The wait time is usually on the longer end and they can be hard to reach over phone. A lot of complications with prescriptions and insurance coverage. But the front desk is very nice and the nurse Sydney is very comforting and friendly. Shes very good at her job and helping me relax, I struggle with anxiety. But all in all it's close by and convenient for me. The therapist michael is also very professional and the best therapist I've ever had, and Ive had a few. Highly recommend. read more

This is for my 2016 experience in this clinic. 2 appointments in 2 weeks, both early Monday mornings First appointment: I got confused and came 1 hour 30 mins early. Even though I have an appointment, I didn't know my school needed a full physical exam, so they clinic had to do an unscheduled physical exam, which they normally don't do. So I appreciated that. Total time: 2 hours Second appointment: I arrived 15 mins early for a follow up. I agree with the other reviews below about the front desk's attitude. Both times I said hi after coming through the door, neither of the front desk girls said hello. No one said to have a seat, to sign in or to fill out any form. First time, I put my name on the sign in list and I knew I was a new patient so I started filling out a new patient form (because like I said, no one was even acknowledging my presence). Boy, that's got the girl UNHAPPY that I was jumping the gun. Well excuse me for doing what I was supposed to do. Second time, no "hello" but at least I got a "thank you" for the co-pay. I used to work in a doctors office so I know what's up, and I also know it's tough if you're real busy and ppl don't treat you right. So, I forgive them, but I'm giving them a low review still because the massive amount of attitude they hand out to other patients. Surprisingly, when I was in with Dr. Schmalz and his assistant, they tried really hard to accommodate my unscheduled physical exam and took care of everything. I was amazed and felt very "loved." There was no rushing or rudeness. The doctor and the nurse seemed to know each other for a long time so between themselves there's a type of communication that would take a stranger some getting-used-to. Between themselves, they're gonna sound like they're mad at you for just being there, but they really are not because when they talk to you, they're really nice. So, don't be intimidated. If you want to use this clinic, I highly recommend coming in earlier in the day. read more

I've been a patient at the Varona office for approximately 10 years and every time I go it's always just such a pleasant experience. Granted it's a doctors office so sometimes there's a wait, COVID has forced us all to be more patient, they are busy and things can get overwhelming, etc. Just be patient. Imagine what our days have been? Now multiply that by 50 and maybe you'll understand theirs. Dr. Ambrosio I can't say enough about. He's honest, he's real, smart -- no nonsense, and has a great sense of humor if you give this a minute to come out. The staff, nurses, PA's, all of them are wonderful. I went to FC on a whim years ago for a cold/sinus visit and am so grateful to have the team as my full time covering doctors office. read more

Patient here for 15+ yrs. Had an appt set for 11/9/23 at 10:15am for a blood pressure check. Required the typical 1 hour wait past the appt time. When I finally mentioned to Dr. Ambrosio that I did a bit of research on the meds his Physician's Assistant was recommending, he instantly flew off the handle, told me that patients don't research their recommendations! He further ranted about I was no longer his or First Care's patient as he was discharging me immediately. I should look for another doctor and get out! Which is precisely what I and my wife (20+yr patient) did. This is an arrogant, self-absorbed individual and if he can't understand that I want to learn a bit more for myself before committing to putting something in my body every day for the rest of my life then he has no business concerning my personal health in any way. In reading some of the other reviews this seems to be a recurring patter. Good bye to First Care and good riddance! read more

I actually was so excited to find Dr. Ambrosia, I found him bright and articulate and embraced the integrative medicine approach of his office. I've even recommended him to others. I've had two visits with Dr. Ambrosia and both times he failed to call in my prescriptions to the pharmacy. The pharmacy repeatedly tells me they are waiting on the doctor to respond. After 10 days of this, I called doctors office yesterday, explained situation & was promised it would be resolved that day. It was not. Today when I called I expressed my frustration by asking why I couldn't get a response. I was put on hold. Finally Dr. Ambrosia came on phone and accused me of yelling at his staff. Dismissed my concern regarding chronic problem calling in prescription and told me to GET A NEW DOCTOR. I am absolutely flabbergasted. Never been treated like that by a doctor before. Granted he had a rogue car crash through his window last week but that's no excuse. read more

If I had the option to give this place zero stars I would. First off the staff is extremely unprofessional. It seems like it's an inconvenience to them every time you call or ask them a question. Every single time I've called to have my asthma medication refilled it's been a three or four day process to get my prescription filled. Every single time I call two or three days in advance to make an appointment they tell me they are booked and I have to come and wait as a walk-in. What was the point of making this place my primary care physician if I can never get an appointment?! If I wanted to wait every time I went to the doctor I would just go to some EMO. I will most definitely be changing my primary care physician. And I would strongly recommend to anybody that consider going to this place to spend a little extra time and find another doctor because this place WILL just waste your time. Also I don't see the point of having this place as my primary care physician when I see a different doctor every single time I go there. That does not seem like a personal treatment plan to me. read more

I have been going to First Care Verona for minor medical issues (throat infection, sinus infection, etc) for over 15 years. The PAs, nurses and administrators are very friendly and they do their best to ensure your visit is never more than 1 hour. One of the key benefits of First Care is that you do not need an appointment. If you are not feeling well, you can pop in and they will see you fairly quickly. 4 STARS! read more

Great doctors, great PAs, no appointments necessary. Billing and insurance matters need to be properly handled to assure the patients are not wrongfully charged. Aside from this matter this office treats patients very well. read more

First Care Medical Group - Doctors Near Me - Verona, New Jersey

I recently relocated to North Jersey and went to First Care in Verona to establish a primary care. I had a very positive experience - everyone in the office was professional and efficient. I saw Dr. Ambrosio, who was very thorough and easy to trust. I never felt rushed or like a cog in a machine, which is often the case! I will be returning for sure. read more

This "outfit" will get several zeros from me the way I was treated by Dr. Dicker a few weeks ago. Due to an injury on my finger I had to seek help. First he did not want to stitch the injury, because the accident happened a day before and it could get infected. The bleeding was profusely and he could not stop it. Therefore he made the decision to stitches. I was asked to come back the next day and I was seen by a nurse practitioner. She said it looked fine. Would Dr. Dicker like to see his " masterpiece" ?? The nurse called him and he walked in saying that I was very demanding. I was so shocked that I could not even respond. After I recovered from what he said I mention that I was almost married for 55 years to the same man, therefore I could not be that demanding. The next sentence out of his mouth is below the belt !!!! He needs to have his head examined and walked out. I do not think that Dr. Dicker is qualified to be a Doctor and some patients reviews feel the same way. I do not know how far I will get, this utmost rudeness needs to be reported. Yes, I will look into it. read more

I made an appointment for this pass Friday But I was not told there would not be a doctor there which is the case pretty often . Why pay for a doctor..when your not not gonna see one read more

The worst most disrespectful service imaginable. Be prepared to sit and wait for over an hour, even with a appointment. The staff is completely unprofessional. I waited over an hour, before I had to leave and as I politely informed them that I had to go, I overheard a nurse commenting about the reason I came in there being pointless. If I could give them 0 stars, I would! You are literally better of just being sick. read more

My first experience with FCM in Lyndnhurst was hands down the worst med experience I've ever had. Beyond rude and just terrible but I changed to Verona to see Dr. Dicker and legit cannot say enough good things about him. Idk why he gets flack on these things because no exaggeration, idk if I've ever liked a med prof more. He's so genuine and kind and just overall a really nice guy and you never deal with that condescending shit some dcts/med profs do to you. Highly highly suggest. read more

There is literally not one good thing about place. Everyone is rude and nasty and impatient and just want you gone as quickly as possible. If you're looking for a Z-Pak, this is your place because it's their $150 answer to everything. read more

I wish I could give 0 stars. My appointment was at 12, it's 12:55 and I have yet to be seen. The 1 star goes to the receptionist because she was nice. I cant believe this place is still open. Do not go here. read more

The previous reviews are spot on! Made an appointment for noon for a physical for the town, after waiting for 40 minutes I decided that I was just going to leave. The woman at the desk was extremely rude and unhappy, if you hate your job that much you should just leave. I understand it's a convenient place to go last last-minute but it's not worth the trouble. read more

I went in here knowing how I felt . And told the doctors assistant which medicine works best for me. But she insisted on giving me something else. So went home and took this medicine and hours later I became deathly sick. Throwing up,bad diarrhea and fever and headache. This could of been avoided if she paid attention to me but in stead I had to suffer the whole night and morning wrapped up in a ball on my bathroom floor. read more

I've been going there for years never had any issues. The past 6 months have been unbelievable. I called once to request a COVID test to return to work, had a telemed just for them to tell me they couldn't get me an appointment for a week. Called a second time for a shingles shot, once again a telemed to tell me to go to CVS. Contact tracing told me to get COVID tested, called again, again a telemed to tell me I had to wait 14 days. The final straw - they call me to check my cholesterol. I go, they take my vitals, no one draws blood. Dr comes in lectures me because I refuse to get the COVID vaccine. Then asks about smoking I tell him I will not take Chantix because I know to many otherwise healthy people drop dead because of Chantix. His reply "Chantix doesn't kill people they died because they had a heart attack because they smoked" I reply so what is the point of taking Chantix? He starts lecturing me that I should not be a patient if I won't take their advice. I walked out. read more

Dr. Dicker misdiagnosed me TWICE!! I went once with severely swollen glands and he told me it was viral and no antibiotics would be prescribed this is after I sat in the exam room for 45 mins! Ended up getting even worse and going to ENT who said I have an infection...... The other time I had a deep wound on my finger that healed and left a large bump, he looked at it real quick and said it was a wart and to see his dermatologist friend next door to have it removed. Instead, I went to a very well know dermatologist in Englewood, who immediately said its not a wart, he performed a biopsy and it came back as being scarred tissue and took care of it for me. I would not recommend this practice to anyone, ever. Dr. Dicker should not be practicing that's my personal opinion based on 2 personal, direct experiences with him. read more

Always a pleasant experience. Always feel like the doctor is attentive and compassionate. The wait for the office is another issue. Whether you have an appointment or not you ARE going to wait. Which is rather annoying rap when you go through the efforts of making an appointment even well you are feeling ill. read more

This place could be better. I have been going here since 2001, out of convenience. The doctors are very nice. Some of the nurses can be snippy, especially if they want to attend to you and you request a doctor. But one of the girls at the front omg! NASTY....Just rude...even if you try to be nice. There is another girl at the front I've only seen once...she is super friendly and nice. If the doctors are reading this...they need to coach the front office...although the patients need help, but if not dying, they can always go somewhere else. More compassion for the patients at the front desk would be awesome...just think...this person is more than likely not having a good day. read more

this place could be better anbrosio is nasty f , very unprofesional, staff is rude , and if you need az pack go to see this medical care. they must get pay back by z zitromax. new medical office in west orange across from shoprite. they are very nice. read more

WORST EXPERIENCE WITH A MEDICAL OFFICE. I've been there twice. I got a bill that included a urinalysis, I tried calling for OVER 3 WEEKS to ask another question and then about the urinalysis (because I did not pee in a cup either time I was there). The billing office never called me back after leaving multiple voicemails. I finally got through to someone in another department. They got the "supervisor" named Denise to call me back. Denise was the most rude, condescending, and unprofessional person I've ever encountered in a medical office. She told me it's not their problem that I didn't get a call back before because no one answers the billing line... When I asked about the errant urinalysis charge, she told me repeatedly that "everyone who walks through our doors gets one" even though I kept telling her that I never received one. I asked her how I could leave feedback because I've had a bad experience with the group, and she rudely said, "what, after the one time you've been here?" I said I'd actually been there twice. So clearly THEIR RECORDS AND BILLING ARE INCORRECT OR THEY ARE INCOMPETENT. Also, I tried telling her that one of the times I went, there was blood on the counter of the checkup room I was in. She did not believe me and said, "well even if that was true then I'd have to go down and check it out." I did tell the office on that day about the blood, and they came and cleaned it up. DO NOT GO. read more

Absolutely the most terrible experience I have ever had in my life in a Dr office etc. This place is a huge joke. The so called nurses which they seem to go through every month there are the rudest and angrest people u will ever deal with. After being treated as bad as I was due to their mistake and their lack of communication to each other I hopped off the waiting room table and asked for my copay back and left. I read reviews on this place on other sites and should have listened to them. They have the Gaul to tell me they are doing me a favor. Sure u are. I am paying and my insurance company is paying u top dollar. U are doing nobody any favors. Take my advice go somewhere else or you'll be sorry. U r not respected there or cared for. read more

If you're looking for a quack, your best bet would be the ducks at Verona Park rather than wasting your time with this incompetent crew...starting with Dr. Dick Dicker. I went there a couple days back after trying to make an appointment (which would not be accepted over the phone) and sat a good hour and a half in their dingy office. When seen, I even hinted to Dr. Dick that I most likely had a sinus infection - incessant congestion, swollen glands, throbbing tooth, pounding headache, etc. and he insisted that I was having a reaction to the allergens and forced air heat in my home. Not to mention the Christmas tree that as he worded it "you people have when celebrating your holidays." So he suggested a bunch of over-the-counter garbage and a prescription for Singulair which is absurd in itself considering it treats asthma and I didn't even complain of breathing difficulty or a slight cough. FYI I also have insomnia, and he insisted I would no longer need my Melatonin or Advil PMs as these remedies would surely do the trick. Wrong again. Needless to say I was a hundred times worse by the following day after a completely restless night, and when I called back and begged someone to get back to me as I really needed an antibiotic while waiting the 30 day grace period for Singulair to assist with allergy season, they NEVER even called me back. I am blown away after reading the previous reviews and finding out that they are a fan of the Z pack - I would have gladly paid for that or SOMETHING as I had already wasted my copay and additional cash on useless medications pertaining to my illness which clearly Dr. Dicker was unable to properly diagnose. Fortunately for me, my parents who are 65+ always have some sort of antibiotic on hand, so here's to self-medicating. Had I not diagnosed, treated, and successfully cured myself I'd probably be in the ICU by now. Who knows, maybe when they finally clean house over there they'll consider hiring me, though I doubt I'd want to work with that bunch. read more

I would not recommend this practice based on the lack of medical guidance and personal compassion provided when I went there. During check in, the three woman sitting at reception were making personal calls about one of the woman's upcoming personal vacation. The PA provided minimal care and seemed annoyed by us being there as soon as we walked in. The medical director, nurses and staff were indifferent, lacked compassion and did not provide a comprehensive medical examination. read more

If you can go somewhere else, it is best you do that! The last thing you need is an unprofessional, uncaring person when you're sick. The first time I went, I thought it was decent. Not a long wait. So, I felt comfortable giving then a call two days later when my symptoms worsened. I was connected to a PA. Instantly, I could tell she had an attitude. In short, i was told that I was exaggerating my sympyms. It was laughable. Luckily, I had no energy or much of a voice to give her a piece of my mind. What an unprofessional, and rude thing to say. For goodness sake, the place is called FIRST CARE. read more

Dr. Lipsitch is a wonderful doctor and the only reason I go there, although the medical staff are friendly and helpful the front desk staff are horrendous. The young girl who takes your info is in need of a major attitude adjustment !!! So unpleasant and uncaring but once you get into the examining room you will be pleased with the tretment you receive. read more

This doesn't even deserve the one star. Took my child there for an ear infection when we couldn't get to our PCP. RUDE people at the desk, RUDE PA. She refused to write a prescription for abx because the cause could be viral- after 10 days and increasing symptoms? Come on. And now my child has an awful ear infection that could have been treated already. We had an MUCH better experience at the Minute Clinic in the CVS up the road. read more

Beware! Dr Lipstich is great but it ends there. I saw someone and was diagnosed with a cold. I thought it was more serious but was assured that was it. During the night I had shortness of breath, fever, chills, was coughing up green mucus, wheezing, and aches and pains. My husband said its the sickest he ever saw me in 17 years. He called the office during working hours a couple of times and they never returned the call. Four hours later they finally called, after he explained all my symptoms they said I just had cold and if I thought It was more serious I should go to the ER. I was diagnosed by another doctor with bronchitis and given an antibiotic right away. read more

Beware of this "practice". They are extremely rude and unprofessional in every manner. I had a doctor tell me I wasn't a regular enough patient for him to take my test results seriously. Remarkable. read more

I would not go here. I have a primary and secondary health insurance they took both when I walked in and said they accept both health insurance companies. What they did not tell me was that they only submit to your primary insurance and you on your own need to submit the rest to your secondary. I was not told this till I received the bill. Talking to the insurance company they said that for a doctor to submit it is just one click of the button For me to do it is filling out 6 different forms and collecting another set of forms from the medical group which they have yet to send. Also the wait is as long as a hospital there is no benefit. read more

I called First Medical because my three year old had become very very ill and I was beside myself. First, I was told to call her pediatrician and hung up on. Out of desperation, I called again and a second person told to come in because they provided emergency care. Even though I carried an obviously ill child in, no questions were asked about her symptoms, condition etc. After I was informed they didn't accept my insurance, I replied that I could by cash or a credit card. While waiting with my semi-conscious child in the waiting room for over 40 minutes, I took a picture of the waiting room and my sick child. The first rude receptionist went ballistic and accused me of taking a picture of her and called her Nurse Ratched compatriot. I explained our earlier exchange and I was then treated like a criminal and threatened with the police and arrest. I was told they didn't accept Medicaid, asked if I came from Newark, shouted at and threatened with the police action while trying to explain the problem from my perspective. Then I was made to sign a paper regarding Medicaid, even though I already said I had other means of payment. All while my child semi-conscious in my arms with temperature of over 100, struggling to breath. At no point did anyone ask about the well being of my child. Finally in the exam room filled with worry about my child, Nurse Ratched barged in and again harassed me about pictures with my child writing in agony. Three times I was threatened with the police over pictures that were already deleted. As a professional writer I can quite eloquently articulate my experience without the support of the pictures. Although I hadn't threatened anyone, had not displayed any violent behavior, cursed, displayed a weapon (except my skin color) was not gesticulating wildly. Armed with my dark skin and sick child, I became less human, a template of a criminal was fitted and around around my neck. I wondered if the police came, in the ensuing moments what would become of my suffering child? I no longer have to imagine what life in the 1950s was like for blacks in the Deep South because I experienced it first hand at First Medical in Verona. read more