Vera Arnold MD

Dr Vera treated me from 1999 to 2015 and was the most amazing doctor. He didn't try to treat my symptoms but instead dug for the root cause. He discovered my prolactin level was extremely elevated and caused a growth on my pituitary gland. Additionally I had issues carrying a pregnancy past three months and thanks to him digging I had a beautiful daughter who is turning 20 in September. His bedside manner is not Mary Poppins but he is caring and I would recommend him to anyone who wants answers instead of drugs to mask the issues.

I would rate this office and endocrinologist one star. I have been a patient of Dr. Arnold Vera for over 12 years of my life (Type 1 Diabetic) and so has my mother and late father. We were with him back when he had a medical office in the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center. Back then service was excellent, quality, and one was not just another number. I do not believe Dr. Vera himself has changed too much over the years. He has always listened, been compassionate, and genuinely cared for his patients. If Dr. Vera could run his entire office himself and his practice it would be essentially flawless. The number of patients he has acquired over the years has grown exponentially. I remember being called right away in the waiting room. Now I wait at least an hour to be called from the waiting room, if not longer. I am a college student that also works full-time supports herself. I do not have a whole day to waste for a check up, I wish I did.With that being said, I have cancelled appointments before, I have forgotten to request a prescription 48 hours in advance, so I understand people are busy. Continuing, I have been hospitalized twice since I have been a patient at this office, once for salmonella (most serious) and another time for a high blood glucose that would not come down. The first time I was around 12 years old and the doctors at Halifax Medical Center tried numerous times in my 5 day stay in ICU to reach Dr. Vera and his office on how to proceed with my Type 1 diabetes but no one ever returned their call. The second time I was an adult in 2015 with a diabetes related experience. The doctor at the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room did not know how to proceed with my care so he called my endocrinologist, whom again never returned the call. Thankfully, both times, I was aware of my condition and had to advise the doctors at both hospitals. I have reluctantly had to wait days for the pharmacy to receive clarification on a prescription of insulin. The pharmacy tells me each time I ask they have called Dr. Vera's office numerous times and left several messages. It had got to the point that it was embarrassing to ask if the problem is resolved and if I could pick up my insulin. When I decided for myself, I no longer wanted my insulin pump (mainly because of cost, but also for mechanical issues with the device), I went back to shots. I requested a prescription for insulin pen needles to which the woman at the desk gave me a handful of pen needles and told me that would last me six months. I questioned her thought process, one uses one needle for each time they deliver insulin to their body. She told me, "One needle lasts around one month, so you'll be okay." I decided not to argue with her and purchased syringes to remove the insulin from the insulin pens. My final discrepancy with this office was the most significant. I had an ultrasound of my thyroid (routine for Type 1 Diabetics) done June of 2015. I was told after the technician removed the gel I would be notified if anything appeared abnormal. I made a routine appointment after the test but canceled because I was already having second thoughts about returning to his office. I knew if my results were abnormal I would be notified. I decided I was going to research other endocrinologists and found one closer to home. They requested my medical records. I went to Vera's office to pick up my medical records and decided to skim through them. What I noticed was that on the ultrasound of my thyroid a nodule was discovered. There was a checklist of the ultrasound itself noting the nodule's presence and a separate sheet of paper describing the dimensions of the nodule. I was never called, written, and/or notified of the growth on my thyroid gland. While I am satisfied with my choice of no longer being a patient of Dr. Vera, I am now concerned about a situation that should have been brought to my attention months ago! I can only hope it does not turn out to be something worth more of my concern.

Dr. Vera is the best! I am a very busy business man with lots of stress. Dr. Vera goes out of his way to see me on short notice and privately when necessary. He is always available to help me. He has a genuine concern and care for my well-being. He treats me as a whole instead of just a patient with a problem. He reviews my bloodwork, he asks how I am mentally and discusses the importance of handling stress and achieving overall happiness as it relates to physical and mental health. I would recommend Dr. Vera to anyone looking for a doctor that goes above and beyond.

I was too sick previously to have time or energy to write reviews, so this review is for treatment that happened quite a long time ago, est 2015. My appointment with Dr Vera stands out as being among the worst that I've ever experienced and that is saying a lot. I told him that I'm hypoglycemic, do not eat sugar and am gluten intolerant and he followed by chastising me about my weight (I was 5'5" at 140 lbs- very slightly overweight), and telling me I need to "stop eating doughnuts." He insisted that they implant a device into my skin to monitor my blood sugar while I fast for three days. I can't even fast for a meal without severe symptoms, let alone three days. He and his staff were rude and did not listen. So bad that I almost walked out mid appointment and would have if my mom had not pleaded for me to stay. I do not recommend this office for your healthcare.

Dr. Vera literally saved my life. Through his diligence and expertise, he established that I had a tumor randomly producing insulin causing my blood sugar to drop. There were times it was do low I couldn't comprehend what people were saying. Dr Vera was the first physician that didn't rely on a single blood test. He LISTENED and meticulously tested. Dr. Vera will be in my heart always. I highly recommend him ever chance I get!