Dr. Joel Richard Hoekema, MD

I saw Dr Hoekema in 2016 for back, hip, and knee problems - some congenital, some due to injury. He said my back had problems but was holding up okay. Hips a little arthritic but okay. Injured knee (20 years prior) was ready for a knee replacement. Due to his busy schedule, and my schedule, we postponed surgery until 2017. He's a brilliant surgeon, and six months after getting a new metal knee, I'm travelling, hiking, dancing, and swimming. Haven't gotten back to scuba diving yet. Yes, Dr Hoekema is not a warm and fuzzy doctor. His bedside manner is professional but not very personal. But while warm and fuzzy is good, a brilliant surgeon who can re-align bent knee bones and who can fit a knee replacement into those bending bones is really what I needed. (And he does warm up after a while - by the third visit, he was more personable.) So if you have an ortho problem, I highly recommend Dr Hoekema. But don't expect him to hold your hand, and be prepared for the honest truth… if you need something other than surgery.

Dr Joel Hoekema is a busy professional whose bedside manner may not be what many folks are desiring. I took note of his health, his confidence in his ability to surgically fix my painful hip and his huge smile. I asked to be put on a waiting list, as I am fairly fit, healthy and available. The next day his assistant, Angela, called and moved me up from mid December to October 11, 2017. I faithfully did all pre-surgery exercises and did all that was taught to me post surgery. Right away I dispensed with the walker and not long after stopped needing a cane. At seven weeks post-op I began walking outside for several miles, weather permitting. Eight weeks I began putting on my socks without the adaptive devise and can tie my own shoes. Dr Hoekema visited me the morning after my surgery. He had ridden his bike to work and his face glowed with good health. Surgeons are not magicians. They can put a new part in our bodies, but the rest is up to us. Take care of your health, stay as fit as… possible, and trust that you can become pain free. I did! So my hat is off to Dr Hoekema. I recommend him and his cheerful office staff with the highest rating possible! I love my new hip!

Avoid this arrogant verbally abusive doctor. Don't let him do surgery on you!

Successful

I went to Dr. H. and he had the results of my MRI. He told me that he wouldn't do surgery because I have had the problem since 1971. The Seattle V.A. hospital took out the L-5 disc. But for some reason I started to have severe pain in the area of L-5 about six months ago.My primary care DR referred me to massage,physical therapy, and the pain clinic. The pain clinic Dr told me that what they had to offer wouldn't fix my problem, and referred me to Dr. H for surgical intervention. I pleaded with Dr. H that nothing I had done relieved my pain and the pain clinic Dr. told me that a " bone spur" was pressing on my L-5 nerve, and that surgery was necessary. Dr. H's had no empathy at all for me being in pain for six months. I was shocked at his I don't care attitude. as I write this, I am in severe pain even after taking my pain medication. I am in shock that a Dr. could be so heartless!!!

I was referred to Dr. Hoekema in Bellingham by my primary care physician from Anacortes. Dr. Hoekema entered the examining room and flicked through my MRI like a kid on a video game (2-3 seconds max). Then he turns to me and says, "Why are you here?" I explained that I have had hip pain for 5 months and my hip was popping in an out of the socket. Then he said, "No, why are you here? Why didn't you just go to a doctor in Anacortes?" I explained why and he said, "I can't help you." A 3 minute appt

Took several years to muster up the courage to have back surgery but am so thankful that dr Hoekema was able to relieve the terrible back pain. With Hindsight should have done it years ago. Dr Hoekema did an excellent job .he was friendly competent and his staff was too

We went to see Dr. Hoekema, as my son had been previously diagnoised with Scoliosis by a GP, who instructed us to see a specialist. He had xrays taken months ago. After having him walk a few steps, the Dr. said "he doesn't have scoliosis", Then he told us their whole computer system was down, and he could not bring up any xrays or information at this time. He would look later, and call if he felt it was important. He asked my son how much pain he was in, my son said "excruciating". My son is 18 and been to the Dr. about 5 times in his life, he never complains and is healthy. He has been in pain, and scared about all of this. The Dr. gave us a list of Physical Therapist and sent us out the door! No follow up due to the problems of not being able to access xrays on the computer. NOTHING!! He was less than compassionate, and seeminly uncaring. I felt horrible for my son as we left. I thad taken off work, we drove 2 cars in for the appointment as we live out of the city and would be… going different directions after the appointment. And for what?? This guy never looked at him, never saw the xrays, not interested at all, just got us out of there as fast as possible. I am hurt, livid and unsure where to go from here. you can treat me alot of ways, but not my son, who is a good guy that is in pain and trouble. We came for help and got treated like scum. I don't know why??? My son will go see a Physical Therapist, we must try something. And I have a couple refferals from people in my office that I am going to schedule a real appointment with, and hopefully get some answers. But the idea we were treated so badly after we had waited, and been so nervous and anxious for this appintment is inexcusable. Some people should not be in the field they are in. This Dr. is one of those people. I would never go out of my way to "bad mouth" anybody, but I feel this needs to be put out there. I am not done writing letters about this either. Shame, shame on you Dr. Hoekema!

I had a HORRIBLE experience with Dr. Hoekema. He talked to me for 5 minutes before he decided that all I needed was some "exercise". I have had constant pain in my neck and back for a year and there is definitely something wrong, but because he doesn't think its surgical he blew me off. It was a total waste of time and money. I had to insist on getting an order for an MRI because he wanted to just throw me out the door. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS GUY.

Dr. Hoekema is a wonderful doctor. He adds a "care" factor to his patient contact that is refreshing compared to other doctors. He is very knowledgeable and his diagnosis was right on. I would highly recommend him.