Patient Care

Pros

• Olivia is a caring nurse who truly loves her patients and is described as the best.
• Olivia is warm, kind, and genuinely listens, treating patients with dignity and respect.
• Olivia is thorough, attentive, and incredibly diligent.
• Olivia is a true asset to Patient Choice Medical.
• Patina is wonderful and will be missed.
• Pratima is kind, patient, and doesn't rush through appointments, so patients feel heard and cared for.
• Megan and Olivia are gems who treat patients with care and compassion.
• David Hinkle is amazing to work with, communicative, and makes the process easier.
• Olivia makes patients feel comfortable and welcomed.
• Olivia and Pratima are described as outstanding in work ethic and attitude.
• The staff are friendly, compassionate, and provide high-quality care.
• Olivia helps calm anxious patients before appointments.

Cons

• The reviewer described the office as awful and deceptive toward elders, alleging that some doctors and the receptionist abused the system and misled patients.
• They reported no follow-up, having to call their insurance repeatedly, with prescriptions not filled and no response from the office.
• They felt they were treated poorly and with unnecessary stress, especially as an 8-month pregnant patient.
• The reviewer labeled the practice disorganized, noting wrong numbers for scheduling specialists and forgotten orders.
• They warned that after switching to a new doctor, the care and communication degraded to a horrible level and advised others to stay away.
• They described being yelled at and demeaned by desk staff, with unprofessional phone interactions and minimal help from nurses (aside from one standout).

Review

Patient Choice Medical in Hamden presents a wide spectrum of experiences, with many patients praising the care they receive from specific clinicians and nurses, while others recount frustrating encounters that center on scheduling, communication, and staff interactions. Across the reviews, the thread that runs strongest is a deep appreciation for certain caregivers - especially nurse Olivia and, in some cases, Patina the NP - paired with complaints about administrative bottlenecks, long waits, and inconsistent experiences with doctors other than the long?standing physician many patients trust.

Several reviews describe real devotion to the practice's core providers, most notably Dr. Desilva, whom longtime patients say they've trusted for years. One patient highlights a 15?year relationship with Dr. Desilva and credits him with steady progress in managing type 2 diabetes, noting that the doctor "has been behind me in this fight" and remains supportive even when other physicians in the practice have not met expectations. Across multiple accounts, patients contrast that level of continuity and understanding with experiences where other doctors within the same practice appeared to dismiss long?standing concerns or provide what they felt was a rushed or insufficient exam. In one instance, a patient with several years of a chronic issue says a visit with newer doctors yielded dismissive responses and little clinical follow?through, culminating in pain and a recommendation to go to the hospital that felt disconnected from her ongoing needs.

The operational side of care is a frequent source of frustration. A common grievance centers on scheduling and punctuality: an appointment scheduled for 11:15 a.m. can become a lengthy wait if the patient arrives on time or, in some cases, a few minutes late due to unavoidable traffic. Several reviews recount being kept waiting after the appointment time, with staff on the phone or otherwise disengaged, and patients feeling their presence is not acknowledged promptly. In one particularly jarring account, a patient arrived 5 minutes late because of traffic and pregnancy - eight months along - only to be told the doctor would not see her. The same review describes a tense scene in which reception staff and nearby coworkers allegedly criticized the patient and discussed her behind a window, then pressed her to provide a urine sample after which she felt shamed for being late. The core message is not simply a scheduling hiccup but a sense of being treated as a problem rather than a patient in need of care.

Despite these negative episodes, the practice earns frequent praise for its compassionate nurses and staff, which helps many patients feel heard and supported when they do get timely access. Olivia is repeatedly singled out as a standout - referred to as "the absolute best," the soul of the practice, and someone whose warmth and genuine care noticeably lowers patients' anxiety. Several reviews emphasize that Olivia's presence helps regulate vital signs, ease nerves before appointments, and create a sense of trust and safety. Descriptions include Olivia taking vitals with attentiveness, checking in thoroughly, and making patients feel valued as people rather than charts. One patient explicitly credits Olivia with normal blood pressure during visits and notes that when she's absent, anxiety and blood pressure tend to spike. The consistency of praise for Olivia is striking across multiple entries.

Patina is also recognized positively in the community of reviews. She is described as kind, patient, and thorough, with one account emphasizing that both Olivia and Patina deliver a level of care that stands out in the practice. In addition to these two, the APRN Pratima appears in a favorable light as a practitioner who doesn't rush through visits and genuinely has her patients' best interests in mind. Collectively, these members of the care team are depicted as reliable anchors within the practice, capable of balancing clinical rigor with empathy and personal connection.

On the flip side, several reviews describe a sense of disorganization and inconsistent follow?through that undermines trust. Some patients report a lack of follow?up, persistent delays in prescription processing, or unclear communication about referrals and appointments with specialists. One reviewer notes having to contact their insurance company repeatedly due to lapses in the office's communication with pharmacies or insurers, leaving them frustrated and untreated. Another patient describes a transition from a PA to a new doctor that led to repeated missteps - no close physical evaluation of an injury, questions about why a prescription could not be refilled without an in?person visit, and no proactive communication about the status of their care or what to expect next. These accounts highlight a perceived gap between the excellent, compassionate care some providers offer and the administrative and logistical support that patients rely on to keep their care continuous and coordinated.

There are also emotionally charged opinions about how certain interactions are handled with elders and other vulnerable populations. One reviewer characterizes the practice as deceptive with elders, suggesting that some encounters leave family members or patients feeling misled or pressured. While not all experiences align with this view, it underscores how sensitive the perception of care quality can be when administrative decisions intersect with clinical judgments. In another scene, a patient describes a perception of being dismissed or undervalued, which contributes to a broader sense that communication could be more transparent and patient?centered.

Beyond the clinic walls, there are mentions of a positive, practical influence from staff outside immediate medical care. A review highlights a drive?up appointment with Olivia that felt especially supportive, and several accounts describe the benefit of a staff culture that includes caring, approachable front?desk personnel. A separate note praises a staff member who assisted with obtaining a power wheelchair, recounting how their specialist's proactive communication - video updates and consistent follow?ups - helped a family living far from the patient understand each step of the process. This illustrates how, when the team communicates clearly and acts with empathy, patients can feel supported across both medical and logistical aspects of their care.

In sum, Patient Choice Medical's reviews paint a picture of a practice with undeniable strengths and equally clear opportunities. The care team's most beloved figures - Olivia, Patina, and Pratima - are repeatedly lauded for their compassion, attentiveness, and patient?centered approach. Yet, the patient experiences also reveal systemic challenges around scheduling, follow?through, and consistent communication across the broader physician group. For many patients who have long relied on Dr. Desilva, there is gratitude for the continuity and the care they've received over the years, tempered by frustration when newer clinicians or administrative processes leave gaps in attention or accessibility. The overarching message is clear: when patients encounter the right mix of empathetic clinicians and dependable administrative support, they feel seen and heard; when that mix falters, the impact can be profound, even to the point of stress and fear during vulnerable moments.

This part of Hamden, Connecticut offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With several medical facilities nearby, including walk-in centers, orthopedic specialists, dermatologists, and ENT services, residents have access to quality healthcare options. Additionally, there are pharmacies in close proximity for medication needs. The area also provides a variety of dining options ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants for seniors to enjoy. Nearby parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For transportation, there are train stations and an airport within a reasonable distance for convenient travel. Overall, this part of Hamden provides a well-rounded community with essential amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Physicians

• Dixwell Medical Walk-In Center (0.1 miles)
• Douglas J Grunwald MD (0.5 miles)
• CT Orthopaedic Specialists (0.7 miles)
• Connecticut Orthopedic Specialists PC (0.7 miles)
• Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut (0.8 miles)
• Southern New England Ent (1.2 miles)
• Interventional Immunology Center (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Apex Pharmacy, Home Care & Nutrition Center (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• People's Pharmacy Express (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Wood-n-Tap Bar & Grill (0.8 miles)
• Glenwood Drive-In (1 miles)
• Ray & Mike's Dairy & Deli (1.9 miles)
• Mikro Depot (2.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.6 miles)
• Friendly's (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Kaiydens Coffee (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark North Haven (2.5 miles)

Parks

• East Rock Park (3.8 miles)
• Edgewood Park (4.8 miles)
• Wooster Square Park (5.2 miles)
• Lock 12 Historical Park (6.7 miles)
• Northford Park (8.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus (5 miles)
• Hill Health Center Grant Street Partnership (6.4 miles)
• Gaylord Specialty Healthcare/Gaylord Hospital (7 miles)
• Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare System: West Haven Medical Center (7.2 miles)
• Hospital of Saint Raphael (8.2 miles)

Transportation

• New Haven State Street Station (5.2 miles)
• New Haven Union Station (NHV) - Metro North/Amtrak/Shore Line East (5.7 miles)
• Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (7.7 miles)
• Metro North West Haven Train Station (7.9 miles)
• Robinson Aviation (8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church Of The Holy Spirit (7.8 miles)