Dr. Michael Heath Brown, MD

I did not know what to expect with Dr. Brown because several of his reviews are not high stars. However, my experience with him was very pleasant and helpful, and I found him to be kind. He listened to me, he treated me with respect, he explained his observations, instructing as he went along (which I personally appreciate because I am always eager to learn how my body works), and he provided suggestions for solutions. He was not dismissive in any way. I noticed that he processes responses quickly and for that reason, for some, he might appear rude. I did not find that to be the case at all. And, no, I am not a friend, colleague, or family member. I am a middle-aged patient seeking answers for recurrent foot pain.

This was the most uncomfortable doctor’s appointment I have ever had. I waited 30 minutes for the doctor to come in after I sat in the exam room. I explained how it happened and how I thought I fractured my heel before when I was younger but could not recall how I did it because that was over 10 years ago and Dr. Brown became frustrated because I don’t remember what happened. From that point it was down hill. I could not finish a sentence without him cutting me off and telling me how I was wrong and he was right. I explained the boot only helped a little bit but it is still extremely painful to walk. I also noted that now my other foot is having similar pain but not as extreme and I was concerned it’s going to continue to get worse. He then felt my planter fascia in both feet and seemed to go harder on the one that is in the most pain. He then said I am going to get you a packet to read and walked out of the room. He returned to the room and handed me a single sheet of paper and said… to read it and he would come back after I had a clear understanding. He came back about 5-10 minutes later and told me to follow him, I had no shoes and no socks on and had to walk to his computer in the hallway. He then showed me my X-ray taken at Ortho-Oncall and said there is no fracture and no brake and continued to talk to me as if I was dumb. I had had it and told him I believe him I was told that already 2 weeks prior and that it has to do with the tendons in my feet. He then continued telling me I was wrong. We then walked back to the room and he told me his plan for recovery. He wanted me to start therapy and then come back in 4 weeks. I then let him know I was thinking of going to the Good Feet store to get inserts to help with my other foot for the time being because I know my current shoes do not have the correct support. He then became extremely condescending stating he never mentioned that and why would I bring it up even though I mentioned it earlier in the conversation that I was concerned I am caused more damage to my other foot. I had a lot more questions to ask but at that point I knew I was not going to get the answers I needed. He left the room a lady came in scheduled my appointment and left. The entire experience was horrible. Dr. Brown is condescending, misogynistic and a narcissist. He will never fully understand what is actually happening because you cannot get a single word out because he just wants to hear himself talk and show you that you are very wrong. I came to this doctor trusting I would know what was wrong and how to fix it, I was told I would need an MRI and potentially surgery because they suspected I ruptured my Planter Fascia. At no point would he listen to me and understand this. I requested a different doctor because I cannot trust this pathetic excuse of a man can help me.

Very poor experience. DR. Brown was rude and short with me the entire interaction. I left not knowing the best treatment plan for my injury. I will be canceling my follow up appointment and seeking a new doctor elsewhere.

Dr.Brown is an excellent surgeon and clinician. I sustained a devastating femur fracture and ended up in the emergency OR. He expertly realigned and repaired the fracture via ORIF. He is a great communicator. Pre-procedure to aftercare, his communication has been superb and therapeutic. He patiently and substantively answered all of my questions and has positioned me to confidently complete the recovery process. I am grateful to be in his care.

I thought Dr.Brown was very informative and patient. He doesn’t waste time and made sure understood my options and his recommendation. He was very polite and professional overall.

I had a complicated ankle fracture that was misdiagnosed as "self-healing" by Parham Doctors Hospital. I'd been to Ortho before, so I decided to go back there for a 2nd opinion. I found out that I needed surgery which should have been done weeks before when I was hospitalized for 3 days!!!. He and his staff got me on the surgery schedule for the same week. The surgery extensive even though it was an outpatient procedure. My parents said the Dr. Brown spoke to them afterward, and let them know that everything went well. I saw other reviews that led me to believe that he wasn't an ooey gooey type of person, but that's not important . I was totally comfortable once he showed and explained to me what needed to be done. He even fixed another problem in the same area and because of that, I won't suffer from the arthritis I was destined to have due to prior sports injuries. He is very kind, and about business. Because of him, I can walk now and won't have crippling arthritis in the future!!!

Dr. Brown is a great surgeon. Recommended by the staff at the hospital. He is very thorough. He will find the best solution to your injury and give you the best available options. Office visits were easy and no long waiting times for visits.. I highly recommend Dr. Brown.

Had surgery was having pain Dr.Brown returned my call seen me 2 days earlier than next appointment that was scheduled so far so good. I hope to get up and around soon

Took great care of me from beginning to end!

I met with Dr. Brown about foot pain and issues I have had. It was the worst experience I have ever had with a doctor in my life. It started right at the get-go, when I tried to explain the history of my problem - ever since I had breast cancer surgeries I have had joint pain in many places, and that is the time I started having issues with my foot. I tried to explain this concern to Dr. Brown and he interrupted me, dismissed me by saying "Ok, I'm hearing you had breast cancer and I am hearing that you used to be a runner but I'm not hearing what is wrong with your foot." He talked to me in that dismissive and condescending tone the entire time I was in his office. I tried to explain the symptoms and where my pain was and he kept saying "you are not telling me what is wrong with your foot" and "I'm still not hearing you say what the problem is" . He told me there is no way I could be having pain where I said I was. He just didn't want to hear it and wanted to just get me out of… his office ASAP. Or maybe because we couldn't see anything on the x-ray, he just didn't want to be bothered........? I won't be following up or returning to see Dr. Brown. He spoke to me like I was a dementia patient and not someone with a foot issue. I really hope he will work on his bedside manner and how to listen to his patients - and how to be patient as well. Honestly it's this type of experience that makes me never want to return to OrthoVirginia at all.