Azalea Health St. Augustine - Saint Augustine Community Health Center
- 105 Whitehall Drive, Suite 109
- Saint Augustine FL, 32086
- Contact Phone: (904) 829-2782
- Clinic Details: Rural Health Care, Inc. d/b/a/ AZALEA HEALTH is a private non-profit community and migrant health center established in rural Putnam County, Florida in 1977. A federally qualified health center (FQHC), Azalea Health operates in areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas and or Medically Underserved Areas or Populations. Most AZALEA HEALTH physicians are Board Certified or board eligible in Family Practice, Internal Medicine and/or Pediatrics. Since its founding in 1977, Rural Health Care, Inc. (AZALEA HEALTH) has grown to include locations in 6 contiguous counties in northern Florida: Alachua County, Clay County, Flagler County, Putnam County, St. Johns County and Volusia County. Today AZALEA HEALTH operates 11 full-time primary care centers offering a wide range of services, 3 full-time dental centers and 8 full-service pharmacies. In addition, with more than 200 employees, Azalea Health is a major employer in the area. AZALEA HEALTH receives malpractice coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and is an FTCA Deemed facility.
- Website: http://azahealth.org/
- Services: Diagnosis/Treatment of Illnesses/Minor Injuries; Chronic Disease Management; Women’s Health Services; FREE Required Childhood Immunizations; Work/School/Sports Physicals; Minor Surgical Services; Lab; Electrocardiograms; Pulmonary Function Testing
- Remarks: Rural Area, Permanent Clinic, Year-Round, Full-Time (open 45 hours per week)
- Payment Method: Sliding Fee Scale; Medicaid; Medicare; Most HMOs, PPOs and other plans
- Operation Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00am-5:00pm
Ask the Community
Connect, Seek Advice, Share Knowledge
Latest Reviews, Comments, Questions for Toksook Bay Sub-Regional Clinic
Comment from Krista :Normally I would never waste time on a bad review, but my situation is serious. I am SO mad/dissappointed with my medical care here. 2 hour wait, the nurses were very polite and nice, but yhe Doctor Kenneth Hitz was absolutely CRAP.
My gotmer doctor called me out of the blue to let me know they no longer take my insurance. I have been out of my psychiatric meds for 3 days already ( lamictal, cymbalta, pristiq, and adderall for bipolar, major depressive disorder, ADHD and excessive sleeping that hasnt been diagnosed yet but its hard to find a sleep study doctor). Safe to say, my medications are VERY important. I have a toddler at home, full time job and school and NEED to be in a good state of mind. I just recently got out of a severe one year depression. I would eat large amounts, sleep 15 hours a day, physical aches and pains, bad headaches everyday, not to mention overwhelming sadness and hopelessness. I cried every day for a year.
Sorry to digress, back to the treatment I received. The wait was long but the nurses were great, finally Dr.Hittz walks in. I tell him my doctor doesnt take my ins and called me to cancel my appt without warning. I then tell him what medications I am on and my diagnoses (waiting for a release of med. Records still ) and he rolls his eyes and says "that is a messed up medication combination you have very rudely like it was my fault. He continued to talk in a demeaning manner the rest of the time making me feel like I was crazy and didnt know myself, my emotions or my symptoms. Not to mention he made me feel like a criminal for the schedule 2 drug i was prescribed (the adderall). I consented to a urine analysis, brought in old medication bottles, released records, everything they asked for.
And he simply REFUSED to fill my script for the adderall, the one thing that keeps me able to work and not extremely exhausted every minute of every day. I can focus on work and school and actually finish projects with it. I finally found a medication combination after a year of trying that works for me. Also, I have been on and off of it for close to 10 years now.
Not to mention in my current state, just stopping cold turkey WHILE already withdrawing from anti depressants.
He was completely rude and completely unethical. You CAN NOT mess with somebodys psych meds. I realize there are junkies out there but you must screen everyone and observe on a case by case basis.
So here I am, anxiety ridden about my meds and stressed out ontop of all the other bad feelings I had. This is NOT a good doctor whatsoever.
Comment from Natalie: They were pretty good about getting me appointments and seeing me in a timely fashion however had a similar experience with prescription issues. I went out of town for an extended visit and when I started getting low on my antidepressants I went to cvs to have them refilled. After called azalea 5 times and leaving two messages at the nurse's station I was contacted back by an MA who informed me that I must be seen again prior to getting my prescription refilled. I explained I would not be back in Florida and able to see them for a week. I was told by Dr Hitz that I should not stop taking the meds cold turkey so I told the MA I would like to personally speak to the doctor. She told me that wasn't possible and they will not refill it until I get back. Finally coming to terms with the fact that I'm just going to have to deal with it until I get home I asked her what types of symptoms would I experience stopping my medicine? She told me she'd leave a message for the doctor and get back to me. I'm still waiting for a response. It just seems like they are more concerned with making money off the visit then actually helping the patient.
Comment from Phobes :
Whatever happened to the efficieny and common courtesy this clinic was known for PRIOR to its move to new facility? At the old facility (Fedl Hwy 1), one would barely get to page 2 of a waiting room magazine, before being called in for services -- everything from blood pressure monitoring, to physician's // NP's services, blood tests, etc. .
Since moving to the new facility, a patient cannot expect to spend any less than two hours wait time -- i.e., advised to arrive early, at 2:15, for a 2:30 appointment. Fifteen minutes pass, and 2:30 rolls around -- no sign of admittance. Dittio, 2:30 - 3 p.m. -- likewise, 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. -- and likewise, again, 3:30 - 4pm.
Finally, after being steered to a waiting room, another 30 minutes before the provider steps in. No exggeration here. Regardless of appointment time, a patient is sometimes taken -- and released -- so late that the pharmacy is about to close for the day. And often, the first person in is the last person out. This is the dyslexic world of the new Azalea facility.
Just as a "bonus," impossible to reach the nursing assistants by telephone when attempting to relay questions or comments to the providers. Either caller is switched to incorrect mail box, or receives message that "mail box is full," etc., etc. .
Whatever 'GENIUS' was responsible for creating a system so inefficient, backwards, imbalanced, counter- productive and absurd, PLEASE step down -- and allow the Azalea clinic to function as it once did, before you reduced it to the warped, impossible, HOUSE OF MIRRORS side show that it's become. Clearly, you have made life as difficult for the front desk staff as you have for the patients. As for the latter, a kangaroo with a pouch full of Jose Quervo tequila would probably get through airport security in one-tenth the time it takes for a patient to see the heath care providers at Azalea.
KUDOS, however, to the PHARMACY unit. These folks have it together -- so much so, they are often the singular reason anyone ever gets their meds in time, at all.
Chaos ensues. Why? New location notwithstanding, no excuse for whoever is responsible for this cluster- ----!
Comment from Carole:
I absolutely agree - a patient cannot expect to spend any less than two hours wait time -- i.e., advised to arrive early, at 2:15, for a 2:30 appointment. Fifteen minutes pass, and 2:30 rolls around -- no sign of admittance. Dittio, 2:30 - 3 p.m. -- likewise, 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. -- and likewise, again, 3:30 - 4pm.
Finally, after being steered to a waiting room, another 30 minutes before the provider steps in. No exggeration here. Regardless of appointment time, a patient is sometimes taken -- and released -- so late that the pharmacy is about to close for the day. And often, the first person in is the last person out.
I have had absolutely zero success reaching the nursing assistants by telephone when attempting to relay questions or refill requests to the providers. I have not one time received a return phone call. If they want me to make an appointment instead of writing me a refill for my prescription, PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW!! I have left my phone number every single time I've called.
The pharmacy is top notch!
Comment from Hank: Worse medical treatment experience ever over the course of a few months. The above reviews are accurate concerning wait time and communication. John Croyle is extremely intelligent and I am confident he would have no issue guiding a diagnostics for my neuropathy and extreme back pain. He is however limited within a system that allows approx 5 minutes for office time. Seriously, I've waited for hours on end to be brought in the exam room to wait over an hour again, then to be seen for under 5 minutes. John will pretend like he will return to the room but actually disappears to never return. Absolutely the wrost medical care I have ever received. Note: this is my first experience of medical care on Medicare due to a recent job layoff. I'm amazed the system is this broken and will not be returning.
Comment from United States: Thank you for your comments. I was thinking of switching to Aza because I used to bring my grandkids there 6 years ago and I can't remember the woman Dr that they saw but she was amazing. I can't find her name anywhere, in fact I don't see a list of the Drs that work there and I searched in several internet sites, so I wouldn't want to take a risk and end up regretting switching. I guess I will keep searching and reading reviews!! Your reviews make a difference!!