Dr. Deborah Baum, MD

I love Dr. Baum. That being said, I am 79 years old and have COPD. I have been seeing Dr. Baum for over ten years. I have called the office five times this year trying to get an appointment. The scheduling staff have been rude and nasty. I am always told I'll be put on a waiting list.I am frustrated and offended. I am forced to find another pulmonologist.

Talks a big game, does nothing. She has no clue as to the etiology of my issues. Ignored the medical history info I provided her, esp. as related to my lungs.The office canceled a return visit even though we made a 2nd appointment when we visited last time. First she was on vacation they said, then the appointment vanished. I do not recommend this doctor or her office staff. Wasted my time and money.

I saw the doctor a couple of times and she spent considerable amount of time during my visit. She is very thorough and was very positive. The only negative thing is that its difficult to get an appointment because she works in the ICU plus her practice.

Find a Dr who is caring and empathetic, not Dr Baum. Mom entered the hospital with breathing issues. When Dr B finally came to the waiting room, she didn't have the grace to admit she was the one responsible for intubating mom, which caused a double perforation, necessitating emergency stomach surgery or she would die of sepsis. Later that week, Dr. B claimed she had tried to find us before this, but we were in that waiting room or by my mother’s side every single day, all day. A hospital rep recorded two similar conversations with my family, during which Dr. B said my mom had “lousy lungs” 6 times within the first 12’, as well as “s**t happens”. . Mom was on a vent for 2 wks before passing away. Personnel in the ICU area remarked that the stomach perforation was a major setback. My family found Dr. Baum to be coarse and utterly lacking in compassion and humility. I still have nightmares about this, 3 1/2 yrs later. Drs need to show compassion during traumatic health events.

Went for my first visit (Waited a month). De Baum listened to my concerns. Then she handed me a sample inhaler. I told her I had previously been on that same inhaler and it didn't help. She ripped open the package and insisted I take my first puff there. Now I know why. She actually billed my insurance for that sample med. omg. Clearly she wasn't interested in helping me, just billing my insurance.

She is competent and caring. She saved my life.