Dr. Folkert Gerben Zijlstra, MD

Dr Zijlstra listened to me describing my GI problems. I did not feel rushed and felt free to ask questions. He answered my questions with clear language that I could understand. He showed compassion and I felt that he cared about me and my symptoms. I would highly recommend Dr Zijlstra for anyone with a GI problem that they want resolved.

My mother was admitted to the hospital with a bile duct blockage. Dr. Zijlstra was the initial GI doc to do an ERCP to implant stents in her bile duct. He identified two blockages in her bile ducts. He was able to stent one but said the other was completely blocked. He also stated that the tumors were inoperable cancer and she would require chemo and radiation to control the growth of the tumors. He gave this diagnosis prior to performing a biopsy and consulting with an oncologist. Dr. Zijlstra shared this information with my father and I while my mom was in recovery. He did not bother to share this information with my mother until the following morning. Mom knew something was wrong the minute she came back to her room from recovery. She wanted to know exactly what they found. We were left on our own to tell mom that she had inoperable cancer. It would have been helpful to have the Dr. there to explain his findings. A few days later, mom was scheduled to have a biopsy and stent… replacement with another GI doc. The second doc was able to stent both bile ducts without issue and get a sample for the biopsy. Thankfully mom’s prognosis is a lot better then Dr. Zijlstra had stated. We endured a lot of unneeded worry and stress for two weeks because Dr. Zijlstra made a diagnosis before he had all his facts in order.

I have seen him for upper GI and colonoscopy and he and staff have always been reassuring and wonderful. I could not imagine seeing anyone else for GI issues.

He’s a good doctor but needs to get his previous nurse back, she was very nice and helpful.

Dr. Zijlstra is very knowledgeable and seems to genuinely be concerned with his patient's needs. I would absolutely give him 5 stars, however, the scheduling is HORRIBLE. You have to fight with them to get an appointment that isn't 3 months out! I had to have my oncologist call twice and make them see me. Also, his nurse Cindy is VERY unfriendly. Calling in to talk to her is a nightmare, and she lacks the bedside manner needed to be a nurse. We saw a medical assistant at our last visit who was much friendlier! Hopefully she will be there for our next visit!

He took 3 biospy’s and I didn’t even have a pulup. Not one. I never got any answers as to why, he never even told me. I found out when I checked my Parkview site That I had a $6000.00 bill and called and asked why! Still no answers. I couldn’t even get past the nurse. I hate this doctor. I DI T EVEN KNOW HOW THE TESTS CANE BACK. NEVER ANY FOLLOW UP OR OAPER IR PHO E CALL. DO T USE HIM!

I would rate him at 0 if there were such a rating. He never identified my husbands problem and ignored him when he couldn't figure it out. Took him out of state and was diagnosed in 24 hours after he was placed in the hospital. He was close to dying and it was celiac disease which could not be identified from a simple blood test. While he had done an endoscopy he still did not recognize the changes in the intestines nor did he biopsy!!!