Banner Health Center | Phoenix, AZ | Irma Ln.

Dr. Rivara was one of the best new patient experiences I've had in a long time. He took the time to listen, ask thoughtful and relevant questions, and made me feel heard throughout the appointment. I especially appreciated that he respected my decisions regarding hormone replacement therapy while still providing professional guidance and discussing the pros and cons of changing one form of treatment. I never felt rushed in our conversation and it felt collaborative rather than transactional. Unfortunately my experience after the appointment was very different. Dr Rivara recommended a biopsy and I was willing to proceed however scheduling the procedure became incredibly frustrating. I was told that only the medical assistants have access to the biopsy schedule so when I missed their call due to work obligations I had to wait for another return call. Because I spend so much of my workday in client meetings, I cannot answer the phone at random times and I asked whether a specific callback time could be arranged no one seemed able to provide a solution. I sent a portal message and called multiple times over the course of more than a week. During one call, a staff member spent nearly 30 minutes trying to reach a medical assistant who could schedule the biopsy, but was unsuccessful. It was disappointing to encounter so many barriers when both the physician and patient were in agreement about moving forward with care. Ultimately, I decided not to pursue the biopsy through this office and I'm hoping for the best. If I need further evaluation in the future I will likely have the procedure performed elsewhere. Despite the scheduling challenges, I highly recommend Dr Rivara. He is an outstanding physician, and my concerns are with the scheduling process rather than the quality of care he provided.