We were referred here, I think because the Overlake name impressed someone. Don't be impressed. The Overlake Cardiology Clinic is the most ghetto doctor's office we've been to in a long time. My husband had major open-heart surgery at UW Medical Center last week. We got out of the hospital yesterday after 6 days. They wanted us to follow up today to adjust the new medication and I wanted us to stay on the Eastside because it's so much closer. If it was a single-story building, you'd swear you were in a trailer. The whole place is CARPETED... OK, I can see that in a waiting room, but how on earth do you keep carpeted exam and procedure rooms clean? You don't. Even the RESTROOM is carpeted... I think that's disgusting in a home, never mind in a doctor's office!! How many years of pee splashes into carpet are acceptable? Really? The room was cramped and it was clear that none of the hard surfaces are wiped down regularly. The hand-washing sink was BONE DRY, and the soap dispenser, plain old Softsoap, looked undisturbed. There was a cotton ball with blood on it discarded on the floor, clearly visible. WTF? The nurse came in, all "ma'am" and "sir" -- that's OK once, but unless you are three years old, you do not need to start or end each of your sentences with that word. I understand when you are speaking to me. She set up and ran an EKG, putting the sensor stickies on John with her bare hands (no gloves) without cleaning the sites first with an alcohol prep pad. The walls in this clinic are so thin that HIPPA is a complete joke. You can hear ALL of the conversation in the exam room next to you. (This becomes more important in just a moment). My husband has a long incision over the sternum bone, which they cut open to access his heart; he also has two large surgical-drain incisions, several tiny ones through which instruments were passed, a central-line incision on his neck, and more IV- and blood draw-puncture wounds than I care to think about. These incisions are NOT yet healed and since he's a diabetic, there's an especially high risk of infection. Dr. Holder finished up in the exam room next to us, wished them a good day, walked out, entered our exam room without even knocking, and offered to shake my husband's hand. John pretended not to notice, looking him in the eye instead. The doctor proceeded to ask a ton of health-history questions, the vast majority answered on the intake paperwork I'd just filled out. Dr. Holder is somewhat hard of hearing, and my husband, not feeling well at all after being kept waiting for 45 minutes (we were 10 minutes early), started saying "Fine" or "OK" after the doctor would ask him to repeat his initial longish, detailed answer. Here's the kicker though (and the reason we're going to report him to the Health Department). Dr. Holder didn't wash his hands before he went to examine my husband. He didn't put on gloves. He didn't even use sanitizer gel. I stopped him by saying, "I don't mean any disrespect, but you need to wash your hands first". Dr. Holder replied, "We have facilities outside the rooms, and I used it before I came in." This was a direct and obvious LIE. We didn't hear him run water, use a paper towel; we didn't see his wet hands and said paper towel; we didn't see him rubbing sanitizer gel, nor did we hear him activate the dispenser. He then said, "You're right, you shouldn't let anyone touch him without washing their hands first." He stepped out of the room, KA-CHUNK got some hand sanitizer gel, and came into the room rubbing it all over his hands. The alcohol vapors were overwhelming... how did we miss the ones he'd presumably created mere minutes before? He examined my husband, again, without gloves, something that ABSOLUTELY would not have happened at UW. He made all sorts of pronouncements about my husband's condition, some correct and some incorrect. He didn't recognize the manufacturer of John's mechanical aortic valve, ATS Medical, maker of the second-most popular replacement valve. He went to use his stethoscope on John: I raised my eyebrows and pointed to the sink; glaring at me, he went back into the hallway, got some hand-sanitizer gel to rub on the stethoscope, drying it off on a paper towel before continuing. In the end, his demeanor was mostly kindly, but he is past the prime of his career (he is 69). His clinic is shoddy and unsanitary. He is hard enough of hearing that I don't see how his stethoscope work will be as accurate as that of someone with full hearing function. I wouldn't let him anywhere near me to do surgery, and given that a lot of cardiology is life or death, we are crystal-clear that he is not even going to get the chance to TALK to us again. We're going back to the UW system where hand-washing, gloves, gel in/gel out, equipment and room cleaning procedures are all clear, posted, and followed without a second thought as they should be! read more

John T Holder ,MD - Dr. Holder, at least 10 years ago - Cardiologists Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

I just returned home from my appt with John today. Overall, my experience was great! The hospital is very impressive. Clean, properly labeled Suites, and there is a Starbucks right in the lobby. I had been referred to John because I have a family history of Heart Disease. I am young, but wanted to have everything checked out. My results were normal. John didn't even have to take time to talk with me, but he did. He was understanding and kind. He asked a lot of questions and listened to what I had to say. He showed me pictures and thoroughly explained what exactly should be happening and what was happening. I have never had such a wonderful, welcoming, and educational experience with a doctor. And no, there were no hand washing issues here. Everyone was very clean and they are so efficient I didn't even have to sit down to wait for a room to open up. read more

I just finished my checkup with Dr. Holder, and couldn't be more pleased with the quality of the care. I have been a patient for 20+ years, and have nothing but the highest respect for Dr. Holder's knowledge, medical expertise, and his abilities. His concern for my well being is without question. The new office in the Overlake Hospital Tower is excellent. I highly recommend Dr. John Holder. read more

I recently saw Dr. Holder and was thoroughly impressed with his visit with me. I was referred from my primary care physician who highly recommended Dr. Holder to help with my high blood pressure and some chest pains that have been recurring. Dr. Holder had a very long visit with me and thoroughly went over my family history, my symptoms, my medications, and my exercise and diet (or lack thereof). He was methodical and asked many questions. He was extremely patient and took a lot of time with me before recommending some further testing. He explained the testing and why he was ordering it, where the testing would take place and how different results of the testing would give him further information to make a correct diagnosis of my condition. He even went so far to check my insurance and explain my coverage to me. All in all, Dr. Holder was patient, methodical, kind, and it was very obvious that he is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable about cardiovascular conditions. I highly recommend Dr. Holder for anyone looking for a cardiologist! read more

I just took my mom to Dr. Holder this morning. My dad first saw Dr. Holder in 1983 and Dr. Holder has cared for both my parents over the year. Dr. Holder takes the time to talk with, and get to know, his patients. As we were chatting today, I mentioned something about online reviews (I had just done one for Vios Cafe on Capital Hill and had told him about the restaurant - BTW an excellent, family friendly establishment.) Anyway, he mentioned that he had had a negative review on Yelp. Given my family's long term relationship with Dr. Holder, I found it hard to believe that the review was as bad as he said so I had to go find it. In reading Julia Z's review, the only thing I agree with her on is that the building is older. When it comes to health, what is important is the level of care received. Dr. Holder's care has been exceptional in all the years my parents have been seeing him. I accompanied my dad to Dr. Holder a couple of times and have accompanied my mom for the last several years as she no longer drives. Dr. Holder consistently takes the time to listen and answer questions even if they are somewhat nonrelated to the current issue. Although my dad died 17 years ago, Dr. Holder still remembers him and talks fondly of their conversations. Everyone in Dr. Holder's office is professional and kind. Dr. Holder is very knowledgeable. Plus, what I really love about him, is that he takes the time to answer questions. I'm sorry that Julia Z. had a bad experience at Overlake Cardiology; I know that must have been a very stressful time for her entire family. Cardiac surgery and six days in the hospital is scary. I hope she and her husband received the care they were looking for at the UW Medical Center. What matters in the end is that everyone receive care where they are comfortable. I wish them the best. As for me, the day Dr. Holder finally retires will be a sad day. It will we hard to find another doctor with his knowledge, his level of care, his patience and his overall kindness. Oh one more thing that is odd on this Yelp review of Dr. Holder is that the other, more current reviews for him are all 5 stars but are listed as irrelevant. I realize I am new on Yelp but I can't figure out why they aren't showing and only Julia Z's negative review is. Odd. PLEASE take the time to read the "irrelevent" reviews. They are right on. Thanks for reading my review. I hope it provided some information for you. read more

Dr. Holder was recommended to me by my Primary Care Physician six years ago when she saw something that concerned her on my EKG. Since I had rheumatic fever as a child she wanted me to have a full cardiac workup. Dr. John T. Holder was her choice. She said she only works with top notch specialists. She was right on! Dr. Holder put me through stress test Adenosine Nuclear scans and concluded that I was a typical, relatively healthy old guy who needed to lose weight, exercise more and switch to a Mediterranean diet. He has diligently monitored my health and well being. His staff is efficient and courteous and Dr. Holder's care and concern always meet or exceed my expectations. This is the man I would trust to hold my heart in his hands. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Holder for many years. My family has some rare genetic issues and he has kept a close watch on my cardiovascular health. I can say without hesitation, he is the very best cardiologist I have ever been to. Professional, knowledgeable, caring, and always on the cutting edge of technology that can reveal the most important issues of your heart health. I have referred many family members and friends to him, and they all agree he is the real deal. He has an excellent reputation in the community, and I highly endorse him if you are looking for a stable, educated, and experienced cardiologist. read more

I highly recommend Dr. Holder as your cardiologist. He is quite experienced and knowledgeable, but I never felt intimidated during my appointments with him. I spent considerable time researching cardiologists in the Bellevue area, as I was anxious about my heart problems and finding the "right fit" was important to me. Dr. Holder's resume impressed me -- he has served in numerous leadership positions with Overlake Hospital, he volunteers his time in our local community, and his trainings and credentials are impressive. (It was obvious to me that he cares about staying up-to-speed with the latest research and technology.) Once I met Dr. Holder in person, I knew I had made the right choice. He has a very kind and approachable bedside manner. He took time to answer all of my questions, and even remembered to ask how my vacation was when I came back for my second appointment. He made me feel as comfortable as I could during a scary time, as well as confident that I was in great hands. read more