Dr. Olga Bendinger, MD

I was seen by this provider at Providence St. Vincent and she was a nightmare. Wouldn’t see it speak with me for days and told me I could be held there for 6 months. I was in a coed psych ward which should not be allowed… especially when they tell us they are understaffed and won’t have any staff for hours overnight. As a younger female, many males in the unit would stare at me and harass me and the nursing staff told me that “everyone is in there because they have issues.” I was sleep deprived for days making sure no men were entering my room when I was sleeping. The staff would become very loud chatting at night and slamming doors. When I told them I couldn’t sleep because it was too loud, they moved me to a room that was right next to one of the doors they were slamming and would not move me again. By the time I was released I hadn’t had sleep in days, I was entirely in worse health, and suffering from new extreme PTSD symptoms and nightmares from my stay.

Dr. Bendinger is a keenly perceptive evaluator who quickly decides on medication for managed care. She is attractive and stimulating in conversation. At a time when I was vulnerable to family abuse, she intervened, protected my patient rights, and authorized my stay for extended care. I do not recommend her if you aren't experienced as a professional or client in psychiatric care. She doesn't easily bend to complaints. She is practical and professional. She is open to patient input on appropriate medical prescriptions and diagnoses. She is refreshingly accepting. She has an element of humor. She spent hours conferring with my attorney, who questioned the validity of my stay at St. Vincent Hospital. My attorney, a civil rights attorney, complimented her dedication and judgment in having me discharged within a reasonable time frame. I never felt rushed or compelled to disrupt my rest and sleep. She restored me to a restful sleep cycle. Full General Dale L. Vogt, USAF

Appalling- she engages in downstream patient dumping. She releases seriously ill patients who are unstable.. She approves unsuitable aftercare placements to get patients out of the hospital with no regard for patient safety or the safety of the community. She is a disgrace to her profession. She over rides civil commitments to clear her beds. Egregious medical neglect!

Atrocious. Remorselessly causes egregious harm.

Excellent doctor. She cared for me several times up at St. Vincent over the last 15 yrs. Approachable, active listener, compassionate. Willing to tweak meds with patient input. I saw her help people get weaned off opiates. I highly recommend her.

I went to Providence Saint Vincent's ER because I was coping with PTSD. This doctor blamed me for being coerced and sexually assaulted asking if I felt "guilty" as she laughed and jested at my expense. The staff would not help either. I asked the tech to help me file a complaint, but they said I couldn't do anything until I left the ER. Then I asked for my Patient Rights and Responsibilities Pamphlet, but they didn't give me one. Hours of crying until they released me. I'm scared to go back.

Dr. Bendinger was condescending and rude. She reluctantly agreed to contact my outpatient psychiatrist and refused to contact my psychologist. She made comments like, You're not the only patient in the hospital, and, you need to see a REAL doctor, not a psychologist about [my issue]. After she did speak with my psychiatrist, she spoke to me giving information inconsistent with his diagnosis. Oh--36 HOURS in the ER holding bay with no admission upstairs in sight.