Steven Rittenberg, MD

I am deeply disappointed and frankly outraged by the reckless and unprofessional conduct of Dr. Steven Rittenberg, my primary care physician since early 2014. Until 2019, I considered him an adequate provider and had always been 100% compliant with his directives. That changed dramatically and dangerously in 2019. On May 28, 2019, Dr. Rittenberg performed an EKG at EvergreenHealth's Canyon Park clinic. The test was normal. In his own chart note that day he wrote: "At this instance, fairly low index of suspicion of coronary disease." He casually suggested I see a cardiologist for a stress test "just to know one way or the other" -- no urgency, no mention that it was mandatory, and certainly no warning that he intended to withhold long-standing, heart-related medications if I didn't complete it on his unspoken timeline. I already had a cardiology stress-test appointment scheduled for November 8, 2019 -- clearly visible in Evergreen's own electronic records, had he bothered to look. Five months later, on October 18, 2019, I requested routine refills for medications I had safely taken for over ten years, several of which he himself had prescribed since 2014. On October 23, my pharmacist informed me the refills were denied. When I called the Canyon Park office the same day, a staff member indifferently told me Dr. Rittenberg now required "cardiac clearance" before authorizing any further refills of medications that could affect cardiovascular function. No prior warning. No courtesy call. No transition plan. Just an abrupt, dangerous cessation of essential medication. When I expressed shock and concern at this sudden and potentially harmful action, the staff member's response was essentially "oh well" and "whatever," even after I stated I would be seeking a new, patient-centered physician. She then attempted to lecture me on basic circulation in a condescending and embarrassingly inaccurate way ("you know, the blood has to get to the heart..."). This was not shared decision-making. This was not the "team approach" Dr. Rittenberg had repeatedly emphasized in the past. This was a unilateral, secretive decision that risked my health simply because he developed a vague "feeling" months after a normal EKG that these medications -- which he had prescribed and refilled without issue for years -- were suddenly unsafe without a stress test. Had he informed me on May 28 that refills would be held hostage until I completed the referral, I obviously would have moved the appointment up immediately. Instead, he said nothing, let me continue the medications for months, then blindsided me when I was about to run out. That is not medicine; that is a power play, and it is unacceptable. Withholding long-term, physician-prescribed medication without any advance notice, based solely on a belated "feeling" after a normal EKG and with no evidence of imminent danger, demonstrates a shocking disregard for patient safety and continuity of care. I have lost all respect for Dr. Steven Rittenberg and EvergreenHealth's Canyon Park practice. I strongly caution others to seek a physician who communicates clearly, respects long-term treatment plans, and does not endanger patients through arbitrary, unannounced decisions. I have since transferred my care elsewhere and will never return.

One of the better doctors i had. I'm fairly picky. I've not found a decent doctor (edit, i finally did locally in another review find a good doc in Issaquah) since I used him long ago (15 years) when he was at Sweedish. He's amazing. He's very proactive on vaccines and with health screening. He's kind of type-a on preventive. Most doctors don't have this mentality at least that I've run into.

The whole staff from start to finish was great! Dr. Rittenberg was great! Was quick, got to know me, asked me if I had any questions , and i had my exam finished in no time. He made sure I was comfortable with everything before he did it. My nurse was amazing as well! She was really down to earth and we chatted like we were at a bar hanging out watching a band rock out to our favorite 90's tunes! I highly recommend Dr. Rittenberg and Evergreen Primary Care ! Rick White CEO Online Radio Solutions LLC

Dr. Rittenburg is my mom's Dr. and I have been very impressed with him. He is knowledgeable, has a good bedside manner, and has never made us to feel as if we are wasting his time with medical concerns or questions. He also has a dry, witty, sense of humour; which I love!

In my opinion, Dr. Steven Rittenberg through lack of due professional care and other factors did not: 1. Caution me, in any manner, of his "feeling" for my safety in taking pharmaceuticals prescribed by him, until a cardiac stress test had been completed; and, 2. Only after four months had passed, when I requested a refill, did he state his "feeling" for my safety of the above, and then not allow the refill. This to me is unacceptable that I was allowed to take certain prescription medications, given any potential of cardiovascular disease under investigation, without any mention to me of the potentially serious consequences. Then abruptly, with no notice, refuse to authorize a refill for prescriptions I had been taking for over ten years, based upon his "feeling" these were unsafe. Dr. Steven Rittenberg had been my PCP since early 2014. I have always been 100% in compliance with his medical orders. Until this subject incident, I have evaluated him to be an adequate physician for my health care needs. In the past, he has emphasized the team approach to his patients' healthcare. Evidently that philosophy changed beginning during an appointment in May 2019. On May 28, 2019 Steven Rittenberg performed an EKG exam on me in the Evergreen - Canyon Park facility. The exam did not find any heart conditions. However, Dr. Rittenberg suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist for a stress test. If he would had looked in his own Evergreen computerized records, he would have seen I have this appointment 11/8/2019 with an Evergreen cardiologist On 10/18/2019 I requested a refill. On Wednesday 10/23/2019, my pharmacist informed that Dr. Rittenberg did not authorize the refill. In response to the denial, on that same day I called the Evergreen Canyon Park office and was told by a staff person the reason for the refusal, was that cardio clearance was required before any refills on medication that could affect my cardio functions. When I expressed my dismay to this Evergreen Canyon Park staff person of this unprofessional abrupt cessation of my medication, without any warning, her response was like "oh well". Even when I said given this unprofessional treatment, I would find a patient orientated provider elsewhere, her attitude was still "whatever'. Then this staff member even tried to explain the pharmacologic effect of drugs affecting the heart in a totally unprofessional and ignorant way. Statements like "well, you know the blood has to get to the heart...". After that phone call, I then sent an email to Dr. Rittenberg, stating that I find it extremely unprofessional that he would surprise me with this dangerous denial of medications, especially after he did an EKG and found nothing wrong with my heart. In his patient notes he (5/28/2019) stated: "Addendum by Rittenberg, Steven W MD on 05/28/19 11:17 PDT At this instance, fairly low index of suspicion of coronary disease." Additionally, at that 5/28/2019 appointment, Dr. Rittenberg conveyed to me that consulting with a cardiologist would be just a "good" thing to do...nothing super critical, just so I'd know one way or the other. NEVER DID HE STATE - MANDATORY OR URGENT. It was all casual. The fact that he did not bother to inform me of his plans to refuse to refill some of my medications affecting my heart until I had a consultation with a cardiologist proves to me that he absolutely does not care about this patient's health, to the standard I find acceptable for optimum health. Had he informed me at the appointment on 5/28/2019, he were not going to issue any more refills for some medications affecting my heart, I OBVIOUSLY, would have made certain to have gotten the suggested cardio appointment completed immediately rather than have my prescriptions of 10+ years blocked just because he had a "feeling" that it was not safe. A FEELING? Really? A physician withholds pharmaceuticals on a "FEELING"? I have no idea why he took such a position adverse with my health care needs.