Athens Internal Medicine Associates PC

If you value your health and well-​being, why would you ever call this place?
I called on October 1^st to set up an appointment with a Dr. Elizabeth Smith. I explained I needed a regular internist in Athens, having just moved from NYC, and I needed 1. To have a referral for an overdue mammogram 2. Thyroid medication refilled and 3. I had developed a rash on my scalp that needed to be looked at. I was asked very personal information about my medical history, which I freely gave as I imagined I was setting up an appointment with a new practitiontioner. I also gave my insurance information. Lo and behold, I learned I had volunteered my sensitive medical history only to be used as a screening tool to learn if the internist would «accept» me as her patient! I was told I would be called to learn if I was accepted maybe Friday, possibly Monday or Tuesday. I found this quite odd and off-​putting but thought perhaps things are different in Athens, GA so agreed. Needless to say, no one ever called me back. After nearly one full week, I called the practice and got a different receptionist. At that time, she informed I was «not accepted» by the doctor, in other words while Dr Elizabeth Smith had openings she rejected me. Way to go for making me feel like a second-​class citizen! Nevertheless, my scalp irritation was making me miserable so I asked if another doctor might perhaps approve me. I was told they could ask Dr. Elizabeth Smith and get back to me Friday. I wondered why it would take so much time for a «yes» or «no» but said okay. (Luckily I also called another Athens internist at a different practice and rather easily secured an appointment). So Friday came and I knew the office closed at 1 pm and surprise! No one had called me back. At 2 pm I called the answering service and asked that at their convenience, the office manager call me up during normal business hours to discuss a complaint. Meanwhile on Monday I went to another doctor who informed me I had an infection of my entire scalp and why had I waited three weeks to see a doctor as I now needed two prescription meds for it. I said I tried to seek medical help ten days earlier but Athens Internal Medicine Associates thwarted me from doing so! In any case I called Tuesday October 13^th to talk to an office manager and relate my story and she said she never received a message from the answering service to call me, so it seems their answering service is also incompetent! I told her this infection was on my head and could have spread to my eyes! I thought this practice of being approved based on your medical history and/​or insurance was discriminatory and in fact even called representative Jody Hice’s office to complain about this. In any case, if I were you I would find another practice if you are seeking medical help of any kind.

Kathy is great. Very professional and always helpful with a good sense of humor. I’ve seen Dr. Mark Firth for years and think he’s a great doctor. He doesn’t over react to things and gives good advice. He’s been supportive of my move to vegetarianism with the recommendation that I eat some fish. He knows internal medicine thoroughly, and is careful to give only safe drugs, often those that have been on the market a long time. I know many people who use him, and most seem to really appreciate his work.

My dr at this practice is Dr. Elizabeth Smith, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. In addition to my regularly scheduled visits, she has seen me twice now with last minute problems, and has never seemed rushed. She is very good at listening and then recommending a common sense treatment; I appreciate the fact the she refrains from conducting unnecessary tests. Her staff is good, too; recently they were very patient and thorough in an ongoing medical situation I had, and always followed up with me.