Josephine C. McAllister, MD

Reviews 8

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David Williams

She is great as is all her staff--very professional and all give excellent care. I feel very confident in their care as they are all very thorough. I cant believe the negative reviews. I work in the health field and give her and her office excellent ratings. Just like my review eight months ago, I would still highly recommend her and her team for dermatologic care. Working as a physician I find that she has the highest standards of any dermatologist who has taken care of me. Her standards of care in dermatology are second to none. Too many times I have seen the lack of thoroughness in the assessment of skin lesions and the lack of dermatopathologic accuracy to put the patient at risk. Skin lesions may have characteristics of early malignancy, but upon removal were only found to be benign. So for some of the other reviews in which there was complaining of lesions being taken off that were normal, this is a good sign. If one is doing their job most of the lesions should be normal. If the skin lesions being taken off were mostly abnormal, then most likely the criteria for removing lesions were too low and some would have a greater risk of being missed.

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Judi Brownell

Although I saw Dr. McAllister some time ago, I have still not recovered from the upsetting experience. I wanted to alert others to the nature of her interactions with her patients--at least with me. She appears indifferent and set on her "routine" regardless of the specific issue. I went in to ask about one particular concern; before she even spoke with me I was suddenly getting what I presume was liquid nitrogen sprayed around my face (without eye protection) and several assistants immediately took over the procedure. She then identified a number of areas where she insisted I needed a biopsy even though I had just been to another dermatologist less than two months earlier who assured me all was fine. Her activities were so fast and impersonal there was no opportunity to pursue my questions. Bottom line, at least in my case: She does what she does regardless of what the patient requests; she insists on procedures that dont seem necessary; she doesnt listen or appear to care about the patients concerns. There are other good options in Ithaca--I strongly recommend exploring them.

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john d

My experience in this office could not be more opposite from some of the reviews on here. Dr. McAllister and her staff are truly compassionate, thorough and all around great people. Their knowledge is unsurpassed. I saw Dr. McAllister for a routine skin check and she explained everything she was doing and why she was doing it. Yes, she did biopsies and I welcomed them! She pointed out the ones she was really concerned with and others she was comfortable just monitoring. We talked about things that interest me, my family and my work. She was warm and attentive. It turned out that doing those biopsies was the best decision because some of them came back needing to be removed. When I was called with my results I was given treatment options and a full explanation. I could not be more satisfied with my visit, with my care and with the staff at her office. Their team approach, while unique, is effective. You can tell Dr. McAllister respects her Physician Assistants and treats them as her counterparts. My experiences with this office and with Dr. McAllister will keep me coming back to her.

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Kelsy HenneBarrows

I would not recommend Dr. McAllister to anyone. As many have mentioned, her facility is entirely run by PAs. I dont mind this usually, and Im sure the PAs are wonderful at what they do, but McAllister is completely impersonal and does no listen to what her patients are looking for in the few moments she sees them. Aside from this, she removed over 10 moles (4 surgically) in one visit. I have been going to the dermatologist my entire life, and routinely have 1-2 moles shaved off for testing. But 10 in one visit? 4 surgically? Not to mention that she charged significantly more than other facilities. Upon a second and third opinion, I was told it was entirely unnecessary. When I looked at the bill compared with another family members bill, which had identical procedures done, she had charged way more for one of ours than the other. She is money hungry, and cuts far more than necessary. Do NOT see this doctor.

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Josh S.

I cant believe how negative the reviews on here are. Please ignore them. Yes, Dr. McAllister does have and use PAs, but its not like they are fresh out of grad school with no experience. The PA I had was very knowledgable, friendly, and had over 15 years of experience. Also, the doctor came in after the PA made his diagnosis to confer and confirm his assessment. Everyone at the office seemed incredibly warm and welcoming, and it honestly bewildered me to see all the negative reviews. I saw the reviews before my appointment and almost considered canceling, as the reviews made this place out to be the worst doctors office ever. Id hate for someone else to see the other reviews and cancel their appointment like I almost did, because the negativity is nonsense. This place is just fine. No one likes going to the doctor, but the folks here made it very bearable. Thanks!

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Dana Schmidt

I left my appointment today very upset. After I was told to undress, I asked for something to cover myself, and was subsequently laughed at. Moreover, the doctor came into the room TWICE while I was undressed without knocking! I was already uncomfortable because I was there without a gown, and this made it much worse. I also received a paper at the end of the appointment with a list of things they had found on my body and not even pointed out to me or explained. I wish that they had taken the time to tell me what they were doing. The paper had also listed things that we had "gone over", that I hadnt heard about once during the appointment. Im so disappointed. It is so hard to get a good dermatologist appointment. I would travel two hours more to avoid going to this place again.

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Rob Murray

AVOID. Similar to a recent poster, I am still flabbergasted with a visit to McAllisters office in 2015. I was referred to McAllister by my General Physician for a growth on a leg. Before I had a chance to react, her team quickly pulled out the knives and took six biopsies - three on my face - which left me looking like I just was in a fight. After the path report, McAllister recommended removal of all six. A second opinion on the path report revealed all are benign and no treatment is necessary. McAllister is quick to find problems (where there are none) and is just looking to bill for unnecessary procedures. If in Ithaca, consider Brad Yentzer, MD. Avoid McAllister.

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Sania Mollah

Absolutely dislike this facility. The only time you see her is on your first visit then she disappears! She hired some minions of her to see patients, non of them has any experience and prescribes incorrect medication and keeps patients to come back so they can milk money! This is the first doctor office Ive seen charging me a fee to pass on my medical records to another doctor! I am being jeopardized for leaving her and seeking a physician who is much more experienced and does not have his PAs see patients! She is just as another cheap Asian doctor who changed her name to appear "White" and deceive patients!! She milks her money out of her patients!!

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