John Whalen takes no accountability for himself or the actions of his subordinates. His technician, Mary H., was not only rude, but also physically assaulted me when I asked her a question about my vitals that she was taking. She did not verbally answer and proceeded to assault me. Dr. Whalen was around the corner and did nothing as I exclaimed aloud that Mary H. had roughly shoved me with both hands. The doctor then asked if I wanted to still be seen. I said I would like a new technician, but as I've been in treatment with the Ortho NY practice for years and been waiting months for this appointment (and over an hour in the waiting room) I did not want my time to be wasted. A new technician brought my fiancé and I to a new room and Dr. Whalen comes in. He immediately gaslights me about things "in my file." When I asked what he was talking about he refused to answer and gave me a hard time about requesting my files thereafter. I was given my chart and notes from my previous appointment at this office and there was evidence to the exact opposition of the doctor's claims. Dr. Whalen then proceeded to say that he would not do the consultation I was there for. He wasted over 2 hours of my time and was abhorrent in his tone, behavior, and bedside manner. I recommend that you avoid all Ortho NY practices, but especially this disgusting man and his downright evil employees.

Submitted Oct. 1, 2022

Dr. Whalen performed both lumbar and cervical surgeries for me and both operations were completely successful. He doesn’t interact very well with patients, and I understand why this puts people off, but I would be severely crippled if it weren’t for these surgeries. I also found that his assistant (at the time) was far better at explaining all the details and answering my questions. He my be brusque at times but honestly, who cares?

Submitted Dec. 4, 2021

I love my dr. But his staff is very rude and disrespectful.

Submitted Sept. 15, 2020

Dr. Whalen is an amazing Dr. He knows what he is doing. He is caring, responsible and attentive about his patients. He just performed a l4-l5 laminectomy and discectomy a month ago. I am healing fine and they kept in touch to see how am I doing. Most importantly I am happy to get my life back.

Submitted Nov. 19, 2019

I followed up with Dr. Whalen after 7 years at the request of my pain management doctor just to see how bad/good I was doing. They took x-rays and I only waited about 10 minutes to see him. He came in had me walk on my toes and heals...pushed here and there and told me that I had osteoporosis...which I knew. He never brought my x-rays up on the screen to show me where my pinched nerve was and what to do going forward. I asked him if there was any new medicine on the market to take and he told me I had to talk to my primary! I was stunned...no PT, no exercises no advice. But what he did say was "when my foot starts to flop
when I walk" I should go back to see him. I DON'T THINK SO.

Submitted Feb. 20, 2019

Dr. Whalen is an Excellent Surgeon. He was Caring and Kind but most of all he performed my back surgery and I’m now pain free. Wonderful surgeon.

Submitted Nov. 5, 2018

Met with Dr. Whalen to review my MRI results for a bulging disc. He was short with me and offered little explanation or treatment options. He was talking and backing out of the room to avoid any questions or actually provide any medical plan going forward. I have had far better experiences with doctors at other Orthopedic offices. Going forward I will seek medical treatment elsewhere.

Submitted June 8, 2018

Went with family member to see Dr Whalen. I had heard good and bad things about him. He was actually very very nice. There was no PA examining first ! He did everything. He actually was reading the patient paperwork as he was talking to us. He did a thorough exam and read all reports we brought with us ! I was totally impressed with him. I wish I had gone to him a few years ago for myself ! If i ever need anymore spine treatments I’ll go to Dr Whalen.

Submitted Feb. 9, 2018

wow, it was a while ago that i saw him but even then i felt the same as all these other people. i had mri done on my back but when i went to see him he could not show them to me, he had a pievce of paper in his hand, who knows what that was. he had no diagrams or pictures on the walls by which to explain things to me. he told me there was not much that could be done, let him know when the pain got too much so to schedule surger. i said i wanted to research some pain management. he was dismissive at best. 2 days later his office called to schedule my surgery...what? i did not go back there. what a jerk.

Submitted Sept. 12, 2017

Dr. Whalen only cares about lining his pockets. I saw him before surgery and have not set my eyes on him since. It's hard for me to get appointment. I have pain that I never had before surgery. Now I have to worry about my workers compensation being cut because the paper work wasn't filled correctly. I wish I read the reviews first!

Submitted April 3, 2017