Dr. James Speakman, MD

I don't even want to say doctor speakman as I have had better doctors. I am 61 and he is like 54 and he was arrogant in his delivery. I had a cat scan that said I had gallbladder sludge from the emergency room a month before I saw him and I asked him how many stones do I have and he said not sure and I said can I take something to dissolve the sludge and he said I don't do that . He said I thought you were here to schedule a surgery to have your gallbladder removed, I said I never said that or had plans for that without seeing if there were other options. With me saying that he was thru with me as seeing me as a potential patient without having a surgery that he could not even clarify why I should have it! He never physically checked me and he only went by the remarks of the cat scan and never seen the scan on a disc to know how bad was the gallbladder! I will see a hepatologist instead. This guy is not worth my time as I wasn't worth his! If you do see him get second opinion.

I found Dr Speakman to be communicative, caring, skilled in his field, and I would highly recommend him. He was thorough in his explanation of my condition and how the surgery would be done.

Dr. Speakman was pleasant and helpful in explaining my condition, how surgery could resolve the problem and in explaining risks. I felt comfortable and confident with his expertise. During my post-op visit, he took his time to review my status and explain how the healing was progressing. Hope I don't need future surgeries of any kind, but I'll certainly go to Dr. Speakman if I do.

When I was a patient in the hospital, my first nurse said; "I would trust my life to Dr. Speakman but I don't want to tell him because I don't want his head to swell too much. I hope Dr. Speakman's head does swell, he is honest, straightforward and technically, a fantastic surgeon. I know because I am a surgeon.

I attended my mothers consultation with her last week regarding her surgery for melanoma on her right arm. When asked about returning to work he said she’d need a few days but if he had to remove lymph nodes she’d need light duty due to the nature of her job that requires repeated heavy lifting. Her surgery was yesterday, he removed a group of lymph nodes and refused to write her a note requiring light duty. She isn’t scheduled to get her stitches out for 2-3 weeks. It is of zero consequence to him if he writes a light duty condition for her. It just takes a few moments of his time to ensure that his patient has appropriate aftercare instructions and that includes associated documentation needed for their employers if it is needed. I wasn't there with her to press him in person on the issue and it is too early to call the office, but I will be in a few hours. She can rip her stitches out if she has to return to lifting up to 70lb bags on a repeated basis so soon after surgery.

I had surgery for a hiatal hernia. And also a g-tube installed, my condition was very serious, so much so Dr Speakman had to stop the first surgery attempt, and within three more days he was able to proceed and complete the surgery, I will share with you ,that because my disability and situation , he said my surgery was one of the most challenging and complex he has ever done! And thank God I'm alive and recovering now!

Very professional and knowledgeable

From all I've heard and my own experience with him, Dr. Speakman is an excellent surgeon, but not so good at listening and talking to patients.

Yes, he is arrogant, dismissive of what the patient has to say, etc. I also spent my career as an RN. I've seen the best and the worst. Dr. Speakman is neither, but certainly not the best. He took no notes about important things we discussed, then forgot them, resulting in mistakes that severely hurt my recovery. Then laughed it off saying if he took notes, he'd just forget his notes. Ha ha. Even if you want an arrogant comic for a surgeon, I'd not recommend him, he's not that funny.

I am a RN. I also work at DRMC. I am particular about who I let touch my family or me. Dr. Speakman saw me in the emergency room after I came in with severe chest pain. He performed gall bladder surgery with in 1.5 hours. I left the hospital that day! Some people may like for a doctor to sugar coat issues. I prefer someone to be straight up with me. Dr. Speakman was exactly that! I am very impressed with Dr. Speakman and would feel comfortable sending my friends & family to him. Kudos Doc!

After unknown diagnosis by many doctors, Dr. Speakman knew exactly what was causing my abdominal pain and scheduled laparoscopic surgery to correct the internal hernia. Dr. Speakman was very friendly and always had my best interest in mind. He always explained everything in easy to understand terms. Thank you Dr. Speakman.

I would NEVER refer a family member or friend to Dr. Speakman. He was cold, rude and arrogant, as if his opinions were all that mattered. He didn't want to listen to what I needed as a patient. He did not care about my medical emergency. I am shocked that anyone would see him more than once!

My mom went to see Dr Speak man. We were referred there by 3 doctors for immediate gallbladder surgery. Dr Speakman refused to take out my moms gallbladder because AND I QUOTE "I DONT WANT PEOPLE TO THINK BADLY OF ME FOR TAKING OUT GOOD GALLBLADDERS". Now, we have 3 doctors and countless tests that say it needs to go. Whoever gave this man a medical degree was an idiot. I hope people read this and think badly of him from now on.

Spoke with Dr. Speakman on having surgery, I found him to be extremely arrogant , thinking he knows best of how you should be with out knowing anything else that is going on with you. I will not use this doctor, specially ones that think they know more than god.