Francis B. Ponce's Online Review Report Card

I saw Dr. Ponce for the first time this week. He was thorough, professional, and kind. He explained next steps clearly to me. His staff was friendly, efficient and helpful. Based on my experience so far I would recommend this group!

My wife became very confused, partially due to a urinary tract infection. He rushed us and did not examine my wife at all. He didn’t ask her one question. He also misdiagnosed her. We will be looking for a new neurologist.

Went to explore excruciating facial pain on the right side of my face and excruciating muscle pain at the back of my head. Dr. Ponce was not only condescending, but he refused to listen and allow me to express what/where my pain was coming from. I would say don't let him put his hands on you (he's that bad), but he didn't even do that....he failed to treat and/or evaluate me during my visit, prescribe any tests or recommend next steps in my care. Who goes to a neurologist for pain and comes out without the dr. even having examined you. He wasn't worth his "wall of diplomas"...unless there was one for quackery. Avoid at all costs.

This man should not be practicing medicine. Doesn’t call patients. I had to call the office for an answer to my question about a potentially dangerous drug he prescribed. He never checked my medications. He had the nerve to have the receptionist tell me there were no other options for me. Seriously, who does that?

Dr. Ponce is the nicest, kindest man who really does all that he can to figure out what’s going on. He treats you like a person, and he’s on your team.

Very efficient and has the best bedside manners. Always listens and takes his time.

My wife Wendy was recently hospitalized for a neurological episode requiring testing for seizures. Baffled by her condition, the doctors at Centra State Hospital considered it serious enough to put her on a DO NOT DRIVE restriction. A few days after her hospital discharge, she went to Dr. Ponce's office to get a follow-up neurological exam, determine if another EEG was needed and get cleared to drive again. That's when the horrible experience at Dr. Ponce's began. First, Dr. Ponce's staff (specifically Debbie) refused to procure any hospital records for my wife, despite her NO-DRIVE restriction, and the fact that there were a slew of hospital release forms allowing for the transfer of those records. Other than not really wanting to do her job, there was no real reason why Debbie or any other staff member couldn't acquire those vital documents. Crude and rude, Debbie gave my still-ailing wife a very difficult time during her office visit. No better than staff-member Debbie, Dr. Ponce gave my wife an equally difficult time when he questioned why she would see him before seeing a doctor specializing in epilepsy, when, in fact, his own staff booked the appointment with him rather than the epilepsy specialist in his own medical group. Rather than direct her to the specialist in his group, or consult with the hospital doctor, Dr. Ponce told my wife it was too difficult for him to consult with another doctor, or have his staff members procure hospital records regarding her neurological testing. Argumentative and insensitive to his patient's needs, Dr. Ponce was practically pushing my wife out of his consultation room, unwilling to do anything for her other than offer her a five dollar co-pay refund. This, after making her cry in frustration and distress. Having had other medical practices get hospital records for her in the past, with no problem whatsoever, my wife was disconcerted by the refusal of Dr. Ponce's office to get those documents. In this challenging time for patients and medical practices alike, procuring hospital records based on so many hospital release forms did not seem like an unreasonable request. Dr. Ponce was more passionate about defending his staff members and office policy (written or unwritten), than about tending to his patient's wellbeing. Dismissive and with a patronizing attitude, Dr. Ponce told my wife he was telling her what he would tell his own daughter: stick with the hospital doctors who were treating you! Essentially telling my wife "come see me when you have a headache", Dr. Ponce's bedside manner typifies the brusque behavior many patients have linked to the underbelly of the healthcare industry. While a lot more doctor offices are opening up to in person visits during this second phase of the Covid-19 recovery plan, practices like Dr. Ponce's are much better suited to the cold and impersonal domain of video conference appointments. Judging from the other six negative reviews Dr. Ponce's office has garnered, Dr. Ponce might want to reconsider his approach to medicine or his business model. Doing so might give his patients one less headache to deal with. 1 star because it wouldn't let me POST otherwise.

He is aloof in the beginning but he warms up quickly in the subsequent visits. Have had no issues. I think the low scores are a true reflection.

After being treated by Dr Ponce for several months, my decades old rebound migraine headache problem has finally stabilized. I take much less medication, if any. No problematic side effects. Dr Ponce is an expert and very thorough and patient. Without his help, I never would have succeeded in conquering my chronic migraines. Also, the staff is very kind, knowledgeable and responsive to individual ...

I saw Dr Ponce in early 2000 for testing because of my balance, I had an MRI done which showed a lesson on my brain & my cerebellum was atrophied which was never discussed with me, instead, the doctor told me I was depressed and wanted me to take antidepressants! It took me years to go to another Neurologist when I was told I had MS from the original MRI. Almost 20 years later I have been living with PPMS. I often think of Dr Ponce, since he even put in his report that he assured me that there was nothing neurologically wrong with me. How can this person still be in practice? I would NOT recommend Dr. Ponce!