Gina M. Nichols, M.D. Family Medicine & Ideal Weight Loss Clinic

Reviews 4

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Susan Green

I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Nichols because I was new to the area and wanted to get established with a doctor. Here are the things I did not appreciate: 1) When I entered, I was not welcomed by the front desk and it was only after I approached him did I get service. 2) The man at the front desk was not professional or particularly friendly. He had dreadlocks and he didnt seem to have any prior training as a receptionist or as a customer service specialist. He did not crack a smile once. 3) I was not informed prior to my visit that they were going to take blood work. Not only is this an added cost but also an added anxiety for someone who is afraid of needles. The nurse, however, was very compassionate and did not make me get my blood taken. 4) I had to wait ~45 minutes to be brought back and there was no one in the waiting room so I could not understand what the hold up was. 5) When I was brought back and the whole issue of taking blood was addressed, the nurse walked away and I was left standing there by scales not know what to do. It was awkward. 6) Throughout the clinic, there are papers listing the weight loss products you can buy. I felt it was a bit odd. 7) The nurse did not remember my weight. 8) A student came to access me, however, I did not know she was a student until after some time because she did not properly introduce herself. Usually when a student works with a doctor, they are along side their senior and your permission is asked for. After she looked into my ears with that instrument, she used the same piece to look up my nose. Never had a doctor do that before. 9) After waiting another ~45 minutes in the exam room, Dr. Nichols came in. She was in the room for 6 minutes total (I timed it) and not once did she examine me, however, she still gave me a diagnosis based off a history she did not obtain nor confirm. She also did not try to establish a client-patient relationship. Dr. Nichols if you see this, please know I posted these comments so that you can improve upon your operation. Through looking at other comments, it is evident that some of your priorities are misaligned. Also know that one of the cardinal rules of business is to not mix it with pleasure, so if the man at the receptionist desk is indeed your boyfriend, perhaps you should reconsider his title in your firm. For people looking to find a good doctor, I have since went to Dr. Yunsheng Tsai and she literally blew my mind with how professional, friendly, and thorough she was. In fact, she went more in depth with my condition than any other specialist ever did.

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Ana Samsung

I havent been a patient for very long, I was referred to Dr. Nichols by my psychiatrist to help me with weight gained due to depression and anxiety. I will say that we are taught from an early age that first impressions are everything. If I only went by the front desk staff and the look of the office, I probably would not have stayed long enough to meet the Dr. herself. The staff was a touch off putting and building was not dirty as some have stated, but just not what you would expect for a Drs office. HOWEVER! My psychiatrist has pulled me from a VERY dark place in my life, and if there is one person who I would take a recommendation from its her. So, I put behind me all superficial concerns and waited to see the Dr. She was very polite. The appointment was quite short, but she told me I would get a little more information when I spoke to the dietitian. She prescribed me a medication and sent me on my way. I came back for the appointment with the dietitian today (5 days later) and honestly was not excited about it. I had been to a dietitian before and it didnt help...at all. But again, because my psychiatrist recommended Dr. Nichols office, I went. Im so glad I did! Ive lost 5lbs already and they LISTENED to me! I mean, talking to Ms. Diana the dietitian was like talking to a friend. She didnt make you feel like a horrible person, and she didnt make you feel like you had to do the impossible to reach your goal. The last dietitian I went to recommended things I would NEVER eat, and things that were WAY outside my budget. Diana heard my story, understood my habits and got inside MY head. She leveled with me and helped me find realistic solutions that would lead to long term results. I feel so optimistic and having the team of Dr. Nichols and Ms. Diana is like a 1, 2 punch to knock out this challenge! I know this review is getting long so Im going to wrap it up by saying, I look forward to continuing my journey with Dr. Nichols and her staff. To new patients I say, there are many crappy, ill run places that hide behind a pretty facade. Dont be fooled. Just because the building is old doesnt mean the practice isnt efficient!

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China Doughty

If you want a hoodrich, blonde hay $1 weave disrespectful doctor and teenage staff then come here. I have never in my life experienced such unprofessional care, incorrect medical billing claims that I CAUGHT on my Aetna claim, and dingy medical facility. I recently relocated to Columbus, OH from the DC area and was in search for an African American female doctor (specifically for weight loss, not PCP). My co-worker referred me to her explaining that she went to her for weight loss and that the weight loss plan/medication she was treated for worked in 3 months. However, my co-worker forewarned me with detail that this doctor was not your typical doctor as far as presentable appearance. She explained that the doctor had an awful blonde weave with visible tracks and thread hanging. Tight fitting body con dresses, and noticeable botox injections. The lobby looked as if it had not been vacuumed since move in and the walls were a yellow dingy color. Not from an intention yellow paint, this was just dirt. The bathroom, pee all on the floor from urine test. No lysol in sight! I thought this to be a bit of an exaggeration BUT this was all true on my 1st visit. SMH. I can not go into specific detail on every event that happened but I knew I had to end it and am glad I did. Like I said the staff are like teenage girls with attitudes on the phone when scheduling and obviously just working for a check. No care in what they do, say or care of appearance. It is not that much effort to comb your hair in a ponytail and lay your edges down. If you do decide to come here and take the risk please make sure you view your insurance bill to make sure you are accurately billed for services you ACTUALLY received. I was billed for a test that I did not even take and brought it up with my insurance company. All was resolved but Im sure that conversation between my insurance and her and her staff was awkward. Just go to an A+ health grade doctor and do not go the cheap route with this one.

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Thomas Jones

I became a patient of dr nichols after having a horrible experience with my doctor of 3 years. I had been having issues with tests being run for a thyroid issues i had asked to have addressed for approximately 12 months. I was greeted by friendly staff at the front desk, Debbie that made me feel comfortable immediately. Upon openning the front window, I heard soft gospel music playing that further put me at ease and gave me a sense of peace and let me know that I was in the right place. I received blood work that included tests that no other doctor had run. THis made me feel even more comfortable. I was roomed within 20 minutes of signing in including the paperwork that was easy to fill out and required no assistance from the front desk staff to complete. The doctor entered prior to the student nurse entering the room, The nursing student, Debra, was through and courteous and personable. After her discussion and careful obtaining of information, which took about 25 minutes with exam and all the doctor entered. She went through the information with the student in the room and taught as she went concerning my health issues. The whole appointment took about 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to finish. I had all of my questions answered. I returned 2 weeks later for review of bloodwork and found out that i was diabetic, had a vitamin d deficiancy and high blood pressure and thyroid disease. Thank God for dr gina nichols as i would probably be dead without her attention to detail and listening ear to my concerns. She has since sent me to see a spcialist and has controlled my blood pressure and diabetes. We are currently working on weightloss as she has stated that I will likely be cured of diaabetes and high blood pressure with weight loss.

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