At Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut, we aim to provide our patients the information they need to be well informed on many Gastrointestinal related topics. Through the online registration, patients can pre-register before coming in to see one of our physicians. All information sent is encrypted so you know your data is safe.
Follow us
Services
Given the current healthcare climate if you are experiencing any flu like symptoms such as fever, cough or chill's please call our office to reschedule your appointment to protect yourself and others from spreading the flu and/or other virus'. Dear GCC Patients, GCC has been monitoring the voluntary recall by several manufacturers of ranitidine, a generic version of Zantac, which may contain a contaminant that exceeds acceptable levels. If you have been prescribed ranitidine and you wish to stop taking the prescription or have questions about alternatives, please call us.
Reviews (10)
Alexa Murray
Apr 13, 2022
While the doctors and nurses were generally very helpful, I think the norms of medical practice for preparing for outpatient procedures should be changed. The effects of the anesthesia were downplayed before the procedure to keep me from being nervous, but I think I would have been better off if I had been able to prepare for it beforehand. The anesthesia was by and far the most terrifying experience of my life.
After the weird feeling in the back of your throat, instant terror sets in. I was told that my ears might ring, but that doesn't capture the experience at all--it's loud ambulance sirens going off right next to your eardrum. I was really dedicated to getting the procedure done so that I can finally get a cure for my mystery illness, but because I wasn't warned, I was two seconds away from calling it off once the anesthesia started, but by the time I was really wavering I was already going under.
When I cried out that I was scared and that I wanted my mom, I was just told that the sirens were normal and that I needed to stop talking now, which just made me feel more scared and less in control. I think that it should be normalized to warn patients about this, even if it increases pre-operative anxiety prior to the start of the procedure. I also think that when I said I was scared, they should have considered stopping instead of telling me to stop talking. Ultimately, not doing the procedure would have been bad for me, because I've had to work so hard and wait for so long in bad health to receive medical procedures, and I wouldn't want to have to wait longer, but at the same time that kind of experience, psychologically, is something else.
They also didn't make any notes in the follow-up papers about the incident with the anesthesia, which concerns me, they just said that the entire procedure went well without incident. As well, after making me wait a long time for an appointment, with me constantly begging for them to get me in sooner because I was so sick, they asked me if I was still sick/vomiting when I came in, on the grounds that because they had taken a long time to get me in, I was no longer sick or in need of medical care anymore, which was also upsetting.
After the weird feeling in the back of your throat, instant terror sets in. I was told that my ears might ring, but that doesn't capture the experience at all--it's loud ambulance sirens going off right next to your eardrum. I was really dedicated to getting the procedure done so that I can finally get a cure for my mystery illness, but because I wasn't warned, I was two seconds away from calling it off once the anesthesia started, but by the time I was really wavering I was already going under.
When I cried out that I was scared and that I wanted my mom, I was just told that the sirens were normal and that I needed to stop talking now, which just made me feel more scared and less in control. I think that it should be normalized to warn patients about this, even if it increases pre-operative anxiety prior to the start of the procedure. I also think that when I said I was scared, they should have considered stopping instead of telling me to stop talking. Ultimately, not doing the procedure would have been bad for me, because I've had to work so hard and wait for so long in bad health to receive medical procedures, and I wouldn't want to have to wait longer, but at the same time that kind of experience, psychologically, is something else.
They also didn't make any notes in the follow-up papers about the incident with the anesthesia, which concerns me, they just said that the entire procedure went well without incident. As well, after making me wait a long time for an appointment, with me constantly begging for them to get me in sooner because I was so sick, they asked me if I was still sick/vomiting when I came in, on the grounds that because they had taken a long time to get me in, I was no longer sick or in need of medical care anymore, which was also upsetting.
The Businesswoman
Aug 03, 2021
Practically impossible to get an appointment. I've been a patient for many years, but I get no response to inquiries about making an appointment Trent for e.ergency symptoms. I have history of gastro conditions since childhood, with countless hospitalizations, but I am not taken seriously when I ask about trying other medications or treatments. I had to personally gather hospital records to submit to the doctor, just so they would even acknowledge the severity of my issues.
Even still, nothing has been done. My functioning has declined steadily and the doctor won't even comment on it. Thank God before the pandemic, I brought my husband inside the exam room with me to witness my pleas go unacknowledged and unanswered. One of the APRNs named Tracy was actually a lot more competent than the MD I had seen. She listened for more than the 5 minutes the doctor usually gave me, and even refilled the script from my former doctor from out of state.
Interesting how much compassion and attention SHE gave me versus the MD. Now that I can't get an appointment again, I think its time to move to another practice that takes my insurance.
Even still, nothing has been done. My functioning has declined steadily and the doctor won't even comment on it. Thank God before the pandemic, I brought my husband inside the exam room with me to witness my pleas go unacknowledged and unanswered. One of the APRNs named Tracy was actually a lot more competent than the MD I had seen. She listened for more than the 5 minutes the doctor usually gave me, and even refilled the script from my former doctor from out of state.
Interesting how much compassion and attention SHE gave me versus the MD. Now that I can't get an appointment again, I think its time to move to another practice that takes my insurance.
Lisa L.
Jun 23, 2021
Cindy Raymond
Jan 30, 2021
I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Umashanker and the staff at GCC who have worked so hard to be sure that I got the tests I needed quickly when I needed them. When the insurance company denied a request for an MRI, meaning it would have to be postponed until the next week, they did everything to be sure that I could have the MRI the next day! I've been a patient for years and their care has been steady and excellent. Now that I've been quite sick, I appreciate them more than ever. I strongly recommend GCC and Dr. Umashanker - the best!
Karena Z.
Oct 24, 2020
Would not recommend this practice. They forgot how to treat there patients with respect and compassion. I was a patient of Dr. Thompson who I thought had no bed side manner, but they have seen two other Doctors and they have showed worse compassion than Dr. Thompson. David Griffin very rude, unprofessional and lacks compassion. Please do you research, I wish I did. I have been with this practice since 2014 and every year the quality of care decreases.
Crystal Dailey
Jan 26, 2020
I love Dr. Grunwald, buts as most of the reviews state it is very difficult to get an appointment. I am switching providers because that one reason. It's a shame, someone needs to do an overhaul with running that office. I am used to be a medical office manager and I would whipped that place into shape. The providers should be concerned about losing patients!
A. L.
Jan 17, 2020
Doctors are great, however, the office staff is awful in returning calls and would rather blame you for not being on top of it. The response rate is way too slow for serious subject matters. It feels like they dont care. It feels like a circus. It looks like this office has been like this for three years based on the reviews below. Beware of making any appointments.
Martha Simpson
Mar 02, 2019
The doctors are pleasant and competent, but it's nearly impossible to schedule an appointment. You can't get a live person to answer the phone. The call always goes to voice mail and the recording says they will call you back the next day. They don't. You have to keep trying. Why can't someone answer the phone? Or at least call back the same day? I called again tonight to try to get someone to call tomorrow morning, since no one called me back from yesterday.
Surprise - I got a live person. But she told me that the place is closed and I have to call back during working hours. How is that helpful? Last year I walked into the office to book an appointment in person. I was told the person I had to talk to wasn't working that day. I refused to leave until someone else stepped in and made an appointment for me. I think it's time to find another practice.
Surprise - I got a live person. But she told me that the place is closed and I have to call back during working hours. How is that helpful? Last year I walked into the office to book an appointment in person. I was told the person I had to talk to wasn't working that day. I refused to leave until someone else stepped in and made an appointment for me. I think it's time to find another practice.
Diane Pierpont
Mar 12, 2018
I have been with this group for a number of years now. My last 2 experiences (Nov. and January) were the same as all previous visits: No problems with scheduling, staff takes time to explain the procedures, answer questions., etc. The facility in Guilford is spotless. For me the 2 most important team folks are my doctor (Dr. Umashanker) and anesthesia doctor. They take time before and after the procedure to answer questions and make me feel comfortable. I highly recommend this group.
Edward Martinez
Nov 05, 2017
They feel they can schedule you anytime they choose, and do not take into account the patients schedules. Their claim of giving priority to diabetics or the elderly is bunk. If they were to try to schedule properly, and not depend on voice mail. They don't call back in a timely manner, and they treat their patients like machines. Now I'm going to have work done there. Hmmmmm. I am talking to my PCP about this ineptness and hope they are not as bad when it comes to doing the procedure as they are about everything else.