Dr Tom S is gone for good now?

I just heard the news that as of Friday, Dr Tom (St Luke West) was placed on leave and is no longer seeing patients or doing surgeries. Dr Moon and Dr Smith are taking over his after care and such for now?

We just saw him Friday when he released my Mom from the hospital.

Wonder if he'll be moving to Georgetown early now...sorry to see him go.

Kat

i am so shocked to hear all of this!  when is he going to georgetown?  you'd think they'd send out some kind of notice to his patients or something?

 I was told he would be there until June 30th.  I really hate St. E and St Luke's now.  Dr. Tom is my life saver.  I will drive to Georgetown as soon as he sets up.  They have REALLY SCREWED UP BIG TIME!!

I just checked Georgetown's site and he is not listed there yet.  I had heard that he still had six months on his contract.  Wonder if St. Lukes let him out of it or if they let him go because he was planning on leaving anyway.  Having worked in the medical field I have seen both happen. 

Jacqueline

I just called the office to make an appointment with Dr. West-Smith and they said "since we've got you on the phone we need to tell you about ..." and proceeded to tell me Dr. Tom is on indefinite leave and will not be the doctor seeing me at my March appointment.  I asked about the new doctors - Dwayne Smith, Carey Brown, and Ryan Moon - who just so happen to run Advanced Bariatric Centers out of - guess where - St. Elizabeth Hospital.  I'm seeing Dr. Smith tomorrow for a slight fill.  I hope it goes well.

Dr. Laura July will be back in April - she's still on maternity leave.

I, too, wonder if they were ever planning on telling us formally, or we just have to find out on our own.  I'm not too impressed with the administration ever since St. E and St Luke hospitals merged.  It seems St. E is calling all the shots.  I read in the paper a few weeks ago (Alexandria Recorder) that they are no longer going to do surgeries for birth control (because of St. E's Catholic affiliation) that would include tubal ligations, vasectomies, etc.  I've got to wonder if they planned to replace Dr. Tom with these other doctors all along.

I'm just really bummed by this whole thing.  I may switch to Dr. Curry now that he's an Anthem Sr. Advantage provider.

Jan

I am not even a patient of his and this all sounds really lousy. He is beloved by all and he tried to do right by them and give the 6 mo that they ask, and this happens? The new docs may be just fine, but go**** does not seem as if they have handled it well, does it?
Goog luck to all his patients!
teach

It's true as of late Friday afternoon Dr. Tom is on leave.   This has nothing to do with his ability as a surgeon and his patient care..this is strictly between he and administration.
I was trained by Dr. Tom 4 yrs ago and have always been an advocate as well as often times playing liaison.  That will not change.

I will give out more information as he allows me to do so.  You are welcome to contact me personally but please remember....this is not about patient care which is the only thing I will answer.  I will not give personal information about him and will not give negative information about St. Luke.  I will give you any information you want about his future at Georgetown as I have it to release. 
What is the most important thing for him is that all of his patients feel secure.  He is sorry for any inconvenience, anxiety, etc anyone feels about his leaving, his patients are the most important thing in the world to him,right after his family. 

Please feel free to contact me at any time.
As for the website...let's just say it's under contruction


and a BIG P.S.  Dr. Sonnanstine was not LET GO..he is on leave...he still has privileges at St. Luke.  Philosphies between he and the hospital are very different these days.  The reason he gave his notice back in Dec.

Brenda
[email protected]

Brenda,
Any word on how long it will be and where he will pick up doing surgeries?  I have everything done.....my insurance is approved, all tests are done and all classes are done.  I am waiting on Dr. Dias to send over my cardiac clearance this week, which he said he would do.  Now Dr. Sonnanstine is gone.....I called Georgetown this morning and they were unaware according to them until this morning also.  So they are taking his patients names and phone numbers and will call back when they know when he is going to be there.  She said it would be alot sooner than the original June date....Any insight?  I want him to do this surgery and I have no problems with going to Georgetown...I live in Monroe Ohio but I don't care.....I am too impressed with him, his credentials, his dedication to his patients etc to let that deter me.....but I don't want to wait months to get this done either and then there is the insurance how long is the approval good for?  I am so upset right now.....I have waited so long and I finally find the surgeon that my husband and I both think is the absolute best......I am so disappointed right now....I don't blame him at all and I totally admire his convictions and his professionalism and his unwillingness to compromise his principles and how he runs his practice.....but.....any input you can give is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Donna

I sent you an email ..

 I currently live in Georgetown and had emailed Dr. S with some questions about putting a lapband over a failed RNY....I have an appointment to go see him in late March, but if you have any info regarding his move to Georgetown (and whether it will be sooner than June) please let me know.  :)