Dr. Thomas Anthony Cortese Jr, MD

My experience with Dr. Cortese is very similar to another experience/review here. I went in trying to get checked out because I had a few incidents of skin cancer within the last ten years, so I try to get checked out at least once a year just to make sure everything’s fine; especially if I notice changes. The only reason why I went to him is because my other (former) dermatologist doesn’t take my new insurance. It’s a real bummer because she is awesome,... but unfortunately, it is what it is. Dr. Cortese barely looked me over, and he did a really quick job of it too. The light at the time in the room was not bright enough or remotely adequate enough even though I noticed they had better supplemental lighting. He chose not to use it, and he just kept telling me to turn to the existing weaker disbursed light so he could see better. That was strange and not cool. He was definitely struggling to see properly. I had written down all of my concerns/questions on a piece of… paper before I came into the office. I tried to discuss all of it with him in the allotted time I had with him. I tried very hard to engage with him, but he was not communicating with me adequately. He acted (and basically even stated to me) that he was overwhelmed. I tried to take more time going through it with him, but he also seemed disinterested. I guess that was a red flag because he also really wasn’t answering any of my questions to any great degree. He was not giving me detailed straight answers when I asked him questions. I was trying to prompt him, but I think I ended up basically answering my own questions. It was extremely concerning, odd and frustrating. At one point, I pointed to a problem area, he barely glanced at it, and said it was ‘probably some blocked pores’. Probably? Does he not know? He’s in the office I went to only Mondays and Thursdays, so I’m not sure if he goes somewhere else, or he’s on a very limited schedule. That’s not very comforting news either. I can’t tell how old he is, but from my observance, he seems a bit feeble overall. Maybe he needs to retire. After he quickly looked me over, he said he wanted to see me in eight weeks. He said he wanted to take his time diagnosing me, and also observe any changes. I’m not sure what that’s all about, because if he couldn’t find anything or see anything suspicious, exactly why am I coming back? He also said he wanted ME to document/draw on a piece of paper where some of my specific and problem areas are. Isn’t that what the physical exam is for? That seemed really flaky and lazy to me. Coming back in such a short period of time makes me suspect that he just wants my insurance to pay for another visit. I believe I have heard of that situation before. It seems all sketchy and unprofessional to me. I had read the reviews on here before I went in, so I guess I should’ve just paid attention to that more. I went anyway and I really tried to be positive and hope for the best; especially after waiting so long to see him. After all that time waiting,....this lame unsettling outcome is all what I ended up with. I don’t feel satisfied or comforted at all. I am back to where I was before I saw him. I am definitely going to find another dermatologist for another thorough exam and opinion. One of the worst things one can experience with a doctor is poor bedside manner with zero attention (to complete detail and beyond - including sympathy). It’s very disturbing when you feel like your doctor doesn’t seem to know much, or doesn’t really care, OR is totally and completely out of touch altogether.

My experience with Dr. Cortese is very similar to another experience/review here. I went in trying to get checked out because I had a few incidents of skin cancer within the last ten years, so I try to get checked out at least once a year just to make sure everything’s fine; especially if I notice changes. The only reason why I went to him is because my other (former) dermatologist doesn’t take my new insurance. It’s a real bummer because she is awesome,... but unfortunately, it is what it is. Dr. Cortese barely looked me over, and he did a really quick job of it too. The light at the time in the room was not bright enough or remotely adequate enough even though I noticed they had better supplemental lighting. He chose not to use it, and he just kept telling me to turn to the existing weaker disbursed light so he could see better. That was strange and not cool. He was definitely struggling to see properly. I had written down all of my concerns/questions on a piece of… paper before I came into the office. I tried to discuss all of it with him in the allotted time I had with him. I tried very hard to engage with him, but he was not communicating with me adequately. He acted (and basically even stated to me) that he was overwhelmed. I tried to take more time going through it with him, but he also seemed disinterested. I guess that was a red flag because he also really wasn’t answering any of my questions to any great degree. He was not giving me detailed straight answers when I asked him questions. I was trying to prompt him, but I think I ended up basically answering my own questions. It was extremely concerning, odd and frustrating. At one point, I pointed to a problem area, he barely glanced at it, and said it was ‘probably some blocked pores’. Probably? Does he not know? He’s in the office I went to only Mondays and Thursdays, so I’m not sure if he goes somewhere else, or he’s on a very limited schedule. That’s not very comforting news either. I can’t tell how old he is, but from my observance, he seems a bit feeble overall. Maybe he needs to retire. After he quickly looked me over, he said he wanted to see me in eight weeks. He said he wanted to take his time diagnosing me, and also observe any changes. I’m not sure what that’s all about, because if he couldn’t find anything or see anything suspicious, exactly why am I coming back? He also said he wanted ME to document/draw on a piece of paper where some of my specific and problem areas are. Isn’t that what the physical exam is for? That seemed really flaky and lazy to me. Coming back in such a short period of time makes me suspect that he just wants my insurance to pay for another visit. I believe I have heard of that situation before. It seems all sketchy and unprofessional to me. I had read the reviews on here before I went in, so I guess I should’ve just paid attention to that more. I went anyway and I really tried to be positive and hope for the best; especially after waiting so long to see him. After all that time waiting,....this lame unsettling outcome is all what I ended up with. I don’t feel satisfied or comforted at all. I am back to where I was before I saw him. I am definitely going to find another dermatologist for another thorough exam and opinion. One of the worst things one can experience with a doctor is poor bedside manner with zero attention (to complete detail and beyond - including sympathy). It’s very disturbing when you feel like your doctor doesn’t seem to know much, or doesn’t really care, OR is totally and completely out of touch altogether.

I saw Dr Cortese after waiting 3 months for an appointment. I was told he was the only doctor in the practice that could see me because of my insurance. Dr Cortese did a very brief look at my issue, and told me that "the doctor that can take care of this isn't here today...." !! So. I pretty much wasted a trip and my insurance company paid for a useless visit. I could've gotten pretty much the same help had I asked a tree stump. I would venture to say that Dr Cortese is too old and out of touch with the most common of skin conditions. I saw another dermatologist who was able to diagnose, perform surgery, and have me all set to go in about 20 minutes. The lack of any form of medical professionalism was astounding. I wouldn't refer ANYONE to this sham of an office. I'm going to report this to my insurance company, and then the Attorney General. A sad state of affairs at this so-called clinic.

Very unprofessional I would not waste my time with him Is not concerned @ all with his patients does not care one bit about them I would never recommend him after the bad experience I had he deserves a 0