked then we should just not use it, refusing to even discuss why she was recommending a drug that went against the explicit conclusions of the study that she had provided. One of the main reasons to ask questions of a doctor is to better understand the evidence that is available and the reasoning for the doctor's decisions - Dr. Mardones seems to misconstrue questions as attacks, even when the questions are delivered as tactfully as possible to avoid that precise offended reaction. The communication with her nursing staff, especially Beth, was unsatisfactory. Seeking clarity about the treatment plan was met with dismissiveness and suggestions that we should not be questioning the doctor, contributing to our discomfort and frustration. On my last meeting with Beth, she explicitly told me that I needed to focus on supporting the treatment plan and not asking questions about it. This was extremely concerning to me, as it revealed a lack of concern about ensuring that my wife was fully informed about her treatment. Effective patient and family communication is essential in healthcare, more so in sensitive cases like cancer treatment. Patients and their families need to feel heard, informed, and respected, which was lacking in our interactions with Dr. Mardones and her team. A collaborative approach, where questions are welcomed and thoroughly answered, is critical in healthcare. Unfortunately, this was absent in our experience with Dr. Mardones. Her defensive responses to inquiries and reluctance to discuss treatment details were not only unhelpful but also added unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation. I ultimately felt that I could no longer attend my wife's appointments to support her as Dr. Mardones and Beth's hostility towards me was getting in the way of their care for my wife. No family member should be made to feel like I was simply for politely asking questions. Due to our dissatisfaction with Dr. Mardones, we conferred with another oncologist. I asked the same questions in the same manner, and those questions were met with detailed and informed responses. The new doctor agreed with much of Dr. Mardones's treatment plan, but she was willing to explain the evidence and the pros and cons behind each drug. There was one portion of the treatment plan that the new doctor wasn't sure she agreed with - the very same drug that I had pointed out to Dr. Mardones that her provided study did not support. The fact that another doctor had seen the same evidence as me and come to the same conclusion, while Dr. Mardones had looked at that evidence and not only reached the opposite conclusion, but also determined that any questions should be dismissed, is itself concerning. This reflects my direct experience with Dr. Mardones and her team. It is important for potential patients to understand the type of communication and care they might encounter. I strongly advise patients to seek healthcare professionals who prioritize clear, respectful, and informative communication."

"Dr. Mardones is excellent! She takes the time speaking with you and your concerns. I never feel rushed. Very good bedside manners."

"Dr. Mardones always demonstrates exceptional care. She is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and I rely on her expertise. She listens to my questions and concerns and never makes me feel rushed. She has my utmost respect!"

"Dr Mardones is wonderful, I'm 5 years cancer free. I have Dr. Mardones and her staff to thank. They were supportive and compassionate. I couldn't of asked for better care. I recommend her and this facility to everyone I talk to."