Best 14 MD and Hospital near San Marcos, TX (Part 4)

Kyle Lemke Had a bad experience here. The clinic on campus was filled, and so I was sent here for flu-like symptoms (100+ fever consistently over nearly a 24 hour period, shortness of breath, the congestion, all of it). They were friendly and took my temperature (with a forehead thermometer, and I was 98.2) and vitals, then they tested me for Flu and Covid, both of which came back with negative results. I would have thought, hmmm, maybe they’ll do my temperature again with a more reliable method and take me a bit more seriously given that Flu is going around at the school for the moment. Nope. I was told that it was most likely common cold, and to just take it easy and stick to over-the-counter medicine while taking it easy for the next few days. If symptoms persisted, I should call again in about a week because even if I had the Flu, I would get over it (if I have the Flu though, at this point, there wouldn’t be much to do). I understand not prescribing something to a certain degree, but I feel it would have been useful to again, at least do a more reliable temperature check because I had told them I was 102 before the appointment. In less than an hour, I did a visit on Teledoc, and the whole situation was taken more seriously. I received Flu treatment, and was told that given the outbreaks in the area, it was the safest option even if I did not necessarily have the Flu (even the best tests can give false negatives). I felt my symptoms were validated rather than dismissed, and the situation was handled with more care that way. I feel as though I wasted time and money visiting this clinic, and the situation was not handled with the care it should have had. While it is great to have a clinic on campus, there is no point if students come in for care and feel that they were not taken seriously or listened to. I personally will do my appointments elsewhere after this experience because I already can be hesitant to schedule an appointment when feeling under the weather. It is frustrating to need to back track and get a second opinion when I know the severity of my symptoms and properly communicated them only to be told that essentially I will feel better after following the recommendations given that have already been taken and the symptoms are progressing.

Jessie Foster Wonderful staff and great location! Highly recommend this place for all Texas State students that need a doctor.

nycole butler The way that almost ALL the nurses at this location have an attitude towards every single question I have had after my delivery is INSANE. Simple things like needing more ice water, or for my 1st, 2nd & 3rd pee to be checked so I could get my IV out, which.. mind you, they had to poke me 3x & blew 2 of my veins!! It’s been interesting. I will say that my first nurse, Olga was amazing & so sweet & attentive to me the entire time but she was my labor & delivery nurse. It’s the ones who are working the after care floor who need an attitude adjustment. They are so fake nice when they get into your room after 30+ minutes of waiting for their assistance too. I literally heard her over the buzzer say “oh my god” in pure annoyance after I asked for a pacifier & a cup of ice. Anyway.. f this place. 10/10 do NOT recommend

Name Name 20/10 recommend! I had an amazing experience while giving birth to my sweet boy. Staff was absolutely amazing, food was too delicious, and overall my stay was great. My husband and I joked that we were in a hospital hotel because we enjoyed it that much. I love that the nurses really listen and help as much as they can. My only complain is despite how much we turned the room air up, it was still freakishly cold (so maybe bring a jacket or extra blankets). Everyone from housekeeping, to meal services to nurses were GREAT! If I could do it all over again here, I gladly would!

Forest Girl They dont want patients.

Forest Girl They dont want patients.

kimberly gonzales We took my granddaughter to this clinic today because there was no appointment availability at her pediatricians office. She wasn’t feeling herself last night so my daughter was concerned. My granddaughter was seen by Jenny. My daughter has been to this clinic a few times and has never had any problems until today. My daughter left there feeling like she was a bad parent (her words) after the way that Jenny spoke to her. I understand patient teaching, but there is a way to “professionally” do that, and that is not the way that she practices. No one should ever go to a doctor’s office because they are concerned for their child’s health and be spoken to the way that Jenny spoke to her. Jenny said, “knowledge is power.” My daughter has a ton of knowledge. She is an engineer, but what she isn’t is a medical professional. People go to the doctor because they do not have that medical background and depend on people that do. What they don’t need is someone speaking down on them and making them feel less of a person because they are genuinely concerned with their child’s health. We will NEVER return to this clinic again.

Tyson VonHelsing I had a fantastic experience at this location! Jodie, who checked me in, was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the process smooth and enjoyable. I was pleasantly surprised by the short wait time and was seen almost immediately. Dr. (or NP) Hamlin was exceptional; her impressive bedside manner and thorough approach made me feel completely at ease. She took the time to address all my concerns without rushing. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return in the future!

Walker AC “Ace” Really shows how our healthcare professionals "care" when you try to schedule an appointment with your provider (Gibbs) and they tell you he isnt available for a month and a half.. and the only way you can see a different provider is if Dr. Gibbs "releases you from care" complete BS. Dont waste your time

Bruce Usher As a new patient I was given an introductory talk, told how to fill out the paperwork and then given a very pleasant examination. My concerns were taken care of and I felt very pleased with my care.

Eddiemmmhhhmm Went to the ER for groin and abdominal pain. Turns out I’m just fine! What a relief! The immense pain in my man parts, or the fact I can’t use my leg, is of no concern whatsoever . Matter fact! If I take my Tums, change my diet, (don’t lift anything) maybe if I wait another 3 years it’ll go away. This place couldn’t give a Schmidt about anything but eroding the integrity of western medicine. Maybe your kid will get a nice long touch from Dr Eduardo tho . Also waiting 3 hrs ? for 45 seconds of unclear instruction/ medical advice? Of which I clearly stated hasn’t worked in the past? What the actual funk did i just spend time, money and energy on.?? You’re better off going to urgent care or your local holistic cat lady.

Callan Amason I visited the ER after days of being constantly lightheaded, feeling like Im going to pass out. Something was seriously wrong. I had to stop the nurse in the process of securing my IV with adhesive after I had already notified them of my allergy to adhesives. The doctor was condescending, argumentative, and dismissive as if I was making up the symptoms I was experiencing (Im not one to overreact and rarely visit the doctor or ER). The closest I got to resolution was being told "I dont think youre using the term lightheaded correctly" and "you look fine". I left feeling worse than when I entered.

Richard Cusson The SMFM Clinic on Redwood Rd is phenomenal. Dr. Polson and his staff are the best in the area. He is caring, compassionate, and very knowledgeable. If youre in pain, he addresses it directly. His staff does a great job across the board. My wife and I have been very pleased with their supportive demeanor. Highly recommended.

Jim Kimmel Dr. Moore was my primary physician from 1997 until he retired and sold his practice to Dr. Castillo and her husband, Dr. Moreno. The transition was a little rocky, but both doctors impressed me. Things are now much smoother. I was there two days ago and was impressed with how friendly the staff is. Some reviewers have mentioned that the exams are superficial. Dr. Castillo, like any doctor, is limited by what insurance will cover, unless you want to pay extra. I have Medicare with a very good supplement, so I get better than Medicare alone provides, which is not an annual physical exam, but only what they call a "Wellness" review. Im glad I stuck with Dr. Castillo and feel confident that she has my best interests at heart.

Zita Craig I went here because I had an emergency only to be told that there is nothing they can do because theyre not a hospital who is equipped to run any test. Seriously, then why are you even open to the public? Makes me wonder, do you guys not want to deal with brown skin ppl or are you just incompetent? On top of all this, you want to charge me for just "cant help you". Dont bring your love ones or yourself here.

Shay Pfeiffer If I could give 0 Stars I would. I took my sick child with a fever of 102.8 and stood at the front desk just to be ignored for over 10 minutes. I understand they were busy, but I brought my child in because his fever and heart rate were through the roof. Instead of getting another nurse to help (one came out and offered) the lady at the front desk said she was fine, proceeded to ignore us and run tests on another patient. We left and went to an emergency clinic, who not only saw my child right away but ended up sending us to another hospital due to the severity of my child’s symptoms. I would NOT ever recommend CTMC to anyone...they would let you die before even attempting to check you in. Their lack of concern is a clear violation of the hypocritical oath and it is an abhorrence that they even are allowed to carry medical licensing. NEVER GO HERE.

Elissa Viola Dr. Akande was my gynecologist and she wouldn’t take my health concerns seriously. She asked me if I had “wanted something wrong with me” and that it was just stress. The hospital had recommended I see her after having an ovarian cyst rupture and being admitted overnight. After begging her the second time, I explained I hadn’t had a period for 6 months, she finally got me an ultrasound and told me nothing was wrong. I then went to another gynecologist in Austin and she got me an ultrasound, a blood test, and diagnosed me with PCOS on the first visit. I truly feel she neglected to listen and treat me as a patient.

Kelly Taylor My experience here was great from the start, however…it took a drastic turn when my life was put on the line. I started coming here in May 2024 with major period problems. Told my doctor (Dr Akande) that my periods were very irregular, lasting long periods of time, and that I was passing blood clots. In one of our first appointments she thought she saw a polyp at the entrance of my cervix so she told me a scheduler would reach out to me for an internal/external sonogram to be done. It wasn’t until October when I finally was able to get my internal and external sonogram done (which I was told I’d be reached out to by a scheduler, which never happened so I took it upon myself to make that appointment). When the results came back it was determined I had a fibroid embedded in my uterine wall that was over 5 cm in length. When I came back to my doctors office I was recommended to not remove he fibroid because “she had plenty of other patients who have fibroids with no issues who have kids” so me being the patient I took her word for it. Was also recommend to get birth control to “help stop the bleeding” ended up getting nexplanon (which I found out later promotes blood) and from then on I started to severely increase in blood loss and my small clots that I was passing turned into tennis ball sized clots. I called to get my next appointment moved up asap and they said they could see me the next day. Didn’t make it to the next day because my mother in law found me passed out on the bathroom floor and took me to the ER in new braunfels where they instantly started me with two blood transfusions. Later got admitted to the hospital where in the end the fibroid I was recommended to not get removed prolapsed. I dilated to 5.5 cm and basically gave birth to a tumor. I over all had to have 8 blood transfusions and an emergency surgery because of this FIBROID!!!! That surgeon that performed the surgery was also dumbfounded to find out I had as given to the nexplanon with the symptoms I was showing and the fact that this doctor recommended I not get this fibroid removed knowing what was happening to me during menstruation periods….always get a second opinion with other physicians, I wish I had because I wouldn’t have had such a horrific situation like this happen….

Brandy Timmons Ive only had two visits, but I like Dr. Kowalik. Shes not the best Dr Ive been to for bedside manner, but shes competent and takes time to answer my questions. The nurse I saw was fantastic. Her receptionist on the other hand, I dislike immensely. She is very rude. Whenever I call with questions, she cuts me off and acts like my questions are inconvenient or like the answer is just so simple that I should know it. This is an exciting time in our lives, we should be treated with respect and encouragement and not made to feel like we cant ask questions.

Kimberly Ramsdell I have been nothing but taken care of at this office. When I first called the office my Medicaid had not yet gone through, so I was unable to book an appointment. The receptionist, Julie, took my information and offered to check my Medicaid status each morning, and said she would call me back to set up an appointment when it had been approved on their end. Two days later, before Medicaid said my application had been accepted, Julie called me and set up my appointment :) She also gave me a phone number to contact the office to choose my insurance provider (something I didnt get in the mail for another week from medicaid). Dr. Kowalik is great! She is very knowledgeable, and has many years of experience. I appreciate all of the information she has given me. I think some people may be put off by her directness, but I thoroughly value honesty from my physician. I prefer a Dr. to give me the facts, good and bad, and allow me to make my own decisions. Dr. Kowalik has let me decide my course of action and has been respectful of my decisions. She has also gone above and beyond to make sure we have the best extended care for our twins (ex. Out of office sonograms with Dr.s who specialize in twins). Not all the information I have gotten about my journey with twins has been what I wanted to hear, but it is the truth of the matter which has allowed me to extend my knowledge with personal research to make the best decisions for our family. Im glad to have found her to help guide us through this journey :)

Josh Avery Called to set up an initial appt, got interrupted by the receptionist and was told Id be called back. I was never called back.

Rachel Made my situation more confusing without offering any resources to further explore diagnosis. Also called me obese in the post-visit notes despite the fact we did not discuss my weight.

Dawood Muzaffar Terrible doctor. Made it seem like I’m looking for an excuse to take off work when I’m on leave of absence from work either way so that’s not my purpose of visiting. Questioned why my fever symptoms would make me take off work and argued about it, when I work a physically demanding job. I had to leave my work shift halfway through last night due to nearly passing out. He also moved too quick while checking me and cut me off regularly. He made a swift exit and closed the door behind him before I could call him out on how he treats his patients. I’ve had good prior experiences at this CareNow until meeting this doctor.

Dawood Muzaffar Terrible doctor. Made it seem like I’m looking for an excuse to take off work when I’m on leave of absence from work either way so that’s not my purpose of visiting. Questioned why my fever symptoms would make me take off work and argued about it, when I work a physically demanding job. I had to leave my work shift halfway through last night due to nearly passing out. He also moved too quick while checking me and cut me off regularly. He made a swift exit and closed the door behind him before I could call him out on how he treats his patients. I’ve had good prior experiences at this CareNow until meeting this doctor.