William Blackshear's Online Review Report Card

Dr. Blackshear is an extremely thorough and experienced surgeon and physician. The office staff is very professional and always accommodates special schedule requests. As a patient of his for decades, Dr. Blackshear consistency in professionalism and astute observation has been a constant throughout his practice.

Approximately two weeks ago I made an appointment for a consultation with you for your weight-loss program. The extremely-friendly receptionist informed me that you just had back surgery, and the soonest you would be able to meet with me was today, Tuesday March 10th at 1:00 pm. The receptionist and I stayed on the phone for roughly twenty minutes; as I had a litany of questions, and she explained the length of time I should be able to expect to be in your office that day (EKG, B12 shot, full H & P, nutrition counseling, etc.). Needless to say, I was beyond excited, and she was very helpful. When I arrived earlier today for my appointment, another woman/receptionist with an altogether different tone and terse language informed me that, “since you never called us to put a credit card on file, we had to cancel your appointment.” I explained that my appointment was confirmed via text from their office last Friday March 6th, and that I was never asked for a credit card at the time I called for the appointment/when I spoke to the other (nicer, more professional) woman, nor in the conformation text. She simply shook her head with an, “You’re-Out-Of-Luck” look, stood there with her arms crossed, and then continued to say that, “And you must have given us the wrong spelling of your name, because we could not find you anywhere in the State of Florida.” Confused, I could not understand why they needed to “find me in the State of Florida,” but then common sense prevailed when I realized “finding me” must be because their clinic provides amphetamines for some clients to aid in appetite suppression. In my defense, I said that I moved to Florida six months ago, that I could show her my Florida Drivers’ License, and that I would clearly never misspell my own last name—the last name I have had for 46 years. I wanted you to know, Dr. Blackshear, that as soon as I arrived home to my high-rise apartment in downtown St. Pete, I phoned the Better Business Bureau and made a complaint. They asked that I put it in writing, and this will be the letter that I send to them. For not only am I a resident of the State of Florida, (that no one in your office could “find,”), I am also a Licensed Psychotherapist in the State of Florida; doing Private Practice work with the State’s First Responders. I imagine if someone from your office took any time to call me back to verify the spelling of my last name, you would have seen my credentials. As a combat veteran of the IRQ/AFG wars, and a career military woman, I must say, that this was the most out of place I have ever felt than when I was serving our country during the aforementioned conflicts. Shame on you, and your practice! I have taken to social media as well, to both the women’s groups of which I am a part; as well as to the veterans’ groups—to ensure local residents are aware of the complete negligent, and blaming-attitude and tone of your staff and your agency. As for the weight loss assistance/consultation, no worries there. I just made an appointment with Dr. Ariss, and I’m glad I did. His office staff were not only fantastic over the phone, but also in-person—as they welcomed me in for a same-day consult. The most ironic of all, was that I called Dr. Ariss’ clinic from the parking lot of your office just as soon as I was turned away for my confirmed appointment by that awfully rude woman. When I arrived, his staff apologized for the way I was treated at your clinic, and said that it was not the first time they had heard such things. Regards, Jamie Mucciarelli, LCSW CC: Better Business Bureau of Pinellas County Better Business Bureau of St. Petersburg Veterans of Foreign Wars—St. Petersburg (Quarterly Bulletin) American Legion—St. Petersburg (Quarterly Bulletin) Women Veterans of the Sun Coast (Monthly Newsletter)

Very nice office staff and Doctor I have recommended to many and all have had no problems with this office.

Very rude I wouldn’t suggest it.