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Portland Gastroenterology Center Welcome to Portland Gastroenterology Center, serving physicians and patients throughout Maine and Northern New England. We offer state-of-the-art technology in a safe, comfortable setting in Portland, Maine. As a patient, you benefit from the collective experience of our highly skilled gastroenterologists. From routine screenings to the most advanced procedures, we offer the best in care and always treat you with the dignity you deserve. Early detection through colonoscopy can reduce your risk of developing the disease by 90%.
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Gastroenterologists are physicians with dedicated training and experience in the management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. In addition to our gastroenterologists, our staff includes over one hundred clinical and administrative personnel.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and rates are increasing - even in younger people. Here's the thing: colon cancer is highly treatable, and early screening through colonoscopy can cut your risk from the disease by up to 90 percent. The American Cancer Society now recommends screening for colon cancer beginning at age 45-sometimes younger, depending on your family history.
A colonoscopy is a visual examination of the colon using a long, flexible, lighted tube. Among its other applications in treating colon disorders, a colonoscopy is the most effective way to screen for colon cancer. Gastroenterologists are highly trained specialists in performing colonoscopies.
It's right there on your to-do list: "Make Colonoscopy Appointment." But you've hesitated. The 50th birthday came and went. And perhaps another - or more. Maybe you're just unsure because you feel healthy. Maybe you've lost sight of the fact that colonoscopy protects even healthy people against the serious risk of colorectal cancer.
Reviews (10)
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Shaun Johansen
May 20, 2022
The doctors at this location have been wonderful to work with. My issue lies with support staff. I have contacted them 4 times in regards to getting paperwork for my SSDI case, and they still have not gotten back to me, nor emailed my record. They have kept my case on hold with SSDI now way longer than it should be. I know people are busy and understaffed, but they are downright just not doing anything.
Jim Butler
May 19, 2022
I have dealt with Dr. Mil several times, and he has been excellent. The issue here is the front office/admin function. They don't return calls, they are pretty much totally unresponsive. I have no idea why they are this way. Reading through the reviews it seems like this is the standard problem. I have called several times. I did get a call back and the person told me she was just waiting on prep info from the nurse and would call me that afternoon.

That was almost 3wks ago. I have called 4 times since then, and I have sent 2 msgs through the "Patient Portal" with no response. If you have the option to go somewhere else, go. We all have enough stress and drama in our lives without adding more. As for PGC, if you're reading this.you need a new office manager, STAT.
On The Air
May 18, 2022
Experience with a past colonoscopy was excellent. Just received a letter that I am due for my next one now. So far I have been unable to reach these folks by phone. In the past this has been difficult, but now seems impossible. I'm on my 3rd phone attempt, right now, after two other attempts yesterday that I gave up on after 30 min each. So I thought I would take this time to write my review of Portland Gastro!

Obviously there is and has been extremely poor management over a long period of time at this place. I have been wondering about the structure of operations at Portland Gastro. Is this a physician owned practice? Who is in charge of patient communications? My patient care experience in terms of my colonoscopy 5 years ago was excellent. But now I'm wondering if I will ever be able to make an appointment for another. NEWS FLASH!

A person just answered! She was efficient and pleasant. But all is not forgiven. This long wait, wasting every caller's time because of gross mismanagement, is an insult to every patient who calls.
Ahmad Zia Lodin
Apr 25, 2022
Terrible experience with these people I got extremely disappointed if I could give them less than a star, I would, I called them many times for scheduling an appointment, and explained have urgent my case is, though had a doctor referral sent over to them almost 4 weeks ago! And what I heard from them was, that you are not in an emergency situation and they gonna call me back when they have time, and that may take up to 2-3 months more. It looks like they are going to give an appointment after someone's death.
Wayne Larochelle
Apr 22, 2022
Referral from my doctor submitted on 3/17/22. Called on 3/25 since I had not heard from anyone, After 48 minutes on hold I was told that it could take up to 10 days after receipt of a referral. Tomorrow will be three weeks so I tried again this time opting not to wait an hour on hold before anyone answers, I left a voicemail message. This is the only choice as there is no email option. Wondering now how the appointment will go if it takes over a month just to get in and an hour to speak to someone. Hire more people!
Rondi Nelson
Apr 11, 2022
After being in the emergency room two weeks ago I have gotten absolutely no response from my medical care providers at this office about my health and need for care. I've been a patient for over ten years and have seen this practice decline tremendously. I'll be filing a complaint with state. They don't return phone calls or urgent messages sent on their patient portal.
Karen Pitts
Apr 02, 2022
If I could give them less than one star, I would. This is my third time dealing with this practice and never again. Dr. Kennedy has a bad attitude and she makes you feel like you're stupid for asking questions and gives the distinct impression like you're wasting her time; forget about ever scheduling an appointment, takes several times, waiting on hold for at least 30mins to speak to a live person; the list is quite long with reasons not to go with this practice.
Kevin Demers
Mar 14, 2022
On initial look at the reviews I was horrified at the large number of 1 star ratings until I read deeper and found most were complaints regarding pandemic related lack of timely correspondence - an issue I can definitely see but I can also understand the business's side of it as well. I had a very wonderful experience with the front counter check-in, nurses, and surgical staff which all were very wonderful and treated me with kindness and cheer. I hope I do not have to return for another 10 years, but have no reservations about using their facility again.
Trisha Wilson
Feb 15, 2022
I went here a few years ago and had an excellent experience with most of the staff. I just went in for an endoscopy to see if I needed surgery again. To start, it took forever to get an appointment set up, then my telehealth visit went well. When I went in for endoscopy, they said my ride could not wait with me in back but could wait in waiting room with me until I went back?!

Then the nurse got a hole in her glove and continued to rub the spot for IV with her bare finger! Could not get IV in me. Someone else came and did it instantly. When I went back to be put under, the nurses did not care about my comfort and I fell asleep with the piece hanging out of my mouth. When I woke up, I was just told to get changed and doctor would be in.

My ride could not come help me and I was not helped to move around. I was very loopy at this time. Was told partial results of endoscopy and sent home with a Bravo Test. When I got into the car (that I had to walk yo by myself while impaired) I noticed there was vomit all over my hair and shirt. I was instantly furious. The test recorder seemed to be malfunctioning as it kept beeping for no reason.

I did not hear back for a few weeks after turning the recorder in and I had to call them! I got a call back about some "results" after being questioned about specifics that i could not remember because the test was weeks ago. I expressed that i thought the recorder was broken and Was told I'd get a call from doctor with what to do next. I called a week later and they said the doctor had not reviewed results and I could not schedule and in-person visit to go over results since they weren't reviewed.

Still have not received a call back and it has been two days. Was told I'd get a call back dame day or next day. Thankfully I have a referral in progress to a different place since this one does not care about patients at all. Will be reporting them as well due to negligence in every way possible. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONET OR TIME AT THIS PLACE!
Debbie Godowsky
Jan 25, 2022
Over the years (40 of them) I have had wonderful care from the medical staff. Up until a few years ago, the administrative staff was equally responsive and helpful. This is no longer the case. For the most part, they are rude and impatient. (When I interrupted a staff member to correct her on some info she was rattling off, she sternly replied "Let me finish." Who says that to a client?) They have sent me reminders to make an appointment when I was not due. ("Yeh, sometimes the computer just spits out those letters.") Then at other times, I have not received reminders when I was due, which is every two years.

I honestly cannot find one positive thing to say about their admin staff. If my doctor wasn't so good, I would go elsewhere in a heartbeat. So for newbies, please don't judge your procedure by the experience with the admin staff prior to your appointment. Once you actually get in the door and up to the 4th floor, it's like you're on a different planet. They are great.