AdventHealth Waterman Hospital

Pros

• The nurses were very kind and quick to ensure the patient had what they needed at all times.
• The patient enjoyed a beautiful room with a view, and the ward nurses were friendly and professional.
• The staff consistently behaved professionally from entry to examination.
• The infusion center staff were great, personable and professional.
• Mary, who manages HBO treatment, contributed to a pleasant hospital experience.
• Dr. Michael J. Barnum, Delphia, Christine, Sonya, and the transport staff made the stay amazing (including the anesthesiologist).
• Kellie Oliver in the emergency department was amazing.
• AdventHealth Waterman is described as the best, with staff there for patients.
• Erika Johnson went above and beyond; the whole staff made the experience nice.
• Cardiac rehabilitation has been a good experience, teaching safe exercise and boosting confidence.
• The facility is clean and staffed with professional personnel.
• AdventHealth Waterman Cancer Institute provided wonderful care with kindness, clear explanations, and faith-based support.
• Josie, the pediatric nurse, provided exceptional care, making the child comfortable and safe with thorough communication.

Cons

• The reviewer had a disappointing experience with Dr. Dut and his staff, noting unprofessional behavior and a lack of compassion toward an elderly relative.
• The reviewer would not recommend the clinic due to unprofessional nurses and inappropriate comments, including notes describing a patient as a "lunatic" or "crazy lazy."
• The reviewer described the ED care as among the worst they have received, including a five-hour wait for a CAT scan during a thunderclap headache.
• In a separate incident, the reviewer with a chemical eye burn waited in an empty ED and received no prompt eye flushing, eventually walking out; an ophthalmologist later said immediate flushing would have been appropriate, and the ER manager was rude on the phone.
• The reviewer described a dirty room with inadequate cleaning, promises to provide an EpiPen that were not fulfilled, and overall poor attention to patient needs.
• The reviewer had a gallbladder issue that Waterman failed to diagnose, leading to later surgery elsewhere and a pledge to not return.
• The reviewer criticized the ER manager's unprofessional conduct when contacted about the lack of care.

Review

The collection of experiences shared about AdventHealth Waterman and its related services paints a largely warm and human portrait of care, with many patients praising the kindness, professionalism, and attentiveness of the nursing and support staff. Across multiple departments, people recount moments when nurses were quick to respond, patient and friendly, and invested in making sure patients had what they needed at all times. A common refrain is pride in being part of the AdventHealth Waterman community, with several notes emphasizing how much patients value the care they received, as well as how much they appreciate the compassionate touch of the caregivers. One patient even spoke of being born at Waterman and feeling a deep connection to the team, while another highlighted the comfort of waking up to a room with a view and the reassurance that the ward nurses were both kind and professional.

On the front lines, many reviews spotlight the infusion center and HBO treatment teams, who are described as personable and professional. The experience of care in these settings is often characterized by attentive staff who take the time to explain procedures, keep patients informed, and maintain a reassuring presence throughout lengthy treatments. The cancer institute receives particular praise for its approach to care, with patients noting that staff explained all treatment options and potential side effects, and that faith-based support is encouraged and valued by the hospital. The dedication of individual doctors and nurses is repeatedly mentioned - names like Dr. Michael J. Barnum, Delphia, Christine, Sonya, and a nurse transport team member are cited as making a meaningful difference in the patient's stay. The pediatric experience is also highlighted positively when a nurse named Josie went above and beyond to ensure a child's comfort and safety, including thorough explanations of medications and dosages.

Beyond clinical care, several reviews celebrate the overall atmosphere and the way staff treat patients as people rather than numbers. A sentiment echoed by many is that Waterman's clinicians and support personnel go the extra mile in helping patients feel seen and cared for, from anesthesia teams to rehabilitation staff. Cardiac rehab, in particular, is lauded for helping patients learn to exercise safely and gain confidence in managing their health independently. Several patients express gratitude for the consistent professionalism observed from check-in through the examination and treatment process. The general message is that when care goes well, it feels collaborative, respectful, and focused on the patient's well-being.

Nevertheless, the collection includes a number of troubling experiences that contrast with the positive feedback. Some patients describe extremely disappointing or even dangerous episodes in the emergency department and related services. One account details a long wait in the ED during which significant concerns about pain management and timely evaluation persisted, culminating in a perception that critical care steps were delayed. Other reviews recount inappropriate conduct by a physician, specifically flirting with a relative during a visit, which was described as unprofessional and disrespectful, especially given the patient's age and vulnerability. Several families reported a lack of compassion and poor bedside manner toward elderly relatives, raising serious concerns about trust and safety in care.

There are equally specific, firsthand warnings about gaps in safety and communication. A patient describes a chemical burn to the eye that was not treated promptly, with the ED reportedly empty yet no immediate action taken to flush the eye or address pain, ultimately causing lasting concern and prompting an ophthalmologist to advise that the hospital should have acted more swiftly. Another review recounts being told to wait for a cat scan for five hours after presenting with a thunderclap headache, prompting a doctor's concern about what could have happened if the situation had been more urgent. A recurring theme in the negative feedback is a perceived lack of timely care and inconsistent compassion, including reports of rooms left dirty or not properly cleaned, missed medications such as an EPIPEN request, and a general sense that the weekend staffing could be strained, affecting the level of attention given to patients.

In one deeply troubling account, a patient stated they would not return to Waterman after a cascade of problems that included perceived unprofessionalism by the ER manager over the phone, a sense of being dismissed, and a lack of clear and compassionate communication during a frightening health episode. These stories underscore a clear call for improved patient experience, particularly in the ED, where the stakes are highest and the impact of delays or dismissive attitudes can be profound. Yet even within these critiques, there is an overarching desire for better care: patients want swift, thorough evaluation, respectful treatment of themselves and their families, and reliable pain management and safety protocols during emergencies.

Taken together, the feedback paints a nuanced portrait of AdventHealth Waterman. The hospital and its teams are widely praised for demonstrating warmth, professionalism, and genuine care in many care settings, from infusion suites and cancer care to pediatric and rehabilitation services. The positive experiences emphasize quick responsiveness, clear communication, and a sense of being looked after by people who truly care about patients' well-being. At the same time, the negative experiences underscore persistent challenges in emergency medicine, patient safety, and the consistency of compassion across all staff and shifts. The recurring themes point to a strong foundation of patient trust and gratitude, tempered by a real demand for improvements in ED response times, professional conduct, and thorough, empathetic care - especially for vulnerable patients and during high-stress situations. For many, AdventHealth Waterman remains a trusted provider, with a clear hope that the best elements of their care - the kindness of nurses, the expertise of doctors, and the supportive presence of infusion and rehab teams - will be consistently available to every patient who walks through their doors.

This area of Tavares, Florida, offers convenient access to a variety of restaurants, pharmacies, physicians, and hospitals within a short distance. With popular dining options such as Domino's Pizza and Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill nearby, residents can enjoy a variety of cuisine choices. There are also several pharmacies in the vicinity for easy access to medication and healthcare needs. For medical care, there are reputable physicians specializing in pulmonary critical care, plastic surgery, cardiology, dermatology, and more. Additionally, there are urgent care centers and hospitals within close proximity for any emergency situations. The area also offers options for relaxation with cafes like Starbucks and beautiful parks like Lake Idamere Park nearby. For entertainment, there are theaters such as AMC Lake Square 12 for movies. Places of worship like First United Methodist Church provide spiritual support for seniors looking to continue their faith practice in the community.

Restaurants

• Domino's Pizza (0.4 miles)
• Kalua Beach Bar (0.4 miles)
• Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill (0.4 miles)
• Hwy 441 Diner (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• East Wok (1.4 miles)
• Subway (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• The Pharmacist (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Lake Pharmacy (5.1 miles)

Physicians

• Lake Pulmonary Critical Care (1.8 miles)
• Frank Montoya MD (1.8 miles)
• Central Florida Cardiovascular Center (1.8 miles)
• Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates (1.8 miles)
• Lake ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery (1.9 miles)
• Central Fl Cardiology & Vsclr (1.9 miles)
• Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Lrmc Riverside Urgent Care Center (2.2 miles)
• AdventHealth Waterman (2.2 miles)
• Florida Hospital Waterman (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Lake Idamere Park (2.6 miles)
• Eustis Lake Walk (5 miles)
• Trimble Park (5.3 miles)
• Donnelly Park (5.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Lake Square 12 (3.5 miles)
• Epic Theatres (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Church Kidz (4.8 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (5.7 miles)