Duke Endocrinology Clinic - Clinic 1A — Attraction in Durham

I enjoy working with Dr. Velez Rivera but the team of people who help coordinate at the clinic are unresponsive to the point where routine lab orders aren't sent to LabCorp at all/appointments with Duke endo have to be rescheduled because of their negligence.

On one occasion I was sick and wanted to take OTC meds but could not get a response from the team for 3 days about whether I could use the meds given my chronic condition that the clinic treats me for. I ended up so sick that I took the meds anyway out of desperation. HELPFUL!

*Recent update: I had to call many times and send numerous messages trying to get ahold of anyone to send my lab orders in and it was a huge issue. I ended up having to reschedule my appt bc I had no bloodwork done because they never sent the orders. I ended up speaking to someone in complaints and it was a dreadful time trying to get something so simple done.

*Now I've been billed 5 times what I usually pay for the same Telehealth visit with no explanation as to why. Usually, a $50 copay is now a $250 bill with no explanation as to what has changed. Error on their part? No clue what is different. Too many issues at Duke.

I will no longer be a patient there. I've had many poor experiences with Duke here and at other clinics of theirs.

A word to whatever poor soul reads this:

Don't use them, bottom line. They have turned being chronically ill into an even worse experience than it already is. The way they treat people is abusive. Like someone else on here mentioned, they also coded my bill wrong once before when I got bloodwork done, and now I guess they're doing it again. I had to dispute the last one after I was told by the head of Duke Pickett Rd. that the bloodwork would cost the same at the hospital bc the phlebotomist at their clinic could not perform the work. They try to milk every penny out of you, and it feels like you work for them trying to get the care YOU PAY FOR. Take your money and insurance somewhere else.

Bye, Duke! I won't miss you but you sure...

I’ve been a patient here for many years although I’ve liked my experience to a point recently. It’s become ridiculous. I’ve been having to wait a year to see my doctor a year for an appointment with started happening recently. Is Duke either somebody at Duke or the Duke automated system has been transferring my appointment and not notifying me. They did it four times. I ended up showing up on my appointed day only to be told. My appointment has been moved to the next week, it showed in their system I didn’t do it. They did it. They refused to see me or work in. .

I have major issues that were emergent. I needed to get an exam and certain paperwork because I needed to have custom insoles made, or I would have to undergo an amputation. Told the nurse this and laughed. They were supposed to run an A1c along with other bloodwork they ordered the bloodwork but forgot the A1c. I’m blind and use a car service. It cost me $60 to go there for a nonexistent appointment. Most doctors would work you in. They won’t the next week came and I was with a friend whose father was dying. I fell asleep at the hospital and missed the appointment, I called immediately and was told that I couldn’t get another one for eight months. I explained the seriousness of the situation that I would literally have to go do an amputation if I didn’t get into City clinic, not to mention my blood sugars were hovering in and out around 450 which is not great. I’ve never gotten a response. When I called again, I was told the best they might do is see if they could find me another doctor to go to in the practice to paperwork, but they’re doubt that they could do that. I really like my doctor, but this is ridiculous. I was so upset when I showed up for my appointment and it had been changed and they couldn’t work and I’ve never been in a doctors office where they make the mistake and then they couldn’t work you in.

I have no idea what I’m...

This was our first time to this office. We were referred from another endocrinologist and while it took a while to get in, the care my daughter received was excellent.

The day of the appointment she was to fast and as a result her blood sugar was dropping. She called the office to ask about what she should do as they really needed the fasting labs to understand what was going on with her blood sugar. LaDonna stayed on the phone with her for about 20-30 minutes trying to reach the provider to know what to tell my daughter. Ultimately, the provider wasn't available so she contacted another (on call) provider for us. She really went above and beyond in trying to help us!

Once there, the RN Nisha (unsure of spelling and exact pronunciation) was very kind and started getting my daughter screened (going over meds, taking vitals, etc) and when she saw it was taking longer than expected, she get another nurse to come in to assist so that the doctor could come in.

When my daughters blood sugar was checked and it was low 50's, they quickly tended to her. The lab personnel came to the room to draw blood instead of having her walk to the lab. Another nurse came in with peanut butter crackers and apple juice. The PA that works with Dr. D'Alessio also came in to ask how she was feeling with the low blood sugar. They were all so attentive and made sure she was okay.

Dr. D'Alessio was amazing. He asked very pointed questions about her history, symptoms, etc. in order to better understand what is happening with her body and hypoglycemia. He even thanked her for going through the tough fasting in order to get the information they need from her lab work. He answered any questions we had and assured us we'd hear from him once he got the labs back.

I am so grateful for a team of highly trained and knowledgeable professions to help care for...