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Dr. Patrick Sullivan, MD

Dr. Patrick Sullivan, MD

Orthopedic Surgery*
40+ years of experience

Dr. Patrick Sullivan, MD is an orthopedic surgeon in West Des Moines, IA and has over 40 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 1981. He is affiliated with medical facilities Pella Regional Health Center and UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He is accepting new patients.

4.1 Star Rating
Based on 53 reviews 4.1 Star Rating (53 reviews)

Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons

6001 Westown Pkwy West Des Moines, IA 50266

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At a Glance

  • Area of Expertise
    Dr. Sullivan specializes in the area of Orthopedic Surgery. See board certifications
  • Explains Conditions Well
    Patients said this doctor explains conditions well. See reviews
  • Hospital Satisfaction
    Patients said they were highly satisfied at this doctor's hospital. See hospitals
  • Trustworthy
    Patients said this doctor is trustworthy. See reviews
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Dr. Sullivan's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Sullivan

4.1
53 ratings, 21 with a written review
5 star
70%
70%
4 star
4%
4%
3 star
4%
4%
2 star
8%
8%
1 star
15%
15%

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Terrible
Has absolute horrible bedside manner and is extremely rude and not compassionate towards children. When my son was 5 and broke his arm they casted it and it swelled up and was causing him extreme pain, so we had to have it split. The orthotechs who split it held the friction saw too long in one spot and burnt my son. He was screaming “mommy help me, make them stop” and they kept telling me he was fine and he couldn’t be hurting he was only scared. Ended up taking 8 hours to split the cast and Sullivan refused to recast it and we had to go back every week to have it xrayed to make sure it was ok and still in place since they only wrapped the cast with an ace bandage to keep in place after they split it. My son got it wet and when I called to tell them he treated me like I was a horrible parent and needed to be better. Then when the cast was removed my son had approximately 1.5 inch long burn that was still an open wound on his arm where they indeed were burning him while he was crying!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
Helpful
Anonymous – Nov 17, 2023
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I would definitely recommend Dr. Sullivan.
Dr. Sullivan presented all my options clearly and allowed me to make an informed decision about my future care. His experience as a surgeon is comforting and I feel confident in a positive outcome.
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
Craig Anderson – Feb 06, 2023
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Dr. Patrick Sullivan has replaced both my knees and completed a lateral release on the left one. I am very happy with the outcome of all three procedures. He is extremely professional and skilled. He listens and offers his perspective very well. I am happy to say he is a skilled and thoughtful surgeon.
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
John Mathed – Feb 03, 2023
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An excellent Doctor and surgeon!
Very attractive and professional.
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
Dec 10, 2022
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Dr. Sullivan is excellent.
He and his staff are excellent communicators and practice at the highest levels.
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
Denny – Nov 26, 2022
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Very caring
Dr. Sullivan and his team were all very caring and thorough when explaining my issue and proposed surgical plan. No pressure and willing to answer any and all questions we had.
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
Jana – Nov 02, 2022
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He’s one of the best! Did my left in 2021 and my right in 2022- always answered my questions and gave great explanations of what would happen
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
Londa W – Oct 24, 2022
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Smooth Hip Replacement
Minimal bruising and pain was controlled. Dr is straightforward and gets to the point. Highly recommend.
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
Sep 30, 2022
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Good experience
Dr Sullivan explains what to exspect. The hip replacement went well and I am very pleased with the results. Dr Sullivan's team is the best.
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
Gene Peebles – Sep 30, 2022
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Awesome surgeon
Dr Sullivan treated me with respect answering all my questions every time I seen him before he left the room he ask me if there were anything else I was worried about he replaced both my hips and I couldn’t be happier
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
William phillips – Sep 30, 2022
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Trustworthy
My hip is a work comp issue. Dr Sullivan has been great to work with helping me instead of worrying about the insurance company. Most importantly, he has my trust in caring for me. Also, Annie is great!
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
Sep 29, 2022
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Very Disappointed
Recently went in to speak with Dr. Sullivan on a chronic knee issue. While he explained the issue to me, his overall bedside manner was very poor. He dismissed my concerns and said: "You'll just be in a pain often and have to live with it" and then acted like he couldn't leave the room fast enough, while pushing the nurses back in to talk to me instead. Would not recommend him to another patient.
What went well
  • Office environment
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Anonymous – Aug 11, 2022
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Kudos to Dr. Patrick! As I went to see him about an orthopedic problem with my leg, I explained about some vascular problems I was having. He said before he would treat me for the joint problem, he want to have me see a vascular doctor. It turned out I had much more pressing issue with that. As also had an appointment with a cardiologist (blood pressure issue), and As I explained to her about the vascular problem in my leg, she informs me,"let's get back to cardio" and wanted more 'distractions'. How ironic! Thank you, Dr. Patrick!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
RON L BARTELT – Feb 23, 2022
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Dr Sullivan doesn’t have much of a bedside manner and is very abrupt and seems in a hurry to get out of the room.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Long wait times
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Dec 24, 2021
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He doesn’t listen to the patient. I had my hip done and have had groin pain ever since. He said to me oh well, at least you don’t have back pain any more. I begged for Physical therapy and he said no need, keep walking. Finally went to my family doc who sent me to PT. I’m finally doing better and losing the groin pain after 4’years. Not going back to Sullivan
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Long wait times
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Ann – Oct 01, 2021
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Dr. Sullivan was very good to me when I had bilateral knee replacement in 2016. He came to see me during my first couple days right after surgery, taking the time to actually sit with me and answer questions. He also came back another time during the initial recovery to see how well I was walking. He did two manual adjustments when I asked him to and saw me on two occasions when I was sure I had messed up my new hardware. I really do appreciate, too, that he agreed to do this surgery as another doc had told me he wouldn't do it until I lost more weight. Dr. Sullivan took one look at my X-rays and said "When do you want to do this? " I felt like he understood that I am a motivated person who would do everything I could, with swimming, PT, exercise, etc. to both recover and lose more weight. He showed the wisdom of being able to read and understand me as a person, as well as the most obvious fact that, of course, I couldn't go on with knees that could be felt & heard crunching!
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
Helpful
Peggy G. in Des Moines, IA – Jun 20, 2019
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Dr. Sullivan is a caring well educated surgeon. He spent time with my husband and me alleviating all concerns about hip replacement surgery. His staff was amazing.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 27, 2019
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I took a nasty fall in Sept and I knew immediately something was wrong. I was taken to ER and ER sent me home saying the x-ray on my knee came back normal. If it had not been for my husband telling ER off, I don't think I would have gotten in the next day with Dr. Sullivan. Dr. Sullivan knew I was in extreme pain, scheduled a MRI and was given pain pills that week. Went back Monday and was scheduled for surgery. Dr. Sullivan was kind and patient with me explaining what will take place.
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
Margie Patyk in Ankeny, IA – Nov 02, 2017
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I had a full hip replacement in November of 2015. Being only 42 I was very young and apprehensive about the surgery. Everything went perfect. Zero pain. I am stronger than ever. He helped me through the whole process and was very good at answering questions.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Neil Gilmore in Norwalk, IA – Jun 14, 2017
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Dr has no bedside manner & very rude, abrupt has the superiority attitude. Doesn't talk to the patient instead talks to his assistant & makes his assistant give directions to the patient. Not coming back to this doctor & not recommending him to anyone.
What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
16 others found this helpful
Helpful
Clive, IA – Apr 04, 2017
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About Me

care philosophy

To provide each patient with the highest quality of orthopaedic care possible. This involves every facet of the patient's experience at DMOS, from the moment a patient visits our facility to the moment they leave. They become a part of our DMOS family and our rich tradition of always exceeding patient expectations.
  • Orthopedic Surgery

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

  • Hospital For Special Surgery

    Fellowship Hospital, 1987
  • Combined With Residency

    Internship Hospital, 1986
  • University Of Iowa Carver College Of Medicine

    Medical School, 1981
  • Dartmouth College

    Undergraduate School, 1977
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery®
Orthopedic Surgery
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.

Locations

Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons

Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons PC6001 Westown Pkwy West Des Moines, IA 50266
1
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 7:45am - 4:00pm
  • Directions

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Pella Regional Health Center

    404 Jefferson St
    Pella, IA 50219

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

    88%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home
    80%
    Patients who gave a rating of 9 or 10

    5% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center

    1200 Pleasant St
    Des Moines, IA 50309
    Recipient of 5
    hospital 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

    77%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    1% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality