Paula Lizak Gilchrist, DPM

Paula Lizak Gilchrist, DPM           

4424 Penn Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

(412) 621-6444

What type of medicine does the provider practice?

Podiatrist.

Would you recommend the provider to others?

No – I went to Dr. Gilchrist because the office was conveniently located to my work. I was experiencing an ache in my heel and arch. Dr. Gilchrist was pleasant during the initial exam and told me I had high arches, should buy more supportive running shoes, and then she gave me inserts for my shoes and had me try them out. They made my boots very tight on my feet, and they were one of my less tight footwear options. This made me nervous and I expressed this, but her advice was to find out if the original insoles could be taken out. After walking to my car, I could tell that the inserts would not be feasible, and I did not have the funds to buy all new shoes to accomodate them. As they were $60 out of pocket, I immediately called the office and asked them to not deposit the check I gave them as I would not be wearing the inserts. I asked the receptionist I spoke to if this was possible and she said yes. At my follow up I attempted to give the inserts back and ask for a different option for treatment. Dr. Gilchrist got very quiet and angry and would not take them from my hand. She said because I had worn them from the office to the car, a distance of 2 – 3 blocks, they were ruined. She demanded payment. I refused and she would not look at me or speak to me except to tell me to get out of the office. She then left me in the examining room with no more follow up. I found that experience demeaning and extremely unprofessional to refuse to talk about care to a patient when the course of treatment you recommended was not working.

Why did you see this provider?

Sore heel.

What was your experience making an appointment with the provider?

Fine. I called them in the morning and made an appointment for the next week.

Was the provider affordable?

They accepted my UPMC insurance. I did not think the inserts were affordable, but they are the same price as inserts you could buy off the shelf at New Balance, and less money than custom orthotics.

Please describe your experience with the provider:

See above.

Please describe your experience with the provider’s support staff:

Support staff were all respectful and polite.