Recommended Doctor
Joseph Leo RIETHMAN MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology - Michigan Kalamazoo

Dr. Riethman is the first male ob/gyn that I have gone to in about fifteen years. I found him to be extremely good at listening, very capable, very knowledgable, very willing to answer every single question I had and take as much as time as necessary. He did not dismiss even ONE of my concerns and, in fact, took any concerns or questions that I had very seriously. When I was considering a hysterectomy, I met with my nurse midwife who recommended a doctor in her group--I met with him and he was average at best. But then I found out about Dr. Riethman and made an appointment. when he came into the exam room, he was very polite and introduced himself properly (In other words, he didn't say, "My name is Dr. Riethman". Anytime some doctor says that, "My name is Dr. So and So", I always want to say, "Oh, you mean that's the name on your driver's license? Not Mary Smith but DOCTOR Smith?" but I digress! Anyway, Riethman did NOT do that, so that was already a point in his favor in my opinion.) Next, he let me talk. I explained all the reasons why I was in his office andwho had recommended him and what I had done so far about the problem and what I had read about what I was considering and what my remaining questions were. He never interrupted me once. At the end of it, he said, "I think that is the best history I have ever had presented to me. I don't even have one question. I think you have thought all this out and we can talk about all of it, but's let do an exam first." Then, he left he room and when he came back in, he did the exam (he is very respectful in how he interacts with his patients) and then when finished, said that I could get dressed and meet him in his office to discuss the potential surgery. I think that is one thing that gives him higher marks than average, too--the fact that he doesn't have to have the woman sitting on the table disrobed while he stands there fully clothed in a doctor's coat, which some doctors do because (unknowingly?) they want to make sure you know and remember that THEY are the doctor. Anyway, Riethman is very good about being open and honest with his patients. In his office, I asked every single question I could think of and he patiently and willingly answered every single one--including questions about the number of times he had done certain procedures, his morbidity rate, any complications he personally had seen, any problems down the road, etc. He never acted defensive at all but glad to answer. He never made me feel rushed. This was in direct contrast to the first ob/gyn I'd seen at my midwife's office a couple floors below. I chose Dr. Riethman after this appointment, and heard from other nurses that he was very good in the OR as far as technical skills go (important to me as the wife of a doctor who also did several years of general surgery residency and knows the difference between a good bedside manner and good OR abilities). I have been very pleased with the outcome of the surgery. R... [<a href='read.php?taid=541'>more..</a>]