Vanderbilt Children's Dermatology

My first two visits were very pleasant. My disease causes chronic pain, which in some instances can be debilitating, like now. I informed the doctor that I tried everything, the pain will not subside. Instead of helping me, it’s recommended that I go to ER during a pandemic. I’m willing to go because the pain is unbearable, however, what’s the point of have a specialized doctor if they recommend the ER to put off prescribing pain meds on someone else? That’s exactly what seems to be the issue here.

This is not a review of the quality of medical care provided by this office. Instead it is to mark my disappointment with a system that requires patients to wait for care. I called today to request a new patient appointment and was told the earliest they could see me at my preferred location was August. My other option is to spend 2+ hours in the car to travel from Nashville to the Shelbyville location and back. Lucky I have car and a flexible work schedule; many residents of TN do not. A 6 month wait period represents a serious barrier to care. Surely the practice and the field of derm can do better.

I originally made my appointment at the beginning of October this year. They didn’t have an openings until January 17th 2020. I was told by the appointment scheduler that I would be put on the waitlist. (I was never put on the waitlist). So I go and download the app at the beginning of November and place myself on the waitlist. A day or two later I get my appointment rescheduled to a Saturday morning two weeks away! (This was great) I get to the appointment Saturday morning only to be greeted by no one. All of the doors to all the front entrances were locked, no signage and no security. I called their office number 4 times only for the robot to continuously say they were closed and no other way to contact them. How can my appointment be rescheduled to a day they are not open!? I then start googling other numbers to contact to figure out what is going on. I call two separate numbers that STILL take me back to their hotline that says they’re closed. I find a 3rd number to an operator who then confirms my fears, that they are closed but that he DOES see my appointment was rescheduled to that morning. He then grabs my info and says he’s going to speak with the nurse on call for this location and have them follow up. At this point I have walked up and down the 100 oaks plaza twice in the freezing cold for 30 minutes. My appointment was at 8:50am by the time I got ahold of the operator it was 9:25am (I was in my car headed home by now). As I’m pulling into my drive way I get a call from the same hotline that I’ve called numerous times unsuccessfully. It was the doctor saying that they in fact ARE open and that I was to drive around the BACK to get to their entrance. She then continues to say that she will have her scheduler contact me but she’s “booked out”. Now its going on 3 business days and I’ve heard nothing but I’ve already made up my mind that I will NOT be back! Unprofessional, unorganized and a waste of time. I will not schedule another appointment just to waste gas and go in circles. Do better.

Dr. Stebbins and his staff were amazing! I writing this one week post OP and could not be happier. I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer. The incision left a minimal scar on my nose and recovery has been a breeze. I will and forever refer patients to him. His team is greatly appreciated beyond belief for the wonderful work they all have done. I’m cancer free and looking forward to many more years enjoying my life. If you are nervous and/or scared dont be. This team will treat you like family.

Dr Clayton did a superb job on my Mohs surgery; the scar is minimal and healed nicely. Each time I go back for a check up the team is professional and takes my concerns seriously.