Dennis Riff's Online Review Report Card

I'm writing to relate an extraordinary series of extremely uncomfortable experiences surrounding my colonoscopy, with Doctor Dennis Riff and his practice at Associated Gastroenterology Medical Group (AGMG) in Orange County, CA. I merely wish to draw attention to these mortifying issues and maybe prevent future patients from suffering such experiences.My colonoscopy began with an in-person consultation with Dr. Dennis Riff on October 13th.  He reassured me that he has performed the procedure thousands of times which led me to confidently scheduling the procedure with him for November 3rd at the 1211 La Palma location in Anaheim, CA.On the day of, the office staff and especially Nurse Aislinn were very pleasant, even handing me an extra sheet in the procedure room when asked.  However, upon hearing me ask why the room was so cold, anesthesiologist Doctor Andrew Johnson responded, "We have to keep it cold and it's not like the jungle." As a Vietnamese American woman this comment can only be accepted as racially-motivated.Another unpleasantness immediately followed with the realization that the physician performing my procedure would not be Doctor Dennis Riff as originally expected. As I was processing this series of events, Doctor Johnson injected propofol into my IV line.  He did so in such a heavy rushed burst that it sent extreme pain down to my hand.  I recall involuntarily grabbing my IV arm with my other arm in pain.The procedure started around 11am, I awoke at approximately 11:20am, roughly 20 minutes after. Around 11:30 I was wheeled out to our car by Nurse Aislinn, no physicians checked on me, examined me, or spoke with me regarding the result.After wrestling with my thoughts for two days, I decided to speak to Doctor Dennis Riff to alert him of these shortcomings with his staff.  I was able to reach him over the phone but the conversation only worsened my overall experience.  Doctor Riff immediately brushed off Doctor Johnson's racist comment as simply being "comparing about the climate."  Regarding the lack of post-procedure physician attention, he was likewise dismissive simply saying that they have other patients and things to attend to and didn't want to keep me waiting.  His response about the propofol arm pain would be the most unprofessional thing I have ever heard a medical practitioner utter,  "if you have a complaint about the pain, contact Biden due to the shortage of lidocaine in the country!"It is an understatement to say that the physicians were unprofessional.  More than just breaching the trust that a patient needs from their caretakers, they projected a sense of negligent dismissive hostility. The office and nursing staff treated me with the utmost respect and care.  However, should the physicians' attitudes remain unchanged, I fear many future patients will experience negligence as I did.

My sister was a patient of Dr. Riff's. I say WAS as she had a massive stroke on March 18, two days after she had an MRI for her MS which was primarily located in her neck, and I guess no one could get around to reading it before the stroke hit. I am sure the signs were there as she complained of terrible headaches. But I digress. Dr. Riff did NOT care for my sister, and labeled her an addict and for that she received inadequate care. Dr. Riff discriminated against my sister for her addiction issues, and even after her MS diagnosis he managed her pain medication (not her pain) in protection of himself, not her. This man failed my sister in her need of medical care and instead labeled her an addict and marginalized her as not being worthy. You should only go to this man if you are healthy. He's not good with sick people.

Kind and patient physician: He correctly diagnosed my medical condition and prescribed a drug regimen that cured the problem.

Dr Riff Great doctor he is one of the best doctors I have seen in my 64 years.The office staff is the same 👍👍

Dr. Riff is kind and attentive to what is going on in your life that may be affecting your disease process. He is always happy to see you and is very friendly. I feel so fortunate that He is the Dr. that I was assigned to, would not want any one else!

Dr. Riff...My colonoscopy on the 1st was completely uneventful with good results. You should know, aside from your expertise and wonderful presence, your Nurse Aislinn (Ace) Sidling was just wonderful in the follow-up. She cared, she was warm, and she called just as she promised. You have an all star team in Cindy and Tammy and their staff. Thank you for excellent care and the warmth and caring of your staff. Bravo! Gail

Dr. Riff has been my PCP for about 10 years. I always feel like he listens to what I am saying and takes as much time as needed for a proper diagnosis and explanation. They truly don't get any better than this guy. Even his staff is wonderful.

Doctor Dennis Riff is sincere and caring towards his patients.

I have been seeing Dr. Riff for almost 10 years, and he has never let me down.  Knowledgeable, patient, funny, thorough and caring.  Sometimes the waiting time has been a half-hour, but yesterday I was in and out in 30 minutes total, and I had arrived with a laundry list of concerns and ailments, all of which were fully addressed.  I feel like my health, and my life, are in great hands.

Dr. Riff takes all the time needed to ascertain your exact status and care needed to bring you back to normal function!

Caring, understanding, highly knowledgeable and with no hesitation to take care of or care for the condition that was causing me discomfort or hindering my daily living!

Best Dr I could ever have!!! Knowledgeable, listens to what you have to say..... he truly is my angel. With Dr Riff as my doctor I have traveled the world without fear!!!! This is hudge. I also live my dailey life without constant worry..... I know I have the best and the most carrying Dr I could ever ask for .... we have moved and I travel to see Dr Riff .... I now live about 60 miles away.... and would travel farther to keep him as my Dr. Thank you Dr Riff for always getting me in....??

Dr.Riff is an amazing doctor. He treats people with kindness and he shows that he really cares about an individual

Fair rating is a gift for this Dr. ON THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE we expect to see Dr Riff. He has the gall to send another MD in his place! He NEVER checked with the patient 1ST! After the procedure HE NEVER CHECKED ON the progress or even made a common courteous phone call ON HIS OWN PATIENT! If he works for you so be it. I would NEVER recommend any Dr that has this kind of attitude toward his patients!

Fair rating is a gift for this Dr. ON THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE we expect to see Dr Riff. He has the gall to send another MD in his place! He NEVER checked with the patient 1ST! After the procedure HE NEVER CHECKED ON the progress or even made a common courteous phone call ON HIS OWN PATIENT! If he works for you so be it. I would NEVER recommend any Dr that has this kind of attitude toward his patients!

If you want a wonderful doctor who doesn't treat you like a number, Dr. Dennis Riff is the doc for you! I am very happy with the entire staff- friendly, polite and over all makes going to the doctor the most pleasant experience one can have.

Absolutely great doctor!!! He helped me a lot.  Very professional,friendly,and caring.Research group and office stuff is very good as well.I would definitely recommend this doctor to everybody.

I have had indeterminate inflammatory bowel disease (likely UC) for a number of years, and in that time I have been the patient of numerous gastroenterologists.  I can tell you that Dr. Riff is easily one of my favorites.  I have encountered many who are cold, talk down to you, and have little care for what you are going through.  Dr. Riff is none of those things - he is a human.  From the first minute, he put me at ease with his sense of humor. Actually, that may be the thing I appreciate the most, because with a chronic disease you have to find those moments of levity.  Beyond that, I was able to share with him my medical history and various treatments I have gone through in order to deal with the symptoms. Not once have I ever felt judged, and while many other doctors (in my experience) lacked knowledge of the various trials and experimental treatments that exist, he was familiar with everything I mentioned. He was honest without being condescending. When I told him about my financial concerns regarding getting a colonoscopy, he worked with me and his staff to find an affordable way to get it done.  I rarely write yelp reviews, but he deserves a good one. Expertise in tangent with humanity - you couldn't ask for more.

Dr. Riff was amazing! He listened and he made my priority a priority during the initial consult. He knew I had an ulcer right away, but still recommended I had an endoscopy STAT to rule out anything else. Dr. Riff is an awesome doctor and feel blessed to find him!

Dr. Riff is a good listener, easy to talk to. I find him very carrying, knowledgeable & would highly recommend him.