Pioneer Valley Urology

Dr. Starkman was friendly, knowledgeable, and very professional. I suffered from chronic pain for ten years before he figured out what was wrong and fixed it. I'm grateful to him for giving me my life back.

I'm not sure what everyone else's issues seem to be, but, thus far, I've found Doctor Starkman to be open and engaged with his patients. He explained questions that I hadn't even asked and we even laughed about some of the reviews I'd seen which were, for the most part, obviously people who don't understand common sense. I've got surgery coming up in a couple weeks so I'll update if needed, but I can't say enough good things about this Doctor :

The doctor took time to share the results of all my blood work and how he view the numbers. He repeated himself to make sure I understood and was very willing to listen to my concerns. Cancer is not fun to play with but having a doctor who listens and explains makes me feel I am in the right place to deal with my problem.

I recently had an appointment with Dr Starkman. He is wonderful. He is extremely polite and took the time to listen to my questions. Excellent bed side manner and most important he has a great personality! His staff are wonderful!

Dr. Michael Zavaski is superb. I have received excellent care from him since the start of my care in 2019 and also with following annual visits to present. I highly recommend him. The staff at Pioneer Valley Urology have also been excellent. Quinn O'Hara

Life changing would not be too strong a phrase for my operation. Dr. Starkman was wonderful as were all the nurses and staff I came into contact with. I never felt embarrassed when talking about such an intimate subject. I had no pain after surgery and the success of the operation was evident in a short time. I just had my one year check up and I can't say how pleased I have been with the results. THANK YOU Dr. Starkman and staff!

I cannot express enough how wonderful Dr. J. Startman is. He's very thorough, understanding, and very professional and caring. I would highly recommend him to anyone and everyone.

I was seen here for chronic, recurring kidney stones. While in their care, I was repeatedly told that I was just genetically prone and nothing could be done. Since changing doctors, a simple blood test revealed an underlying issue that was a clear cause of my stones. This clinic never once offered blood work. If it's not a straightforward problem, I highly recommend going elsewhere.

If I could give no stars I would. My fiance was scheduled for a surgery with Dr. Starkman at 12:30pm at Baystate Hospital. After driving for an hour and a half through the snow, we arrived at about 12:25pm for check-in when we were notified that the surgical procedure had been moved up to 7:30am that same morning due to "Covid". The receptionist explained that the office tried to reach out several times but were unable to reach us.

That takes us back to Pioneer Valley Urology. On many different occasions we were unable to speak to an actual person and had to leave a message with the surgical scheduling department. Sadly most calls were never returned. Eight days prior to the date of our surgery we changed our phone number. Because we were unable to speak to an actual person once again, the new number was left on voicemail.

Surprisingly the new number was never recorded in the chart (shocker). The communication between Dr, staff and patient is appalling. Apparently we were expected to consult our crystal ball to know the time had been changed. How about an email notification or even keeping the scheduled appointment time. I know the world revolves around the surgeon but let's pretend this is real life. Needless to say we are seeking care elsewhere with a more competent, and reliable urology office and surgeon. Absolutely pitiful and unprofessional. Shame on you. You're better off seeking care at a veterinarian office.

Dr Starkman was considerate of the patients needs and went out of his way to provide professional and personal care. The staff is also caring and dedicated to the patient. Urology compared to other practices is difficult as the patient modest or not has many concerns - and they are all addressed.

What an incredible turnaround at this office! When I arrived for my appointment today I found everyone at the front desk very friendly and helpful! Everyone I interacted with was upbeat and eager to be of assistance. Kudos to all the staff! Keep up the good work.

They have a despicable attitude toward patient care. Was scheduled for a surgical consult here back in May. Was told by phone my previous tests and scans were acceptable. it is over an hour and a half away from where I live. Drove out there and sat in the waiting room for an hour only to be turned away without ever seeing a doctor or having any consult because they wanted new scans.

They didn't even take 5 minutes to assess me or talk to me and when I explained the situation and how inconvenient, frustrating, and unacceptable it was to waste my entire day this way they basically said "tough". Now my care has stalled once again because of rude and unprofessional doctors and staff. My insurance doesn't want to authorize another facility and I refuse to work with this one because of their ignorance.

I was happy with this urology group and especially Dr Swanson who I was a patient of for the last two years. Most recently I had a kidney stone and had to go to Noble Hospital due to the extreme pain I was in. After a CAT scan the ER doctor advised me that I had a 10 cm by 8cm MOTHER of a kidney stone way up by the opening of my kidney but was most likely too large to pass.

He contacted my Urology group Pioneer Valley Dr on call. He was advised by this Dr to send me home with meds and call office in the morning, which I did. They gave me an appt later in the afternoon at which time I thought I would see Dr Swanson and a surgery would be scheduled within the next few days. Instead I met with a PA Salisbury who had my CAT SCAN report.

She the asked me why I was released from hospital with this size kidney stone. I advised her Dr on call advised that last night. Her remark was "well I have to talk to that Dr". She then advised me that there are no openings on the surgery schedule for at least two weeks and that my insurance didn't cover their surgi center ( which was true) but then stated there are no openings there either.

I then questioned her as to what am I supposed to do with this pain and this kidney stone which the results showed my kidney was already under stress and because the size this stone most likely would not pass. She then advised me that she could put me on a surgery list but that there was no guarantee that I would be called. She then advised me that if the pain got too bad which it couldn't have she said go back to the ER and they would have to do an emergency procedure to get it out.

She added that she had two people prior to my appt and told them to do the same thing! I said but I thought because of the size, pain and the danger of where the stone was located they would get me in somehow. She then stated well then we would have to bump someone and everyones kidney stone hurts. I then advised her that my sister was an ER doctor and she said well maybe she can get you in somewhere.

I then advised her that I am Dr Swanson patient at which time she looked in her computer and stated "oh yeah there you are" and said well sometimes Dr Swanson can move things along. I then asked how am I supposed to deal with this excruciating pain and she stated I can give you a script for hydromorhine. I then left the office after paying my copay and no results except maybe we will call you maybe we won't! Fortunately I contacted Western Mass urology and they saw a Dr the next morning on Thursday and had surgery for the stone on Friday.

The staff and Dr Swanson at Pioneer Valley are great hands down but the way I feel I was treated by PA Salisbury was totally uncalled for, she showed no compassion and told me to go back to the ER after I had been there the night before and to pay another 150 copay and they would take care of it! I've never heard of someone being treated this way after have spent the night before in the ER.

I know in the appt with PA Salisbury there was a young man recording the conversation at least I thought he was it looked like a steno machine. They can check that machine and see this is what was said during this interview. I did comment to PA Salisbury after she gave me the script that this is why there are so many people becoming addicts. I am sure that if I saw Dr Swanson I would not have been given the same treatment! Dr Tyson from Western Mass Urology group was able to retrieve the stone on Friday, which I am forever grateful for. It's unfortunate that PA Salisbury treated two other patients and myself this way.

I understand that all these offices are busy with surgery schedules but I feel that if I had gotten a Dr or anyone else besides PA Salisbury this urology group would stepped up to the plate instead of just pitching myself and two other patients to the ER to pay another 150 dollars for a copay!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE! Very surprised to read the bad reviews but then again people have different experiences. Just last Month (February 2019) had to go in for an appointment. Long story short they told Me I needed surgery, got the surgery scheduled for 2 days later (this part was purely luck I'm assuming). Anyway everyone I dealt with were exceptional people.

I can't praise this place enough, I literally mean everyone from the receptionists to the nurses to dr Swanson who performed the surgery to the anesthesiologist were all a pleasure to deal with. I'm 28 and it was a scary thing for me to have to go in for surgery but out of the probably 5 nurses I dealt with every single one of them was amazing.

They saw how nervous I was and helped me (well they at least tried) to calm down. Made jokes with me to get my mind off things. I can't recall all of their names but I know for sure Penny( thanks for being so cool with the IV for someone who hates needles you're amazing) shantel, Chanel, Laura, and the others who I've forgotten already(sorry it was all pretty quick but you're all great and I truly thank you).

The nurse who had me post op was a flat out great human. Couldn't tel you the last time I freaked out that bad after waking up from anesthesia but my god were they right there to help me along the way. I can't say enough good things about this place. They were out of my network as far as my health insurance is concerned but still glad I went and if I ever had to go back (god I sure hope not any time soon) I wouldn't think twice about going else where.

I had called several Times during recovery and they got back to my very quickly(usually same day once was next day but I called late), always calling to make sure I was okay. And lastly when having to get paperwork filled out for work purposes (medical leave, insurance and what not ) they were extremely helpful as well! Again I can't say enough good things and if any of the employees there are reading this my names Marco I was there on 2/10 and 2/13 and I want every single person I dealt with to know you're amazing at what you do. You made this really shitty thing (for me at least) much better and I truly could not thank you enough. THEY ARE GREAT AT WHAT THEY DO AND GREAT AS PEOPLE AS WELL!

I can't give a review on their work but the scheduling process alone leaves me very fearful. If it wasn't the only place available under my health insurance I wouldn't go. Receptionist are rude. I was called to tell me my apointment was canceled, booked 2 months in advance due to wait time, and they rescheduled me a month later. The fact that they will have me by the tender boys in a few months has me very worried. Will update as this fun adventure continues.

You do not want to work for a company like this. They are incapable of possessing any form of compassion for you as a human being. They are unprofessional and for a lack of a better word heartless. To work here you must have tough skin because they will break you down physically and emotionally. They will hire people and fire them 4 days later. They will offer you a position and retrieve it soon after. They will not appreciate all your hard work but point out each and every mistake you make. Please take my word. This is not a place you want to be

An amazing practice. I have been a patient here specifically with dr shaker since I was 17. I am now 32! He has performed many surgeries on me, and been active in my treatment. Everyone here are wonderful, kind and helpful. One I first started as a patient here I came from another office that left me worse than before and dr shaker practically saved me.

4 years ago when i was going through a hard time i made a few appointments with them and missed them for reasons relating to my mental health. now 4 years later i call back for an entirely different problem and am told that i can never be a patient there ever again because 4 years ago i missed some appointments. pretty horrible, pathetic, and shallow. go anywhere else, i can't imagine any other urology center in the area treats people so poorly.