Silpa Avula, MD

We love Dr. Avula but her new office is beyond horrible. She’s been my Mom’s doctor for years and her expertise and bedside manner are excellent. However, after waiting an hour in her cramped, depressing waiting room I told the receptionist we would have to reschedule as it appeared we ‘might’ get in by noon for a 10’30am appt. This never happened at her old offices. Also I was informed my car could be towed as I was parked across the parking lot. When I asked where we could park, I was told ‘the street’. Nice walk for my 83 year old Mom. If we didn’t love Dr. Avula so much we would’ve switched doctors today.

I’m writing this review as I often find it very helpful to read reviews of doctors when trying to choose one who best suits me.
I have a rheumatological disease that requires me to see a cardiologist every other year or so as a preventative measure. I am TERRIFIED of cardiologists (long, personal story), so I thought it’d be best to choose one close to home so I didn’t chicken out. I live fairly close to O’Connor Hospital, so off I went.
I’m a regular patient at PAMF, so at first glance, this office seemed a bit… old. The front desk people were nice enough, but, again, it was old. I met Dr. Avula, who seemed to be pretty personable, and she recommended that I get an EKG, a stress test, and an ultrasound of the heart to make sure everything was working as it should.
I went through the stress test fine (the machinery was past its prime, however) and then did the ultrasound. I came back to get the results about a week later. Dr. Avula said that everything looked «fine», but when I got back to work, I read through the report. First of all, the ultrasound report stated that I had a mitral valve prolapse in addition to a mitral valve calcification, both which are typically found in those in the 60’s (I’m 27), and can require surgery. Dr. Avula also said that I may have a small hole in my heart, and that she might think about doing an endoscopy-​type test to see if it was really legitimate. Needless to say, I was pretty worried, and I called the front desk to ask them to give a message to the doctor, asking her to explain what the report said more thoroughly. I never received a call back.
At the advice of my partner, I scheduled a second opinion. This was done in a facility with much younger, more advanced equipment, and with a doctor that had superior credentials. After the test was finished, he stated that I had a very healthy heart and that there was NO prolapse and NO mitral valve calcification, stating that the other cardiologists’s findings were a bit… out there.
I then received a bill for about $ 100 in the mail. I wrote them a very polite letter as to the reason I didn’t feel comfortable in paying the balance, only to receive one back saying that this was a «completely different test» (um, no, very much the same) that the other cardiologist ran, and that I was still responsible for the bill.
Yeah, Dr. Avula. Not happening.

I have be a Patient of Dr. Avula for two years and she has done more for my case than any Doctor to date. She solved a problem with my heart medication that would have lead to my death had she not caught it. She has stood by my side as a partner in health care. The staff has been an asset as well whether renewing prescriptions, working with my Insurance, scheduling procedures, and friendliness. I am fortunate to have Dr. Avula and her staff as part of my team. I am blessed to have such great medical care.

Dr Avula has been my doctor for a year. She is very knowledgeable, friendly, and explains things well. My Cardiac Catheterization when very smooth. Staff always know me by name when I walk in, and makes me feal at ease. Always seen in 15 munites. Also a O Comer Hospital doctor. Takes all insurgence is good.