Dr. Robert Mc Dowell Shugart, MD

Highly recommend Dr Shugart. Caring, listens and treats you like a human being not a number. Didn't want to jump right into a surgery. I can't thank him enough.

Great Dr

I have had 2 back surgeries preformed by Dr Shugart. Both were inpatient. One in 2009 the other in 2013. Both surgeries have not given me any problems. When my husband recently needed back surgery there was no doubt who we wanted to perform it. His was outpatient on Sept 27 2019. His surgery went well also. Dr Shugart is skilled and professional and positive. With a sunny disposition. He possess the quality of really caring about you and your surgery. Yes I have through out the years recommend Dr Shugart and will continue to do so.

I had to wait initially for almost 40 minutes to get into see the doctor after being ushered into the doctors office and waiting for 5 to 10 minutes I was greeted by an aide who took five minutes worth of information after this another 10 minutes goes by I am greeted by the doctor he briefly looked at my MRI touches my neck for a few seconds tells me I may have to have surgery but I need to have a specialized nerve test done to determine the extent of nerve damage first . I looked at my watch // the doctor spent seven minutes with me he shut me off shut me down and left the room . I had several more questions that the nurse did answer for me I was referred to a doctor for the nerve testing : I was charged $422 For the visit to Dr. Shugart — the code for my visit was a 60 minute extended office consultation keep in mind I only spent seven minutes with the doctor however there were several other codes that they included in the seven minute interview :Like briefly looking at the MRI… like briefly speaking to me and recommending another test and or surgery and examination and several other things that took less than 5 to 10 seconds ... I was also charged for looking at an x-ray that I had with me on a disk-/ images that I had from my chiropractor //and I offered to let the doctor look at it and he said he did not need to look at it . so prior to receiving the bill from Dr. Shugart I went to have the nerve test done. Then the doctor that did the nerve test examined me and discussed with me at length how my MRI looked symptomology and other things and told me that the nerve test was not necessary this doctor was very kind he answered all my questions he spent approximately 25 to 30 minutes with me and he coded this visit as a 20 minuteOffice visit There were no other hidden codes for looking at the MRI or 5 to 10 Seconds of visual examination’s. He basically did all the things Dr. Shugart did and much more and coded it differently and charged me $ $131. I spoke with staff at Fort Wayne orthopedics they told me that it was not the doctors fault because he did not choose the codes that were used for services rendered however as you can see you can receive the same amount if not better service under the guise of a consultation from another doctor and be much more reasonably priced. Shame on you Dr. Shugart I thought the whole idea of being a doctor was to try to help people —not take advantage and grossly overcharged them not to mention misdiagnose them I will never go back to Fort Wayne orthopedics (a word of caution to anyone who does carefully look at your billing because they will take Advantage of you !!!)

Shugart performed surgery on me in 2015. He took too much bone out from L3&L4. He created an unstable spine in this area which caused scoliosis. I went to see 2 different surgeons (one from Fort Wayne and another in Cincinnati) i ended up in Cincinnati at the laser spine institute and they have fixed me. No thanks to Shugart. I believe he needs a new review.

Dr. Shugart was recommended by my family physician. He always takes the time to listen and tries conservative measures before rushing to surgery. I had a L4-S1 fusion 4 months ago. I’m feeling better for the first time in years! His staff is top notch, from the office staff to his surgery nurse, all very kind and knowledgeable. He has an excellent bedside manner and takes the time to answer any questions you may have! His PA, Abigail, is great also!

Great doctor , great surgeon and person.

Efficient and proficient--Listens and answers questions. A brilliant, master surgeon with an equally adept nursing staff.

This Dr is the worst Dr I have ever been to he totally messed my life up I'm bed riding now had l3 l4 l5 operated on and I haven't been able to work since.

I had back surgery in 2000 and got a new job at a furniture store within 4 months. Total success. I went back to see him in 2013 with an unrelated back injury. He was quick to do surgery and it left me in more persistent pain than before surgery. He was always in and out of the room in minutes. He never wanted to listen to me. He worked harder for the workman's compensation company than he ever did for me. He hardly discussed results of various tests or procedures with me. In the hospital after surgery I saw him once. Trying to get pain medicines in the hospital was next to impossible. The nurses were always waiting for hours for a callback from him. This group of doctors (FWO) has become so big that the personal touch has completely disappeared. I would not recommend any of the doctors hear for just that reason.