Walla Walla Health Care in Walla Walla, WA

Pros

• The behavioral health department is amazing, and family medicine is widely regarded as the best.
• The Walla Walla Clinic is loved by patients who have trusted it for 28 years, with staff who are helpful, professional, and kind.
• The surgery center team is outstanding, with nurses and CNAs making patients feel at ease and delivering fantastic care.
• The patient portal is easy to use and makes communication and refills efficient.
• Dr. Bauer is an incredible listener who makes patients feel heard, respected, and cared for.
• Nurse Heidi Jo delivers friendly, efficient care and makes vaccination experiences pleasant.
• Katy Burgess stays current with new research and has excellent bedside manner.
• Dr. Flukinger has excellent bedside manner and is kind, reassuring, and professional.

Cons

• They lost the patient's labs and gave no help, leaving the infection to worsen.
• The staff are rude and condescending toward patients.
• The records department is unprofessional and frequently rude.
• The clinic is disorganized and often cannot locate records or referrals promptly.
• The phone system is painfully slow with long holds and poor callbacks.
• Appointments are frequently canceled or moved with little notice.
• Some doctors do not listen, fail to follow up, and provide inadequate care.
• Patients feel the clinic prioritizes money over patient care, resulting in delays and poor experiences.

Review

This community is best suited for families and individuals who want access to a broad medical team under one roof and who can work with a trusted physician over time. When a primary doctor earns consistent confidence, these clinics deliver deep knowledge, thoughtful listening, and continuity - from family medicine to GI and specialists. The presence of a capable surgical/diagnostic infrastructure, plus a modern patient portal and reliable labs and imaging, makes it a practical hub for ongoing care. For seniors who value established clinician relationships and the ability to stay within a familiar system, the upside is real, as long as one can tolerate the administrative rhythm that accompanies a large, multi-visit practice.

This is not the place for those who prize effortless front-desk service and uniformly smooth operations. Families that demand consistently courteous staff, prompt callbacks, rapid appointment access, and frictionless communication may want to consider alternatives. Several reviews highlight persistent frustrations with phone hold times, scheduling hurdles, and rude or rushed receptionists. If easy, predictable interactions are non-negotiable - especially for elderly loved ones or those with complex referral needs - then the search should extend beyond this clinic.

On the upside, clinical care shows notable strengths in several departments and among particular providers. Patients repeatedly sing the praises of physicians who listen, explain clearly, and demonstrate real care - Dr. Bauer in primary care and several specialists are cited as dependable, empathetic, and thorough. The "walk-in" and pediatric clinics also receive favorable mention for accessible care, and nursing and support staff in the surgical area are described as competent and reassuring. The patient portal is praised for streamlining communications, test results, and prescription management, which can offset some of the administrative frictions that surface elsewhere in the system.

But the cons are substantial and regularly reiterated. Inconsistent record retrieval, gaps in follow-through on referrals, and situations where lab results or imaging aren't communicated in a timely fashion create avoidable frustration and risk. Front-desk and receptionist tone, long holds, and fluctuating staffing contribute to a perception of disorganization, especially for families juggling multiple appointments or urgent needs. Some reviews also note clinician turnover and periodic cancellations or delays, which undermines trust and disrupts long-term planning for chronic conditions or preventive care.

The strength of the pros lends practical value, yet only if the patient can navigate the rough edges. For families who already have a doctor they trust, the system's thoroughness and the availability of a modern portal can translate into reliable treatment plans and coordinated care across specialties. When care is anchored by a few steady providers, the positives - deep medical knowledge, respectful bedside manner from specific clinicians, and efficient access to tests - can meaningfully offset the administrative bumps. In short, clinical excellence is real, but it often rides alongside a workload-heavy front desk and a referral chain that requires proactive follow-through.

Final guidance: approach selection with a clear, doctor-centric plan. Identify a couple of trusted clinicians, and build reliability around those relationships - use the patient portal to monitor tests and referrals, and insist on timely updates when results arrive. Schedule in-person visits early and prepare for potential waits or multiple calls to reach the right department. If seamless scheduling, consistently courteous service, and guaranteed prompt communication are non-negotiable, consider alternatives such as other regional clinics where staff turnover and call-back reliability appear more stable. For seniors or families managing complex care, pairing a trusted physician with a robust caregiver advocacy strategy is essential to maximize the clinic's medical strengths while buffering the administrative shortcomings.

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)