Let's share our experiences with doctors in the DC area. Send any reviews to doctorsindc@gmail.com - Thanks! For a thorough resource check out http://www.washingtonian.com/health/topdocs/list.html (List compiled by fellow doctors, however, so lacks the patient perspective.) One more note: this site is hard to search right now. But you could try doing a Google Advanced search on the domain name if you're looking for a specific doctor or area.
(Smart and informative. Great staff. Not the BEST coziest bed side manner but smart and will know how to help you): 202-659-4917 (2440 M Street NW, Suite 718)
He also has an MD location at 301-215-7778
Recommended by: Jamia
posted by zzzzzoe @ 4:03 PM
12 Comments:
I beg to differ on the comment that he does not have the best bed side manner! I have known Dr. Footer for over 20 years, and have been a patient of his for 12 years—and I even travel from out of state just to go to him. He is extremely kind, gentle, and sensitive. He is also throrough, discreet, and explains things very well in terms that patients can understand. Unlike most doctors, he listens to his patients and takes time with each patient. He does not just diagnose you, slap an RX in your hand, and send you out the door as fast as possible. I have had plenty of female doctors in the past tell me, "deal with the discomfort. you haven't even had a baby yet— wait until that before you complain about pain!" Dr. Footer has never dismissed my fears or belittled my discomfort level. But if you're a whiner, I don't see him as the type to tolerate that very well. I HIGHLY recommend him.
I beg to differ on the "great staff" of Dr. Footer. He doesn't have a "staff". He has one woman doing EVERYTHING. It' no wonder she's reactionary, uninformed on matters of insurance, cold, dishonest and inconsiderate - she is overworked. Dr. Footer is overbooked ALWAYS. On two separate occasions I was in to get test results and waited 45 minutes each time. His front desk woman, case manager, physicians assistant, etc. is Marla. She talks shop (pregnancy, babies, babies and pregnancey) and does so without stopping every single time I'm there... to the point where I feel uncomfortable as a single woman. This fact alone would be tolerable. I can handle feeling a little uncomfortable. The part that boiled my blood: When I first became a patient of Dr. Footer, I had Guardian Insurance. That was great! No problems other than the waiting. Marla comes off as very competent if not a little self-aggrandizing. I came back for a yearly exam and my insurance changed (one of the many forms of Aetna). I asked PRE exam if I'd still be covered (this was a few years ago...I know now to check online for this kind of thing) and she replied that she wouldn't know until we sent it in(!!!), but then said something along the lines of 'don't worry about it'. I know I should not have let this vague response pass. I should have left or said, "if you want to keep me as a patient, I need to know." But I went ahead with the appointment. I was billed almost $200. I called Marla. Got another cloudy answer. A straight answer "no, I guess you aren't covered." would have been TOTALLY accecptable. I would have felt better. From what I got from her response, my appointment fell within the same year as my last appointment and wasn't covered for that reason. Fast forward to the next yearly exam. WAITED THE WHOLE YEAR this time. Got the same bill. When I called, Marla was just about yelling at me about how it's soley my responsibilty. People make mistakes. I just would have thought she'd either be well-informed and communicate the information (avoiding this situation all together) or be patient and considerate with me. She was neither.
I think that the doctor is very great. It's jsut that he is straight to the point and his assistat/ secretary/ help/ office manager - everything you need help with. They both are great. Just over worked. But overall Dr. Richard Footer is a good doctor.
Dr Footer is a very competent doctor. He became my doctor when I went into labor early on a trip. He was very curt with the staff he was working with, but kinder with me. No he does not a bubbly, carefree personality, but ow many doctors do.
I agree, his assistant (all-in-one-support-staff) is very overworked. I believe the doctor is a little cheap, if you ask me.
Dr. Footer is an amazing doctor. He is thorough and patient and answers all of my questions. When I was having a difficult delivery, he was in controll of the whole situation, and although I was scared out of my mind I felt 100% confident in his abilities. That is EXACTLY what you look for in a doctor. The delivery nurses had nothing but the highest respect and praise for him.
I found Doctor Footer through my best friend who had some scary moments during her first pregnancy, and she felt as if he saved both her and her baby! She's even willing to drive from Frederick MD to Bethesda to keep him as her doctor.
As far as Marla goes, she's awesome and very helpful when it comes to dealing with health insurance. She cannot help that insurance companies are insane! I do not believe Dr. Footer is cheap, I believe he's an independent guy and likes to keep the business in the family.
One thing about Dr. Footer. Because he works alone, you know who will be delivering your baby. When you go to a large practice, you never know which doctor will be there in the delivery room
I highly recommend him!
I think Dr. Footer has an excellent bedside manner! I have been going to him for over 20 years and he is always kind, thorough and non-reactionary! He also has a great sense of humor and is really good at making you feel better --physically and mentally.
His assistant Marla is also fantastic and always helpful.
Dr. Footer has been my OB/GYN for 8 years through a cervical cancer scare, a miscarriage, infertility, and a severely pre-term birth of multiples. He is a one of a kind, fabulous doctor. He has a very dry sense of humor and calls things like they are but I'm wouldn't trust anyone more if something is going on "down there". Marla is busy but a little kindness goes a long way with her and you'll have an advocate for life. With regard to insurance, it is the patient's responsibility to find out what's covered but she has always been helpful and honest with me.
There is NO ONE I would recommend more highly than Dr. Footer
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isn't said Marla his wife?
Dr. Footer is a wonderful and marvelous doctor, I have been going to him for 16 years. He is friendly, informative and thorough. He came off his vacation for me when I was ill. I have friends that are nurses that work with him and they all have good things to say. I have never gotten, as one patient described the visit to a doctor I worked with as being a 'third world doctor's visit' He took extremely good care of me throughout my pregnancy not because it was complicated with diabetes, but because he is a good person and then followed by being a good doctor. Marla has always been pleasant and helpful. If you are so displeased with the service, then you should not have come back for anothervisit, as that is exactly what I did when I first came to see Dr. Footer @ his office in Silver Spring. I never heard of anyone saying their Ob-Gyn doctor bought and brought them a baby gift.
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Dr. Footer has the best bed side manner out there. I have had six surgeries, all with Doctor Footer. Each time he took the time to thoroughly explain to me all that was going to go on in detail. He has always called me back directly when I had after hour issues and was very comforting. Each surgery he held my hand in the OR before anesthesia knocked me out, which was very comforting to me. He has delivered most of my nieces and nephews and my best friends children and many many neighbors, coworkers, friends. When you are that good, everyone goes to you. He is a compassionate, caring man and has Marla as his wingman. She is a joy to deal with. I can say flat out Dr. Footer saved my life during my last surgery because of his skills and his knowledge of what he does. I am forever grateful. If you don't go to him, you are doing yourself and your child a disservice. I highly recommend him! He is amazing.
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