I was advised to undergo urgent allergy testing and came here because first available appointment. Through allergy testing I thought things were "ok" and that Dr. Ward was just a fast talker (like me)- though among other things, I felt somewhat uncomfortable about being pressured to receive initial immunotherapy shot prior to actually being physician-consented. For various still-unanswered questions (which I had asked Dr. Ward), I sought 2nd opinion from another practice - which I should have consulted at least before starting immunotherapy (bc too late to simply transfer care once shots started, without starting all over again). This practice is *practice-centered* - NOT patient/person-centered. Unbelievably, front desk insisted ("practice policy") that I would have to pay for my own medical records, which they would release to other HCPs for free. So I had my own records from THIS practice transferred to OTHER practice, which released them to me - for free. More importantly, the other practice's allergist was graciously willing to take the time to understand my complicated/nonlinear history. Even though I was a few minutes late (for the other practice), she apologized and continued to come back to talk to me in between subsequent patients, which I appreciated as exceptional community-based care. The other practice told me that I was allergic to something (via testing) that hadn't been previously discussed with me. When the other practice showed me my record from this practice, I said I thought the result had just been reported on the wrong line and crossed out but not initialed (as is usual practice for corrections in medical documentation). Due to lack of initials, the other practice said that I would have to clarify with this practice. Nurse giving shot said that she "would try to help me" - but then, as I could overhear from other end of waiting room, incorrectly said that I was "demanding" to speak with Dr. Ward - whom I was going to simply message thru portal, as practice had (somewhat callously) advised me to do last time, even though I was physically at the practice for shot. While I was messaging Dr. Ward, front desk said I had "co-pay" then that I was "cutting into my time" even though no one had told me that this question had been turned into an actual "appointment." I had to say that I didn't think it was appropriate for me to have to pay co-pay just to clarify documentation question/concern raised by another practice. Dr. Ward did not seem to care about confusion/inconvenience arising from documentation; I did not feel comfortable asking her any more medical/allergy questions. Unfortunately, I will need to come here for several more months (if not years) for allergy shots (bc too late to transfer care without starting over). But I will likely have to take my actual medical/allergy questions/concerns to a *different* practice that actually *cares about* and *respects* me both as a patient and as a person. Hopefully this review will encourage the practice to be more patient/person-centered, thorough and patient, respectful re: confidentiality, etc. - and prospective patients to consider that community-based allergy practices are not simply interchangeable (even if might perform same testing). read more

I highly recommend this practice. Dr. Ward, my doctor, is smart, caring and knowledgeable. If she's not available on short notice, I am confident seeing any doctor in this top notch practice. Recently they helped get an issue straightened out with my insurance company. What a cluster! Staff here is great too- efficient, good vibe. Getting to speak to a live person has never been an issue here and you know how important that is, right?! Barbara B. read more

Mostly fine, but like with many medical office coordination is a key problem. My asthmatic child showed up for an assessment of her asthma but due to COVID they would do not do a breathing test. Despite the patient being vaccinated, despite the test happening outside and everyone else being masked. And I mostly don't mind because of course COVID is major health crisis, but if they had told me that they would not be doing the test ahead of time I would have just rescheduled for a later date. I didn't find out until after we were in the patient room and seeing the doctor. And after we already paid of course. That's poor communication and coordination. The purpose of assessing breathing and lung capacity via the breathing test seems critical to understanding how things are progressing. read more

I love this place. Dr. Ward is always available thru email or phone. She's been a life saver. The receptionists and nurses are always pleasant. I have been going to this office for 3 years now and I have not experienced a bad visit. I am always taken back on time and or earlier than my scheduled visit. They also work with my schedule if I need to move or to reschedule. I commend and enjoy coming to this facility! read more

If I could give no starts I would! This office is extremely unprofessional and inconsiderate about patients. I have been trying to schedule an appointment with the allergist because I had a random breakout in hives. They did not care to help. Every time I called they would pick up tell me to hold. Then send me to an answering machine that would tell me to call back because they are closed. Why would you pick up the phone if you are closed? Makes no sense. Then pick up the phone and tell me to hold on, and hang up. Extremely horrible customer service. DONT EVEN BOTHER CALLING. It's a waist of your day! read more

Better Office Organization Is Likely Needed First visit, I got told about one allergy test results revealed. I wasn't told about another. I was prescribed zyrtec without a warning that it made some people very drowsy. I spent the weekend and 1 work day in horrible brain fog. I wouldn't have known if not for a brother-in-law who is an MD and his wife/my sister who had the same reaction. They told me to switch to allegra. Second visit, I told the doctor allegra was working well, but not completely. I was prescribed a prescription inhalant. Doctor leaves, assistant comes in with a "to do" sheet with a long list of medications to take, none of which I recognized. I had to tell the assistant those directions couldn't have been meant for me as the doctor only told me about one drug. I tried the new drug several times, each time it made me very drowsy, ready to lay down, very rapidly. I stopped taking it, called the institute, and asked that information be passed onto my doctor with request for advice. One week later no answer. I then contacted my doctor about the situation through their patient portal. Two weeks later, no answer. read more

I have been going to this office for about 20 years and have been treated by Dr.White, Dr.Li, Dr.Economedes, Dr.Scarupa, Dr.Ward and a LOT of nurses! I have had allergy testing, allergy shots, acute care, and regular visits to control my asthma. Overall this office and staff do a great job, although I agree with those who complained about the long wait times as i always need to factor in extra time for my medical appointments. However, the quality and competence of the staff is high, and to their credit, many office staff have been around for several years, with low turnover. (I've had horrible experiences with other medical offices with high turnover and incompetent/immature staff.) I've had multiple changes of insurance over the two decades I've been going, and the office staff are always helpful and creative in assisting me with these complications. I recommend the Institute for Asthma and Allergy to a LOT of my friends, family and neighbors. read more

They say they are "short staffed." I'd've been happy to reschedule if I had known they were running 1 1/2 hours behind (already at 10:30 am? Really?) read more

My husband received a misdiagnosis and had to see another doctor to get the correct medication. The doctor did not take any tests other than blood and made a diagnosis based on a visual inspection. Luckily his dermatologist allowed him to make a last minute appointment and gave him the correct diagnosis. Another point is that the doctor went around the office and let anyone within air shot know of the private diagnosis. The way the doctor carried on it would seem as if someone had leprosy. I would not recommend based on the incorrect diagnosis as well as the doctor and/or staff being unprofessional. Please note this is for the Wheaton location. read more

This is the worst excuse for a medical facility. A receptionist answer the phones, then you are shunted off to voice mail just to request an Rx, that then tells you to request online, at a bloody link that doesn't work. The doctors are disorganized, have the bedside manner of a robot and are uncommunicative. If this "institute" is recommended to you, I suggest you find yourself another doctor. This establishment will just aggravate you. read more

They are great Dr. Mark D. Scarupa, MD is very smart and easy going he takes his time to explain clearly the situation of your kids, i highly recommend he is the best. and this place have highly rained nurses. read more

Hi. I'm not someone to write a lot of on-line reviews but when I came to this site and noticed all the poor reviews, I felt compelled to add my perspective. In a nutshell, I was surprised to see these poor reviews and I'm sorry that some folks had such a bad experience. My experience here is not at all negative, but in fact very, very positive. I've been coming here for years. I walked in the door about 7 or 8 years ago with severe allergies - just a mess. They got me on a regimen of regular allergy shots and truly turned my life around. Ok, you'd expect that. But I have had nothing but top notch service and attention from the staff, my doctor knows me by name and never rushes me as I ask questions, and never fails to answer them in as much detail as I need; and has treated my case carefully and with regard to me as an individual. The staff behind the desk is pleasant and as helpful as can be, and I have never had a single issue in all these years. So I'm sorry that others have not had a good experience, but personally I would recommend this place to anyone suffering from allergies. I feel strongly about this, because the other reviews are just so out of sync with my own experience. I am a very happy customer and continue to rely on the Institute for Asthma and Allergy for a long time to come. read more

My child has been a patient for years and I am thrilled with the physicians. I feel like the nurses and administrative staff are like family. My child's doctor has always been attentive to his medical needs. They have even given us samples when my son runs out of his meds. The office is clean, organized and very professional. I don't have to wait on prescription refills at all and the wait time for the appointment is moderate. I highly recommend them. I actually have recommended them to many people. read more

I tried to give this office the benefit of the doubt, but I plan on finding a new allergist for my son. We have had an extremely hard time communicating with providers, both Dr. White and the nurses were poor communicators. When you call the nurse line and leave a message, there is supposed to be a 24 hour turn around time. I have not experienced that. Whether it is follow up on blood work or questions about an upcoming appointment, I am constantly pulling teeth to get a response from someone in the office. My husband had to pull out the physician card in order to get a response from the doctor re: our son's last blood work results. I really hate to write such a negative review, but dealing with food allergies in a one year old is serious business and I want my provider to act in such a matter. I do not want to feel like a nuisance, I do not want to be calling and complaining. It is not fair to me or to the office staff. So if you or your child has allergies, I strongly suggest you look elsewhere for care. read more