Francis P Surdakowski's Online Review Report Card

On June 26, 2017, I went to Cardiovascular Consultants (CVC) for routine cardiac tests. During the ultrasound, the technician was very rough and kept digging the ultrasound wand into my ribs and then flicking the wand against the ribs as he removed it. I told him to be careful as it was hurting me. By the end of the ultrasound I was in pain. I went home and took a nap. When I awoke, I was still in pain and I looked at my rib cage and the bottom front cartilage was sticking out. After numerous tests, Mayo Clinic determined that he broke the rib and cartilage apart like a chicken wing. I had to have surgery at Mayo where they re-broke and repositioned the rib/cartilage. It still sticks out and causes pain all the way around to my mid back. It is a permanent injury and the surgeon at Mayo stated that I will have to live with the discomfort for the rest of my life. The only other option is to remove the rib, which could cause more problems. Due to this injury, everything causes extreme pain. I was a patient of Dr. Francis Surdakowski for decades. He gave me information on his insurance and I submitted a claim. I paid the entire bill except the charges for the ultrasound. I didn’t think I should have to pay for the procedure that permanently injured me. CVC sent me to collections for $37.50. After taking me to collections, CVC refused to even pay my medical bills, let alone anything for the permanent impairment that they caused. The claim adjuster said that she had a conference with CVC and spent hours trying to get them to settle but they wouldn’t. She apologized to me. In Arizona, insurance companies cannot settle without authorization from the doctor. It’s like getting into a car accident and not getting a settlement because the at fault driver tells his insurance company not to settle. When I began seeing Dr. Surdakowski he was at North Phoenix Heart Center. In 2010, he told me that he was leaving North Phoenix Heart Center and was starting a new practice with two other doctors. He told me that at the last minute the two other doctors ditched him, so he went to work for CVC. My mother was also a patient of Dr. Surdakowski. She had some fluid on her heart but Dr. Surdakowski said not to worry about it. On the next appointment, it was urgent that she have surgery to drain the fluid. Before the surgery, we found out that she had something in her lung. My mother was 85 years old, and after the heart surgery to drain the fluid she didn’t feel like she could go through another procedure and wound up passing away. Dr. Surdakowski never told my mother why she had fluid around her heart, and never ordered any tests to determine why she had fluid around her heart. It went from not to worry to urgent surgery in six months. Run from CVC as fast as you can. They are substandard and as far as I’m concerned unethical in permanently injuring me and then not authorizing payment. It has cost me thousands of dollars. CVC is pure evil.

I have been going to dr Surdakowski for many years he is the very best he is extremely professional knowledgable caring forthright and compassionate he is my dr as well as family friends and neighbors I reccommeded him highly

Worse medical experience Ive ever had.. His communication style was hostile, insensitive and lacked any substance, Condescending and dismissive. He had diagnosed me with a comment before I did all the cardio data dump tests. He spent less than 5 minutes each time I was n front of him despite a history of too high heart rate and both low and high blood pressure at two visits to his office. Don't put your most valuable organ of your body in this man's hands. He does no take all cases seriously.

Horrible bedside manner! Came to Dr with concerns of odd palpatations. On my follow up after having an ultrasound and holter monitor for 48hrs the week prior, Dr barged in while assistant took my vitals, leaving door wide open. Once alone w/him he started to tell me my heart was working as it should and got up and said "sorry, I have to take care of something and left the room." Came back to "prove" to me how my heart was fine. Made me feel insignificant and like I wasted his time.

I think he is a wonderful doctor. He has a great bedside manner. I would absolutely recommend him.

Terrific Doctor! The BEST!

Have consulted with him for cardio for 23 years. I can't recommend Francis highly enough. Expertise and experience. Mellow, thoughtful, friendly, does not waste words or time.

He has been my mother's cardiologist for almost 10 years. Always caring, and very personable. His attention to Mom's health needs are impeccable. I appreciate his honesty and diligence in seeing that my mom gets the best of care.

I wish Dr. Surdakowski could be my primary physician. He always knows what to do for me. He's polite and allows me to ask as many questions as I feel necessary to understand.

His care and follow up were unbelievable and I wouldn't be here today if not for his care in 1990!