I have been under the care of Dr. Witte at NW Gastroenterology for many, many years. I have never experienced any issues with neither Dr. Witte nor the business/office side of care. I feel seen, heard, remembered and very well cared for by him and staff. I appreciate that Dr. Witte is ALWAYS up to date with any of "the latest" research, info, etc that comes out regarding my disease and he is ALWAYS willing to share articles, books, etc. I don't feel rushed while there, though I do know doctors are under pressure these days with all the rules/regulations they must adhere to; that has never impacted a single visit I've had at NW Gastroenterology. read more

Easy 5 stars I want to sincerely thank everyone at NW Gastroenterology for another truly positive experience during my colonoscopy yesterday. While I try to downplay these appointments (having had them every three years!), they're never exactly fun and yet your team consistently makes the entire process feel comfortable and reassuring. From the kind receptionist who patiently explained the paperwork, to Mary in pre-op who took the time to walk me through everything and put me at ease, to the nurses who cared for me so warmly and seamlessly every interaction reflected genuine kindness. Even with so many patients moving through each day, your office never feels impersonal. That really stands out. I especially appreciated my doctor checking in multiple times to reintroduce himself and make sure I felt informed and comfortable. Thank you all for the compassion and professionalism you show. It truly radiates throughout your practice. And I'm especially grateful to be leaving with good news yay! I don't have to return for five whole years! read more

Northwest Gastroenterology - Ceiling in procedure check in area - Gastroenterologist Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

I was seen by Dr. Alison E. Freeman last week. I had a recent overnight at the emergency room in Bellingham and had a cardiac episode that was accompanied by severe pain and distention in my upper left stomach. I had been seen for this same stomach issue a few years prior by my primary but this time was referred to NW Gastro. I am sorry to say that it was the worst dr-patient experiences in my 55 years. I do not need anyone to hold my hand but I do want a modicum of bedside manner and hopefully no insults. While I would not describe our introduction as friendly in any way, I am willing to sacrifice that for efficiency and professionalism, neither was present. Dr. Freeman entered the room, sat down with her computer, and asked about my symptoms. So naturally I told her, within a few minutes she stopped me and said and I quote "hold on I can't get this down with all of your verbal diarrhea", I was stunned. Everything in me wanted to walk out but I was honestly in shock and did not know what to do. I was also in a super vulnerable place as I am going through some pretty heavy medical stuff. I gave her time to type and then asked her a few questions and she then asked me to get on the table and pressed on my stomach for two seconds and then said she was prescribing my omeprazole and would have scheduling set me up with a colonoscopy. On her way out the door I asked her if she was familiar with a particular syndrome that my symptoms matched directly, gastrocardiac syndrome (Roemhelds Syndrome). She said no and walked out. I later spoke with my NP and my NP in cardiology and they were both familiar with it. When we are going through medical challenges it can be really scary and hard to navigate without compassionate or at the very least professional medical help. I will not be seeing Dr. Freeman again and because it was so awful I will not be continuing my care with Northwest Gastroenterology in Bellingham. E.Day read more

I was referred to Dr. Bansal for a puzzling medical issue. Dr. Bansal took me under his wing and caringly diagnosed me with an extremely rare disease affecting less than fifty people in the country. Dr. Bansal has been my life saver. He has been such a kind, caring and compassionate doctor to me. Most of all, I have quickly developed trust in him. Although we don't know where this disease is going to take me in my life, I do know that Dr. Bansal will be there for me every step of the way. He has already shown me that he will do all that he can to help me. Dr. Bansal is not only a wonderful physician, he is an amazing and wonderful person! read more

I have been a patient of Northwest Gastroenterology and Endoscopy of Bellingham, WA for many years, and I could not be happier with the degree of professionalism, skill and genuine concern that I have experienced while undergoing treatment there. While I originally went there for a colonoscopy, at some point over the years I developed a life-threatening condition which, while unknown to me, was discovered by my Gastroenterologist Dr. Todd Witte. Dr. Witte utilized a new treatment that was extremely effective in treating my condition and undoubtedly saved and prolonged my life. Dr. Witte has always taken the time to patiently and thoroughly explain each step in my treatment process and answer my many questions. In addition, the entire staff at Northwest Gastroenterology has made me feel that my care is their number one priority. Finally, because of my success there, my entire family now entrusts their care to Dr. Witte and Northwest Gastroenterology and Endoscopy. read more

This company is so kind, and have the nicest staff members. I was treated with respect here.

I have asked them multiple times to change the my son's name in billing. It has been legally changed through courts and insurance. They have ignored all my requests to have it changed. VERY frustrating that they are not being accommodating. I recommend somewhere else that is more inclusive. read more

Nothing but good things to say about this clinic.. The doctor and the nurses were very compassionate and answered any questions I had!! A colonoscopy is Never something.We look forward to but if it could be made into a pleasant experience these people Did it! Five stars!! read more

When I first started coming here it was great, however in the last few months I do not feel like my health was taken seriously. I had messaged and called their office with health concerns that I was experiencing and no response. My questions do not get answered. I felt like they did not care for me and just wanted to pass me off to someone else. The office staff has been rude and nursing staff just brush you off. read more

My husband is a new patient with NW Gastroenterology. It's was hard for me to get through the automated phone system. And when i did get through the polite staff at the desk have given me excuses that didn't feel genuine. They seem to have a same canned response regardless of your questions. It's hard to get an appointment. My husband is being treated with Dr. Stanfield. He has so far been responsive to our concerns and for this we are grateful. I'm hoping our experience there will get better so I can improve my review. read more

did not check me in after I asked then refuse to check me in afterwards starting that I would have to "reschedule my appointment." very rude would though the doctors and nurses were nice. read more

If I could get through to make an appointment, I'd be much happier. Poor communication skills.

Recently had colonoscopy and endoscopy (never fun). NW Gastro took excellent care of me but the STAR is Dr. Bansal. What a caring, knowledgeable and professional physician! I wish all doctors were like Dr. Bansal. He took as much time as he felt I needed to go over my results and left me feeling so optimistic about my health. Highly recommend! read more

I had a great experience here. They are caring and very professional people. Informative and caring. The nurses were kind, and gentle. The doctor spoke with me beforehand about what she was going to be doing, and gave me some helpful advice. They called me the next morning to check on me! Wow! Impressed and will continue my care with them. Thank you! read more

Under the care of Kristin ARNP and Dr. Munson and I couldnt be happier with their clinical expertise and care. I work in healthcare and am leaving most of my care in Seattle after moving up a year ago because of concerns around the Peacehealth system, but it is a breath of fresh air to have an independent physician group with such good providers in a lovely new facility and with solid staff here in Bellingham. Highly recommend both of these providers. read more

It pains me to write a bad review as Dr. Reitz has performed my colonoscopy twice now over the last 9 years and I always trusted his expertise and enjoyed his demeanor. Sadly he is retiring this April and that could very well be playing into my negative view of NW Gastro. Dr. Reitz prescribed steroids for me back in August with a follow up appointment last December. The plan was to begin reducing dosage in January and February. Following the appointment however I received no follow up documentation of my visit. I had to message the office on their portal to actually receive documentation, or clarity, from my visit. Upon reducing dosage in January, symptoms became more severe and once again I messaged via the portal with concern, receiving a response to revert back to the original dosage. That was the last I have heard from anyone at NW Gastro even after inquiring over a week ago, once again via the portal, as to where we go from here. So they choose to leave me taking a steroid that supposedly one must wean off of with no direction. In addition, everything I have read about it, is the general practice is to not exceed a few months at full dose. But here I am, into my 7th month with no direction. Thanks NW! read more

So far I can't give it five stars. I had an appointment and had been stressing for weeks about having a camera sent up my bat cave. However, they person who made the appointment did not tell me I needed a PCR Covid test and I dis the Antigen Test. So they cancelled the rear probe after ai had taken tome off work, caught a ferry, and booked a hotel. While checking the paperwork it did say PCR it would have been nice if they told me during the several calls when I said I was having the teat done locally at the drive through test location. After I finally have the procedure I will mice the stars up or down. read more

This was a first class organization. I was referred by my doctor to them for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. This was definitely not something I was looking forward to. The treatment from the receptionist to the doctor and the after procedure treatment was personal, professional and above the normal medical office care. They were having a busy day on the Saturday I went in for the procedure. Absolutely everyone I dealt with from the receptionist all the way through made me feel like I was important and the only one they were working with. This is just not normal in today's medical world. read more

My Dr retired so I got Dr Ross who was extremely sensitive and very nice! met her on a video chat and then scheduled a colonoscopy. Everything went fine and everyone (nurses to front office) was great! read more

My reason for a poor review are: *Scheduling issues. They had changed my procedure time and did not notify me until a reminder call of the date the procedure was to occur. *Lack of Communication. The nursing staff was not listening to my concerns regarding the procedure earlier on so that my concerns could easily be resolved. *Loss of freedom and choice to participate in my care. They were unwilling to accommodate a change in the type of prep I wanted to use which was not only an acceptable prep, but the "gold standard" and the one with less safety issues. I tried to explain this to the nurse and was not only "shut down" during a vulnerable time that I needed care, but she took my frustration personally and "hung up" on me. *Punitive and hostile reactions to my concerns when reported. When speaking with the manager, Sandra, she falsely accused me of "screaming at her nurse" when I did not, even though she admitted that she wasn't on the phone call. I had even apologized for becoming frustrated, but the manager, Sandra, cut me off, using my name in a condescending tone, accusing me of something that did not occur. The manager was unwilling to consider the patient's perspective regarding the phone call. *Safety concerns: They told me I could drink up to 3 hours prior to an endoscopy that requires sedation. It is usually NPO 6-8 hours. I expressed my concerns about this, but the nurse, Lisa, who hung up on me, quickly shut me down. Bottom line, I live with severe swallowing difficulty and was so distressed about taking the prep that I was up until 4 AM the morning before. All I wanted was to suggest a safer prep as I was fearful that I wouldn't be able to swallow the prep without regurgitation and thus become dehydrated. I went to the ER not less than 2 weeks ago for severe swallowing difficulties & had low potassium levels. I have a hard time drinking and eating and the prep they prescribed has the safety concern of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This center and Sandra... along with her nurse, Lisa, should understand that many patients, like myself, come to them struggling and are the ones VULNERABLE, not them. I was NOT seeking conflict or confrontation. They have 7 different types of acceptable preps available and when I mentioned changing the prep for safety reasons, I was told in so many words, I could not. They were inflexible and wouldn't accommodate me. I shared why and they easily could have said they would ask the doctor OR even that perhaps we should hold off on the colonoscopy until your swallowing difficulty is addressed. Instead, I decided to cancel a needed procedure as trust was lost at this point, particularly when the nurse that hung up on me also went to her manager with false reports of me "screaming" at her. My roommate was working remotely at the time and his room is right next to mine and he heard nothing. It was dishonest and wrong. Unfortunately, there are limited options here in Bellingham and patients do not have much choice. I am taking my business to Seattle. read more

My daughter has seen Dr. Darla Woolman 2 times now by video she is amazing like hands down one of the best. I have seen her many time in the past. The front office staff was terrible, I have never been treated so badly. After 30 mins on phone made me get a referral for her to be seen for the follow up appointment just weeks after her first appt. then another 30 min call and refused to make an in person appt per the Dr.'s request. She needed the 3rd appt in person after being in the ER 2 times in past week. Then wanted another referral for that appointment, and she could not be seen for a month on a stat referral. I thanked them and said I would be getting my daughter a new Dr.. lt was past being worth the trouble to see a great DR. My Pcp sent a new referral to Peace Health I got a call a few hours later and appt in two days with Peace Health. Then 2 days later I got a message that the Dr. would see her and I had an appt the following week. I called to cancel that appt and they refused to cancel it without talking to my daughter, I'm was so frustrated I tried calling the office manager 2 times and never got a call back. read more

my experience was mixed. my doctor was highly qualified and made calls that lead to my first steps in treating end stage liver disease but i was very unhappy with the girls that helped me. I was embarrassed post colonoscopy on my second visit when they left me wirhout a bag on and i had two hour drive. How can a gastro practice not have a bag for some to go home with. A MESS. My last visit post transplant the girl taking the info was coughing while interviewing me. I got sick 3 days later with terrible cold. I was highly suppressed and there i was in a tiny room with here. They are good people but i am used to way better peripheral service. Once again my doc was on top of my main treatment highly qualified.and nice to me in my time of need read more

First appointment of the day and they are running 20 minutes late for a standard colonoscopy? That tells me disorganized and does not inspire confidence. totally different experience at a different provider so I know it's possible. You have a choice go somewhere else. read more

I had a referral from my doctor to them. I have NEVER been so poorly treated in a simple request for an appointment. She argued with me, 'what the hell are you bothering me for? I finally hung up on the receptionist. She called me back and promised a phone call back. Never got it. Going anywhere else. read more