Dr. Ralph B. Armstrong – OBGYN

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW!
If you desire respect, understanding, and good care from your OB/​GYN –DO NOT GO TO THIS MAN– I began seeing Dr Armstrong for prenatal care when I moved to Hollister. I had heard he was insensitive, but that he had the lowest numbers for c-​section and doesn’t suggest inducing merely because it works for him. This can be a HUGE negative for someone who goes overdue and is desperate to be induced (which were the stories i’d heard) but I have never gone to date, so for me it wasn’t a problem. Honestly, I chose him for lack of a better choice.
The staff was friendly and I didn’t have to wait too long, but the office was outdated, small, and uncomfortable. I am a special case when pregnant because I have massive problems with my thyroid. I gave him an overview of all that I’d been through and he seemed to listen well, but he also corrected me in everything that I said about myself (i.e. «I don’t think that’s possible» or «hmm I’ve never really heard of that so I’d have to look into it» …and you know they aren’t going to).
A week or so after my third visit I was getting ready one morning and to my horror discovered a large lump on my thyroid. I was scared of course that it was thyroid cancer and scheduled an appointment with dr Armstronrg as soon as I could so that I could get a referral and have everything go through my OB since thyroid conditions can be VERY harmful to a fetus especially at that stage.
I Immediately requested the blood tests that I KNEW I needed from years of past experience. His staff asked him and called me back to say that he didn’t feel those tests were important. I explained why I needed them (to compare to past tests) and asked her to please pass it on, or I could come in and ask him personally. I got another call back saying that I needed to ask my GP to run the tests. I called me GP who said I needed to call my OB because I was pregnant and needed to run everything through my OB. I called dr A’s office back again and said I would come in before my thyroid ultrasound to personally request the ONE SIMPLE blood test that I needed so that I could help dr A understand. I went into his office and left a note with the nurse and then went to the hospital for my ultrasound. After the ultrasound I decided to stop by and see if the request was approved. This time there was a new nurse that I had never seen before so I asked her if I could wait until the other nurse came back since she knew what I was there for.
While I was waiting in the office the nurse picked up my request (not knowing it was from me) and took it back to dr A while I was in the waiting room. The door to his office was wide open, so I heard he say my name and that I was requesting he approve a test for me and that I wanted to talk to him about it. Immediately he launched into a whole rant about what an incompetent «crazy» person that I was. He even used the word, «idiot». They were both laughing as he said, «she is seriously crazy! She’s requesting this stuff and I have no idea what these tests even are and I doubt she knows! So, I’m sure she googled her symptoms and now thinks she knows! It’s absolutely ridiculous!»
My heart was pounding and tears rushed to my eyes as I stood up for the nurse to come back. When she came back to the front she saw me standing and gave me a questioning look. By now I was trembling with anger and told her that I was the woman they were talking about, and that I would not be coming in anymore.
I drove away, and dr A immediately called me, and like a TOTAL ASS told me that he wanted to apologize and «hoped I was not offended» and started trying to blame my GP for the fact that he even had to deal with my case! He also said that he just really didn’t know a lot when it came to my condition. HELLO! THAT WAS THE POINT! I DO KNOW! I KNOW SO I WAS ASKING HIM TO HELP ME! It’s ONE SIMPLE TEST! I was sent in for a whole string of others and they could have done it at the same time! I know this because I am not an «idiot» about my own body!
What a horrible, insensitive DR, and what a cruel person to speak about me that way-​indeed loudly enough that the whole office could hear, not knowing I was there! I feel violated and betrayed by someone that I had put my trust in to care for me in my most vulnerable situations, such as pregnancy and the possibility of thyroid CANCER!
What a HUGE JERK!

One of the best Drs I think I’ve ever seen… So nice and thorough! The office staff was awesome as well! Usually I’m always nervous and have anxiety about going to the doctor but for some reason this particular doctor and staff I was totally at ease and felt right at home ;)

Not impressed. I called to find out what time they opened after lunch, they told me 2:00pm. We waited 15 minutes, nothing door locked. So we decided to go to another doctor.

New to the area — looking for a gynecologist… Dr. Armstrong is wonderful. Supportive, informed, listens, advises and has a wonderful staff. Would recommend him hands down.