Dr. Vijayalakshmi Surya Pratha, MD

I like Dr. Pratha, she has good bedside manner and I like how she promotes the use of herbs and isn't "drug or procedure happy." That being said I've gotten very few answers for my gi issues in the time I've been seeing her. Everytime I go, I get a bunch of psychoanalysis on the mental origins of my gut problems but doesn't do regular labs & has only done one procedure. To be fair, though, her focus is more UC & Crohns and that isn't her area of expertise so she just may not be the right fit.

Dr Pratha does away with the stigma other offices impose and gets right down to business with a thorough exam which includes not only a person’s physical issues, but what also could be contributing emotionally to a malady. I give her my highest recommendation. She is a compassionate healer.

I have been with Dr. Pratha since approx. 2002. I have been with her through bad staff and good. She truly treats each person individually. You are not just another $$ to throw pills at like other GI's I saw in the past. She takes her time with you and works with you through the good times and bad. I have severe attacks of Crohns Colitis and she has saved my life literally time after time, hospital stay after hospital stay throughout the years. I still have all my guts! No rushing to cut me up or stuff me with meds. I drive from AZ to see her, so I take an entire day off from work. I wait however long it takes to see her because I know she will take however long I need when I finally do see her for my appt. People I have met fly in from Alaska, Mexico City, etc. to see her. That's gotta tell you something! She cares for each of her patients genuinely. She will use western medicine if necessary, but you have to do your part to heal your body with diet, exercise and eastern… medicine techniques as well. She is a gem I refuse to let go of. If you don't want to make the time or take the time, then you don't have the time or inclination to help heal yourself.

My answers regarding the first 3 and then the final category reflect the experience of dealing with the inefficiency of the office, not the office staff, who are certainly trying, but are quite overwhelmed. Dr. Pratha is excellent: knowledgable, has a lovely manner with patients, explains medical issues well, caring, etc. The problem is the dangerously dysfunctional office. The space is very small and cramped. There are no systems or protocols in place for even the slightest efficiency - too few staff with too many responsibilities - which leads to no follow through or accountability. I believe, however, this reflects Dr. Pratha's lack of management skills and/or her lack of willingness to prioritize this situation and find a remedy. It is impossible to reach the doctor or nurse practitioner with questions or request follow-up information. Messages left at the front dest fall into a black hole. But again, I am not sure the doctor and nurses aren't getting the messages, there is… just no follow through. They need more office space to accommodate more staff. Most critical and essential is a complete overhaul of their office procedures and protocols. Until they fix some of these problems, which for the patient, can end up being as critical as the physician care, I can't in good conscience refer others to Dr. Pratha. It is quite a shame, really. Dr. Pratha seems brilliant.

I've seen Dr. Pratha for at least 15 years. She is the kindest and one of the best doctors I've seen. It is very easy to talk to her and she always remembers what you've told her. She has been a big help to me over the years and I really trust her and her opinion.

BEST GASTRO ANYWHERE!!

It is true Dr. Pratha runs late a lot, but she is well worth the wait. She treats the "whole person" and takes her time with you during your appointment. Dr. Pratha is a brillant diagnostician and is willing to think "outside the box" for finding solutions. She does not give up hope.

Dr Pratha is excellent. Treats the whole person not just the symptom one presents with. Would recommend her to anyone. I've known a lot of doctors and she has the best "bedside" manner of any of them.

I saw the doctor 2 times ,one time the wait time was more than 60 min ...I had a problem and called her office many times..asking what to do..i didnt get reply for 30 days ..i kept calling office... they told they have given my messeage to her but no solution was told to me ,than i called her office again and requested to talk to the doctor ..they said she would call ..i waited for a week ..no one called..i got very disappointed with the kind of game these people were playing with me..atleast they sud tell what is the problem..who gave them the right to play with my health...i called them again and asked for a appointment..i think everyone sud read now ..they said that their system is down and they wud call me in 10min and they never called....i mean how cheap patient's health is for such doctor?