Dr. Mark Wathen, MD

Dr. Wathen successfully cardioverted my AFib in E.R. On my follow-up office visit, he told me after wearing a heart monitor for 2 weeks, 'Well, you're heart's not racing, so there's nothing I can do for you.' He suggested an aspirin per day (I think blood thinners are preferred, but you can't tell him anything), and he suggested walking a mile a day, which I thought was good advice. Nothing else about diet, lifestyle, etc. So, I give him 2 stars for the successful cardioversion and the walking advice. On the downside, he is not a listener. He is one of those, 'I am the doctor, I know everything, you know nothing' types. You can't tell him anything, because he already knows it all. He can be very short with the patient and talk in a very demeaning way, making one afraid to ask questions. He needs to take some courses in communication and learn to practice patience, empathy, and compassion. He would not be my choice if I ever had to have an ablation or other heart procedure.

Dr Wathen met me in the ER, and was just who I needed. He took all the time needed to answer the questions my wife and I had. He was attentive, friendly, and caring, and had quickly diagnosed my immediate medical needs. Everything about his manner was confident and quietly reassuring. He’s just who I hope will be there for me if I ever have a similar need in the future.

Great Doctor

As bad as it can be. Very demeaning, distrustful of what the patient is telling him. Acts as though your troubling him by taking up his time. Wouldn't recommend him to anyone. Argumentative. Acting like a irratic rythm is associated with dreams.and in his words everyone has irregular heart rhythms. And swings his arms very poor body language. Poorest people skills I have ever came in contact with in the medical profession. And I've been a R N for over 30 years. So that's saying a lot. He's probably old enough to retire. Hopefully he will do so and let someone that knows how to communicate and has a little compassion step in.

I am 70 years old. I have had constant Afib for 3 years. I was always tired and lacked any energy or stamina. The cardiologist I was seeing said a lot of things most of which didn't help. I got a referral to Dr. Wathen. He reviewed my cardio history and said the best words I had heard in a couple of years " why don't we just fix it?" I though major surgery or a pacemaker but Dr. Wathen recommended a Cardio Version. He explained the procedure and the risks. I always like anything that may promise high rewards with minimal risk. Long story short, On October the 8th 2019, Dr. Wathen performed my cardio version. I was in and out by noon. This is important. I have gone 4 months without a sign of Afib. I am regaining my strength, I feel great and I now celebrate October 8th as my new rebirth date. That is how much my life has changed. I wish I had found Dr. Wathen 3 years ago. Thank you Dr. Wathen.

Mark Wathen is a card and I mean that in the best possible way. Twisted sense of humor aside (which I really admired!) he is one of those guys who, if the procedure doesn't work the first time--and sometimes it doesn't--he will do it again, and again if necessary. I really enjoyed dealing with him when he was at Vanderbilt, and if I had to have more work done and I was in the Cookeville area, his would be the first name I would look for. He's a good man and a great doctor and he WILL fix your heart problem. Period.

Lousy. He did not appreciate being asked a question more than once. Amazing his lack of patience.

In my opinion, Dr. Mark Wathen is the best of the best as a Cardiac Electrophysiologist. In addition to being an excellent doctor, he is also a gentle man who genuinely cares about about his patients and places their needs at the top of the list of priorities. Thank you.

Bedside manner is atrocious. Not even sure if he knows what he is doing.

He was a very nice, and informative doctor, I am very grateful to have had the pleasure to get to know him a little, and I can't say that about doctors very often.

Excellent doctor, good bedside manners, very professional