USF Health Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences - Tampa, Florida

Shanice Fedrick

I have been taking my medication for over a year now. I normally visit my psychiatrist every 3 months to update her on how the medication has been going, whether it is good or bad. Recently, my medication was running low, so I called my local pharmacy to request a refill. The pharmacy called back and advised that the request was denied because I haven't visited my doctor within months. Which had slipped my mind, due to a busy schedule. I called USF Health to schedule an appt. only to find out that my psychiatrist is no longer with USF Health and that I couldn't obtain my medication until I see a new doctor. I am upset about 3 things here! First, all patients under Dr. Laura Colon- Rivera should have been notified of her absence and placed under a new doctor! So that patients can continue their treatment! This was never done! Secondly, USF Health should have accepted my request to refill my medication, this is for my mental health! The medication is taken daily and improves my daily life. Thirdly, my follow up appointment with the new doctor should have been immediately! It shouldn't take a week or more to be seen. I am very disappointed in the professionalism and care that is not being given! Since I have not been able to take my medication, I am having withdrawal effects.

Merileyka Rivera

This office is so incompetent.. I scheduled my appointment 4 months ago. I specifically provided my insurance information and made sure they accepted the insurance before scheduling. How is it they call me the day before to tell me they don't take my sons insurance after waiting 4 months for this appointment. Total waist of time. Then she wants to say oh I'm sorry. I'm sorry does not fix anything. DO NOT GO HERE! This office does not care about there patients or there time.

Merilyn Guerra

I have been under the care of wonderful doctors while dealing with my mental health struggles. I have been extremely fortunate to work with Residents Laura Colon-Rivera before she graduated and Paul Jeremy Wells currently. While I was slightly hesitant to have a male psychiatry provider when Dr Wells was assigned to me I must admit that I was astonished at the empathy and level of care/compassion he has shown while treating me. I hope that other people can realize that it is not bad to have a resident take care of you. The next generation of doctors is wonderful and I feel very fortunate to have more people who recognize the stigma and acknowledge the social issues someone is facing when caring for their patients and issuing diagnosis/treatments. I also had a great experience working with their team when undergoing ECT Sessions. The doctors at USF Health saved my life when I completely gave up hope, had no will to live, tried nearly every anti-depressant unsuccessfully and I will be forever grateful for their care, compassion and patience.

Steven Donaldson

I can see why there is a mental health crisis in the US...How many times have you tried to get help only to get turned away? Basically, the USF admin advised, well we will look at your referral (sounds like some committee as if you have to be selected) and if you don't hear from us in a month give us a call. Well then, more sage advice.. if you can't wait call your insurance for more options. i.e.. Call someone else, and I guess they don't realize they are "the someone else," and that's why I'm calling.

I'm not complaining about USF or the Admin person, I'm complaining about the system.

So here's your 5-star rating USF.

Good Luck folks if you're looking for help. Please don't give up, I always thought the hardest part is accepting the fact that you need help when in reality the hardest part is trying to find help in the first place.

(Update: One year later still waiting on a call, fortunately I found help elsewhere.)

Anonymous Poster

Yeah don’t waste your time with this department. They will misdiagnose you and tell you you have something but just don’t know about it. Trying to get through to a provider takes weeks and initial new patient appointments take months. Simply do not waste your time here.

Ash Fitzgerald

We've waited over a year for this department (under the impression they were the only ones that take our insurance in the area) to call me back to schedule an appt for my daughter who has seizures and also was referred for possible autism. This department is a joke --- they lie, and run you around in circles saying they didn't receive patient notes, referrals etc. even though all of her specialists confirmed the myriad of faxes + re-faxes went through EACH TIME. I even mailed the doctors referral for safe measure and they say they never received it. Every time I have called over the span of 14 months I am given a different story about what the hold up is. Someone needs to look into this whole department and how it is run. Atrocious and absolutely unprofessional!

Leslie Joudrey

I have been going here for the past two years, ever since my original psychiatrist passed away. Since it is the only practice within a 100 mile radius that accepts my insurance, I have continued to go until my insurance lapses in a month. I will be as straightforward as possible with my review.

My first resident was a dream doctor. He listened, wasn't judgmental, and I felt comfortable being seen by him because he was a respectable human being. Unfortunately he graduated and moved on to working within the field. After he left, although he scheduled my next visit, it wasn't input into the system, so I showed up for my quarterly visit to be told that I have to reschedule (1), which resulted in a visit months later.

My second doctor was a nightmare. She was cold and uninterested, lacking any sort of bedside manner. After she scheduled two appointments for different times(2 &3) than what was written on the appointment card resulting in two more missed appointment times, I asked for a new doctor.

Tonight was literally my breaking point. Finally I had a scheduled visit at a time that worked with my schedule (I live 40 miles away). Immediately she has me fill out a questionnaire after I told her that I'd like to get put back on a medication I was prescribed for years and decided to stop while I was pregnant with my daughter. Then, after discussing my life, childhood and all the other unnecessary drama that comes with having a woman doctor, she begins telling me that she wants me to stop my current medication (which I have been taking for the past 3 years with no issues) and try multiple other types to see if I can switch to another. I'm not sure why on a first visit, this student has decided to take it upon herself to completely erase and rewrite what has been working well for years. Needless to say, I left without a prescription and have to return after a few days so that she can start me on a whole new medication.

A J

I have been going to this office on and off for almost 15 years. Never once asked for anything, no early refills, nothing. Even when they weren’t covered under my insurance I continued to see them and pay almost $200 our of pocket for every visit. I lost my prescription at an Airbnb so I called the office and spoke to Kenny, he told me to come in to get a partial script to hold me over until my next fill date. I did that and after driving 45 minutes to get there and take a half day from work all I get is “sorry about your luck” I literally went out there for nothing. I am a medical professional and my job requires me to be focused for the safety of MY patients. Do they care? No. I am also in school and have midterms due before I’ll have my medication again. They clearly don’t believe in doing what is therapeutic for their patients. I would give them less than a one if that were an option.