Dr. Douglas Mark Hershkowitz, MD

I would like to thank Dr Hershkowitz for his outstanding work on me for twelve years keeping me walking out of pain. Melissa and staff have been outstanding as well. Enjoy your retirement Doug you have more than earned it. I will miss you and your staff. I will miss meeting you at Gulf Point every 6-8 months.

He placed a shunt in my head for hydrocephallus and I commend him for that. what followed(NOW 3 YEARS) has been a nightmare I began to slowly lose my hearing and gradually developed severe tinitus, vertigo(hospitalized) and more. I was totally ignored when mentioning symptoms as it was not his balliwick, when all research recognized the shunt does and can cause deafness. going to specialists in Tampa, they (after 2 years) adjusted the shunt, as in a dial. and sure enough my hearing got better. I have written proof along with myself that the shunt can and does cause partial deafness if not monitored. He still denies this. This is a travesty of the highest negligence. The man willl not speak to or acknowledge me. I can forgive him for denying the connection by admitting he was wrong but his refusal to admit shunt connected hearing loss is real, this has affected me to a devistating degree. I think he's a good surgeon but not man enough to admit that he was and is wrong.

Absolutely the best neurosurgeon in SW Florida! I not only have worked with him in the OR as an Anesthetist, but been his patient on several occasions as well. So I’ve seen both sides of the equation. Doesn’t matter the day or time, when the situation calls for it, you’re his #1 priority.

and yet again I am without pain medication, after speaking with the Dr, and calling in the request at the appropriate time, I find it was never filled and none of my messages after that answered. So here I am on a weekend with no options. There is not time for me to name every screw up this office has made over the last 2 years. I thought, after a long heart to heart with the Dr himself that this would have been sorted out. This, is how little the staff cares about the patients. Three surgeries have been done, and all went well for the most part, thus I have no complaint with the surgeon. But his personnel should be replaced.

I was in the East Coast of Florida and Have been in and out of the hospital over there for 6 months. Not once did any doctor offer to due surgery. Than went to an HCA Hospital Lawnwood and they sent me over here. Wow great thing they did. Dr Hershkowitz is great. He performed an Laminectomy, Discectomy and an Execuation if Epidoral Abcess. And I’m healing in 3 days so far. I highly recommend him.

My mother is a frail little 90yr old lady with crumbling vertebrae. Dr H gently cares for her with the respect a person having lived that long deserves, and does ALL he can to keep her out of pain. Dr Hershkowitz works tirelessly to provide exceptional care for all his patients. It was nothing for him to send in prescriptions at the end of his day, which typically was after midnight. And Melissa, Dr H’s right hand, cares for all like a mother hen! If there is something to be done, she’ll think of it, then find the time for it to be done! The office staff is equally compassionate and helpful from walking in the door to leaving, and the phone calls in between ~ We strongly recommend this team for anyone needing Neuro-surgical care. We are moving Mom home to Indiana and entrusting her care to any other Neuro-Surgeon is a sad task.

I had major back back problems. Dr Hershkowitz took the time to explain to me what was wrong with my back I had several vertebrae that were cracked and damaged along with bones spurs in my back pinching nerves causing partial paralysis in my left leg. He told me before surgery what he thought he could do. He did an excellent surgery. I walked the entire spine ward the same day of my surgery. I could not have walked 100 feet before my surgery. After two months of Physical Therapy I was a different person. No pain just some stiffness from setting too long but that will straighten out after time. I cannot say enough Good things about Dr Hershkowitz. He is a busy man, sometimes you might wait for an appointment but that was the least of my problems. I am very happy with him and highly recommend him.

I was a little apprehensive seeing him after reading some of the reviews on his personality . However, I found him to be just the opposite . He was very thorough, caring, and warm. And very far from the egotistical surgeons that I’ve worked with in the past . I highly recommend him!

They’re obviously people who are impatient (waiting room took too long and they begin to whine) or they get easily angered by mundane things (the front desk didn’t apologize for a longer wait...) all I can say is GET OVER IT. Charlotte county has a large geriatric population and every doctor around here has long wait times. Ever been to millennium? Longer wait times. Dr. H is the best in the area, and he has helped me get my life back after severe lower back issues. Yes, his bedside manner is lacking, but I would not say he is unpleasant. He is courteous, professional, and gives it you you straight. If you want things sugar coated, go to the candy store.

Dr. Hershkowitz is the best in the business. He can give a brusque impression, but, trust me, he hears you. I have been his patient for more than 10 years and he literally saved my life three times. His PA, Melissa Telfer is as good as he is. You can’t go wrong with these two. J. Drill