Ron C Byrd, MD

I’m surprised by the number of bad reviews. I’ve been seeing Dr. Byrd for 18 years. For a brief period I changed to a doctor who was MUCH closer to my home, but I changed back because I didn’t like him or think he was as good as Dr. Byrd.
I have to admit, his staff can be outright annoying at times, one of my complaints is waiting on hold much too long just to book an appointment, but other than that, I’ve really never had that much of a problem with them.
I’ve not had as good luck with his PA. She has not been as accurate in diagnosing things as Dr. Byrd, so now I just wait for an appointment with him.
Dr. Bryd is over a 30 minute drive from my home, but still I am willing to make the trip rather than change my GP.

I had to find a new GP and asked my surgeon for his recommendations. One of the first doctors he mentioned was Dr Ron Byrd. I am very happy so far with my first appointment and his extremely fast follow-​up on some imaging I had just yesterday. I’ve never had a doctor follow up so quickly. The wait time was brief as compared to other doctors I’ve had in the past. Staff was friendly and efficient. His location on Bee Caves is much better for me living and working in South Austin. Highly recommend!

When I first moved here, I was referred to Dr. Byrd as a great Primary Care Physician. I saw him once and he was great. This is why I am giving the 3 stars. His front desk staff is another story. Twice in row, I spoke to a woman, maybe two different people, that was extremely condescending and rude. This, I have zero tolerance for. I work with clients everyday and this is something I take extremely serious. The second instance was bad enough for me to hang up and I am now searching for another Dr. Unfortunate, but I would rather go somewhere else than deal with attitude and fight obstacles with the staff up front.

Dr. Byrd is the best doctor I have ever had in my life and I feel very fortunate to have him on my health team. Having just moved to Austin, I did not have a primary care doctor and he was recommended to me, even though I live about 45 minutes from him and there are a ton of doctors to choose from out there. He is extremely thorough, patient and detailed with his work. He educates me, cares about me, is always professional and is just a great man. I have recommended him to other people who are equally grateful he is their doctor now. I should note that I’ve also been seen and worked with his assistant, Carol Lynn, who is also fabulous.
The only downside that I will warn about is the wait time in the lobby; it’s usually about 30 minutes. For me though, this isn’t a big deal because I know that Dr. Byrd is giving each of his patients the right level of care and not just churning through patients to get them in and out of the door. That’s really important to me, and I’d wait 30 minutes or longer anytime to see him.

I have been to see Dr. Byrd a handful of times and have consistently been very pleased with his bedside manner, thoroughness, and professionalism. The office staff is disorganized but since I was so impressed with Dr. Byrd, I tolerated that.
My latest visit to this office was the most strange MD visit I have ever encountered. I was taken to a dirty exam room. The exam table was partially covered with a wadded up protective paper cover with used electrodes stuck all over it. The nurse took no notice of this and I surmised that perhaps they were very busy and someone would come clean the room while I was in it. Dr. Byrd then entered the room and after a brief interview, he placed a clean gown/​sheet on the OBVIOUSLY DIRTY BED and asked me to change and then lay on the bed and he would return to examine me. What??? Have I entered some kind of Twilight Zone episode?
The patient interview itself was rushed; the physical exam hurried and incomplete. Dr. Byrd did not have any intention of truly listening and the visit was embarrassing as well as bizarre to say the least. Definitely not thorough as in the past. I will never return to this office again. There is no excuse for such unprofessionalism.

I have been looking for a new general prac, and I just had my first meeting with Dr Byrd. He’s awesome. He’s followed up with me, and was amazingly calming. He patiently addressed all my concerns and did so quickly and efficiently. Got my annual physical and a checked up on some other concerns. I’m very glad I went to go see him, and I will definitely continue with him. He was just very thorough, and I appreciated it.
Is he quick? Yeah.
Do I feel like he sped through me? No.
He listened, diagnosed, tested, and followed up… I am a busy guy, too, so I appreciate that.

I’ve been going to dr. Byrd and Carol Lynn for as long as I can remember. I’ve even had a procedure done on my back before a festival, ran into dr. Byrd and had a mini check up right there on the field. He has always treated me with the upmost respect and gets my ‘weird’ personality. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Carol Lynn is amazing, funny and sweet. I love the option of seeing her and her smile when I walk into the office.
For the rest of the people complaining about the wait times… Really? What doctor office doesn’t have you waiting forever? Also, would you rather have a doctor sit down and answer your questions or run out of the room as fast as possible? I’ve recommended both these professionals and would do so again.

I’ve gotten the impression every single time I’ve visited doctor Byrd that he could care less about my well-​being. He has even been rude at times to me. I’ve found a new doctor that actually pays attention to what I have to say and does not make me feel like an idiot when I bring up things about my health that concern me. If you are looking for a doctor that doesn’t just go through the motions and who is actually concerned with your well being then I would not recommend Dr. Byrd at all.

I’ve been going to Dr. Byrd for 10+ years. He is a delight. As is Carol Lynn, his partner. Its easy to get in, they genuinely care about you, and they are truly kind people. Two thumbs up.

Caveat — my review is based solely on my experience with Carol Lynn Langer, Dr. Byrd’s Physician’s Assistant/​Office Manager.
I’ve been going to Dr. Byrd’s office since the late 90s, back when he was up on Guadalupe. When he moved down to Bee Caves, I followed, solely because of Carol Lynn. If she didn’t go with him, I probably would not have stayed with Dr. Byrd.
Carol Lynn has always been attentive, supportive, and caring, to the point of going to bat for me when insurance companies balked at treatments or prescriptions. She spends an adequate amount of time with me during my visits — going over health history, going over options, etc. I never feel rushed, and I never feel like I didn’t get any question answered. She’s also made it clear if I do have questions later, I can call.
Their new location is great, and I love that they now have an in-​house pathology lab, so no more going to a different office for blood work.
Downsides — again, if it weren’t for Carol Lynn, I probably would not have remained with Dr. Byrd. When given the option, I schedule my appointments with Carol Lynn. I won’t go into the whys, other than she has earned my absolute trust and loyalty. I trust Dr. Byrd as well, but they have very different approaches to patient care.
Yes — wait times are sometimes ridiculous, but I think that’s more the nature of the beast of health care than how this office is run — I’ve had to wait in every clinic, every medical office, every hospital.
It is solely because of Carol Lynn’s presence at his practice that I give 4 stars. It’s a credit to him — and his trust, faith and support in Carol Lynn — that he’s kept her with him through 2 moves and nearly 2 decades.

I have had Dr. Byrd as my doctor for 15 years. He is thorough, professional and will answer any question you may have. He has always given excellent referrals for specialists as required and is simply a great guy. He’s a wonderful doctor and I’ve referred multiple other patients to him who have been equally happy.
I highly recommend him.

I was looking for a new family practice doctor, and after many other Dr. offices I visited I finally was recommended Dr. Byrd. I read the reviews first and many said that they had issues with wait time and the overall length that Dr. Byrd talked to them. I thought, really? You don’t want a Doctor that thoroughly explains everything to you and answers your questions? It was a no brainier to me to give Dr. Byrd a try.
First experience at the office was great, check-​in was a breeze. I thought his whole staff to be really informed and excellent. Very Clean office (new) and also kudos to the plebotomist, I thought she was really funny and drew my blood quickly and I didn’t even feel it.
I like this doctor and will definitely be back. I thought he was very interested with what I had to say and answered all my questions in-​depth, how a doctor should.
Highly recommend him.
Thanks

If I could give ZERO stars, I would. I wish I had read these reviews before booking my appointment. Patrick O. says it best with, «No respect for your time.»
I stated that I would be a new patient when I booked my appt. They made no mention of forms of payment that they do or do not accept when I booked the appt. I did however get the impression that Dr. Byrd quite often runs late, and I only needed a shot recommended by our pediatrician. With that being said, I booked with the physicians asst. I showed up 15 minutes prior to my appt. to fill out forms as per their request. After 45 minutes, seeing no one, and witnessing people being put on hold for no apparent reason I was asked for my co-​pay. When I handed her my AMEX she said they only accepted Visa and Mastercard. This is a doctors office in Westlake. I asked her if you could just bill me. She said, «No.»
So I have no idea if the doctor of physicians asst. are any good, because of the horrible (short redheaded [I did not get her name]) receptionist and the office’s unwillingness to work with me. I know full well that had the office treated me for something that the insurance didn’t cover they would have sent a bill to me for the difference.
They were unapologetic, unbending, and uncaring. Not what you want from a primary care (family) practice. The staff seems completely complacent when it comes to caring for the people walking through the front door.

I’m so sad about writing this review because I LOVE Dr. Byrd, but today was my last visit to this office. And yes — it has everything to do with the ridiculous waiting times. Honestly, while I was sitting in the waiting room for the 35 minutes it took just to get me back and draw blood (for a thyroid test that wasn’t ordered the first time I requested it, by the way), I wondered if the office staff had ever had to take time off a busy work day schedule to do something so frustrating as go to the doctor for a «quick test» and end up waiting. The last time I was in it took over an hour past my appointment time to even see the PA.
The fact that I called ahead and was assured that there would be no wait for labs only adds to the enigma. The phlobotomist admitted that it only takes 5 minutes to draw blood, so there was NO reason for my wait. She acted surprised that I had to wait to get blood work done!
I love Dr Byrd, and am very heartbroken that my schedule will no longer allow for the wait times I’ve encountered, but it’s time to find someone new who will respect that I didn’t take off the entire day for one appointment. And Dr Byrd, if you read these reviews, please have someone call me when this issue has been corrected because I was hard-​pressed to find such a good doctor in the first place, but knowing I have to move away from you because of your mis-​managed office staff is just heartbreaking.

No respect for your time. The first time I came here I had to wait an hour and a half past my appointment time. The only reason I did this was I had a fever so bad I couldn’t see straight.
My second time in, thirty minutes had gone by past my appointment time.
I told the girl at the desk to cancel my appointment because they were thirty min late when I had been on time. No apologies were extended. Just, «Are you sure?»
I don’t know why people put up with unprofessional practices. If everyone held them up to the same standards of other businesses they might get their act together.

I will echo other reviewers here. There is simply no excuse under the sun for someone with an appointment to have to wait an hour in the waiting room, then have to wait another half hour in that small exam room to see the doctor for three minutes rush rush rush not listening rush rush, then have to wait another 40 minutes before you figure out they’ve forgotten you.
If they’re overworked and overbooked, I’d wager most people would wait an extra day or two to have a real appointment.
I come from a really well run public health insurer (Kaiser), and hadn’t in over ten years waited for an appointment for more than five minutes. Dr Byrd’s office and schedulers need to get it together.
I’ll give it another try, because I hear the Doc and PA are great.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Dr. Byrd. I have been going to him for well over 10 years. I adore him and his PA, Carol Lyn. But his office staff– not so much. They’ve only gotten worse since he moved across the street from his old office this past Fall. It’s gotten so bad that I am considering going to a new doctor just becase I detest his office staff so much.
My last visit was in December of 2011. Yes– it just happened to be the same day as their switch to an electronic record system, so I was ready for some hiccups. But nothing could have prepared me for the horribly rude and unprofessional service I received. I was coming in for a routine physical and PAP with Carol Lyn. I had called the week prior and set up my appointment with a receptionist who seemed really ‘flighty’ at the time. But she did ask if I had been to their new location and patiently explained that they had moved to a new office across the street.
I show up 10 minutes early for my appointment and check-​in. Nothing out of the ordinary was said to me and I sit down and wait… and wait… and wait. Finally I go ask when I’ll be getting in for my appointment and the receptionist rudely says, «you don’t have an appointment.» Let me also point out that I’m fasting for this appointment so I’m super woozy and in no mood to argue with some bitch girl at the front desk. They have me sit there for over 90 minutes before taking me back to wait some more for Dr. Byrd (Carol Lyn was unavailable). It was ridiculous! I only wish there was some way to express to Dr. Byrd and Carol Lyn how seriously terrible their office staff has become.

I’ve been going to Dr. Byrd for a long time — since 2002 or so…
Originally I lived close to his office, but now I live way the F up north and still drive there.
I thought about switching to someone closer to me because the 30 minute drive to see him is a pain, but I really like him and Carol. She’s a pretty cool.
I agree with some of the other reviews that the staff is kinda ehh, and there have been some long waits which is super annoying. One time, I waited for 45 minutes because his staff is sorta incompetent. I complained to Carolyn that it was BS and I got refunded my copay… Apparently the staff forgot that I checked in… of course I was the only one in the waiting room.

I’ve had the same GP/​main doc/​whatever for like 15 years. But over time, I got the impression that he was just going through the motions. Maybe I’m delusional, but I want to at least THINK that my doc cares.
I tried a 2^nd doc based on a friend’s recommendation and he was a total jerk.
So I turned to Unilocal and thank God I found Dr Byrd. He’s really cool and helpful… and he talks to me like a smart peer who cares. I’ve seen him twice now and I am glad to recommend him to anyone who will listen.

I just moved here. After a few weeks, I’ve realized that selecting a doctor is:
a) time consuming, and
b) an extremely subjective experience.
One usually gets the best recommendation from a friend who’s happy with their current doc. (Knowing few people here, that wasn’t really an option for me.)
So, I went in cold here, based on advice from someone who knew Dr. Byrd only by name. My impressions were pretty lukewarm.
Pros:
–easy to access office (Bee Caves off Mopac)
–lots of parking
–friendly office staff
–good appointment availability (and same-​day appointments set aside each day)
–good nurse practitioner, who can offer phone advice
–easy insurance
–Dr. Byrd gave me a new suggestion for an allergy medication (as many have not worked for me)
–Dr. Byrd acquiesced when asked (for a second time) to exam something I was concerned about
Cons:
–Dr. Byrd brushed off some of my concerns. (See above — I had to insist that he examine something I was clearly worried about.)
–The doctor ran late, and I sat in the waiting room for 20 minutes and in the exam room for another 15 – 20 minutes.
–When I was giving him some details on my health history, the doctor made a joke about my prior doctor being an amateur.
–The doctor seemed rushed.
Nothing of these things are horrible, but I wasn’t all that impressed.
Personally, I didn’t connect well with him, but he seemed fairly competent as a physician.
I’m going to keep looking for a primary care provider…