Ascension St. Vincent's Primary Care - Ortega

The front desk worker was friendly and professional. Candi, the nurse is always friendly and professional. And what can I say about Dr. Flynn? I love him. He is in tune with me if that makes sense. Thay are an awesome team and I am blessed to have them.

I was able to get an appointment in a timely manner. The staff was professional and friendly. Joy Smith is amazing. I would recommend her to anyone in need of a PCP.

This is review is for Joy Smith, APRN in the Orange Park location. As someone new to my area, and as it is with almost everywhere now in the medical field, I had to initially waste precious time with other doctors and I was just ready to give up all hope. Then there was Joy… Honestly, if the MD’s were anything like her, it would offer the much needed justice to the field!! I originally came in, less than a year ago, as a 53 year old female with multiple, and long term, serious issues. Serious, meaning actual disability to the degree that soon I wouldn’t be able to physically work much longer. “Multiple” meaning physicians don’t like the time involved, although necessary. I was also mentally depleted from the impacts of my health that also included chronic pain, and lack of any real (“real” meaning standard and basic) medical help. Joy actually listened rather than to hear me, strictly extra-quickly, answer some exceptionally basic standard medical questions. She did it with sincerity and kindness! She also doesn’t just treat the symptoms. She’s interested in also making sure you’re able to find the *cause* of the symptoms. When you have a patient like me, if a doctor doesn’t slow down to allow themselves to think outside of the box, it’s impossible to help because patients aren't a one-size-fits-all like most choose to pretend that we are anymore. And they’ve conditioned us to accept that as normal. I initially walked in an emotional and physical wreck! Because she HEARD me, she allowed me to go at my own pace with referrals since I work exceptionally long hours, and in an exceptionally stressful environment, yearlong. I am grateful to say that after putting my trust in Joy, I am now healthy enough, that I am finally off of the multiple blood pressure meds that I’ve required for years!! In less than 1 year with Joy, I’m also healthier than I’ve been in 6 years! She reminds me of what doctors were like back in the day where patients walk away knowing theyre in great hands. She literally saved my life and I can only hope she knows that, or just how unique she is! What a difference it would make if others offered that same level of care… When someone saves your life and livelihood, it’s hard to put that into words, other than you will end up with all around priceless care and impeccable medical attention! When a person has lifelong chronic conditions, it gets so old seeing doctors treat the patients like they’re an inconvenience because of their self induced God complex or from an overbooked schedule strictly for the sake of profit rather than from reserving a slot for an unanticipated emergency. Or how they over test to satisfy the real decision makers who now are actually the ones behind the scenes. The ones holding up financial monetary quotas and not caring what is truly & actually in our best interest. Instead of caring about their patients, they now work to appease the corporate insurance companies and big pharma. So when I see someone who stands apart for what we used to call a “an excellent bedside manner” as well as treating us in a manner so great that it reduces multiple medications… well that should be be acknowledged, applauded, and shared.

Dr. Calicker is truly an amazing doctor. She’s relatable, compassionate, and genuinely cares about her patients’ well-being. She’s stern but in the best possible way because she holds you accountable for your own health and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear, and that alone sets her apart. Her honesty, patience, and dedication make you feel seen, heard, and supported. We need more doctors like her providers who advocate for us, challenge us, and guide us with both firmness and compassion.