Primary Care Doctors who are Physicians - Calera, AL

"Dr. Gary Howard is a wonderful doctor, who has been my personal physician for over 25 years. Dr. Howard is an excellent doctor who stays up-to-date & is knowledgeable. His office staff & nurses have been with him for years. One drawback~~Since he sometimes sees patients at Shelby Hospital before coming to his office, and since he spends time with you as a patient, his wait times can be long and often have been ridiculously long (over 2-3 hours)! The wait has seemed shorter at his newest location off Shelby County Airport Exit, but may be temporarily due to some patients who may not have 'followed' him, thinking his new location might be too far away for them. The new office is conveniently located and lovely, but the waiting room is quite uncomfortable for those used to the sofa and chairs back at Salem Road, LOL... Those patients waiting a long time keep staying & coming back because~~ Dr. Howard is a caring doctor who listens and does not rush with you when it is your turn to see him, every time you have an appointment with him, if you can get one while you are still sick!!! Note~His 'phone nurse', usually Jessica is very knowledgeable and professional and will call you back, though it may take several hours sometimes. But she seems to even 'stay late' to make sure you are called back the same day, if possible. She is an understanding and kind person. All his long-time nurses, like Brandi & Raina, (apologizes to whoever I forgot), and all his nurses are helpful and devoted to making sure you not only feel better but also have a good visit with Dr. Howard. Even the two regular, long-time lab techs are really kind & friendly and make getting stuck with a needle seem like a breeze!"

"I was a new patient; nevertheless, I found the 1h20 min wait time to see the doctor excessive. The office staff told me there would be a $50 co-pay and asked how I would like to settle it. I told them my insurance paid for physicals in full. They asked me to call and verify. I did; I was correct. I question the immediate and incorrect request for money before I'd even seen the doctor. The doctor didn't wash her hands when she came in; it's possible she washed them prior to entering. However, she left my exam room and went directly to the next exam room (I saw her take the patient's chart and heard her greet the patient) again without washing her hands. I got a voice mail that the doctor's office had called me. When I returned the call, no one knew why I'd been called in the first place. I was given a lab order to draw blood to determine the dose for a long time, routine medication. As I had just moved here and had boxes and debris all over the house, I unfortunately misplaced the order. I called to have a new one sent to me and was told the office had no record of any such order. I now need to find a new doctor to write me a new lab order so I can finally get my needed medication. Obviously, I won't be returning to this doctor. "