Dr. John Howland Hall, MD

My first visit went pretty well with Dr. Hall. My next not so well. The receptionist ask for my copay , as most offices do. I have no problem with that. But as I just wanted Dr Hall to look at a place on my leg and explain why that was taken care of I didn’t think was more than a consolation. The first thing he did was come to exam room and explain that if I did not pay the co charge I would be responsible for the complete bill. I felt attacked! I told him I intend to pay…he was more concerned about the $25 co fee.

I visited Dr. Hall becuase I was getting teenage acne a little early and my parents wanted to check if it was anything else and find a treatment. This was just 1-2 years ago. I went in already self concious about having acne at a young age when everyone around me had clear skin. At first the nurse came to me and explained to me some stuff and analyzed my acne. Then Dr. Hall came and said the normal stuff except he seemed a little too jolly about having to deal with a young patient in the i’m annoyed with you but i’m faking a smile type way. I was really nervous. Then he analyzed my skin. Mind you, neither the nurse or doctor came anywhere close to me, they analzed my skin from a far distance. Then he said the most uncomfortable sentence. He said that he knew that people with my religion might not like the option(birth control) he was about to give but he wanted us to hear him out. I felt weird but I was young and didn’t understand why that was wrong. I’m now older and I realize how… shrewd and wrong that was. First of all, I had never told him my religion so the fact that he mentioned my religion made me feel targeted because I had brown skin. Second of all, unless I have expressed that I’m comfortable talking about religion, it should NOT be talked about in a doctor’s office. And third of all, he never even asked me about my menestruational history. I hadn’t even started my period. That was the reason my parents said no to birth control. Not because of my religion. We paid a hefty fee, and literally got nothing out of it except a scarring experience.

The staff is very personable, friendly, helpful. Dr Hall is very professional at all times and I highly recommend him. I can't say enough good things about this him and his practice. I have only seen Dr Hall a few times and so glad I am no longer seeing my former dermatologist.

Usually I pay no attention to 5 star ratings because I want to know the negatives but I honestly have no negatives for this doctor or his staff. They are the best in town. I highly recommend them.

4 stars isn't enough!!

Dr. Hall was instrumental in diagnosing me when my medical doctor couldn't. He even followed up over the weekend to make sure I was okay! Awesome doctor!

I came to Dr. Hall seeking help for my (not so terrible but,) embarrassing and aggravating acne. I'm 25 years old and have never had acne before so, was really wanting the issue addressed and taken care of. I had become increasingly self conscious over my face because of the acne. I'm pretty sure I had (at the time) tried all over the counter treatments and remedies that I was capable of getting my hands on and had come to Dr. Hall as a last resort. I am a overall a very healthy 25 year old woman. I am not overweight, I'm a very clean person and am college educated. Let me first say that the wait time was ridiculous. I was there waiting to see him in excess of 45 minutes. (And that's being generous) Dr. Hall stepped into the room and never once even bothered to introduce him self. He looked at me as though I was ignorant. He treated me as though I was ignorant. He looked at my chart and then proceeded to ask me why I was there. I explained to him the situation (never had acne before,… although it's not terrible it's made me self conscious, I've tried everything I know to do, blah, blah, blah..) He briefly looks at my face and says something to the effect that it wasn't that bad and that it could always be much worse. Like I said, it wasn't terrible I realize but, for me it was bad. Let's just say I had roughly 10-12 oozing zits right then and there at the office. Dr Hall then proceeds to direct his nurse to the accutane brochures which he whipped open, held in front of my face and told me that those pictures represent what real acne is. These pictures were terrible. It looked as though those poor people's faces were on fire they were filled with so much acne. He made me feel so insignificant. So stupid for even coming. He then refers back to my file and realizes that I was a cash paying patient. He asked me why I didn't have insurance and if I had a health savings account or something of the likes for my medical expenses to which I replied no. He also asked me if I worked, to which I also replied no. (I honestly do work. My husband and I have a small business we run together but, for whatever reason it slipped my mind to inform him of this at the time. I really felt quite inferior to the rather large towering man standing above me which may very we'll be why.) Dr Hall then proceeds to ask if I am sexually active and if I'm currently on birth control. Really? I understand that birth control can sometimes aid in the treatment of acne but I somehow got the feeling that this was really not his reason for asking such question. I also replied no. He recommended birth control for my acne. He also recommended insurance and/or some type of health savings account. He then berated me and proceeded to ask me (three different ways) if I smoked. (I don't by the way) He asked if I was sure I didn't smoke anything! Like anything at all! This man was implying that I was some sort of drug user! (I am of course, NOT) I do not do recreational drugs. Period. I have never felt more insulted in my life. I then began to cry. I really could not believe how rude this man was. I left the office $125 shorter, with a birth control prescription and one rather large headache from all the crying. I do not suggest this man at all. He was heartless. His bedside manner was non existent and after all that, the birth control did not work. Do not go to this man. Seriously. I am a tough girl that very rarely cries and left his office in shambles.

I went and saw the other Dr. in the office I had seen her before and had no problems.....WELL I went and saw her again last year for another session to get a few moles removed. Now almost a year later I am stuck with a butchered stomach. I don't know if she was eager to get her lunch break or what. She did not want to do it saying I was doing it for "vanity" ( it does not matter why its my body) After pretty much forcing her to do her job she removed them. I have the worst scars across my stomach. I called the office manny times. When Dr. hall called me back. He talked to me like I was 5 yeas old. Told me it was my fault they looked the way it did. I am now looking into sewing his office. Please Please PLEASE don't let this happen to you. As I am now in tears just writing about this awful experience.

If this is a doctor, then home medicine has a whole new life. Just to be clear, I'd rather have a dog lick my wound, than have this guy ever see me again on anything.