Can you give negative stars? Every experience I had with Dr. Garofalo and her office staff was beyond horrid. The fact that a patient calling gets put on hold five (count 'em, five!) times should be off-putting enough to make you look for another doctor, unless you like waiting, have extra reserves of patience and don't have any health problems, ever. The first time, I was just looking for a dermatologist referral, which you would think is relatively straightforward. Think again. I was able to get an appointment after about half an hour on the phone - this wait was just a taste of what was to come. Once I went to the office, I waited approximately 30 minutes in the waiting room, followed by 20 more in the examination room. I was seen by the doctor for about 3 minutes and shooed away. When I went for my annual, I booked I think 6 weeks ahead for an appointment so I could be the first of the day. However, Dr. Garofalo didn't feel the need to get to work on time (despite the fact that my getting to work on time was contingent on her showing up) so I got to wait in the paper dress for 45 minutes for her to show up. Once she showed up, she had to get settled in, so even though I could hear her voice I still had to sit there for another 5 or so minutes. The one time I was actually sick, the office girl told me that I could come in right away. After sitting in the waiting room for over an hour and a half, I asked if I would ever get to see her. The response I got was something along the lines of why should I expect to be seen when there are other people with appointments? I said that I needed to go to class and they told me that I was SOL. Wonderful. And not even a doctor's note for missing my earlier class. The last time I went to this office, I was looking to a renewal for my dermatologist referral. This literally requires the doctor to look at my face and sign a piece of paper. I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room and decided to ask how many people were ahead of me since again, I had class. It had been a rough week and I had a lot of other things I could have been doing, so my emotional reaction was probably disproportionate to the situation, but when I was told it would be at least another hour, I had my charts be sent to another doctor and never turned back. Do not. DO NOT. go to Dr. Garofalo's office if you want to see a doctor. If you want to read magazines for a few hours though, her waiting room is the place. read more

I went here once because I needed a general practioner covered by my HMO and she was the first doctor they recommended. I regret going here. Two days before my appointment I got really sick and went to Urgent Care on campus. The doctor there was so nice and really took care of me. When I told him I had this appointment he said to go to it and he would consult with the doctor so I could have the best treatment. Dr. Garofalo was so rude and she didn't listen to me at all. I had to repeat myself often, and tell her which tests I needed. If the other doctor hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known them to tell her. I don't feel she cared at all, I feel all I did was waste my money and time here. __________ (I didn't want to write this as an update, because I don't want to hide the experience from my first visit.) I decided I should write an update of what happened a few months after my one and only visit. I cut my foot at the beach and needed stitches at the emergency room. They sent my x-ray to Garofalo, since she was the only GP I'd visited in Santa Barbara. The emergency-room doctor said the x-ray showed something embedded in my skin that looked like it could be glass, but was actually sand. Fast-forward over a week later, and I get a call from the Garofalo office. "Hi, we got your x-ray, you have glass in your foot." I mention what the emergency-room doctor had said. "Yeah, whatever, so you have glass in your foot." Ok, thanks. If I had actually had glass in my foot, it would've been nice to get that info when I'd actually needed it and not so far in the future it was useless. Further, beyond telling me this info, she had nothing else to offer: no suggested visit, treatment, or anything. Beyond useless! read more

In my experience with this doctor, he treated my symptoms...but did not look at the whole picture. I appreciate a doctor who can create a plan for recovery. So while he did his job, he did not take the time necessary to even pick up my shoes to better evaluate them and how they may have contributed to my problem. Read below for my experience: I saw Dr. Joseph (aka Joe) Garofalo 2 weeks ago for some numbness and tingling in one of my toes. He quickly diagnosed me with neuroses, and suggested that we do an X-ray, ultrasound, and injection. The X-ray found nothing wrong, however the ultrasound confirmed what he suspected (neuroses). So he continued along with the injection, which took a few minutes but went fine. I asked him for a long-term solution, and if there was anything I could do to prevent this from happening again. He said, 'No', and quickly glanced at my beat-up, ripped Puma's. He said my shoes 'seemed reasonable.' I was unsatisfied with his response, so I got a second opinion from my chiropractor, Dr. English. He said that my shoes were worn in, had very little support, and I definitely needed to get new shoes to help with my problem. Soon after this conversation, I received the Explanation of Benefits from my insurance. My appointment with Dr. Garofalo cost over $1,000! He charged for the following: Exam X-Ray Ultrasound Ultrasound again Injection Injection (it was a two parter) I don't understand why he had to charge twice for the ultrasound. Sure, he first used it to locate the neuroses, then later to guide the needle in, but is that really worth over $500? That was over half my bill. I feel that Dr. Garofalo charged too much. I will pay my bill of course, but I would not recommend him to my friends or family. Now I need to find another podiatrist who can actually take the time to pick up my shoes and make a treatment plan for me. read more

I'm not sure I can say enough bad things about this doctor, and honestly, I have no idea how she can even still retain a medical license. The first time I saw her was to get a referral to a neurologist for my chronic migraines. She said "Migraines.... those are like really bad headaches, right?" Another time I went to see her for constant stomach pains, bloating, and nausea which I had been experiencing for the past 6 months. It was miserable. I wanted to have tests done and get a referral for a GI doctor and she said--I'm not joking--that she wasn't going to bother and told me to just deal with it. Her reasoning was that its hard to get a referral to that kind of doctor and insurance might not pay for it..... Huh?? Since when? I have top-notch insurance by the way. As for the test results, I was never informed of them, and could not get a straight answer when calling her office. At my first visit, I was also nervous and so parts of my skin became flushed. She kept asking what was wrong with me, why did I have hives everywhere. She did not accept my answer that it was just a bit of social anxiety. It was really bizarre and completely unprofessional. Another time I saw her with a 104 degree fever and sore throat. She prescribed me antibiotics and did a mono and strep test. **5 months***, yes, FIVE MONTHS, later someone from her office called to tell me the results were in, and that I had mono. The time it takes to test for that in a lab is 20 minutes. Another time I called her office on a Thursday because I was urinating blood and had horrible pains in my bladder/kidneys. Her staff told me not to come in, and that an Rx for antibiotics would be phoned to my pharmacy. It never was. When I called back Friday, her staff repeatedly hung up on me. I ended up going to the ER for what was a kidney infection. I could go on and on.... She is rude, and completely ignorant about medicine. Her office staff treat you like burden and don't seem to know what they're doing. Under no circumstances would I recommend this doctor. read more

I used to be a patient of Dr Joann Garafalo. She was my primary care Dr. I agree the staff is the worst I ever had the unpleasant dealings with! The waits are ridiculously long and extremely long. That being said I went to the wound care center for what seems like forever(over a year). I went every week and Dr. Sal Garafolo was my Dr. there. HE IS A VERY PLEASANT DOCTOR!!!! It's sad that all these bad reviews are from his office as well as Dr Joann Garafalo. Dr Joe Garafolo removed some bone spurs from my foot quite some years ago and everything went very well and he made me feel cared for. The staff at the wound care center there could teach these ladies a few things. Actually my 7 y old nephew could teach them better manners!!! THE STAFF SUCKS!!!!! HOWEVER DR. SAL IS GREAT!!! Thankfully I now live in Scottsdale Arizona and have a wonderful primary Dr. The longest I ever have to wait is 10 min. The staff is very nice. read more

This Happened a couple of year's ago but it is by far the worst Doctor experience I have ever had. I went in for a physical exam and 2 referral's. After a hour wait I was finally showed into to examination room where I waited another 15 minutes. Even though I was in their for a physical exam, the doctor did not examine me, She listen to my lungs and wrote 2 referrals. My total time with the doctor was 10 minutes and one of my referrals her office never bothered to process. To make matters worse I ended up seeing another Doctor the next week and apparently I had a case of bronchitis, that she missed, even though that was one of the reasons why I was in her office. I would not recommend this Doctor to anyone. read more

Dr Joseph is a very nice gentleman. However, rubber gloves were not used. implements used in cutting were taken out a crowded draw with no wrapper An electric grinder was lying on the table that was used to grind down my nail. There appeared to be no protection for HIV or any other blood transmitted disease. Other podiatrists use gloves and individually wrapped instruments Is there some kind of health law read more

I agree with Collen...can one give Negative stars? If you can avoid having Dr. Joanne Garofalo as your doctor, I would defintely do so. There are much better doctors out there and there are ones that run their offices a lot better. I chose Dr. Garogalo after reading these two reviews and went in with an open mind. I thought, since there are only two reviews on here, perhaps these are just flukes in her service. Just like the other reviews - I called and was put on hold. The length of time was for well over 10 minutes. Then when I let them know I was a new patient, I was put back on hold for another five before an appointment was made. The first time I went, I had my appointment at 10:00am and I was not seen until 12:30pm. When I was taken to the room, I waited an additional hour and then when I was finally seen, the doctor saw me for 10 minutes and then moved me along. I called this week to let them know that something was really wrong and I needed to see Dr. Garofalo immediately. The receptionist was incredibly rude and said the doctor couldn't see me at all. I went to urgent care and they found that I had a kidney infection. I called to get a follow-up appointment and let them know what was going on and that the doctor at urgent care wanted me to get an appointment with my primary care asap. The receptionist again was really rude, then put me on hold, and said, we don't have any appointments available. We can see you toward the end of next month. I explained the urgency and only got a "Sorry". And then she hung up. Looks like it's back to me going to Urgent Care. It's a real shame that doctor's take in way too many patients than they can handle. Thank goodness for urgent care or I would be in some real serious trouble. read more

Just called to schedule a new patient appt., as my ins. assigned me to her. Was told by the receptionist to call back after July 1st, and could expect another two weeks for the actual appt., and for any specific visit, a 3 wk wait, or more. What's the point? Calling my ins. now to get a change for a new Primary Care Doctor. read more

I don't quite know how to not vent my frustration with Dr. Garafalo's office here, but I'll try. I have been trying for weeks to get an appointment there, based on a referral from Pacific Pain Physicians. I have had my nurse/case manager send authorization there twice. Both times, after following-up with phone calls from me, I have been asked what insurance I have. When they hear that I have workers comp, I am told that they have NOT received the paperwork (although when they hear my name, I am told "that sounds familiar". Of course it sounds familiar--you just got a fax with my name on it. Now. If Dr. Garafalo DOES NOT want to accept workers comp, then they should tell callers this. My workers comp is actually from out-of-state and pays promptly. She doesn't know that, because I am just dismissed outright. I guess because I do not have my own insurance paying for the visit (this visit is because of an on-the-job injury (2005) and foot surgery which I had in 2007) her office doesn't want to have a damned thing to do with me. That's okay, Dr. Garafalo. I will find another foot doctor in Santa Barbara who has a better receptionist, a better and warmer telephone person and better policies with regard to workers comp. You are not the only game in town. I will make sure lots of folks know about you, because I am also going to write to the Santa Barbara newspaper about you. I want the city to know about your snobbish, elitist ways when it comes to dealing with injured people. You see, even those of us with workers comp matter, too. And we also know how to write. read more

Dr. Joe Garofalo, Goleta, is excellent!! What a great guy!! I have not only gone to him for plantar faciitis years ago,(which he took are of with cortisone shot, great kindness and friendliness, and knowledge), but also needed to go in today for a swollen right foot ,on top of foot, and with ultrasound he did in the office, and cortisone, my sprained foot is now feeling great!! He really is a pro, and deserves top reviews! Very personable and professional!! read more

The worst doctors office I've ever experienced!!! Stay away!! The staff are RUDE, don't care, actually lie to you about whether they have received faxes or if the doctors in. I have never seen worst patient care in my life!! Find another doctor, don't go here. The doctor isn't up to speed with electronic files, she shuffles through papers and is ready to retire. I am my mothers medical advocate and the staff is so rude and snotty. The never greet you or say hello. They don't treat their patients with any compassion. They act like you are bothering them when trying to get simple care and instructions. Both office ladies have lied directly to me on the phone whether or not they have received faxes. My mother has been waiting for a complete order for a wheelchair (she can no longer walk) for over two months because that office lied about receiving the proper faxed paperwork. I faxed it over myself to MAKE SURE they got it. I've had to call them two times a day to make sure they process this. It's HORRIBLE there!! Save your loved one or yourself the stress, don't go to this doctor!!!!! read more

AVOID THIS PLACE. The only reason I got stuck here was because my stupid HMO was so limited and other doctors weren't accepting new patients. Hopefully you're not as unlucky as me. The doctors who work here need to retire. They are not up to date with how they run things, which makes everything less efficient than offices that use actual TECHNOLOGY. I can't see them ever wanting to change things, as they are already so old. Joanne is old, doesn't remember anything about you when you come back, and gives THE WORST annual pap smears I've ever had. I am used to going to an actual gynecologist for pap smears, and she alone made me switch back to a PPO so I can choose my gynecologist. It was traumatic...I have never felt so uncomfortable. I don't think she used lube on the tool and just stuck it up there. I bled for hours. I have never bled from a regular pap smear after my very first one, until I came here. She also left the room with the tool inside me, legs spread eagle, and LEFT THE DOOR OPEN! ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? Aside from the pap from HELL, the office and exam rooms are very old, outdated, and don't feel clean. Something about the exam room makes me want a shower when I leave... not good. The waiting room is very cramped if there are more than 2 waiting. I can vouch for other Yelp reviewers here that the front desk staff are extremely rude. I have also been lied to about them receiving faxed or emailed paperwork. I don't know if that laziness or incompetence. The main receptionist, unlike everyone else, is young. But she is rude to everyone I've seen her interact with, in person and especially over the phone. It's hard to get what you need in a timely manner, such as prescriptions, or communication with the doctor. The patients here also seem to be very old. I feel out of place and uncomfortable every time I've been here. I'm 31 and all I expect is a friendly staff, an efficient system, and some upkeep on the office and exam rooms. They seem to not care about those things, so I'll never be back... thank god January came around and I was able to switch to a PPO!!!! See ya NEVER! read more

Just as everyone has mentioned: worst mistake of my life. I had to change to her because my primary care physician was back in my home town 4 hours away and I needed a quick referral because I have a tumor that needs removing. You would think that with a tumor I would get a reasonable appointment.... but instead I had to wait 2 weeks to be seen. When I was, my appointment was at 2 and I was not seen until 2:50. Likewise, I waited an additional 30 minutes once in the room. She took a look at my ultrasound results from another doctor and asked about one question and then was done with me. She didn't ask me how I was or what she could do to help. She was useless and made me feel very uncomfortable about a very sensitive topic. Also, I told her I had problems with occasional blindness as well and she said she needed to refer me to an ophthalmologist. The office said they would call me if the insurance approval went through. They called me a few days later saying my original doctor appointment wasn't covered by the insurance because it wasn't updated to their location. It was. I called the insurance company to make sure and their office back and forth until they finally realized they were wrong. Then I waited another two weeks and they didn't call me back for the eye referral. I called them! They said they didn't know what I was talking about and asked me to tell them my symptoms again! I told them and they said they would call back. They finally did late the NEXT day and said I didn't need a referral. I knew this was untrue but called my insurance company to check just to make sure. They said I DID need one. I called her office AGAIN and after being put on hold for another 15 minutes they had me describe my symptoms a third time and said they would call me again the next day. Beyond ridiculous. This is the hell of healthcare. read more

The receptionist at the front desk is nasty. My son went there 2 times. I needed a statement for flexible spending account. I called the office to request one. She was rude and told me to come to the office to collect it. It is a 20 min. drive for us. I asked her if she could mail it to me. She said she "will let the doctor know". The doctor got paid thousands of dollars from my son's visit. I think we deserve a better treatment. read more

I found the Dr. here to be decent. The office staff could improve in their getting back to me but I can understand a Dr.'s office getting extremely overloaded now and again. read more

Horrible. Horrible. I was very sick called the office. The person on the phone was rude questioned why I had not gone to urgent care earlier. Made me feel worthless. No appointments. I could call back later to see. Very un caring. I do not want. To be involved with a dr who would have this kind of staff. I immediately called and changed to a different dr. I am done. read more

Dr Joe Goe's staff can't seem to ansewr simple billing questions. I was charged $80 an office visit once then $150 the second time. I called to get answers and was told "well that must be what he charges". I said it was the same exact treatment. The rude girl just said she would mention it to the Dr. I told her to cancell my next appt. that I would not be back. This is not due to just this but other factors as well such as a dirty office's and waiting room. feeling rushed at times. It's just not worth dealing with an upity, rude office staff. I will find anither DPM. read more

My insurance company assigned me to this doctor. Walking into the the waiting room alone is enough to make you want to turn and leave. This office serves not only Joanne Garofalo, but also 2 other doctors, one of which is a podiatrist. The waiting room is the size of a small bathroom and there are several patients with crutches who need to sit which is virtually impossible in the tiny space they allow us to wait for literal hours in. All I required from Dr. Garafalo at this visit was a few referrals. After waiting for 45 minutes, I inquired about the wait and was abruptly answered with "I cannot guarantee your wait time - once the door closes, I have no control as to how long the visit will be". Why it is that they cannot call their scheduled patients to inform them they are running an hour behind schedule is beyond me - it would seem to alleviate some of the anger that was flowing out of that room that day. 20 minutes later, I was ushered into the dingiest, most outdated room and was told to wait yet again. Once I finally was seen by her, she seemed rude and irritated, extremely abrupt and essentially exasperated by request for a referral. I would not waste your time here - she seems overbooked and uncaring. I felt like a complete fool for wasting my time here and will most definitely assign myself a new doctor. read more

From the moment you call to make the appointment or walk through the door you are not greeted with the normal smiles or pleasantries, rather the bark and bite of two mean and nasty women.The dead stare of their eyes tells the whole story and you would think their primary purpose in life is to make your life miserable. If they say sit and you sit, they then speak to you as if you are the stupidest idiot for doing what they asked. There's a bitterness to their words, unless of course they are speaking to the Doctor or a Spanish speaking person and then they laugh, smile and have personalities. There is never a thank you only a primary purpose of what can I do NOT to help you. There is a whole set of unwritten rules, when they do things, what they will do and won't, but don't expect that it will be like any other office you have ever been to: some rule are conviently made up on the spot or different each time depending on the day or the mood. What's sad is that Dr Joanne can be engaging and caring to your face even if she makes you wait 45 minutes to an hour past your scheduled time. And telling her about her staff does no good. She's treated just fine by them and feels they work hard.I too would give the whole office a negative rating. read more