Chris Derk, MD

I was a patient of Dr. Derk’s for 6 years. Well, 2 years ago I had breast cancer. After a double mastectomy and several months of treatment, I was cancer free. Because I had only been seeing breast cancer doctors for 8 months, I did not visit my other doctors i.e. PCP, rheumatologist, and etc. I finally met with him and was in excruciating pain, he had been prescribing me Tylenol 4 for several years. I have Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and fibromyalgia. This man refused to refill my Tylenol 4 that he prescribed me. I reached out to the head of rheumatology who never returned my call. Dr. Derk was literally treating me like a drug addict. All of my doctors are at Penn. He could see every single medicine that was prescribed to me, but he refused to refill the Tylenol. My husband sent him a long email reminding him of his oath of ethics. Low and behold, the very next morning my prescription was at the pharmacy. This fiasco went on for 2 weeks. During that time period, I could not… live a normal life. I was literally bedridden. A month later, I received a certified mailed letter from Dr. Derk stating that he would no longer be my doctor, and I could no longer be a patient at HUP Rheumatology. I was flabbergasted. I immediately called the rheumatology department to make an appointment with another doctor, but they refused to do so. I was banned from Penn Rheumatology. After this man violated his oath of ethics as far as patient care, and I was the one being punished. 3 months later, I met with my PCP, and he was unaware that I was kicked out of the practice. He also said that he never heard of a doctor having this type of authority in a public hospital. This man was literally insinuating that I was a drug addict after he was the one who originally prescribed the medication. Derk is a Jerk! I will no longer give him a doctor salutation. His name is Chris.

I cannot say enough great things about Dr Derk. I have been a patient of his since 2010 and I have an extremely rare autoimmune disease. Without his help, persistence, determination, bravery and aggressiveness, I would have never received the proper treatment needed for my condition. Other rheumatologists were too scared to "make moves" but not Dr Derk. He's understanding, knowledgeable, compassionate and makes you feel super important and comfortable. He always takes his time and answers all your questions and concerns. I truly trust this man with my life. Highly recommend him without any hesitation!

He takes the time to listen and does not make assumptions. I highly recommend him.

Dr, Derk is an excellent doctor bedside manner is great and he answers all of your questions/