Dr. Arlene Ricardo is one of the best doctors I've ever met. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early May 2014, I knew I will need a surgery. My oncologist recommended Dr. Ricardo as the best surgeon. During my visit, Dr. Ricardo explained to me all the surgery options, patiently answered all my question, and gave me all notes and drawings she made while explaining everything. It looked like lumpectomy was the option, but Dr. Ricardo asked me to leave her my MRI CD, because she wanted to double check, and analyze MRI pictures with her radiologist. The very next day she called me and said that after looking very long and very carefully at pictures with her radiologist, they decided that the only option I had was mastectomy. It was very hard for me to hear this.... I still remember her saying in soft voice "I just want to save your life". Well, I had no choice. Surgery was scheduled, and then unexpected phone call from Dr. Ricardo's nurse with information that she checked with my insurance company and was told that the hospital, Memorial Hermann SW, where Dr. Ricardo was performing surgeries, was not in my health insurance network (I had BCBS HMO). I spent countless hours and days calling BCBS and their answer always was that there was no single surgeon in my insurance network who could perform my surgery in the hospital in network in entire Houston Metropolitan area! It was hard to believe! So here I was, diagnosed with malignant breast cancer, needing surgery asap and surgery could not be done! It was long and very depressing and stressful time for me, and book could be written about this. Thankfully Dr. Ricardo told me about another surgeon Dr. Gretchen Zimmerman, and when I called her office I was told that this doctor was in fact in network and was able to do my surgery in the hospital which was in network. Dr. Ricardo called Dr. Zimmerman, and gave her all the details about her findings regarding mastectomy I needed. Finally my surgery was done. I am alive! Dr. Arlene Ricardo, thank You for all your help! read more