Walla Walla Health Care

Pros

• They are the best in WW for medical care.
• The behavioral health department is amazing.
• Family medicine is hands down the best.
• Dr. Haveman with ENT is a wonderful and caring provider.
• Everyone at the clinic is helpful, professional, and kind.
• The team at the surgery center is outstanding.
• Nurses and CNAs were great at putting patients at ease, and patient care was fantastic.
• Dr. Flukinger in the Women's Clinic has excellent bedside manner, is kind, knowledgeable, and very reassuring.
• Parking is easy and close to campus.

Cons

• The labs were lost and no one helped, delaying treatment.
• The GI doctor reportedly refused to review charts or return calls and prescribed meds without looking at important information.
• A records clerk was described as needing to be fired for rude behavior toward people requesting records.
• An ultrasound technician was unprofessional, had bad bedside manner, and insulted the patient's body.
• The clinic was labeled the absolute worst, with months of unresolved referrals and slow responses.
• A staff member publicly claimed that unless a child is in foster care or adopted, doctors won't see them, which was described as discriminatory.
• Receptionists yelled at patients, rolled their eyes, and staff appeared flippant; the system seemed disorganized.
• Several doctors reportedly leave the clinic after only 1?2 years, indicating high turnover.
• The voicemail/phone system was agonizingly slow, and callers could not leave messages after hours.
• There was a perception of a lack of accountability and negative behavior toward Seniors by some staff.

Review

Walla Walla Clinic has long been more than a place to get care for many residents; it's a trusted community institution that people return to year after year for reliable, professional service across multiple decades. Across the spectrum of experiences, the prevailing sentiment is that the clinic's physicians, nurses, and many support staff deliver high-quality care with genuine courtesy and competence. Patients repeatedly highlight that behavioral health is outstanding, family medicine is among the best, and certain specialists - like an ENT physician who is described as caring and attentive - meet or exceed expectations. The GI clinic also earns praise from some, and there is broad affection for the campus itself, parking, and the overall sense that the clinic is well-run and up to date. In many testimonials, the care team's dedication shines through, and there's a deep sense that for routine care and ongoing relationships, the WW Clinic remains a standout option in the region.

Several reviews celebrate the clinic's long-standing relationships and the comfort that comes from knowing clinicians who have cared for patients through years and even decades. A longtime patient lauds the entire clinic as the best option in the area, with particular affection for family medicine and behavioral health, and notes that "they are the best" across the WW region. The sentiment is echoed by others who point out that, despite hiccups, the staff's professionalism and ongoing commitment keep them loyal, and that the clinic's staff remain current with campus operations and patient care standards. There's also a sense of relief in the acknowledgment that when the system works well, the care is efficient, respectful, and well-coordinated.

Yet beneath the praise runs a thread of frustration tied to administrative and access issues that some patients say undermine otherwise solid clinical care. One major incident recurs in multiple accounts: a patient's labs were lost, which in turn blocked authorization for antibiotics and left a treatable infection untreated as the search for the missing results continued. This particular breakdown is described as a pivotal experience that exposed gaps in record-handling and communication, with consequences for patient safety and trust. Other patients recount delays and miscommunications surrounding referrals, allergy checks, and test results - complaints that cluster around the GI clinic and some specialty services where patients felt their concerns weren't fully integrated into plans or where critical safety details were overlooked.

Access and scheduling are recurring pain points. Several reviewers describe long waits for appointments, difficulty reaching staff by phone, and a voicemail system that feels agonizingly slow. One reviewer notes that the clinic's walk-in function shifted with the pandemic, leaving the impression that staffing levels now constrain true walk-in access and procedure scheduling. There are also stories about insurance and billing processes that cause confusion or delay, with some patients feeling misinformed about which services are available under their plan or when changes take effect. A few accounts praise the billing department for going the extra mile when possible, but others recount situations where patients felt unheard or dismissed, especially when it came to coverage questions or forms for changing insurance.

Interpersonal dynamics at the front desk and records desk also feature prominently in the critiques. Several accounts describe staff who seemed rude, dismissive, or unhelpful, including specific anecdotes about poor bedside manners and even instances of yelling or loud exchanges in the presence of patients and family members. One reviewer highlights a staff member who mouthed a dismissive message about a patient's family situation in a way that felt discriminatory and embarrassing. There are also reports of difficulty locating records and referrals, which compounds patients' frustration and undermines confidence in the clinic's organizational capabilities. These experiences suggest a disconnect between clinical excellence and administrative execution, with patients calling for better training, accountability, and empathy from front-line staff.

There's also a sense among some patients that physician and staff turnover contributes to inconsistent experiences. A recurring observation is that several doctors move on after relatively short tenures, leaving patients to navigate new providers who may have different communication styles or care approaches. This churn can be disorienting for patients who have built long-standing relationships with particular physicians, and it intertwines with the broader concerns about access, referral processing, and record keeping. The combination of high-quality individual clinicians and less reliable administrative processes creates a mixed landscape: moments of exceptional care punctuated by episodes of frustration that can feel disproportionate to the clinical value offered.

Overall, the stories paint a clinic that is deeply valued for the core medical expertise it has cultivated over the years, and for the compassionate, patient-centered care many professionals provide. At the same time, the collective feedback highlights meaningful opportunities for improvement in administrative efficiency, staff training, and patient communication. Patients are calling for more dependable record management, clearer and timelier communication about referrals and insurance, respectful and consistent front-desk interactions, and reliable access to appointments and urgent care when needed. If the WW Clinic can translate the strengths of its clinical offerings into equally strong operational practices - streamlining records, improving phone and message handling, and fostering consistently respectful patient interactions - the overall patient experience could become even more cohesive and trustworthy.

In sum, Walla Walla Clinic remains a cornerstone for many families and individuals who prize its long-standing relationships, skilled clinicians, and the humane care that pervades many departments. However, several pervasive concerns - lost or mishandled records, delayed referrals, insurance friction, limited after-hours access, and uneven front-d desk experiences - underscore the need for ongoing process improvements. By addressing these administrative and communication gaps while preserving the high level of medical expertise and compassionate care that patients already value, the clinic can strengthen trust and ensure that both the clinical and logistical aspects of care meet the same high standard that patients have come to expect.

This part of Walla Walla, Washington offers a convenient and accessible location with a variety of amenities nearby. For transportation needs, there are multiple options including Towne Taxidermy, U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer, Budget Truck Rental, Avis Car Rental, and A Plus Taxi. In terms of dining options, seniors can enjoy meals at McDonald's, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Arby's, Subway, Modern Restaurant, Taqueria Mi Pueblito, and Sour Grape Frozen Yogurt. Pharmacies like Rite Aid and Albertsons Pharmacy are easily accessible for medication needs. For spiritual fulfillment, there are several places of worship such as Pentecostal Church of God and First Congregational Church. Additionally, health care services from physicians at Choice Family Medicine and hospitals like Walla Walla General Hospital are within close proximity. Parks like Pioneer Park offer opportunities for outdoor enjoyment in the area. And finally, seniors can relax with a cup of coffee at nearby cafes like Coffee Perk and Starbucks.

Transportation

• Towne Taxidermy (0.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.8 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (1 miles)
• Avis Car Rental (1.5 miles)
• A Plus Taxi (1.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.9 miles)
• Valley Transit Station (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Dickey's Barbecue Pit (0.7 miles)
• Arby's (0.8 miles)
• Subway (0.8 miles)
• Modern Restaurant (0.8 miles)
• Taqueria Mi Pueblito (0.9 miles)
• Sour Grape Frozen Yogurt (0.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• New Albertson's (0.7 miles)
• Haggen Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Safeway Food & Drug (1.9 miles)
• Tallman's Pharmacy-Curbside Pick Up Available (2 miles)
• Tallman's Pharmacy (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Pentecostal Church of God (0.8 miles)
• Iglesia Caminante (1.2 miles)
• Biker Church Walla Walla (1.2 miles)
• Community of Christ (1.4 miles)
• FIRST Youth (1.5 miles)
• First Congregational Church (1.7 miles)
• Faith Bible Fellowship (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Pioneer Park (0.9 miles)
• Wildwood Park (1 miles)
• Jefferson Park (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Choice Family Medicine (1.7 miles)
• Medical Pavillion (1.8 miles)
• Adventist Health Medical Group Family Practice/Internal Medicine (1.9 miles)
• Crabtree Gary M. Md FACS (1.9 miles)
• Lifestyle Eye Center (2.1 miles)
• Valley Vision Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Dr Wong (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Walla Walla General Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Providence Family and Sports Medicine (1.8 miles)
• Ideal Option (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Coffee Perk (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Coffeecravings (2.4 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.5 miles)
• Roasters Coffee (2.6 miles)