Dr. Walter Lawrence Chmelewski, MD

I HAVE RA, SJOGRENS, ETC. AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 5 DAYS DUE TO RSV AND ON ANTIBIOTICS. DUE TO THIS I HAD NOT HAD MY MONTHLY INFUSION IN OVER TWO MONTHS AND WAS HURTING BAD. I HAVE BEEN A PATIENT FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND WAS REFUSED TREATMENT DUE TO A NEW MEDICARE CARD. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN MY INSURANCE IS THE SAME, THE AGENCY JUST GOT HACKED AND GAVE US NEW NUMBERS! IT SEEMS DR. C HAS FORGOTTEN THE OATH HE TOOK TO BECOME A DOCTOR, WHICH BASICALLY SAYS TO PUT PATIENTS' HEALTH ABOVE MONIES, AND HAS JUST BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING HIS MONEY. THE RECEPTIONIST IS ALS0 NOT VERY GOOD AND DIDN'T EVEN ASK ME FOR THE NEW MEDICARE CARD. I WAS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TOLD HER ABOUT IT! SHE NEVER ANSWERS THE PHONE THERE! SINCE THEY HAVE MOVED TO THE NEW PLACE, OTHER THAN THE INFUSION DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT, IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR ME.I WOULD HAVE NORMALLY RATED DR. C FAIRLY HIGH AS A DOCTOR, BUT NOW TO ME, AFTER FRIDAY, HE IS A 2 OR LOWER AND NO LONGER MY DOCTOR!

My wait time has never been very long. I have always gotten answers to all of my questions. He has been willing to give and get requested info to other health professionals.

I'm just a patient, but *I* think he's a great doctor.My history: first appt when I was 25 yo; swollen joints, fam hist of Rh Arthritis. Got a DX from Dr. C quickly (he did the labs and walked me through his thinking/differential diagnosis). Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.He prescribed a biologic (Enbrel), bypassing less effective, older medications, and got insurance approval.Over the past 5 years, he's adjusted my medications as needed.There's no question: he's a busy doc; he has a lot of patients and spends time with each. Just my $.02. Don't believe everything you read online.

My mom has been going to Dr. C for 2 years. He has said she has Lupus and arthritis. Her symptoms have been the same the whole time. Now when she pushed the issue and wanted to know what specific arthritis she has, he tells her she has scleroderma. He doesn't even offer to get her more help. All he's been doing for 2 years is taking her medicade and giving her different kinds of meds to keep her hopeful. When in reality she's gotten worse. I don't really think he cares. We should have been referred a long time ago to someone who could possibly help her.

He seemed to diagnose my fibromyalgia in agreement with my internal doctor. However, he had very little eye contact and rushed me through my appoint. He told me I would be fine in a couple of months and acted as if my pain was trivial. He handed me brochures on fibromyaglia being real however his bed-side manner and tone made me feel as if I was just a complainer. I had to stop him several times from walking out the door to ask him questions. I do believe his treatment will be effective because it's common sense things such as exercise and physical therapy but his demeanor screams "jerk". I would prefer to go to someone with a little empathy and compassion.

He did not provide a proper diagnosis. When I received a different diagnosis from a different specialist, his treatment was ineffective and his prognosis was way off. He acted as though my lack of progress was my fault. I changed to a different rheumatolgist who respects me and my treatment has greatly improved.

I can always call in and get an appointment or have things faxed to work if I can't go to the office. Dr. C was very flexible and gave me several options that we would try. He was very thorough in the exam and treated me with respect.

I have several doctors and I find Dr. C to be one of the best. He takes adequate time to address all of my issues and does research or refers me to additional doctors if it is not his area of expertise. I wish other doctors were this caring.

Very disappointed in how the MD responded to questions and the number of times I was cut off when speaking or describing my pain. He rushed me the entire time. I waited 2.5 months to get in the office and I was treated by an insensitive physician who did not wish to counsel or spend time with me as a newly diagnosed patient. I don't recommend him.