Caremed Pa Pc

Although I'm basing this review off of my first and only visit thus far, I believe this UPMC office is true to positive person-centered care. Firstly, the location is nice and the waiting room is spacious but cozy at the same time. Secondly, the medical office associate (scheduler/ front desk representative) was effecient, personable, organized, and kind. I wish I had caught her name (she was working the late clinic for Kate G. On March 11th during the storm). I used to work as a scheduler, so I know the job isn't always easy and she manages it well. I witnessed her approach other patients with kindness and compassion. Thirdly, the nurse who rooms for Kate Garvin, Jenn was incredibly personable, kind, humorous (when appropriate), knowledgeable, considerate, and very respectful. Jenn made me feel welcomed and safe. I have unfortunately had many experiences, some within UPMC and some at PennState, in which I navigated my appointments feeling like a burden, written off quickly, misunderstood, rushed, and even made to feel like I'm "crazy" for the concerns I have. Jenn calmed my nerves and assured me of Kate Garvin's positive reputation and knowledge of LGBTQ+ care. Jenn made me feel like a person, not just a patient. Next time I visit, I'll be filling out a nomination for the Bee Award for Jenn. Lastly, Kate Garvin CRNP is an amazing provider and I can tell from just this first impression. She truly listened and did not seem preoccupied or rushed, even though it was later in the evening and a storm was wilding. My appointment was solely for establishment of care, yet she didn't just hear that and rush me out the door. She took a history, used active listening, and made sure I have a voice in my treatment. I cannot attest for the other providers at this location, but I cannot understand why this location has such a low rating. If you have not been listened to by providers and are looking for solid PCP care, please consider this middletown office with Kate Garvin and her wonderful UPMC team.

I absolutely love my doctor. He has been my PCP for over 30 years now and I wouldn’t trade him for the world. What I don’t love is that ONE person in that office feels the need to give me crap every time I have to reschedule an appointment due to fibromyalgia flare ups. When I ask for a refill on my meds, to cover me until I can come in, W.G. (using initials b/c I don’t want to put people’s names out there like that) gives me a hard time and makes my situation worse. In 2019, I was made to sign the controlled substances agreement (for lorazepam, b/c I also have anxiety issues on top of fibromyalgia). Between 2019 and 2025, I had to reschedule my appointment many times with zero backlash or denial of med refills. In late April, early May, of 2025 I had to reschedule due to a flare up. It was THEN that she chose to invoke the controlled substances agreement when my doctor never had an issue with refilling my prescription when I couldn’t make it in due to a flare up. He understood and knew that I would make it in when I was capable. She also told me that I couldn’t make a video appointment anymore, even though I had in the past for check-ins. Flash forward to December of 2025 when I had an appointment scheduled and was told by W.G. that she could change my appointment to a video visit if I needed, but I didn’t need to b/c I was going to be able to come in. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to and had to reschedule, and was then told that I couldn’t schedule a video visit. So which is it, I can or can’t do a video visit for a controlled substances check-in? What level of inconsistency is that? I’ve had a scheduler tell me that a video visit is okay, and she was more understanding of my situation than W.G. is. When she was a nurse, she was understanding of my situation and never gave me pushback but now that she’s a M.A. she’s absolutely inconsistent and causing stress for patients who have disabilities that are beyond their control; unless it’s just me, and that’s a truly bizarre thing to even speculate but something isn’t adding up. When a nurse has answered my messages to my doctor, I have had no issues, but when she responds it’s like she thinks that I just want the meds and have no intention of coming in to see my doctor, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t know how much UPMC knows about what goes on with their office staff, but apparently they either don’t know much or just don’t care. I don’t understand why messages are never relayed to my doctor before being answered by the staff. How is that ethical? The only reason I know this is b/c I had mentioned to him that I sent a message and he knew nothing about it. The office has gone severely downhill over the last several years and it’s a dang shame. Also, the customer service link that UPMC gives in answers to other reviewers does NOT take you to a form to fill out to file a complaint. Just wanted to put that out there.