Years ago, I read an online review of Dr. Raymond Byrd. It was from a recent widow who felt that her husband died because Dr. Byrd was so slow to order tests. It was so heartfelt and sincere it gave me pause. Being a creature of habit, I reasoned well I only see Byrd for minor things so what does it matter. Flash to present day, in August-Beginning October 2014, I saw Dr. Byrd twice and then Dr. Williams twice. I initially presented with a wheeze which Byrd chalked up to allergies and told me to take Allegra. By second visit, I had also developed a stridor. Of note, I had prior vocal cord surgery that Byrd was aware of. He ordered steroids at that time and advised to keep taking allergy meds. Third visit with Dr. Williams came with another dose of steroids. Fourth visit I could barely speak anymore due to increased wheezing/stridor. She said it was pneumonia and gave me a breathing test in office. She actually paused after test and commented that my breathing was worse. She brushed it off and said if you don’t feel better by Monday call us and we’ll send you for a chest x-ray (this was a Friday). She also said when you are feeling better; we will send you for some breathing tests. I said shouldn’t I go now, she said no. Come Monday I felt worse, called them, got script and had chest x-ray. That Wednesday, I had a regularly scheduled visit with gynecologist. Upon seeing me she said what is wrong with you? I said allergies. She said this is not allergies. Left room and came back and said a pulmonologist in same building will see you today. Literally within two minutes of my visit with pulmonologist, he said to me this wheeze is coming from your neck not your chest. All Hickory Run had to do during those four visits was to move that stethoscope up a few inches. When I got home that evening, one of the office women from Hickory Run called and said great news you don’t have pneumonia. I said I saw a pulmonologist today and he thinks it might be vocal cords. I never heard from them again. This realization of true location of wheeze started me on road to diagnosis. It was first determined I had bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Eventually it was determined that I had Stage 4 cancer of the pharynx. By December, I had had two surgeries, tracheotomy, stint on a ventilator and had begun chemo and radiation. I am still in therapy. When I first met second surgeon in November, I asked how long have I had this cancer and his reply was six months; it’s very aggressive. So readers keep in mind, I wasted a third of the time (2 of the 6 months) playing games with Hickory Run. With earlier diagnosis, I might have at least had an earlier stage of cancer and possibly saved by voice. Please go somewhere else. If I had listened to Hickory Run, I’d be dead now.

Not thrilled. More concerned with getting through the appt. than getting paid. Maybe he's sick of hearing patient complaints after all these years. He's been my doctor over thirty years and was always attentitive. Now, he seems vaguely annoyed and unhelpful.

Best MD ever! Treats the whole patient. Kind,sympathetic and generous with time to answer questions and/or explain diagnoses, tests,etc. I've been a patient over 25 yrs. now as is my family.

Miss diagnose spouse's advanced cancer for 10 months, too conservative on getting testing done and moving aggressively to diagnose diverse symptoms. Unfortunately directed more by insurance practices than medicine.