Dr. James Owen Shirk, MD

Dr. Shirk's nurse lied to me, saying that an endometrial biopsy "can be a little bit uncomfortable." NOT A LITTLE BIT. As a nurse, she must know that it is EXTREMELY PAINFUL for most women. Typically, women scream, cry, and beg for it to stop. Not only that, but a negative endometrial biopsy DOES NOT rule out cancer because it only samples about 4% of the lining of the uterus. So unless the cancer is GLOBAL--meaning that it covers the entire uterus--cancer can be missed by an endometrial biopsy. An endometrial biopsy is NO LONGER THE STANDARD OF CARE. The nurse also told me that a transvaginal ultrasound is "like sex." WHAT?!? The only way that it is like sex is that your legs are spread and something enters your vagina. In particular, LGBTQ patients no doubt will be offended by the thought, "oh, the ultrasound is like having sex with a man." NOTE: I have a Ph.D. in medical communication (I'm straight, BTW), so I'm better informed than the typical patient.

Dr shirk delivered my son in 2017 and I’m hoping he’s got availability to deliver my daughter in a few weeks. He truly is the best and is compassionate, knowledgeable and reassuring

Dr. Shirk delivered my son and my daughter within 12 months of each other. He listened to every worry I had. He decided to induce my son when I told him he wasn't moving much. And his growth was behind and if he didn't listen and decide to induce me. My son wouldn't be here. He is a very good doctor.

I wanted Dr. Shirk for my first and second baby’s births, but my first was emergency csection by the doctor on call and he was on vacation for my second. I finally was able to schedule my third baby’s csection with Dr. Shirk and he did the best out of all of them! The scar is minimal and he has great patient care and bedside manner. He always helped me up off the table during appointments and he is more hands on with care. I recommend him for any surgery and trust his experience.

I visited Dr. Shirk for a problem visit and a few days later was doubled over in pain due to small cysts and endemetriosis. I called and Dr. Shirk and his nurse rescheduled my three week out ultrasound for the very next day and Dr. Shirk put me at the beginning of his long day seeing patients. It means so much for me for them to understand how much pain I was in and they did. He was and is a very compassion doctor who is very personable and thorough in explaining what options there are when pain hits. My experiences under his care have been nothing but positive and supportive.

My overall experience was not good, in fact I am still haunted by it to this day. Yes Dr. Shirk was kind and personable during the visits throughout my pregnancy a few years back, but his decision making and care at the end of my pregnancy was questionable. I used his group for my 1st pregnancy I was 41 years old but very healthy, I worked at my job right up until my due date. Everything went like clockwork, I started having contractions on my scheduled due date, I was dilated to 9 after only 2 hours yet Dr. Shirk decided I should just have a C section. At the time that seemed reasonable but looking back it seemed to be more convenient for him and quicker. I have friends that were in labor for 10 hours or more, I felt like he didn't give it enough time. But this is not the experience I am even speaking of, it was with my 2nd child. I was now 43 years old & expecting my 2nd child. My life had become extremely stressful. My relationship with my spouse was extremely toxic &… unhealthy he had fits of rage & anger episodes several times a week. I was working a full time job with bad hours for taking care of a 2 yr old. I worked 3:30 pm to 12:30 am and because my husband worked day shift I took care of my 2 yr old during the day. My 2 yr old woke up at 7:00 am every morning so I was extremely sleep deprived only getting 5 or 6 hrs of sleep through the week. My blood pressure was high because of stress & not to mention I am 43 years old which puts you at a little high risk within its self. I worked for a call center who has been awarded 10 years in a role as a great place to work for working moms so they were great they said anytime I became to uncomfortable that I could take my maternity leave up to 2 months before my due date. One week, one misally week before my scheduled c section ( had to have one since he did a c section with 1st baby) I called Dr. Shirks assistant and said I was having a very hard time with extreme stress and brutal hours with no sleep whatsoever & asked if I could go ahead & start my leave from work. His assistant was so rude, she said, "what are you just needing a vacation or something?" I was shocked, I said no I am 43 years old, I have a 2 yr old at home, I am having extreme stress in my relationship, my job hrs are causing me to have no sleep, blood pressure is high, etc etc. She said no I don't think that would be possible taking a week off from work before the c section. I said I will just speak to Dr. Shirk myself. After I spoke to him he said the same thing, that I would be committing fraud if I took a week off before my surgery. I was so stressed out & in disbelief I felt like I was going to have a mental break down or a stroke. I wanted to leave his group but it was too late I was due in a week. The week went by & on the Thursday before my c section that was scheduled for Saturday he said lets go ahead & start your maternity leave (for one day) He gave me one day of maternity leave. I was so emotionally distraught I remember just bursting out in tears in front of him. I felt absolutely miserable physically & mentally & he knew I was upset about what his assistant said to me about "just needing a vacation". During the surgery he talked the entire time about golf & just personal things with the other assistants around the operating table. I felt like I was not even a human being, he never spoke to me or asked how I was doing, he only spoke to them laughing & carrying on. The last insult to injury was one day after having the surgery one of the other doctors in Dr. Shirk's group came in to check on me & said, "well are you ready to go home"? I said, I didn't think I was supposed to go home so soon. Most people stay 3 days or 2 at the least after a c- section. I was so out of it & the fact that UT was remodeling the maternity ward & had the birth unit temporarily on some other floor & I was in a very uncomfortable bed. When I asked the nurse why the bed was moving & pushing up on my back she said it was for old people or long time patients so they will not get bed sores?? Not the best bed for abdominal surgery pushing up on you from behind, it was awful. When they said I could leave I said ok because I thought I would be more comfortable in my own bed. This was a mistake I should have at least stayed 2 nights for a c- section. I had a very hard time at home. To this day the pregnancy with my daughter is the worst experience of my life.