Trying to find my surgeon

[rapmarks]

The surgeon who did my recent surgery informed me at the follow up visit that he was leaving the practice. He couldn’t tell me his new office information, but said to google it.
I have been googling it, have found three or four different addresses for his practice, none included a phone number, and these addresses disappear after a few days.
one thing I discovered is that he has a prior arrest for underage drinking, when I first saw him, he looked like a teenager, however I am pretty sure he is about forty. You would not think this arrest would appear of his medical licensing page, and show up every time he is goggled.

he wanted to remove my lymph nodes and I am anxious to talk to him about the surgery and recovery time. I want to go north in May, it looks like time is running out. I may have to contact the surgeon who did the first surgery in Wisconsin to follow up.

I originally scheduled this surgery in Wisc. If this Florida surgeon had told me he was leaving the practice, I would have gone to Wisconsin, not done it here. I wish he had removed the lymph nodes during the original surgery. That is what they did for breast cancer, I don’t want to go through more surgery and recovery, so I guess it is best to get a second opinion.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Oh my, I wish I had helpful words for you, but I don’t! What about the doctors remaining in your surgeon’s practice?

 

[jackio]

Perhaps your insurance company can look up his new contact information?

 

[Tia]

Maybe even call the old office in inquire where to find him, you might luck out.

 

[b2bailey]

Gosh, from the way you describe -- I don't think I would be looking for him.
I'd head to Wisconsin and settle in there for the summer.

 

[rapmarks]

Gosh, from the way you describe -- I don't think I would be looking for him.
I'd head to Wisconsin and settle in there for the summer.

But the Wisconsin surgeon told me this cancer was no big deal and didn’t get it all the first time. Not many head and beck oncologists out there who specialize in the mouth.

 

[mentalbreak]

Wow. I agree with a prior suggestion to also call his prior office where you were his patient. I would probably not say anything about being aware of his departure. Just call and ask for an appt with him and take it from there.

Have you checked court records for any presence?

Wish you the best.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Have you tried a search here:

FL DOH MQA Search Portal | Practitioner Profile Search

 

[SusanRN]

Maybe have a consultation with a doctor still in the practice?

 

[rapmarks]

Maybe have a consultation with a doctor still in the practice?

Yes there us one other oncologist in The former practice but I really don’t want to start with a third person

 

[SusanRN]

The file would be in the office. Person would probably be more accommodating since you were left adrift by his former colleague. You know where s/he is and how to contact...just sounds less stressful IMHO.

 

[zentraveler]

If he has given up his medical practice in Florida (?) where he was when you worked with him, and moved to state B this won't work, but check the medical board. They all have physician lookups and as far as I know, can give you a current licensure and an address and any medical issues pending against them. In California we need a physical address, not a PO Box and for most it is our office, but if retire etc. Mine shows basics about medical education, my office address, any public record actions against me - none of course , but a whole list of them. No email or phone #, but I good place to start. Google Medical Board of [state XYZ] and follow the links to physician lookup.

 

[louisianab]

I know it's not local either way, but my family has recently had a great experience with the IU ENT Oncologist in Indianapolis. If you end up having to to hunt down someone new.

Michael W. Sim, MD

Request an appointment with Dr. Michael W. Sim, a head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgery specialist with IU Health Physicians in Indianapolis, IN.

iuhealth.org

 

[JudyH]

Try the website True People Search. It has a lot of information about people. You can put in his name. Joe Smith and Florida or Ft Myers Fl for location and see what comes up. I used it a lot when we had to locate distant relatives when my husband was settling a will. I also used it to find children of a new acquaintance who had a sudden health emergency.

 

[rapmarks]

I have the option of staying with his former partner, but I prefer to move with him. He cannot poach me by giving out his new office. He told me he would still be in the area.

 

[VacationForever]

@rapmarks I am pretty good with sleuthing / google searches. If you want to PM me his information - name and the name of his last known practice, I can see if I can dig out something useful for you.

 

[VacationForever]

I think I found him with the info which @rapmarks PMed. I have PMed back. Anxiously waiting to see if it is the right information.

 

[rapmarks]

Thanks will call Monday morning

 

[kupool]

Unfortunately the provider records database is very slow to be updated. In the event you cannot locate him on Monday call the place that he worked when he did your surgery and ask for his "Records Custodian." The records custodian will know where he went as they have a fiduciary responsibility to forwards his records to his new location. If the custodian does not know where he is it means he has not onboarded to the new organization. Prayers for you to get the answers and direction you seek regarding future treatments.

 

[zentraveler]

See post #12. Checking the medical license board online is very easy. A 2 minute search at most. Will have basic information like their address and whether they have an active license in that state. Can search by name. I think every state has one.

 

[rapmarks]

See post #12. Checking the medical license board online is very easy. A 2 minute search at most. Will have basic information like their address and whether they have an active license in that state. Can search by name. I think every state has one.

Until this weekend, there was only the phone number attached to his old office. Believe me I searched more than two minutes, several times

 

[rapmarks]

Unfortunately the provider records database is very slow to be updated. In the event you cannot locate him on Monday call the place that he worked when he did your surgery and ask for his "Records Custodian." The records custodian will know where he went as they have a fiduciary responsibility to forwards his records to his new location. If the custodian does not know where he is it means he has not onboarded to the new organization. Prayers for you to get the answers and direction you seek regarding future treatments.

I don’t believe he could take my records because technically they belong to the old practice.

 

[rapmarks]

The number worked. The receptionist didn’t know how to put the phone on hold. They can’t schedule me for an appointment and will call me next week. , this probably explains why I could not find a number for him.

 

[PigsDad]

I don’t believe he could take my records because technically they belong to the old practice.

Don't all medical offices put your records online so they are accessible to other medical offices? I know all of my records are that way.

Kurt

 

[hurnik]

Don't all medical offices put your records online so they are accessible to other medical offices? I know all of my records are that way.

Kurt

At least here in NY, they are not required to put online, depending on the practice size. My Primary has two offices and all the records (notes and whatnot) are pretty much in files (mine's like volume 1 and volume 2--haha). They'll have your office visit dates and whatnot in the system but they're not owned by our two large hospital networks so the records aren't accessible.