Dr. Robert Rae Ajello, MD

I was sent to dr Ajello for a suspect spot on my lung possible cancer after an xray showed a spot on my lung. Dr Ajello sent me for a cat scan and said he thought it was cancer but to be sure we needed more test. He arranged a lung function test, a nuclear scan , a lung biopsy and when it was confirmed ordered a brain scan to see if it spread..all this was done within a month. I was lucky the brain scan was negative. He sent me to a great surgeon Dr Rose Ganim who was pleased to see I had all my test so it was clear to go for vats surgery. My tumor was a stage 2 so we had to do chemo which I am still having treatments . Only 2 more to go and hopefully I will be cancer free. Dr Ajello helped save my life and I am forever grateful to his dedication to his patients.

We were referred to Dr. Ajello by another doctor. We were told to arrive 15 minutes early to fill-out paper work. The paper work took about 5 minutes to complete. We then waited an hour before the nurse called my husband into the office. As we walked down the hallway to the examining room, she told us the doctor wasn't there yet. We waited another 15 minutes before telling the nurse we were leaving. It appears Dr. Ajello has little regard for the fact he is called upon to provide a service to people who are "sick." Patients in frail health are not always able to endure waiting an hour or more to see a doctor. It was a hassle to drive to the office, my husband was exhausted at the end of the hour and fifteen minute wait and we lost a half day because Dr. Ajello did not keep his appointment with us. How much trouble would it have been to tell us the doctor was running very late and offer us the option of making another appointment?

Dr. Ajello (pronounced I-ello), is very knowledgeable in his field, and has a lot of great suggestions. I did not, however, like his bedside manner. He was pedantic, paternalistic, talking down to me about the ways I should take care of myself, as if I had neither care nor worry. Ironic as I am very focused on my well-being, and truly listen to my doctors for advice. Nonetheless, (despite his pedantic tone), I think he's knowledgeable and proficient. His staff is also variable in "bedside manner;" when I waited in line behind a drug rep who talked for 10 minutes, his office receptionist berated me for being late (because I was in line!). This was very irritating, as it was not my fault. These are small complaints however. The main points are: he's a good doctor. You wait a little bit of time (not long), and the doctor and receptionist are not always courteous.