Doctor Thomas MD & Associates

I must start by saying that my review is based solely on my experience with the check in desk of the clinic and specifically with knowlegable, kind and helpful Barbara.
I know, it may seem totally odd to write a review about a business haven’t used it’s core service but here’s how it goes.
On August 2010 I was staying for a few months pet sitting a friend’s parrot while she was away. During that time I had a need to see a doctor, honestly I had even forgot why. I also have forgotten who referred me to Dr. Thomas clinic, maybe a common friend, the social services or just an internet search. However I arrived there one afternoon (very hot one in Yucca Valley’s August summer) and was asking for low-​income medical help. It is not easy for a single, non pregnant male :), not disabled and under 65 to get such as I experienced before. However Barbara, on top of being so truly friendly on a first drop-​in of a stranger-​in-​town was also very keen on helping and sharing her resourceful knowledge. She told me about a federal health plan for low income patients, helped me fill up the forms and processed the submission. Just to remind you, this is a private doctor’s office and here Barbara was giving me all the help and attention to just file a social services application.
The weeks passed, I left Joshua Tree, kept on traveling and later been to India for almost a year. I never found out about the case, apparently I gave my Joshua Tree address or asked to hold my mail at the clinic and was never back to collect it.
Today, while out for a doctor as I serve in the near by Twentynine Palms SCVC vipassana center, I recalled that experience and was out to find the clinic. All I had with me was the vision of the location. No address, phone or business name. luckily I found it about 25 miles down the desert highway and went in. Barbara (She actually had to recall me her name, my poor memory and many new faces I meet along the way…) was right there at the desk greeting and listening as ever. I told her I was there about 2 years earlier and she completed my sentence…‘And you never came back to take your mail… or something?’ I was so surprised she remembered just an occasional patient of long back. She said: ‘well, you were very nice’ (good to know… thanks…). I was there again to check on a rash I had spread all over my body since the course teacher suggested I check it’s not contagious while serving at the center’s kitchen. Barbara again helped with current information, directions and suggestions. I followed and applied at the nearby Social Services branch and then came back to ask for same-​day help. They do have it in clinic but possibly hardly affordable for me, she referred me to a near by almost free clinic.
Now what more can you expect from a private clinic check-​in secretary?
Thank you, thank you, thank you Barbara !!!