William Rivera-Ortiz, MD

One day I started having right pelvic pain so I checked into the ER, the physician that saw me did lab work & ultrasound and later diagnosed me with Dermoid cyst in my right ovary. They called Dr. Rivera-Ortiz because he was the on-call doctor for that day. The physician in the ER talked to their staff to get me an appointment for the next following day but they told us to call back the next day make the appointment and they’ll put me on the schedule for that day. But unfortunately, when I called the next day they said that they don’t do same day appointment even if it’s a referral from the ER so I had to wait for a week or so for an appointment to see him for a dermoid cyst removal consultation. Finally on the day of the consultation, I was very nervous and scared because I didn’t know what to expect, I checked in and waited until they called me to a room. When placed in the room from one of their medical assistant she asked me what I came in for and did my vitals, I explained to her that I was referred from the ER for a dermoid cyst removal and that I was in a lot of pain, she then later asked me if I was taking anything to help ease the pain and I told her ibuprofen. She said okay and left the room. About 15 minutes of waiting in the room Dr. Rivera-Ortiz came in and went over a couple of things with me but it was very hard to understand him because he was talking so fast thus he had an accent too so I had to ask him to repeat himself multiple times. He NEVER ONCE asked me about my pain or how I was feeling. He claims that it’s probably just an ovarian cyst that needed to be drained but they will determine if it’s something that needs to be drained or removed when they cut me open laparoscopically. He obviously didn’t look into my history or labs from the ER. I felt like I was just another patient that he needed to see. When the doctor examined me I was already uncomfortable as is when he did the “vaginal” exam, then he later told me take off all my clothes to “listen to my heart”. He stepped outside while I was changing but to be honest I felt very violated! It’s one thing to asked me to do a vaginal exam which is “necessary” but to take off my clothes just to listen to my heart? That is unacceptable & unethical! I hope that no one ever has to go through this!

Never did see the doctor because my appointment was cancelled (after waiting 2 months) on the way, 15 minutes before the appointment. I was told they would call me back to reschedule and they never did. I call 3 times to reschedule and they kept saying they would have to call me back. Never did. Don't waste your time. Horrible office staff.

Rivera is a science denier. After several months of waiting for appointment, I finally got to see him to discuss my test results and determine treatment course. Those months of waiting gave me chance to read literature about my condition and study scientific papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals. I referred to journals as Am J Obstet Gynecol, Am J Public Health, JAMA, European Heart Journal, News Medical, etc. Majority of research reports state that risk of cardio-vascular diseases increase up to 3 times for patients like me if treatment Rivera recommended is received. Rivera’s answer on my legitimate - and science supported - concern was to declare those scientific articles wrong and state that his years of experience are more valuable than decades of scientific research. When I commented that Science works, he added that he follows literature in his field. But my request to give me one citation that supports his opinion was ignored. Considering that papers I pointed out were published in time range from 1981 to 2015 the only conclusion I could end up with is that Rivera did not really read scientific journals since at least 1981. A suspicion that seriously question his capabilities as medical practitioner. Of course, the treatment Rivera recommended would line his pocket with good profit, a fact apparently way more important then blatant endangerment of patient life. And Rivera upped his recommendation with the statement that no other treatment would work in my case. Considering his blatant ignoring of the decades of medical research I do not believe him. To top this refusal of science he continued to state that I, myself along with other females who have same condition, I’m responsible for my condition because unhealthy way of life. A statement completely uncalled for, especially because my BMI is in normal range, I do not smoke, drink, or take any drugs. Moreover, during my lifetime I participated in athletic and dance competitions winning awards! Plus my diet is Mediterranean. Also, he does not keep correct notes about patients. Rivera started asking me about medication that he never even mentioned to me as an option nor gave me prescription during first visit. In fact he was pushing this same profitable treatment both times I’ve seen him. In conclusion, if you have any condition that cannot be handled by midwife, choose some other doctor. Rivera will not provide you care based on the medical research results discovered after 1971. Let me add, that I am a scientist myself, with more than 20 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals (published under my first and middle name)