Dr. Hoekema has no bedside manner. I went to the emergency room for a bad toe infection and he yelled at me, "Didn't you notice it smelled!" Worthless, rude and bullying. He performed an emergency toe amputation only because he was the only on call emergency surgeon who could do it. He did not visit me at my bedside until several days and only after several nurses complained he never did a follow up for the surgery visit and I had developed a clot where he had performed the surgery. His manner was abrupt as he yanked out my stitches to relieve my clot and he said nothing. No comfort - he seemed forced to be at my bedside. Rude. When I went to my follow up visit with him a few weeks later he had his physician assistant (pa) meet with me - even though he was in his office and could have seen me. I asked if it was normal for him to have his pa visit his surgery subjects instead of himself. They looked uncomfortable when they pretended it was - they looked like they were lying for him. When I saw his pa, the pa seemed impressed with my progress. Big surprise that his highness Hoekema "deigned" to see me on my 2nd surgery follow-up. He only did it so he could spend the entire time talking about how impressed he was with the surgery he did. He has zero skill with patients. Wish it was policy that doctors cannot get a medical license unless they have a proven bedside manner and always treat everyone with courtesy, respect and compassion. Isn't it do no harm to anyone? I wouldn't call exacerbating trauma and purposely adding to it ethical!

Submitted Aug. 29, 2019

Dr Hoekema was recommended to me by friends/family who work in the hospital in Bellingham. I had him replace my left hip in 2013 after 10 years of pain and it went great! I was riding my horse again in 3 months and have had no problems since, no limp or pain. I have 3 friends who have also had him replace their hips after my experience and they have had the same great results. He is a skilled surgeon.

Submitted Aug. 14, 2018

Had bilateral knee replacements. Dr. Hoekema is a wizard with surgery. In communications he is all business and clinical .... he expects you to do your part to be healthy. I did my homework on what to expect and I lost 25 pounds for the surgery. Felt I was treated with respect and courtesy and sometimes a bit of just fun conversation. Would recommend to my loved ones (as well as strangers.)

Submitted May 3, 2017

Avoid this arrogant verbally abusive doctor! He speaks falsehoods.

Submitted March 14, 2017

I was referred to Dr. Hoekema in Bellingham by my primary care physician from Anacortes. Dr. Hoekema entered the examining room and flicked through my MRI like a kid on a video game (2-3 seconds max). Then he turns to me and says, "Why are you here?" I explained that I have had hip pain for 5 months and my hip was popping in an out of the socket. Then he said, "No, why are you here? Why didn't you just go to a doctor in Anacortes?" I explained why and he said, "I can't help you." A 3 minute appt

Submitted May 17, 2016

brought my 23 year old daughter into see Dr. Hoekema for continual severe neck pain, numbness & burning on one side of face and arm and was told to "SUCK IT UP and that she would have to learn to LIVE with the pain!!!!!! NO advice offered or any suggestions on what to do for whatever is going on!! AWFUL!!!!!!

Submitted Jan. 12, 2016

My husband went to see this surgeon with 8 bulging discs and constant pain and was told to "suck it up"

Submitted July 24, 2015

Very poor bedside manner. Showed no compassion what so ever . Very rude and judge mental about pain. For someone who show know knowledge about complications or non responding complications after surgery. He didn't know squat. Gets very defensive if adverse or negative results develope after surgery and seems to think that one is trying to blame him instead of trying to figure out what the problem is. I was warned not to have him do my surgery by many but gave him a chance and I paid dearly for it . The man shows no compassion and if you're not getting better after he's done surgery on you, it's because you're not trying is how he sees it.

Submitted June 23, 2015

My husband and I went into see Dr. Ho, who was very competent and reassuring that he could help my husband who has been in pain for the last 7 to 8 years. hedr Hoekema did the back surgery successfully for my husband and my husband is finally pain-free . He walked around the hospital just hours after surgery. I think the world of Dr. Hoekema

Submitted Jan. 26, 2015

Dr. Hoekema is a conscienscious and extremely skilled surgeon. He urges patient to pursue other options before sugery. Will not do surgery unless necessary. He replaced a hip for me, and I walked out of the hospital. Only used cane and pain meds for 3 days. Nurse was amazed at the fine, minimal scar line. He does not talk a lot, but don't be fooled. I would prefer a skilled physician to one who talks to appease me. I chose him because of many very high recommendations from other patients. I am 100% satisfied.

Submitted April 14, 2013