Upstate New York Va Healthcare System - Western Ny

Primary Care at the Buffalo VA is horrible. My specialty care experience has been good and the ER is somewhere in between. I can honestly say I hate the Buffalo VA and I don't use that word lightly.

The BFLO VA provides EXCELLENT Health Care. I have used nearly every clinic due to multiple SERVICE CONNECTED injuries.

I have NEVER had to wait more than 30 days for ANY appointment, including MRIs, CT-Scans, Physical Therapy, and so on.

The outpatient care, pharmacy, Veteran Service Center, VETERAN VOLUNTEER drivers have all been fantastic. The Hospital may not be perfect but I'll take it over Mercy, Bflo Gen, etc.

I've read a few complaints about Neurosurgeons - The Bflo VA does offer NEUROSURGERY; you can choose a local Neurosurgeon working with the COMMUNITY Health Care Team.

I've had TWO cervical surgeries done by Dr. James Egnatchik, BILLS were paid on time, appointments were made and kept...NO ISSUES AT ALL. So if YOU have an issue with a NEUROSURGEON, don't blame the Bflo VA.

I've also used the Mental Health clinic. The Bflo VA offers "walk-in" mental health care, they offer LONG-TERM, Group, One on One psychotherapy help - again, what the heck are people complaining about. I've always been treated with respect and empathy. If you had a problem, maybe the problem was you??

I always get great and fast service.

The pharmacy nurse or whoever has no idea what's really going on a script. Keep getting different excuse on why it hasn't been sent. Ridiculous. Now 4 days without meds

I have been going to the Buffalo VA since 2007, and oh how drastically worse it has become. From 'doctors' (use the term loosely for who failed elsewhere and where lucky enough to get a cushy Gov't job)
From being told my back pain was in my head and sent to psych eval and counseling, guess what? My back pain from a bulging disc and deterioration of tissue didn't disappear with psychiatric drugs.... You know what did disappear in the 4 years I have been fighting the VA to be seen? The cartilage between my discs. This is simply the Ortho department.

Let me tell you about this Buffalo VA refusing payments for consults they approved and promised payment, I didn't find this out until $25,000 hit my credit report... Oh it gets better.... Has taken about 2 years and the bills are still not completely paid.

Let's address the Mental Health department., where you request an appointment for one thing, they make it for another person or counseling session, yet require you to take responsibility for their incompetence. Don't even get started on the 'doctors' here.
Perfect example is 'doctor' Ismael Gonzalez a psychologist. Unprofessional, sexist, self-absorbed individual who made the session about him and his 'power' play. A psychologist taunting patients when they call him out of his unprofessional and downright rude behavior, and these are the individuals who are supposed to help veterans sort through their mental issues? No wonder veterans feel desolate, unheard, at the end of their rope when you have individuals mock their pain and needs. But i am sure 'Dr' Gonzalez will get A promotion, as has 'Dr.' Ziev, after lying and butchering my surgery.

The lack of accountability at this facility is astounding. I have addressed my concerns with Michael Swartz the Director at the VA... But I have come to realize the employees in an organization are simply a reflection of their leadership, so I have no expectations this will change anytime soon.
Save yourselves the headache and if you are able request care outside this Hell hole, do it.