During COVID, I called and asked to be scheduled for an annual physical. I was told they were not seeing patients in the office and could only be scheduled for a virtual appointment. Upon meeting with Dr. Terry Garvert, she informed me they were only doing annual physicals in the office and I was told incorrectly that they were not seeing patients. Instead of ending the meeting there, she continued to ask me questions and later billed me $260 for it - and I still did not get an annual exam.

I tried to resolve the issue that I did not receive the service I asked for, but was not successful. Town Center Medicine does not return phone calls of patients. This is a bad practice in honesty and integrity. I will not be returning to Town Center Medicine or Dr. Terry Garvert.

Submitted March 4, 2021

PART 2

A little while later, a nurse with long blond hair walked out. She explained she has to update the form, and sat in the receptionist’s chair to do so. She pertly told me to put on my surgical mask (which I bring to doctor’s offices so I don’t catch what others may have). I told her it’s not within her scope of business to tell me to put my mask on, that it was a personally elective action. It was her attitude, like she was making fun of me for wearing it to the office.

I called my sister and told me they were updating the form. My sister said my brother-in-law was trying to call. I told her good luck in getting a call back. The nurse started smirking like she thought that was funny, and I sensed she took personal pleasure in all the hassle they were giving me. I told my sister, the nurse is sitting there smirking; she thinks this is funny. The nurse cutely told me she’s not smirking. I told her, “yea, you are!”

Finally, they gave me the updated form with “Viral illness (079.99), and added the term “suspected.” I don’t think the nurse has the authority to update the doctor’s diagnoses by adding the term “suspected.” Maybe she should review her medical-malpractice insurance policy.

What I wondered is how did the doctor know it wasn’t bacterial?. She ran no tests. I told her I’m running hot and cold, but she brushed it off saying she didn’t observe the fever, like I’d lie? It’s not like I’m there asking for narcotics! At most, it would have been nice to get some Amox.

I then went to the pharmacy to buy Prilosex or Nexium. The consultant at the pharmacy said they’re for heart burn, as did the Nexium package. I told the pharmacy consultant that I don’t have heart burn. I’m bloated. She didn’t know what to say.

My sister recommended I follow the course for 1 day, and to find another doctor.

What a freaking circus!!!. I’ve been so damned sick for a week now, it’s not funny, and to be argued with, mocked / made fun of, well, I have absolutely no intentions of going back there EVER!

I think I now know why their huge waiting room was nearly empty.

Submitted Sept. 15, 2014

PART 1 -- I called the office for an appointment as a first-time patient, and was happy they were able to see me the first day. I asked to see an MD.

I noticed there were only 2-3 people in their big waiting room and was glad I didn’t have a long wait.

Dr. Gavert saw me. I explained I had bloating, fatigue, was running hot and cold, and periodic low-level nausea for the past week. I also explained a couple months ago, I had something similar, and ended up in the hospital, and that I didn’t want it to get that far again.

She was willing to prescribe Zolfran for the nausea, but otherwise told me to buy Prilosec or Nexium over-the counter, drink fluids, bland diet, take Zolfran, eat small meals 2-3 hours, and to schedule a follow-up if symptoms persist.

I tried to explain I didn’t want to end up in the hospital again, and felt she only wanted to treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Instead of remaining professional, she started pointing the finger at me in a curt way venting her frustration that I wasn’t satisfied with what she was saying. Wow! Somebody needs to put on her big MD panties on.

When I left the office, I called my sister (an RN). She asked me what the diagnosis code was. I told her I wasn’t given a receipt with one on. She told me to go back and get it. I went back to the office, and the receptionist told me she couldn’t give me one. I told her I wasn’t leaving until she did. She seemed flustered and said she would send a message back to the doctor. 10 minutes later, I went up to the desk and the receptionist said she was going to send a message back to the doctor. I was really feeling sick and asked, “you still haven’t done it?” She explained the doctor wasn’t picking up, so she would walk it back. She returned and said they were all at lunch so she couldn’t give me the receipt. I called my sister who said she was going to have her husband (an MD) call the office and asked for the phone number. While I stood there waiting for the flustered receptionist to print out a HIPPA form so I could give consent to share my information with him, my sister called and said my brother-in-law (MD) had been trying to call, but that they’re not answering the phone. I was standing right there at the desk, the 2 receptionists were not on the phone, they simply did not answer the telephone when he was calling. It looked like they were completely ignoring it. I told my sister, they’re not answering the phone.

About that time, the receptionist printed off a receipt with symptoms I explained I had, but no diagnosis or diagnosis code. My sister told me to tell them I wanted one with the diagnosis code.

The receptionist walked in the back, and returned with a form with a hand-written diagnosis and code on it “(Viral illness (079.99)”. I asked her to update the computer and print one off with that information on it. She said she can’t do that. I told her she has to do that.

Submitted Sept. 15, 2014

I have been going to Dr. Garvert for over 5 years and I have recommended her to several friends. She is WONDERFUL!!! She has been patient and compassionate with me. She always takes time with me and addresses any concerns. She makes me feel very comfortable. The staff at Town Center Medicine is also GREAT!

Submitted Feb. 1, 2013

Dr. Garvert was rude, judgmental, lacked basic knowledge and did not respect me as an individual. She made me feel like there was not a problem and that she did not have time to address any possible concern. When I tried explaining the reason for my visit she would consistently misinterpret what I was saying and make aggressive unrelated comments about how she could not help me with issues I never asked her to address. Not only does she lack any basic human compassion but she seems to lack any capability of practicing medicine in a comprehensive manner. Effectively she is a rude version of WebMd as she refuses to look at the whole picture and takes the easy way out on the answer to get you out of her office.

Submitted June 19, 2012

Dr. Garvert is very quick and to the point. I've never been seriously ill, so I've only seen her for routine check-ups and the occasional ear infection or allergy symptoms and she's been helpful. Very clean office. Friendly staff. Always punctual. I'm in and out in less than 30 minutes usually.

Submitted Jan. 4, 2011

Dr. Garvert is not helpful or knowledgeable. I have seen this doctor on five occasions and have ALWAYS been referred to another physician. She could not treat simple skin conditions or provide adequate advice on weight loss (for instance, her advice on weight loss was "eat healthy and exercise".) One of her referrals resulted in the referred doctor questioning her judgment (the doctor asked the reason we were at his office because my child did not have the condition for which we were referred). I do not recommend this doctor for any type of service. However, the staff seems more than willing to accept payment despite the fact the doctor does not perform any type of service.

Submitted May 14, 2009

I visited her few months ago for my physical. She wasn't very friendly. She was very busy and had no time to ask if I had any questions. I don't recommend her. The other doctors in the towncenter family medicine were friendly.

Submitted Dec. 1, 2008