Dr. Thomas Holovacs, MD

After 2 plus years of shoulder pain, multiple cortisone shots and PT, I sought out Dr. Holovacs for his opinion as to whether I needed shoulder surgery. Dr. Holovacs treated me as if I was wasting his time although neither he nor his assistant physically evaluated me, he said I should be followed by my PCP for vague symptoms and wrote that in his notes on patient gateway! Shoulder pain radiating to my forearm, unable to lift arm to the side or bear weight never made it into the notes. This guy is a disgrace, avoid him!!

My husband had a torn bicep and rotor cuff “ repair” with Dr H. He was supposed to do the T Cell injections 7-10 days after surgery. He booked the T Cell injections ( in the office ) . My husband is a VERY active man - he explained what exactly his activities were including working out . After surgery, Dr H came out to the waiting room and told me “ things were worse than he expected “ ( he never looked at the MRI ) just went in blind , and that my husband could “ take up golf”. I asked him what my husbands response was when he told him that - he said “ I didn’t tell him”. I made a little bit of a scene in the waiting room , as DrH had ENSURED my husband- he would have a full recovery (especially after T Cells ) and he would be able to resume normal activities. RUN as fast as you can away from this surgeon and office ! My husband called to confirm the T Cell appointment and was told he “ never made it “. The Dr KNEW he screwed up . There were SO many things wrong ! No follow up.

Each visit required a 2 hour wait in the reception room. The very first time we met, MGH staff failed to give him my xrays, etc. He got them, looked at them for not more than 3 minutes and made a very bad decision about what surgery I needed. He never asked about my lifestyle, my sports, my intentions for using my shoulder. He never told me the benefits and risks of the surgery he proposed, or that of alternative surgeries.He was already running 2 hours behind and chose me to catch up.After 6 months, I realized his decision had been a huge mistake. I think he knew that the day he cut into my shoulder. But I went through 6 months of painful PT. I'll go elsewhere for another shoulder surgery.Gotta say, Holovacs isn't the only one to blame. MGH clearly is overextended, has no protocols for how to review patients, meet with patients, inform patients. Compared with their competitors, they are back in the 20th century for patient care and it shows in the results I received.

dr. did not clarify the basis for his recommendation, was discouraging and unduly emphasized the pain and dangers of the procedure. He seemed contentious.

Abnormally long wait times in waiting room. I had to leave at first appt because it ran two hours over my scheduled time Came back for second appt only to wait over an hour over my scheduled time. He never examined me just said” you need surgery period”. Is you want me to operate let me know if not get a second opinion. This was after his first PA in his office said my rotator was fine, second PA in his office said “you have tendinitis, we don’t operate on people with tendinitis. Then Dr H came in and pointed out my tendon tears. No confidence from that practice. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing there. They don’t really care unless they can operate. Find someone who really cares.

Dr Holovacs was very unprofessional and arrogant. Not helpful in any way. Steer clear of this guy.

I had a latarjet in 2008 with Dr Holovacs and my coracoid reabsorbed causing the screws to move. The surgery itself was done correctly for the knowledge at the time but he because "I don't make mistakes" attitude I lived in horrible pain and dealt with daily dislocations/subluxations for 7 years. He was dismissive of me saying "its screw pain" and failed to see a now known complication. I required two salavage procedures and will have to live with chronic pain for the rest of my life due to this arrogance that he is perfect.

Dr. Holovacs and his staff are the best shoulder specialists that I have encountered after two prior shoulder and arm surgeries. He repaired two full-thickness and two high grade tears in my right shoulder. I experienced a complete recovery.

Waited 1 hour and 45 min to see Dr. Holovacs (with no recognition or apology), only to be miserably disappointed with his attention, care and overall engagement. This was a first appointment with the doctor. He didn't look at my body, did not review my x-rays, and was arrogant, dismissive and impatient with my questions. Mass General should be ashamed of this assumptive and uncaring physician. I'm not looking to be best friends with my physicians, but I am expecting basic active listening skills, recognition of my pain, a modicum of patience, and validation of my concerns. Here's a simple tip Dr. Holovacs, failing to recognize when someone has been waiting is disrespectful to the patient and gets things off to a poor start. Go back to school and learn bedside manner. I am confident you think you will master it. Ugh.

A most arrogant physician... My appt. was ODD to say the least. Dr Holovacs effectively told me that he did not want me as a patient, told me to get a 2nd opinion, and then said that whatever 2nd opinion doctor I found would be my doctor. I went to Dr H. specifically for an evaluation of my recently broken shoulder, which his profile says that he is a specialist in. Dr. H. was absent of ANY detailed information on my condition. My wife was with me during the appointment, and we left the office wondering what alternative reality we had just experienced. I was given NO specific help other than to just let my arm "hang in a sling for 8 weeks like Napoleon." ** He did not take the time to look at my body or review my x-rays with me and asked me more questions about my x-ray than he provided answers. He did not opine on what I could expect for determining when or if I would be healed, if/when I would need another x-ray, or any interim care & pain management needed for the next 8 weeks.

After treating with a local shoulder specialist for 3 years for pain in my shoulder and limited movement, I had surgery, multiple cortisone shots and rounds of PT, no relief. My doctor told me I was too young for a replacement (60 years old) and there was nothing more he could do for me. A friend suggested going into MGH, I called and got an appointment with Dr. Holovacs, he reviewed my recent MRI and stated that I needed a total shoulder replacement and he would like to schedule it asap. I was thrilled, then Covid hit, and I was delayed until October, but had my surgery, in and out in 8 hours, recuperated at home, began physical therapy and was released by both Dr. Holovacs and my therapist within 3 months. I'm like a new person and I owe it all to the care and treatment I received from Dr. Holovacs, he gave me back my life, I will be forever grateful.

After a less than satisfying video consult with his PA, Kendra, I scheduled a cortisone injection in my shoulder. After the injection there was little improvement so I scheduled an in person appointment with Dr. Holovacs. Both the Doctor and his PA were completely uninterested in helping me understand the root cause of my pain. Instead they simply said my shoulder looked stiff and the doctor said "Well, you tried everything else might as well do surgery." Yet I couldn't get him to elaborate on what surgery meant or what would be done during the procedure other than it is arthroscopic and he would "clean things up". Both the Doctor and his PA were officious and uncaring. When I had cancer four years ago, the surgeon at BI took the time to explain the situation and even walked me through my MRI. At my appointment with Dr. Holovacs he never once referenced either the shoulder xray or MRI. I wouldn't recommend him to work on a houseplant. I expected more from MGH. Very disappointed.

I saw Dr. Holovacs for a second opinion on my torn rotator cuff tendon after seeing two in South Florida and three in the Boston area. He immediately won me over with his confidence. I'm 12 weeks post op and have regained about 90% on my rotation back. Today I started weight training and feel great! There were complications with my surgery which kept me in a sling until 8 weeks. I elected for a Lipogem stem cell treatment which I believe accelerated the recovery process. I have total respect for him as a surgeon.

After reading reviews about Dr Holovacs, I was skeptical about seeing him. I went to him yesterday for a second opinion on a shoulder injury. The first specialist I saw in August 2018 told me I was fine, did not believe in my symptoms and just gave a cortisone shot then sent me on my way. That did not heal my problem at all. The PA's and Dr. Holovacs found my issue within 10 minutes of being with me. They were so thorough with the test and measurements and detailed when explaining my diagnosis.

Dr Holovacs is the best orthopedic doctor I have seen. I live in California and flew out to Boston 5 times for surgery. And I might have to see him again. Thank you Dr Holovacs for helping with my shoulder. Paula Griswold California

I waited for over 2 hours to see Dr Holovacs and he didn't make any effort to recognize or apologize for the delay. He did notice that I was a bit annoyed and I told him about the long wait He responded that patients often ask a lot of questions. No apology, nothing. I am never going back to him. He may be a talented surgeon, but there are others with better "bed side" manners who are just as competent.

Dr. Holovacs repaired my rotator cuff. After one year post opp I was like new. It's been three years since my operation and I remain whole. I'm self imposed careful in the gym and remain fully recovered. Thank you, Dr. Holovacs. Also - his staff is the best on the planet.

Great experience with Dr. Holovacs! I had surgery for a cartilage tear in my shoulder. I am a water polo player and was back to playing water polo after a year or so of recovery, which I thought would never happen. His office was also great, They caught a blood clot when all I did was complain about cramping at my 1 week follow up appointment. Overall well coordinated and talented group! And the surgery was very successful (no pain anymore and am less flexible than before, which was the goal)

I am in worse pain than before my surgery, but was dismissed by both Dr. and Pa and told there was nothing they could do for me. Post op attention is none, even after I informed them I had an infection and was put on antibiotics by my PCP.

I recently had shoulder surgery and was very pleased with Dr. Holovacs. He informed my son of what was going on when I was done with surgery and I was told I needed another procedure for a different problem. I feel I am in competent hands with him which eases my mind, feeling he will be the best at what he does.