Dr. Susan Syril Courtney, MD

I'm sharing this review to help others make informed decisions when choosing a provider. I have a complex medical history, including a 30-year eating disorder, high-dose PPI therapy, and a family history of osteoporosis. After a recent DEXA scan showed concerning results, I requested a referral to an endocrinologist based on well-established clinical guidelines. Nurse Practitioner Robin Brown denied the referral, stating they only refer when someone meets the criteria for full osteoporosis—despite my multiple risk factors and signs of osteopenia. I followed up multiple times through the patient portal with no response. Feeling dismissed, I called the office and explained that I was not comfortable continuing care with NP Robin Brown. The receptionist acknowledged my concern and told me I had been switched to a new provider, Shawna Ward, NP. An appointment was scheduled with Ms. Ward for August 1, 2025. However, when I arrived for that appointment, I was again placed with NP Robin… Brown—the very provider I had clearly requested not to see. I reminded the staff that I had changed providers and had been scheduled with Ms. Ward. Instead of seeing her, Dr. Susan Courtney entered the exam room and informed me that “changing providers within the practice is not done.” She stated that she had reviewed my messages and sided with NP Brown, without conducting a clinical evaluation or reviewing my full medical history. She also told me insurance likely wouldn’t approve a referral, and offered to schedule yet another appointment where she could explain her reasoning in more detail. Next I calmly reiterated that I wanted a provider who would advocate for me, not just for the insurance company, then quietly left the office. Later, I was stunned to read a note in my medical record that falsely claimed I “demanded” to see another provider that day (even though I had changed providers days before), falsely quoted me as saying something I never said, and falsely stated that I “stormed out”—when in fact I left calmly. Several staff members witnessed this encounter and could verify that Dr. Courtney’s note was entirely inaccurate. Shortly after, I was dismissed from the practice. This experience was profoundly disappointing. The lack of patient-centered care, refusal to acknowledge legitimate medical concerns, and false documentation in my chart were deeply unprofessional. I’ve filed a formal complaint with the Arizona Medical Board and will be filing a separate complaint with the State Board of Nursing. If you have complex health needs—or simply expect to be treated with honesty and respect—I urge you to seek care elsewhere.

dr Courtney has dropped me because of my review. She now gets a 1star. I tried to reach out for weeks to the doctor she has referred me to. I haven’t heard anything back from the doctor, so I decided to call this ghetto and unprofessional dr office back, and that’s when they told me I was dropped. Narcissist at its finest. Dr Courtney should take constructive criticism and try to become better instead of shunning people who is saying the same things about her. Disgusting and unacceptable. She didn’t even give me a heads up. This is the worst practice I’ve ever experienced in my life!!! She tried to clean up her google reviews because she knows that her practice is flawed. disgusting

I came to Dr. Courtney after experiencing medical abuse and neglect from my primary care provider. I stated this fact at the very beginning of the appointment, and went on to say that as a result of the neglect, there were a lot of things I needed done medically. She responded that these were "demands" and it was "awkward" that I wanted to be involved in my care. She was so abrasive that my medical advocate started to pack up after 15 minutes, and Dr. Courtney actually called her out on it, then asked if she was recording. The only reason I didn't leave then is because she reeled me back in by agreeing to some of the testing that I actually needed. She also defended my pain clinic treating me in half-measures and prescribing me opiates, but not at a level where I could function, without knowing the situation at all. I reiterated at one point the medical abuse I experienced and she replied in the most flat, disaffected tone ever that what I went through is terrible, and other such… platitudes, but nothing about her behavior changed. The techs are lovely people, and the in-house diagnostics are great, but they're not worth the cost of dealing with this absolute nightmare of a physician. I don't think I would trust any of the other physicians that Dr. Courtney hired. If your medical issues are complex and/or you want an active role in your own care, steer clear of this one. This is a physician who feels threatened by patients who advocate for themselves.

Stay far far away.

Simply the most thorough I've ever met. Saved my life

Best of the best long term follow ups on my heart attack and put me back in the saddle fastand I just love their focuses on hygiene

There are many things 1) she must get kick backs, or she is master at CYI. I there exists as specialist she will send you for an appointment. 2) she doesn't care what you have to say, all that matters is her opinion. She will come in and look at her notes, ask here questions, completely ignore your comments. If you question her be ready to be attacked. How dare you question anything she says, she is the DOCTOR. 3) you are a horrible person who lies. she asked how often do you drink, I respond several beers a week, usually a Friday or Saturday thing and occasionally during week. She replies so SERVERAL DRINKS EVERY DAY. no I am not an alcoholic I go out on the weekend. Then I guess there was a issue with test not run on blood work, called me a yelled at me, WHY DID I CHANGE THE BLOOD WORK PAPER WORK. took half hour to finally get a semi-acceptance that I just handed over the piece of paper given to from Courtney's office.

I am a physician and know many doctors. Dr. Courtney has been one of the best that I have ever met. She has been my physician for the past 4 years. She is thorough, kind, and courteous. She listens to you, and you can ask questions and get answers. One could not find a better caring doctor. The office staff is friendly and provide excellent customer servic. I I can recommend her and her office staff most highly Dr R Fridrich, DPM Tucson, AZ. ( retired)

She just tried to sell me compounding medicine and CBD that she sold from her office. No concern for the medicine I obviously needed for my high blood pressure. She was horribly rude when I pointed this out. Don’t waste your time with her.

I recently moved to Arizona and was in need of a PCP in order to continue filling a long term prescription. Few practices were accepting new patients, but my bar was pretty low; nevertheless, Dr. Courtney still managed to trip over it. Under the guise of “complete care”, she sent me for fasting blood work, but never called to follow-up on my results — which ended up being out of range for a few markers. The office had no problem calling and harassing me to schedule a follow-up appointment once my pharmacy called for a prescription refill. My most recent visit is definitely my last. After waiting 45 minutes before being taken to the exam room. I’ve had an eating disorder for over half of my life, and am not comfortable with scales in doctor’s offices. The aide was perfectly understanding, and quickly moved on. My visit today was for an acute injury, for which I was hoping to have some imaging done, or at least physically examined. Without looking at me or my injury, Dr. Courtney… ran through a checklist of non-applicable symptoms, issued reminders about flu shots and eye doctor visits, and anything else you’d read on a pamphlet from your insurance company — before pausing on the empty line for my weight. This then spawned a canned speech (that I’d already heard my first visit, and we discussed) about how she needed all of the information to treat me. When my husband pointed out that she still hadn’t looked at my issue. She became aggressive, and unreceptive to how the scale would be damaging to me, regardless of it having no effect on the ability to treat my current problem. She refused to provide treatment, and refused to provide a refund, regardless of her wasting over an hour of our time, and less than 5 minutes of hers. All in all, she seems to have forgotten the “do no harm” part of her oath, and is instead driven by billing, and peddling of skin care products. If you have any doubt that she’s a quack, look no further than the cabinet of CBD products for sale.