Anthony F. Altimari, MD
Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical GroupPrimary Specialty
General Surgery
Insurance
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Practice Focus Areas
- Abdominal Surgery
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Colorectal Surgery
- Gallbladder Surgery
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hernia Surgery
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- LINX
Education
- Medical Education:
-
MD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School - 1983
- Internship:
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Loyola University Medical Center - 1984
- Residency:
-
Loyola University Medical Center - 1988
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery - Surgery (Certified)
Faculty Profile
Health System Clinician, Feinberg School of MedicinePractice Groups and Affiliations
- Medical Group:
- Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group
- Alignment Category:
-
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
- On Medical Staff At:
-
Central DuPage Hospital
Ratings and Reviews
At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.
Read Ratings FAQsOverall Rating
760 Ratings
Reviews from Patients
Reviews from Patients
August 26, 2022
3.0 star star star star_border star_borderThis was a first time visit with Dr. Altimari. He seemed to be a little bit mentally occupied; and maybe rightfully so being a surgeon. I don’t believe a first time encounter with an individual should determine his or her abilities. Maybe my expectations were to high, but I did not feel any genuine concern. It made me question the decision to have surgery. Most healthcare workers are gifted with the ability to feel empathy and they display the persona of concern.
August 18, 2022
1.0 star star_border star_border star_border star_borderI will give him a 1 because he's probably decent at what he does but truly he was negligent in his aftercare, minimizing of concerns, patronizing and completely rude. He forgot I was an actual person who he took an organ out of.I was one week post operative with a planned surgery when I was diagnosed with gallstones and infection so Dr. Altimari took my gallbladder out.After the trauma of being sent home without pain management from him for 2 days because he forgot to sign my script and also wasn't available to sign it the following day. I also found out he used steri strips on my incisions which I was extremely clear to him and his staff that I have allergies to adhesive and I never know what is going to set it off and when. So I was clear on how the incisions could be bandaged, which he initially agreed to but failed to follow through with. I spoke to patient relations asking to not have to see him for my follow up appointment. I can't trust someone who would leave me without the proper pain management for 2 days after experiencing 2 major abdominal surgeries in one weeks time. Those 2 nights were terrible with how much pain I experienced, I woke up constantly and cried through the night. I was told I had to see doctor Altimari since he was the one who performed my surgery but that he had been talked to and he stated he was sorry for the things that had taken place. Because I am the patient who is vulnerable and needing proper care after surgery I decided to still see him to make sure everything was healing correctly and to check in on what my limitations should be. I didn't have a good feeling about it but I need to take care of myself first and foremost.I went to the follow up appointment hoping we could talk about what happened and move on. Instead he walked in the room with his hand out towards me to shake it and said 'Hello Miss Crabby at me because I made a mistake' and continued on how he made a mistake in forgetting to sign my prescription because 'listen I'm a busy surgeon things get lost'. I told him that was a big problem but why was it also not signed the following day? To which he placed the responsibility on me to take the medication I was given for my first surgery. If he had listened or his staff would have told him when I called, he would have known that the first medication wasn't helping me. What I had received in the hospital under his care and what he had prescribed for me was actually the best option for my body considering it was my second major abdominal surgery in a week.He then asked me to sit on the exam table and began to slightly push my body back to lay down which hurt because of my recent surgeries. As I layed back he just grabbed my shirt to examine my incisions which caused me to push his hand away and I told him to stop. My abdomen was very sensitive so I was feeling rushed and man handled. I also found it unprofessional and inappropriate that he went to lift my shirt and examine me without my consent. I do understand that's what I was there for but allowing the patient to undress themselves is the only appropriate way to approach the situation. I got myself situated and he began examining my abdomen and incision sites. As he examined he said 'see you're fine the steri strips didn't hurt you' and told me that I shouldn't have been concerned with how I was bandaged up 'steri strips are exactly the same as bandaids' he said as he took no responsibility for them being placed on me after I was very clear they weren't supposed to be used. I went on to explain how my allergy can show up randomly and is inconsistent plus is often worse when tension is placed on the bandage like in the case of steri strips. I could have been left with blisters or skin peeling off if I hadn't found the steri strips and my mom hadn't helped me take them off with an adhesive remover. He continued to take no responsibility for what happened and acted like I was the problem. At the end of the appointment he said 'this is the only appointment you need to see me for which I know you are happy about because you didn't want to see me in the first place' he stood up and walked out the door. Leaving me completely stunned that he would talk to me that way and take no responsibility for his actions. I honestly feel like I would have been better off not even talking to patient relations about the whole thing before my appointment, especially since I wasn't allowed to see anyone else. He took his anger out on me which I didn't deserve, he made the mistakes and I paid for all of them. I would never recommend Dr. Altimari to any of my loved ones. He may be decent at operating but once that job is done nothing else matters to him. He takes no responsibility and obviously wasn't sorry for his actions
August 02, 2022
5.0 star star star star starHe was very compassionate and asked me how I was feeling. Didn't seem to br rushing me out of there and asked if I had any concerns. Felt like a patient, not a last minute task, as some doctors make us patients feel.
July 25, 2022
5.0 star star star star starDr. Altimari was perfect for the care that I needed. He explained everything before the surgery and I’m so glad he was the surgeon that operated on me. He did a drop dead (not literally lol) amazing job and I don’t even think I’ll scar because of how perfect he closed the wounds up. It was a very bad injury and I’m just so grateful for his care.
June 03, 2022
5.0 star star star star starDuring my initial visit the doctor shared with me how he would perform the surgery. The surgery was performed exactly the way he said it would be. The recovery has been the exact same as he is shared as well. I am healing well and I am so thankful
April 14, 2022
5.0 star star star star starDr Altimari is a very caring and compassionate Dr that made me feel comfortable from the moment I met him. Great office staff as well, that helped me with some questions I had after my surgery. I would highly recommend him.
March 30, 2022
5.0 star star star star starDr. Altimari is very upbeat about the care a patient receives. He explains everything about the upcoming surgery and is ready to help if there are any problems. My wife has had several surgeries with Dr. Altimari and has always been treated well. He cares about the post surgery stage as well as he tries to make the process as comfortable and pain manageable as possible.
Disclosures
Anthony F. Altimari, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2021.
External Professional Relationships
Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.
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