Dr. Joanne Elizabeth Ruch, MD

I have been going to Dr. Ruch for several years and I think she is awesome. She is knowledgeable and keeps up with her profession. She is the best physician I have ever been to!

Has been my doctor for about 15 years. Have always found her to be not only a good listener, but her service gets right to the problem and explains exactly what she is doing and why.

This doctor is supposed to be a Christian, well Christians don't treat people the way she does, she's rude, has no bedside manner, and I owed $7 and instead of contacting me FIRED ME and I have conditions that require a physician and instead I had to scramble around trying to find care over $7. Don't go to this physician.

After I had a miscarriage, I followed up with this doctor. Due to a condition that I have she told me to "Set up an appointment at Lutheran Hospital to have a tubal ligation...sooner rather than later. Immediately." After consulting with my OBGYN, and a NEW PCP, I found that it was possible to have children, carry them to term and change some of my medications and be watched carefully through the a pregnancy. We did not do as Ruch said, and that is a blessing. However, the emotional impact that that experience had, with NO support from Ruch, was unneccesary and unprofessional. I won't even make a personal comment on her physician's assistant, Julie, but I will just say, this is a very unprofessional place to go for medical assistance. Find someone who cares as much as your own family member. Thank GOD for mine! There really are GREAT doctors out there. I'm glad I found another.

Did a good job diagnosing my problems

Dr. Ruch was my mother's doctor for years. When my mother was seriously ill from diabetes, her other doctors would not help me with her. She had to be hospitalized several times and spent time in rehab hospitals. Their specialists wouldn't give me the time of day since this disease affects the mind and could be challenging to say the least. They didn't want to deal with her or my family. At that time my mother did not have reasonable decision making abilities. I was lost. No matter how well your family thinks they are prepared there is always something that you forget. I needed to make some decisions to keep my mom safe and have some quality of life in her home as long as possible. My mom and I always knew what we wanted in case either of us could not make decisions for ourselves. I needed the help of a Dr. without upsetting my mother in her condition ie. when to revoke her drivers license, when to make the decision to take her our of her home, how to suggest to her what she… needed to do. Even though she didn't drive sometimes when she was mentally out of it she threatened to drive. I needed to know what rights I had to keep her and others safe. No one wanted to help me. Dr. Ruch worked with me. Also when my mom thought she didn't need to see the doctor, Dr. Ruch stepped in and encouraged her to see what ever specialist she needed. I was able to keep my mom safe and in her home 2 days before she passed. I can't thank Dr. Ruch enough for all her concern and help. I was in need of a primary care Dr. after my mom passed and decided to go with Dr. Ruch. I have RA and she understands the troubles I have and works with my rheumatoid arthritis Dr. to treat me to the best of their abilities. I have had this disease my whole life and know my body. She listens when a lot of Doctors in the past have not. They always want to make sure you know your not the specialist. She listens. Not every doctor has all the answers but is nice to know she will help you find them. Thanks Dr. Ruch!

I'm so disappointed in this doctor. After being referred by a family member and seeing her for many years, a mis-diagnosis and lack of quality care nearly left me in a very serious life-threatening situation. Luckily, my husband and his instincts were correct and we went to a different doctor who sent us to an emergency room where I received immediate surgery and follow up care in that hospital. While I am still recovering and in physical therapy for a very long time, I have long moved on from this physician. Unfortunately I can't give her a positive review. All I can do is wish her the best and tell her patients to make sure that they trust their instincts and seek a second opinion.

This is a doctor that is more concerned that she is following "medical protocol" than listening to a patient's complaints and symptoms. Very defensive, rude and confrontational when being questioned about a certain course of treatment.