List 8 Doctor of Medicine (MD) near San Marcos, TX (part 3)

Richard Cusson The SMFM Clinic on Redwood Rd is phenomenal. Dr. Polson and his staff are the best in the area. He is caring, compassionate, and very knowledgeable. If youre in pain, he addresses it directly. His staff does a great job across the board. My wife and I have been very pleased with their supportive demeanor. Highly recommended.

Jim Kimmel Dr. Moore was my primary physician from 1997 until he retired and sold his practice to Dr. Castillo and her husband, Dr. Moreno. The transition was a little rocky, but both doctors impressed me. Things are now much smoother. I was there two days ago and was impressed with how friendly the staff is. Some reviewers have mentioned that the exams are superficial. Dr. Castillo, like any doctor, is limited by what insurance will cover, unless you want to pay extra. I have Medicare with a very good supplement, so I get better than Medicare alone provides, which is not an annual physical exam, but only what they call a "Wellness" review. Im glad I stuck with Dr. Castillo and feel confident that she has my best interests at heart.

Saumnya Hart After reading the reviews on this doctor’s office, I was very hesitant to trust her with my health. However, I have been seeing Dr. Castillo for over three months now. She is very polite and I always feel as though she listened to my concerns and works to provide a solution or help me understand what is going on with my body. I have never had an issue contacting this office and when I walk in the receptionist knows me by name. I really appreciate how this team makes me feel like they care and I’m not just another patient.

L S This deserves zero stars. I wasnt made aware of the amount for a first time visit.. As my Dr has retired and they are taking over. I was charged $230 for myself for just the initial visit. No prescriptions nothing but gave my info. Then when I asked they said its not an exact amount its between x amount and and x amount. This was robbery! Between my husband and I it was a gut-wrenching $500 for absolutely nothing. This was never brought to our attention when we made the appointment. Every other Dr. We called was under $100 out of pocket if no insurance. We went with Castillo bc she was taking over for my Dr. Had we known we never would of done it. Our fault I guess. They should be disclosing this up front if different from the Dr. They took over for.

Ana McDonald We were with Dr Moore’s practice for over 30 years. When Dr C took over, we noticed an immediate change in the atmosphere. Gone we’re the friendly greetings from supportive nurses. The nurses have quit. Instead I got a 30-minute health inventory with no place to write comments. When I asked Dr C if she was a good diagnostician, she thought for a bit too long, then said confidently, “Well, you’re supposed to be positive, so yes, I AM a good diagnostician.” This did not inspire my confidence. So we chose another doctor. She requested my records from Dr C in mid-August. It is now late November and even though we’ve personally called her office repeatedly, Dr C is still “working on them.” Worse, her office keeps calling us to ask if we want refills or need to schedule an appointment. Each time we remind them that we’ve left the practice and ask if they’ve transferred our records yet. Each time we’re told they’re “working on them.” Enough already. Steer clear of Dr Castillo!

Zita Craig I went here because I had an emergency only to be told that there is nothing they can do because theyre not a hospital who is equipped to run any test. Seriously, then why are you even open to the public? Makes me wonder, do you guys not want to deal with brown skin ppl or are you just incompetent? On top of all this, you want to charge me for just "cant help you". Dont bring your love ones or yourself here.

Shay Pfeiffer If I could give 0 Stars I would. I took my sick child with a fever of 102.8 and stood at the front desk just to be ignored for over 10 minutes. I understand they were busy, but I brought my child in because his fever and heart rate were through the roof. Instead of getting another nurse to help (one came out and offered) the lady at the front desk said she was fine, proceeded to ignore us and run tests on another patient. We left and went to an emergency clinic, who not only saw my child right away but ended up sending us to another hospital due to the severity of my child’s symptoms. I would NOT ever recommend CTMC to anyone...they would let you die before even attempting to check you in. Their lack of concern is a clear violation of the hypocritical oath and it is an abhorrence that they even are allowed to carry medical licensing. NEVER GO HERE.

Haley Riddle Overall, the staff was pretty great. Everyone was super friendly, but not very efficient. I went in today (wendnesday evening) around 6:30 with about 4 other people in the waiting room with me. I came to the ER to get checked out after my car accident that I was in today, and my vitals and report was taken very quickly. I got taken back into a room within 20 mins, but once there I waited HOURS to be seen, given pain medication, my xrays and CT scans taken, and for my results. My total time in the ER was 4 hours (from 6:30-10:30). I thought this was absolutely ridiculous, and it needs to be worked on. I understand that other patients need to be seen before me, but I don’t want to feel like I’ve been forgotten or that I’m not a priority.

Alynna Perez Our experience was horrible! My three year old went in with a busted lip and they gave zero f’s. We took her to the hospital in New Braunfels and they were the best!!!! I thank god for them at CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA in NEW BRAUNFELS! The San Marcos hospital did not want to help us at all. They told us she would have to sit and wait until they had time for her. Do not go here! They deserve zero stars. They give CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA a bad name. I highly recommend the one in New Braunfels.

Elissa Viola Dr. Akande was my gynecologist and she wouldn’t take my health concerns seriously. She asked me if I had “wanted something wrong with me” and that it was just stress. The hospital had recommended I see her after having an ovarian cyst rupture and being admitted overnight. After begging her the second time, I explained I hadn’t had a period for 6 months, she finally got me an ultrasound and told me nothing was wrong. I then went to another gynecologist in Austin and she got me an ultrasound, a blood test, and diagnosed me with PCOS on the first visit. I truly feel she neglected to listen and treat me as a patient.

Kelly Taylor My experience here was great from the start, however…it took a drastic turn when my life was put on the line. I started coming here in May 2024 with major period problems. Told my doctor (Dr Akande) that my periods were very irregular, lasting long periods of time, and that I was passing blood clots. In one of our first appointments she thought she saw a polyp at the entrance of my cervix so she told me a scheduler would reach out to me for an internal/external sonogram to be done. It wasn’t until October when I finally was able to get my internal and external sonogram done (which I was told I’d be reached out to by a scheduler, which never happened so I took it upon myself to make that appointment). When the results came back it was determined I had a fibroid embedded in my uterine wall that was over 5 cm in length. When I came back to my doctors office I was recommended to not remove he fibroid because “she had plenty of other patients who have fibroids with no issues who have kids” so me being the patient I took her word for it. Was also recommend to get birth control to “help stop the bleeding” ended up getting nexplanon (which I found out later promotes blood) and from then on I started to severely increase in blood loss and my small clots that I was passing turned into tennis ball sized clots. I called to get my next appointment moved up asap and they said they could see me the next day. Didn’t make it to the next day because my mother in law found me passed out on the bathroom floor and took me to the ER in new braunfels where they instantly started me with two blood transfusions. Later got admitted to the hospital where in the end the fibroid I was recommended to not get removed prolapsed. I dilated to 5.5 cm and basically gave birth to a tumor. I over all had to have 8 blood transfusions and an emergency surgery because of this FIBROID!!!! That surgeon that performed the surgery was also dumbfounded to find out I had as given to the nexplanon with the symptoms I was showing and the fact that this doctor recommended I not get this fibroid removed knowing what was happening to me during menstruation periods….always get a second opinion with other physicians, I wish I had because I wouldn’t have had such a horrific situation like this happen….

Alexis Jones I was given this number as a referral so I Called in and asked where are y’all located) The person I spoke with asked where am I trying to call I told her I was given this number as a referral and I was trying to see where they were located she said well they had lots of clinics I asked was she at a clinic or a call center she said a location so I asked again where they were located she finally told me the street and city I asked her why didn’t she tell me that when I first asked she hung up in my face I called back and got Rebecca who was really nice & helpful. I asked Rebecca if I can speak with the office manager she told me the office manager will be calling me back. The office manager called me back and was very dry, dismissive and rude I guess she didn’t like what I had to say about the brief service I received. I stated to her I believe the issue had to be race related or discrimination because she could hear I was black by my voice. She never denied it either.. lol Rebecca was able to handle a unsatisfied customer better than her own office manager. WOULDNT RECOMMEND.

Devyn Paul I’ve been going here for five years and I’ve never seen it as bad as it is now. For two weeks I have been having to fight to get birth control because they didn’t have any appointments available before I ran out. Instead of refilling me a single month and schedule my appointment, and if I’m lucky to have someone answer my phone calls they just keep saying they’ve asked the doctor for permission and then just never call me back or updated me on anything. They’ve stopped caring for their patients and it’s so sad. So happy I switched offices.

Rosa Glidden This doctors office is awesome. Theyre always there for me when I need them. My doctor is very determined to figure out everything thats going on with me

Brandy Timmons Ive only had two visits, but I like Dr. Kowalik. Shes not the best Dr Ive been to for bedside manner, but shes competent and takes time to answer my questions. The nurse I saw was fantastic. Her receptionist on the other hand, I dislike immensely. She is very rude. Whenever I call with questions, she cuts me off and acts like my questions are inconvenient or like the answer is just so simple that I should know it. This is an exciting time in our lives, we should be treated with respect and encouragement and not made to feel like we cant ask questions.

Kimberly Ramsdell I have been nothing but taken care of at this office. When I first called the office my Medicaid had not yet gone through, so I was unable to book an appointment. The receptionist, Julie, took my information and offered to check my Medicaid status each morning, and said she would call me back to set up an appointment when it had been approved on their end. Two days later, before Medicaid said my application had been accepted, Julie called me and set up my appointment :) She also gave me a phone number to contact the office to choose my insurance provider (something I didnt get in the mail for another week from medicaid). Dr. Kowalik is great! She is very knowledgeable, and has many years of experience. I appreciate all of the information she has given me. I think some people may be put off by her directness, but I thoroughly value honesty from my physician. I prefer a Dr. to give me the facts, good and bad, and allow me to make my own decisions. Dr. Kowalik has let me decide my course of action and has been respectful of my decisions. She has also gone above and beyond to make sure we have the best extended care for our twins (ex. Out of office sonograms with Dr.s who specialize in twins). Not all the information I have gotten about my journey with twins has been what I wanted to hear, but it is the truth of the matter which has allowed me to extend my knowledge with personal research to make the best decisions for our family. Im glad to have found her to help guide us through this journey :)

Katey Noble Absolutely loved Dr. Kowalik! She was knowledgeable, fast, and make me very comfortable. I was blessed to have her as my doctor with my third baby, she was attentive to my every need. And she helped make my labor process quick and easy, instead of dragging it out all day. Id recommend her to anyone!

Ana D. I am providing one star only because I like Dr. Kowaliks style. No B.S., just straight up answers and always answers any question weve ever had. The office staff, however, leave MUCH to be desired. They are rude every time we call, every time we are there in person and with every interaction we have ever had with them. They are incompetent. My sister was supposed to have an appointment at CTMC to be induced, they didnt get the appointment set. She waited in the lobby for FOUR HOURS before they finally got it straightened out! Then she was getting a tubal a month later and AGAIN they didnt set the schedule up at the hospital. They didnt call her to let her know what time she had to be there in the morning. When she was proactive and called them herself, nobody knew anything. They didnt even know what surgical center was going to be used, a phone number to call said surgical center - NOTHING! She had to call around to find the right place and then found out she wasnt even on the schedule! This office is a complete JOKE! Dr. Kowalik should be embarrassed to have the office staff that is currently in place!

Heather Romero I went to her to deliver my daughter in 2012/2013. I had had my third son VBAC at home and wanted to have another VBAC, but in a hospital setting. Initially, I was private pay and she seemed awesome. She told me she was all for VBACs, assuming no problems arose. However, as time went on, she became the worst OB/GYN and I strongly feel this woman should be stripped of her profession. The first warning sign was when she told me that I needed an ultrasound which was outside of the standard of 12 and 20 weeks. I had had 3 children already and knew right away something was amiss. She told me it was necessary because the baby was already showing larger than normal. During the ultrasound, the tech questioned why I was doing this extra ultrasound. I told her what the Doctor had told me and she said seemed perplexed. She stated that the baby had shown average growth on that ultrasound and the prior one. Of course, I was billed full price for the ultrasound as I was a cash patient and was told I could make payments on it. Shortly thereafter my husband lost his client and was unemployed. We recieved state assistance for our healthcare. The state had backdated what they would cover and they too questioned the necessity of the extra ultrasound. They did not find that there was a medical necessity for it and refused to cover it, which upset Kowalik. In one of my appointments, she complained profusely about their resistance to reimburse her for this charge. What struck me as absolutely disgusting about this visit was not only that the entire appointment was centered around her discontent with the insurance, but that I was sitting next to a used pap smear specimen that wasnt mine! I continued care with her even though she was not a good provider because she promised I could try for another VBAC and I was so far into my pregnancy. The last appointment that I had with her she told me that the insurance had contacted her and told her she would not receive any payment for my delivery if I went one day past my 40th day and that the only way she would consider delivering me vaginally was if I paid her as a cash patient. I called the insurance enraged and was told that they received documentation stating that I had requested a c-section! The situation became more clearer. She was after the $$. Luckily, I went into labor right after that, before my 40th week and by the time I had got to the hospital, I was nearly complete. I had my daughter 30 minutes after arriving and she got there in the last 5 minutes. I remember pushing, but was in so much pain, I uttered, "Just cut her out." Kowlaik told the nurse to prepare to take me to the OR. The nurse said that we would not make it. Kowalik snidely told her, "When a VBAC mom asks for c-section, you give her one!" Luckily, a contraction hit me and this time I felt her reach into me and literally flip my daughter by her head in the roughest, fastest fashion possible. I can still remember her body as it did a complete turn. I pushed harder and my baby flopped out on the bed. Kowalik didnt even catch her. It was as if she didnt know if she had twisted the babies neck too hard and didnt want liability had she broke it. Kowalik walked out without a word and the nurses did everything else. It has been 5.5 years since I had my daughter and this woman still brings up awful memories. She is awful. Not just in bedside manner, but a rotten physician who looks after profit before the patient. If I remember correctly, she had just started practicing pediatrics as well. I found this strange that pregnant women were put in the same waiting room with coughing, sickly children, but follows the lines of her greed. My experience was so scarring with her, that I have said for years that I would file a medical complaint about her. I dont know what compelled me to write a review tonight, but maybe it is to save the person that is reading this for an unfortunate situation with this woman. After reading the reviews, I would love to contact the board collectively and insist on an investigation into her practice.

Josh Avery Called to set up an initial appt, got interrupted by the receptionist and was told Id be called back. I was never called back.

Rachel Made my situation more confusing without offering any resources to further explore diagnosis. Also called me obese in the post-visit notes despite the fact we did not discuss my weight.

Dawood Muzaffar Terrible doctor. Made it seem like I’m looking for an excuse to take off work when I’m on leave of absence from work either way so that’s not my purpose of visiting. Questioned why my fever symptoms would make me take off work and argued about it, when I work a physically demanding job. I had to leave my work shift halfway through last night due to nearly passing out. He also moved too quick while checking me and cut me off regularly. He made a swift exit and closed the door behind him before I could call him out on how he treats his patients. I’ve had good prior experiences at this CareNow until meeting this doctor.

Dawood Muzaffar Terrible doctor. Made it seem like I’m looking for an excuse to take off work when I’m on leave of absence from work either way so that’s not my purpose of visiting. Questioned why my fever symptoms would make me take off work and argued about it, when I work a physically demanding job. I had to leave my work shift halfway through last night due to nearly passing out. He also moved too quick while checking me and cut me off regularly. He made a swift exit and closed the door behind him before I could call him out on how he treats his patients. I’ve had good prior experiences at this CareNow until meeting this doctor.