O’gara Thomas D, MD

My husband and I have been patients of Dr. O’Gara for many years. We have always been pleased with the care we have gotten through them. Dr O’Gara takes the time to listen and hear what you are saying. I always feel like I have a clear picture of what medical problem is and how to proceed forward. While I miss being able to set up an appointment, the Walk-​in clinic is great. They give you an estimated time you will be seen, which is usually about right. LabCorp is also located right upstairs, so if you need to have tests done, you can handle that at the same time. I highly recommend Dr. O’Gara and Ralston Family Practice.

Been a patient of Dr. O’Gara for years. Called to make a checkup appointment and was told he now takes walk-​ins only. No appointments/​no exceptions. I have a job so I can’t go sit in a waiting room for hours. I would rather make an appointment. I asked if I could see someone else. She said sure but you can’t get in until March, months from now. That’s fine with me but can you refill my prescriptions until then. Can’t do that. You will have to walk in. I like the walkins for when you are sick and need to get in right away but you should also have the option of making an appointment.

I have been a patient of Dr. O’Gara for over 3 years. Ralston Family Practice is a WALK IN CLINIC which assures that you will be seen that day. Many of the reviews fail to take that into consideration when they complain about the wait time. If you feel that you have a issue that requires more time they do schedule morning appointments.
Yes I have had to wait but I also receive the continuity of care that I was not being afforded by my previous provider. My insurance requires I use Renown which guarantees that you will be seen the same day, what I experienced was that my primary would not be available and I would be set up with a new DR. each time I felt I needed same day care.. He LISTENS TO HIS PATIENTS and I feel he is worth the wait. The staff is friendly and there is very little turnover. Jeff still greets me with a smile at the front desk and his Medical Assistants are the best. Ricky has always returned my calls and keeps me informed of what the approximate wait will be. I wish him well in his endeavor to become a RN. He and his staff go above the call of duty. During a recent visit I was extremely ill and in severe pain. His med nurse, Kerri, noticed and got me in a room where I could lay down, with my teeth chattering from a fever the Medical Assistant brought a small heater into the room to make me more comfortable. Compassionate, client centered care is mission statement for this practice. A walk in clinic may not be for everyone, but I feel fortunate and grateful for the care I have received and would recommend Dr .O’Gara and Ralston Family practice without hesitation.
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First, I’d like to make a few comments about the office that Dr. O’Gara works in, Ralston Family Physicians. This office is a very busy medical practice. I think there are at least 8 doctors that work out of this office, so the waiting room fills up very quickly. Also, they cater a lot to same-​day walk-​ins, so after about 10am the waiting room is pretty much full for the rest of the day. This office has been around for a while and it is looking a little worse for wear. The furnishings, carpet, paint, and décor in the waiting room and the exam rooms is in need of a remodel. I wouldn’t say that things are dirty, they are just looking worn out.
I’ve been a patient of Dr. O’Gara for about three years now. I’ve seen him perhaps a half dozen times during that period. As I said, this is a very busy medical practice and Dr. O’Gara sees A LOT of patients each day. Even if you have a scheduled appointment, it is not uncommon to be called to the exam room a half hour after your appointment time and then wait another 15 or 20 minutes for the doctor to arrive. Dr. O’Gara is usually available for walk-​in appointments, which seem to occur more in the afternoon, so get in early if you want to see him the same day. Otherwise, his appointments are booked very far in advance. I typically cannot schedule an appointment with him any sooner that three weeks out, or sometimes even a month. My first appointment with Dr. O’Gara was in the afternoon, and honestly he seemed a bit ragged and unengaged. Maybe I caught him on an off day, but from my observation, I would guess that he sees at least 4 patients per hour, so by the afternoon he may have already seen 20 patients that day. I can’t blame him for getting a little worn out, but of course that is the last thing a patient wants to see.
Since that first appointment I have tried to schedule appointments as early in the morning as I can, usually around 9am. He seems to be a lot fresher and more interactive in the morning. I’ve also found that the appointments go better if I continually engage him by asking questions, otherwise Dr. O’Gara will quickly go into «shut-​down» mode and start heading for the door. If I come prepared with a quick description of why I am there and have my questions ready then I can usually hold his attention for about 10 minutes. But by 15 minutes he is usually ready to head out of the room.
I understand that medicine is a difficult business, and doctors need to see a lot of patients so that they can make a living, but a patient wants their doctor to be attentive, focused, and present, especially if they are concerned, or even scared, about their health. I wouldn’t say that Dr. O’Gara is the best doctor I have seen, but he is adequate. To reiterate, if you want to see him at his best: schedule in advance and make it an early morning appointment; come prepared with a summary of why you are there and questions you want him to answer; be prepared to wait beyond your appointment time (perhaps 45 minutes or more); and when you see the doctor, keep him engaged, otherwise he will assume you are done and want to move along.