Joseph Gard's Online Review Report Card

Dr. Gard is awesome. Has compassion during visits.

Medicine is a hard thankless calling. As I read some of the reviews I can see heartbroken people in both those meanings. There nothing guaranteed or sure about what Dr. Gard does; but he has the courage to try his best. As a patient, I am aware and regulate my almost God like expectation I have of my doctors. Nevertheless, Dr. Gard did free me from decades of life arresting arrhythmias. I went on to have cancer but his work gave me the strength to fight. When you are flat on your back fighting thru an episode of arrhythmias, you grow to be grateful and remember it doesn't have to be this good; and I don't have to be at all. Thank you Dr. Gard for your courage and insight. There were no promises but your work exceeded my prayers. Terry

Appointment went very well with Dr. Gard. I felt he listened to my concerns and gave me proper options for my care. He is not only my doctor but also sees my husband as well.

Good experience

If you are considering a heart doctor do not choose this one. If I could rate this doctor less than 1 star - I would. Dr. Gard and his staff are absolute liars and crooks. We first went to see Dr. Gard because over several years my husband was having episodes where his heart would start to hurt and he would collapse. Dr. Gard explained a loop monitor that would be implanted over his heart in his chest and would be there for 3 years. During the 3 years he would be monitored regularly. If he had an episode - they would reach out within 24 hours. He was also given a button to keep on his keys - if he felt an episode coming on then he would push the button to track it. All data would upload overnight from the connection next to our bed. He has had countless episodes, pushed the button more than 25 times, and even been hospitalized and now we are at the end of the 3 years and we have been contacted ONCE without having to wait weeks and seek the doctor out. We have 0 answers. We have bills in dispute. I have asked for months for Dr. Gard to call me and I have not been contacted back by him. His nurse told me in April that they had thousands of these monitors in patients and they didn't realize what kind of upkeep there would be. She told me they were not equipped to handle it all and only in the last year they hired an outside group to manage it all and they are still working out the kinks. They don't see this as gross mistreatment of patients who have given thousands of dollars for help and have received NOTHING!!!!!! They have no follow through. If I could go back in time I would never set foot in that office. At the very least they should be offering to remove it and every time I bring it up to a nurse she doesn't even give attention to it. I'm told they will run it by the doctor and still for months now - no communication about it. THEY TOOK OUR MONEY AND RAN. They don't even seem to care.

I was very pleased with my visits to see Dr. Gard. He was professional, kind and explained all procedures. I was scheduled for the procedures I needed and have completed them. I would return to him if any further care is needed. His office staff are quick to respond to email communications.

Dr Gard appeared 3.25 hours late for an 11 am appt. Then didn’t have patience for treatment questions.

He is a great physician upfront, but after my cardiac ablation he continued to blow off my aftercare. He does not take the time to make sure you are on the correct medication and leaves dosaging up to you completely. I’ve had appointments and phone calls to Hillcrest nurses line. A few times I never heard back and they had no record of my calls. When I did hear back after making an appointment about medication it was do whatever you want or you can make an appointment to talk about changing meds. Well, I had been down that road a few weeks earlier. For a year I’ve tried to get help with meds. Trying to go off of them under his supervision and when my body responds negatively, we don’t change meds or tapper off more. He responds with take as needed. He got money from an ablation that 2 other Electrophysiologist said we’re not warranted by my tracings. Now I’m hooked on a drug that makes life difficult and trying to start over from scratch. Two years of struggle without huge improvement. I’m not sure who to trust. Overall a nice man, but dropped the ball on my aftercare, and has cost me multiple $1,000’s.