Kathy Jenkins, MD, MPH

A few years ago it was recommended that I see Dr. Jenkins for some cardiac issues that we thought might be related to dysautonomia or POTS. I'd been diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension by another cardiologist about seven years prior to seeing Dr. Jenkins, and after four years was told I'd outgrown it. Three years later with similar symptoms and a long family history of major cardiac issues, I visited Dr. Jenkins. Once in the office, she listened to my concerns, listened to my heart for a few moments, and told me that anxiety was the cause of all of my complaints (dizzy upon standing, exercise intolerance, palpitations or arrhythmias, etc.). Even knowing my history of an orthostatic hypotension diagnosis, she didn't bother to take my blood pressure in different positions, or listen to my heart in different positions. She ordered a 24-hour Holter monitor that didn't catch any of my heart episodes, and told me that because they didn't see anything on that 24-hour reading that they… weren't going to run any other tests. For a while a believed this, but I'm now 23 and have learned the ins and outs of specialists. I visited another doctor that confirmed within my first appointment that I met the textbook case for orthostatic hypotension and dysautonomia and was appalled to hear about my experience with Dr. Jenkins. And after believing that nothing was wrong with my heart for years, I was sent the the emergency room from my workplace last week for an arrhythmia and, following that, wildly inconsistent heart rate. I am currently on an event monitor that the doctor said Dr. Jenkins should have ordered based on my symptoms then. If you're looking for a doctor who takes your or your child's own health history or concerns into account, I would not recommend Dr. Jenkins.

saved my son's life!!!!!!!! Can't say enough or begin to thank her enough as his cardiologist and as an advocate for him and our family during that horrible time!!!!!! She gave us the best gift anyone could possibly have given us!!!!

I have been a long-time patient of Dr. Jenkins, having first gone to her at a very young age when she was the best in the country at what she does. And I will admit that after more than a decade of seeing her up to 4 times a year, there are few who match her skills clinically. I will also admit that after more than a decade as her patient, I have been worn thin. While she is a brilliant doctor and has done research that has changed and saved many lives including my own, I do not think I can handle another office visit with her. For years I have tolerated apathy, callousness, and an unwillingness (perhaps even an inability) to understand me as a person instead of just a malfunctioning heart or series of numbers. As a child I accepted it as part of the overall unpleasant experience of going to see my cardiologist, but as an adult I realize that the weeks of anxiety leading up to and following each appointment is not normal or acceptable, and am in the process of transferring to an adult… cardiologist. I refuse to believe that in the 10+ years since I first began seeing Dr. Jenkins someone has not come along to match her skill and outshine her bedside manor. If you have the opportunity, I strongly suggest seeking that person out. P.S. Terry, the nurse practitioner that works with her has been nothing but charming, kind, and understanding for as long as I've been seeing Dr. Jenkins. This review is not at all reflective of her, and if possible I would continue seeing Terry independently.