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Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald, MD

Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald, MD

Ear, Nose, and Throat*

Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald, MD is a head & neck surgery otolaryngologist in Poway, CA. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Palomar Medical Center Escondido and Palomar Medical Center Downtown Escondido. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

3.6 Star Rating
Based on 26 reviews 3.6 Star Rating (26 reviews)

Locations

Pomerado Medical Center

Pomerado Medical Center15611 Pomerado Rd Poway, CA 92064
1
New Patient?
(858) 437-9941

Dr. Fitzgerald is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Ear, Nose, and Throat

The Healthgrades Choice designation helps you understand the most important factors to consider when choosing a healthcare professional. This designation is earned based on four set standards.
Read our methodology

  • Above average experience
  • Good hospital quality
  • Good patient ratings
  • No healthcare sanctions
  • Areas of ExpertiseDr. Fitzgerald specializes in the areas of Otolaryngology & Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. See board certifications
  • TrustworthyPatients said this doctor is trustworthy. See reviews
  • Offers TelehealthThis doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top HospitalPatient Safety Excellence Award™ See hospitals

More Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialists at Palomar Health

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Dr. Fitzgerald's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Fitzgerald

3.6
26 ratings, 11 with a written review
5 star
58%
58%
4 star
8%
8%
3 star
4%
4%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
31%
31%

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Telehealth
I am writing this review after I have been patient for a year. This is the worst medical experience I have ever had. Don't go to this doctor Patrick Fitzgerald ,because you will regret it! I should write one star review after first time see him and change a Doctor.I have been to see him for 11times since March 2024. because of excessive nasal discharge and nasal congestion. I have spent a lot of time and energy to see him, but my nose issues has been no improvement.He is very arrogant, impatient and unprofessional. Although each appointment with him takes at least a month. But most of the time he will talk to you for less than 10 minutes. He will even ask you what can I do for you? Obviously, he didn’t review my case History and he forget that he asked me to come back to see him .He will start the Procedure before the anesthesia takes effect, causing me to suffer a lot of pain!There is no written visit record every time
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
Helpful
Apr 22, 2025
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Outstanding doctor and surgeon!
I am happy to say I had a great experience with Dr Fitzgerald. He was very nice to me personally. He is compassionate, very knowledgeable, and professional. I had my sinus operation with him. The whole process from seeing the doctor before, and after the surgery was smooth. The receptionists and his team were always friendly and accommodating. Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald is an amazing doctor and outstanding surgeon. THANK YOU SO MUCH! The operation was a success!
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Claudia L – Jul 01, 2024
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He was very informative, listened, kind, patient and has a very calming demeanor. He went over the procedure with me including pre and post op care and answered all my questions. I had a great experience with him and can’t recommend him enough.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
K.D – Nov 17, 2023
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Terrible doctor in my opinion
In my opinion...Worst doctor, way better ENT out there and if you need sinus surgery go some where else.
What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Long wait times
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
May 26, 2023
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Kind and Gentle Doctor Highly Recommended
I was very satisfied with my visit to Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald. He was gentle and kind and took the time to listen to my ear health complaint. He then fixed the problem of wax in my ear by vacuuming it out! I definitely recommend Dr. Fitzgerald.
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 06, 2022
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I got a foreign object stuck in my ear before going to bed. I went to the ER was there for 3 hours hoping they can fix it but they couldn't get it out and traumatized me so they referred me to Dr. Fitzgerald. He made me feel confident that he can get it out and he has precised, gentle hands. I spent 20 minutes with him and went home relieved and happy. He's no BS at all, straightforward and kind. His staff in the lobby are nice, his MA was friendly over all great experience.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Abbygail Soriano – Mar 05, 2020
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Dr. Fitzgerald looked at my voice box and said i had a cancer and he looked after and before my radiation treatments . he found my cancer in early stage and i am cancer free to date. I find he is a terrific Dr.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Mar 19, 2019
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I have had major sinus issues since I was born. This is my second time back and I know why I left. Spent 5 minutes with the doctor, he looked in my nose and neglected my ear and say nothing he could do with no solutions. My copay for that 5 minute visit $350.00! Never again. No solutions!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mar 17, 2018
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Dr Fitzgerald was very rude & short felt like he was rushing us , also he talked to us like we were incompetent “I’m not gonna sit here and argue w/you,I’m the doctor and I’ve done this for a long time” while trying to explain my symptoms 2 him . I’m a cash patient so he gets his money right away, didn’t realize that I couldn’t have 5 mins of his time 2 discuss my symptoms. DO NOT waste your time and $ it’s $150-$200 per cash visit , not worth a single penny !!!!!!! Negative ??
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Carlsbad, CA – Oct 25, 2017
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I am writing this on behalf of both myself & my husband. We cannot be more thankful for being referred (by a friend who is a doctor) to this man. He was thorough in reviewing our concerns, communicated & expedited the needed direction quickly & is clearly technically skilled. More importantly, he & his assistant Lauren, went above & beyond to provide the needed care & compassion when we received a lymphoma diagnosis. Totally trust them. Someone else called him an angel-they got it right.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Carol A in Fallbrook, CA – Jan 23, 2017
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My daughter needed her tonsils removed and Dr Fitzgerald was not only an amazing surgeon, but he took the time with my daughter to make sure she was comfortable, he took the time to care for her. This is a good man and a good doctor and I am so thrilled we found him for this procedure.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Steve R in Encinitas, CA – Sep 08, 2016
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About Me

biography

Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald is a board certified otolaryngologist who has been in his profession for 15 years. He has particular interests in minimally invasive treatments for the paranasal sinuses and has particular experience and interest in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.
  • Ear, Nose, and Throat

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Stanford University School Of Medicine

    Residency Hospital
  • Georgetown University School Of Medicine

    Medical School
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology
American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery®
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Self designated 
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Dr. Fitzgerald is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Ear, Nose, and Throat

    Read our methodology

    Affiliated Hospitals

    • Palomar Medical Center Poway

      15615 Pomerado Rd
      Poway, CA 92064
      Recipient of 2
      hospital awards

      Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024)

      Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

      View all awards

      How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

      83%
      Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

      1% lower than the national average

      72%
      Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

      4% lower than the national average

      View all patient feedback
    • Palomar Medical Center Escondido

      2185 Citracado Pkwy
      Escondido, CA 92029
      Recipient of 14
      hospital awards

      Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

      Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

      America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Excellence Award™ (2023)

      Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

      View all awards

      How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

      85%
      Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

      1% higher than the national average

      75%
      Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

      1% lower than the national average

      View all patient feedback
    • Palomar Medical Center Downtown Escondido

      555 E Valley Pkwy
      Escondido, CA 92025
      Recipient of 10
      hospital awards

      Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

      Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

      View all awards
    Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality