Dr. Brian George Mcelheny, MD

Best dr in town

The best doctor I have ever had, and I've had quite a number.

Dr. McElheny is fantastic. He really cares about his patients. If we are sick, we always see him the same day we call. His Secretaries are so very rude. I thought it was just me until I started inquiring of other patients' experiences. Patients Stay with Dr. McElheny because he is an excellent doctor, and try their best to ignore his staff's obnoxious behavior.

Switched to a new Dr years ago but still have to see him when he covers for my Dr. He is a fan of treating symptoms rather than getting to the bottom of what is causing the issues. Although he comes across as nice, and carries on a conversation with you, one just gets a feeling that he doesn't really hear what you are trying to tell him. From others that I know that used to go to him, it seems that when it comes to women, he thinks everything is "all in their head". This exact issue is why we finally convinced my mother after many years to switch Docs. She went to him with stomach issues for years and he never bothered to send her for tests or refer her to a specialist until it was too late and she had to have her bladder removed. I do not recommend!

While Dr. McElheny may have a good reputation in the area, it's in large part to the limited number of family physicians in close proximity to Carbondale Hospital. His front desk staff's attitude is so bad it makes it hardly worth the 20+ min wait to see anyone. You have to call after 8am (usually 12 or more times before getting through) to schedule an appointment. And even if you're lucky enough to get wedged in, by the time you're done enduring a conversation with Tracy at the front desk, you'll want to just go to the walk-in clinic up the road. This doesn't factor in mixed-up patient histories or lack of any follow-up. Very disappointing.

My kids love going to the doctor. They get bouncy balls instead of suckers.

Dr. McElheny was my pediatrician, now he is my daughter's pediatrician. He is like talking to a family member, very down to earth. He is great with children. He doesn't sugar coat. He gets straight to the point and explains conditions in detail, to the point you feel like an expert when you leave the office. Sometimes he will tell you things you may not want to hear, like, "you would notice a big difference in your condition if you would exercise more", but that means he is honest. That is one of his most valuable traits in my opinion. The only way you will not like him is if you suffer from hypochondria because he is not afraid to tell you when nothing is wrong with you. He is there to do his job right, not take your money and give you some kind of label so that you can keep scheduling visits every couple of months so that you can line his pockets like some doctors I know. I recommend him to everyone I know.