Gastroenterology Group of Naples will continue to maintain your medical records unless you direct otherwise. To provide for your ongoing medical care, Dr. Vincent McLaughlin, an experienced, board-certified gastroenterologist, will join the practice in December. Beginning in January of 2022, Dr. Phillips will focus his attention on research work in association with Gastroenterology Group of Naples. The physicians in Gastroenterology Group of Naples are board certified in Gastroenterology/Hepatology.
Services
We encourage you to call our office with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Please remember the doctors have many patients, both in the hospital and as outpatients, and each call cannot be personally answered by the physician. Our staff is trained to answer most of your questions, and they will relay all information to the doctor.
Clostridia difficile infection (CDI) is epidemic in the United States with more than 300,000 new cases per year and 25,000 deaths per year. Although treatable with antibiotics, recurrent CDI is debilitating, costly and lethal. Recurrent CDI often does not resolve with antibiotic use, prompting unconventional measures such as stool transplantation or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
We facilitate support group meetings for The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America each month in Naples. The Naples group meets every 1st Thursday of the month at 5:00 PM in our research office at 1084 Goodlette Road in Colonial Square. Check out our calendar of events for current dates. Resource for patients and physicians.
Reviews (8)
John Canter
Nov 06, 2021
Gentle Giant. Genuine Genius. Gifted Gastroenterologist. Combined in this one physician, these are the traits that place Dr. Rafael Urbina-Velez of the Gastroenterology Group of Naples in a class above all others. In the midst of a current 13 week G.I. episode, I found Dr. Urbina via an NCH ER physician's recommendation. It was the best health-related advice I have ever received.
First impressions: A humane, sincere and caring man, armed with exceptional clinical/medical expertise and diagnostic skills. First impressions confirmed: Within five minutes of physically examining and probingly questioning me, he recognized the severity of my illness and IMMEDIATELY scheduled an emergency Upper GI Endoscopy for the next day! The same traits were evident as Dr. Urbina flawlessly performed the scheduled procedure.
When I emerged from anasthesia, he was there to review his findings, interpretations, prognoses and ongoing plan of action. Day two. I am already feeling better. He truly is a Miracle Worker!
First impressions: A humane, sincere and caring man, armed with exceptional clinical/medical expertise and diagnostic skills. First impressions confirmed: Within five minutes of physically examining and probingly questioning me, he recognized the severity of my illness and IMMEDIATELY scheduled an emergency Upper GI Endoscopy for the next day! The same traits were evident as Dr. Urbina flawlessly performed the scheduled procedure.
When I emerged from anasthesia, he was there to review his findings, interpretations, prognoses and ongoing plan of action. Day two. I am already feeling better. He truly is a Miracle Worker!
Tara Tricker
Apr 22, 2021
Can't say enough bad things about this practice. Doctor was not helpful in the least, made zero attempts to resolve my issues. This place only cares about turning and burning patients and getting the client to PREPAY for services and backcharge for expenses. EVEN AFTER INSURANCE PAID. This place is a scam, don't waste your time.
Sally Growler
Nov 25, 2020
Dr. Urbina is either overwhelmed with patients or he doesn't care about them. It could be both. I say this because he is impossible to get in contact with, and when the nurse or office staff promises to have him call you back, he never does. If you complain, they tell you he tried to call you back but you didn't answer. It's a lie. This lack of caring is also evident in the office during examinations.
His first diagnosis is his only diagnosis and it is impossible to get him to consider other causes for your problem. He shows little curiosity and desire to provide solutions to your issues. He is eager to get to the next patient and appears to believe that you should be grateful for whatever small amount of time he blesses you with. His arrogance is only exceeded by his indifference. Run fast and far from this guy.
His first diagnosis is his only diagnosis and it is impossible to get him to consider other causes for your problem. He shows little curiosity and desire to provide solutions to your issues. He is eager to get to the next patient and appears to believe that you should be grateful for whatever small amount of time he blesses you with. His arrogance is only exceeded by his indifference. Run fast and far from this guy.
Katalin Griffith
Nov 13, 2020
I am an existing patient of Gastroenteroloy Group of Naples and have been for several years. I was told on Friday that a prescription for Vancomycin was being called in to my pharmacy, CVS. However, the pharmacy has no record of that. I need the Vancomycin in order to prevent another case of CDiff. The lovely woman at the answering service told me (over and over again) that the doctor on call, Sandra Jara, would not accept my request to make sure I got the medicine which I need to take while on another antibiotic in order to prevent the CDiff.
The doc on call will not take any calls re prescriptions under any circumstances (unless for procedures). According to the very polite answering service, she will also not accept any explanations as to why my medication is important. Apparently, her Sunday afternoon being undisturbed is more important than my health.
The doc on call will not take any calls re prescriptions under any circumstances (unless for procedures). According to the very polite answering service, she will also not accept any explanations as to why my medication is important. Apparently, her Sunday afternoon being undisturbed is more important than my health.
Keith Pappas
Jun 05, 2020
Richard Freedman Doc
Mar 28, 2020
Rick Pye
Mar 23, 2020
Dr Rivera is so kind and wants to get right to the problem. He wants to see that you have the best medical care. If you need special test he will see that they are done asap. His staff is full of smiles and kindness even when they know you are sick. When you walk out of the office you feel like they are family and that they really are caring about you and your health. God bless all of you.
Ryan Ulrich
Jun 06, 2019
I went there with my wife after my insurance was looked over and verified by an employee that our visit wasn't going to cost us anything. She was prescribed a colonoscopy and we were 100% on board with doing so. We were told that we would be given a call to discuss payment options for the colonoscopy before we began. On our way out, I asked if we were all set with payment and they said "yep, you are all set." I asked are you sure? and the lady in the front desk confirmed that we were all set.
I said thank you and we left. We never received a call about payment for the colonoscopy procedure or how much everything would cost, so naturally we cancelled the procedure. About 15 days after we cancelled, I receive a bill in the mail for $207 for our visit after the office solidified that we would be covered by insurance before we even showed up.
I spoke with Diane on the phone and she said "I don't know who you talked to before you came or while you were here, but you owe this amount" and would not budge. I am a college student and my wife is a teacher in Naples. Give me a break! Diane said "talk to your insurance there is nothing I can do for you." I then asked her what would happen if we didnt pay and she said: "You'll have to wait and see". So yeah, it was a pretty negative experience, hence the 1 star.
I said thank you and we left. We never received a call about payment for the colonoscopy procedure or how much everything would cost, so naturally we cancelled the procedure. About 15 days after we cancelled, I receive a bill in the mail for $207 for our visit after the office solidified that we would be covered by insurance before we even showed up.
I spoke with Diane on the phone and she said "I don't know who you talked to before you came or while you were here, but you owe this amount" and would not budge. I am a college student and my wife is a teacher in Naples. Give me a break! Diane said "talk to your insurance there is nothing I can do for you." I then asked her what would happen if we didnt pay and she said: "You'll have to wait and see". So yeah, it was a pretty negative experience, hence the 1 star.
