Dr. D Shakespeare

When my dad was admitted, things felt chaotic. Dr. Shakespeare was the one who actually stopped and explained everything to us in the waiting room. He didn't sugarcoat it, but he laid out the options clearly. He even drew a little diagram on a napkin. That moment of clarity when everything felt like it was falling apart meant more than he probably knows. The nurses said he always makes time for families, and I believe it.

My 8-year-old, Leo, was terrified of doctors after a bad experience. Dr. Shakespeare spent the first ten minutes of the appointment just talking to him about his favorite video game. He got down on his level, and by the end, Leo was laughing. He explained Leo's treatment plan to me in a way that didn't make me feel stupid for asking a million questions. We left feeling scared about the diagnosis, but confident in the person treating him. That's a big deal.

Saw Dr. Shakespeare for a weird lump. He was straight with me. Said it was probably nothing but needed a scan to be sure. Got the scan done quick, results came back clear. He called me himself to tell me. No fuss, no drama. Just good, clear care. Parking at Apollo is still a nightmare, though.

I've been seeing Dr. Shakespeare for about two years now for a chronic condition. The first time, I was so nervous I barely heard a word. He must have noticed because he paused, pushed his notepad aside, and said, 'Let's start over. Tell me what you're most worried about.' He remembers little things—asks about my garden, remembered my daughter's graduation. Last visit, the clinic was running late. He apologized sincerely, didn't rush me, and still answered every one of my scribbled-down questions. It feels like he sees you as a whole person, not just a chart.