Dr. Darla Kay Rivera, DO

The most knowledgeable Doctor I’ve met. Very thorough in searching out the root of health problems. She listens to the patients concerns. When a referral is needed, she is quick to get her patient connected. I have referred several people to Dr Rivera.

Dr. Rivera is hands down the best doctor in Kansas. She's so attentive and caring to all her patients. She will take the time to listen to your concerns and get a thorough understanding of your medical/family history to better diagnosis you. 5 Stars! Highly recommend

Darla is the most thorough amazing physician-she is amazing!

Darla Rivera has been my doctor for over 20 years, she is quite honestly not only the best doctor in the Midwest but she is also one of the best people I know. She is thorough and accurate in her diagnosis's, she is empathetic and listens to you, while ensuring that she gets all of the pertinent details to ensure no issues are left addressed. She provides excellent treatment and is quite honestly is irreplaceable. I would give her 10 stars if I could. Strongly recommend!!!

Dr. Rivera is one of the few physicians who really listen to what you have to say. She listens and discusses your health with you. She doesn't just come in and leave. Yes, you will wait longer to see her because she LISTENS to every patient like a good doctor should.

If you are looking for a doctor, I highly recommend Dr. Darla Rivera. I moved to Wichita for a new job in the mid 90’s. I was in my twenties and was “required” to find a primary care physician. Then, I had no idea what qualities I wanted in a doctor. I was blessed that someone suggested Dr. Rivera. I didn’t know I needed a doctor who was compassionate, who listened to me, who took extra measure whether it be research or referrals over the years when, as I aged, I had various medical needs. When I left my job in Wichita, I stayed with Dr. Rivera, even though at that time the drive to Wichita would be longer. I moved further away from Wichita when I purchased a house after receiving a promotion. Now I was in my late 30s. Again, rather than finding a local doctor in the city I lived (an hour drive one way to Wichita) there was no question I would continue to see my primary care doctor, Dr. Rivera. I had recognized the quality I needed in a doctor. Someone who read my chart. Someone who understood my past medical history. Someone who actually knew me as a person and knew what my medical needs were. Someone who knew the stressors of my job. And if she did not know, she would make referrals for me to be tested, so she could know. In my 40s, my mom became a paraplegic while my parents were living in Colorado. When I moved my parents to live with me (again an hour away from Wichita), no doctor in the city we lived would take my mom as a patient. That was terrifying as my mom had significant medical needs as a paraplegic. But Dr. Rivera willingly took my mom as a patient until my mom could find someone closer. Dr. Rivera provided exceptional care to my mom until my mom could find specialists in town to help her. My mother would still see Dr. Rivera if she could, but the hour drive and my mom’s frequent pain requires my mom to have a local doctor, a doctor who my mom doesn’t care for because my mom doesn’t feel her primary care doctor listens to her. Even after my mom found specialists in the town we live, when I see Dr. Rivera now, when I am in my 50s, Dr. Rivera always asks about my mom. She makes a point to make sure I tell my mom hello from her. Because Dr. Rivera cares about her patients. For me, I know I am beyond blessed to have a doctor who has the qualities I have come to expect in a doctor (even though I didn’t know that when I “chose her” when I was younger). When I need an appointment for something I am able to get in to see her without waiting for weeks and weeks. There may be times when I am in the waiting room of the office at Primary Care Associates to see her and time has passed from when I was scheduled to see her. On occasion, if I hear someone complain about the time they are having to wait to see a doctor, I think to myself, I am thankful and more than willing to wait if need be. If I am waiting, that means Dr. Rivera is making sure the patient she is seeing at the time, is getting her undivided attention. I am thankful because when it is my turn, when I am in her office and she walks in, she truly knows my name, knows who I am, my family, my job, and my past medical problems. When she meets with me, it may take more time, but in the 25+ years I have seen her, I have never walked out of her office without feeling “heard” and also knowing Dr. Rivera is doing the absolute best to provide quality medical care to me. For that, I am eternally grateful. Quite frankly, if she is to ever retire, I know with certainty, there will never be a doctor who will be able to provide the quality care and compassion she has provided me over the years. It took me a long time to know what qualities I require in a doctor, I know now I want a doctor to have the qualities of Dr. Rivera.

Dr Rivera is kind and does not give up on you when you don’t know what is wrong. She digs into your symptoms and test results until she figures out what you have. She is easy to get into see. She listens to you. She isn’t afraid to refer you to specialty doctors. She has a way of getting you to the top drs for opinions. The only problem if there is one, wait time to see her has been hours and hours. But she has never given up on me and I won’t give up on her. She works miracles & I love this doctor. Very grateful to Dr Rivera.

Dr. RIvera saved my life by listening to me. I had a series of symptoms that no one could explain. I kept fainting, once injuring myself very seriously. Dr. Rivera stuck with my case and eventually, we found out that I have a heart valve about to fail. If she had not given, I would have probably have died. Sometimes you have to wait to see her longer than you might like but that is because it is she has taken her time with each patient. We live 60 miles away and consider ourselves fortunate to have her as our doctor.

Dr Rivera is an excellent doctor. Her nurses are the problem. It has been ongoing with them not returning phone calls. Right now they didn't give me a 2nd sheet of paper to take to get my diabetic shoes. They were supposed to fax it and the company hasn't received it. It is 3 weeks now and my foot had a painful callousfrom not wearing the proper shoes

She is a great doctor. She really knows medicine. Will spend whatever time you need to obtain the correct diagnosis. You do have to wait too long sometimes - probably because she is taking time with the patients before your appointment. Once you see her though, you will get the best care.

Came in for a pregnancy test and was seriously for over 2 hrs. Dr riveria has to b the slowest dr i have ever seen.

This doctors time management is very poor.

Dr. Rivera takes on individuals who other doctors will not see due to chronic or multiple medical conditions. I have seen her for over 8 yrs and my wife 15 years. She takes the necessary time to get an accurate diagnosis. She listens and spends time. Wait time is long, but worth it not to have to come back for each medical condition we had to with another doctor who fired us. She does not have any issues with referrals to specialist if needed or requesting lab work. She can talk fast, but you can get her to slow down. Helps to have things written down and her staff respond to messages sent on their online system.

I have gone to Dr. Rivera for many years, and she is the most caring, pro-active, knowledgable, and responsive doctors I have ever known. She takes CARE of her patients. Her staff are great, and you can email or call and get what you need promptly. She does not hesitate to refer you to a specialist if she feels you need it, and works hard to do the best for each patient.

Dr. Rivera's patients may have to wait longer than the national average but they recceive better than the national average care! When I developed symptoms that were difficult to diagnose, Dr. Rivera kept after the possibilities, without her thorough and methodical nature, we probably would not have discovered that I had a life threatening heart problem that was in need of immediate surgery. Something the first cardiologist missed because I "passed" a stress test and had a clear EKG. If, Dr. Rivera had not been as proactive as she was, I probably would not have gotten a second opinion and definitely would not be writing these comments.