Bloomingdale Pediatric Associates

08/16/07

Only if you enjoy long, long waits and poor service

by hockeytown_soldier at Citysearch

I am in the military and this was one of two options in Valrico. I chose the closest. Bad decision. My toddler (who had Pneumonia) had the first available appointment of the day at 8am. The front desk people didn't arrive until 8:30. Doctor Ruiz didn't show up until 9:15 and we still didn't get in until 9:45. This or similar events happened 3 times before I called to complain that my wife and child had to wait 1-2 hours for very early appointments. The front desk informed me that Dr. Ruiz policy is to book appointments beginning at 8am, but that Dr. Ruiz does not come in until between 8:30 and 9:30***I am not joking, it was her policy. We have also had to wait 2 day's for her to sign a kindergarten school physical (that she performed). The office is in bad shape, with wallpaper falling off the walls and paint chipping. On a side note, most of the staff, including doctor Ruiz, have very thick Spanish accents that make it very difficult to interpret what they are saying. That is very important since you are trying to understand unusually large medical terms that are refering to the health of the most important thing in your life. I highly recommend you find another pediatrician if at all possible. I am currently recommending (along with other military families) that she be removed the TriCare list.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: long long long waits, hard to understand, poor bedside manner