Dr. Deborah Vanwilligen, MD

Dr VW has always been willing to listen to whatever medical issues I’ve had going on…very thorough. Hard to believe others who gave her a poor review are talking about the same doctor

Zero compassion apparent. Acts like a high priest who will give or withhold information as she sees fit, rarely answers any questions directly, just this side of outright dismissive and rude. She may be perfectly competent and knowledgeable, but my experience with her was zero star. I'm leaving the area, had to cancel a visit, and was told she would only give any remarks on my recent labs if I rescheduled. Anything beyond the bare minimum preventive care seems to be too much to ask.Awful.Doing their best : overworked staff are courteous and efficient and kind.

I saw Dr. Van Willigan for approximately 3 years, maybe 5 visits. Her office was impossible to get into on short notice-- twice when I was very sick they told me they had 1-2 month wait, which indicates she doesn’t treat sick people, she does Medicare physicals and writes prescriptions, and refers everything else out to specialists. She ignored my symptoms - fever 2 weeks after surgery and it turned into a major infection, hospitalized 9 days. She knew I went to the ER, but never called to check on me. She was very concerned when my insurance called her on a prescription she wrote that was not suitable for me, but my immediate problem of a fever after surgery was secondary. When I pointed out what I felt was happening, she dismissed me as her patient and as a patient for anyone in her practice citing “unpleasant interactions.” I would not recommend this doctor. Read LessSubmitted Aug 23, 2024

She was my Primary Care Physician for 7 years. I came here from Utah with a Severe Physical Disability and on a pain plan when I got here. She was very understanding and empathetic for 4 years. Until she took a trip to Germany for a year. When she got back it was as if a light switch went off. She became extremely vindictive and icy cold. She displayed NO empathy, NO compassion, and was Incredibly Dismissive. It was as if she just turned on me. I even gave her the benefit of the doubt for 2 Long years. Saying to myself that, " maybe she's having family problems of some sort? But her strange behavior continued on for 2 solid years. I felt like she had become Extremely Vindictive! My refills wouldn't get sent to my pharmacist, and she would blame the mixup on Them I finally had a long talk with the pharmacist who informed me to what She was doing. It wasn't the pharmacist fault, it was HER fault. She became someone I didn't know? For anyone looking for a Primary Care Physician, stay away from her if you have Any musculoskeletal disabilities. It's almost as if she enjoys watching people Suffer. She is a control freak who will run her patients ragged with a handful of paperwork Everytime you go to see her. It's just over the top. She, for me, just became obnoxious in every way. So I told her exactly what I've said here. Right to her face, and then I fired her. Her staff was always great ??. Friendly, punctual and professional. But Vanwilligan, eww! Stay away from this one.

I've been very appreciative of Dr. Vanwilligen's work. She's thorough, knowledgeable and efficient. I feel that my health is being monitored carefully and effectively. She was also very helpful when we determined that I needed a specialist referral. I'm very happy to have found an excellent local GP.

Prospective patients need to now that this person is the most empty, uncaring person I've encountered in any profession. She makes her own rules that suit her best interests and doesn't see patients as people, just another payment. She knows her science but has absolutely no empathy or compassion. She'll draw out visits/treatment to milk insurance reimbursement. If you have no choice, she might not let you die. Depends on what's in it for her.

Dr. Van Willigen has always taken the time necessary to fully understand my situation and work towards a common sense solution. She has changed my medications to ones that were more effective for me and analyzed the results after each change.

She is professional and formal but seems very unwelcoming to her patient. She is also judgmental on appearance for anyone who may look different. During my recent visit she completely disregarded a diagnosis from a hospital without explanation or answering my questions. I feel like I was brushed off without my symptoms being taken seriously. My previous visits have had similar outcomes.