Dr. Dianna Dofka Shipley, MD

Dr. Shipley was a horrible Oncologist. I was so glad to go see someone else. Shipley ignored me when I was in the room but talked to my friend's regarding my Breast Cancer Diagnosis. She also agreed to lower my initial chemotherapy dosage to help offset any neuropathy in my fingers or hands. But yet stabbed me in the back in my medical records stating I was Non Compliant. This also almost cost me my Healthcare Coverage. Shipley is pure evil treating a patient this way. I would NEVER recommend her to anyone.

Dr . Shipley was very dismissive when I tried explaining my experience and symptoms.

She was my wife’s oncologist and we would rate the staff 4 stars but Dr. Shipley 2 stars. She was very late diagnosing my wife’s multiple myeloma even after several office visits to her complaining of pain. Once diagnosed, she did a good job with the treatment of the cancer but seemingly ignored the affects the cancer was having on my wife’s bones. Ultimately, my wife had multiple compression fractures in her spine and could have utilized kypoplasty to repair the damage but nothing was done and now it’s too late to do the procedure. Frustrated!

Waited OVER one hour after the appointed/scheduled time. No significant reason. Patients are expendable. “ Quantity over quality” seems the theme.

You cannot go wrong by seeing Dr.Shipley, she is caring and professional.

I was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (a rare cancer). I was given to Dr. Shipley via the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center and placed on a clinical trial. I was treated at Tennessee Oncology for 8 1/2 months and only saw Dr. Shipley once, I was instead regulated to physician's assistant who seemed to have a dislike for me. My first thoughts when I heard the word cancer it inspired more fear than the terms ISIS, Talaban, terrorism, Hillary or Donald. After having many tests (CT Scans, Bone Marrow Biopsy, Ultrasounds, and so many blood tests I thought i would need a transfusion) After all this no one was decent enough to explain what I had, how it was going to affect my life or how long I had to live. I was given typed reports and left to my own means to glean any information that I could. I spent many hours on the computer deciphering medical terms. But I also went to the Medicare and Tri-care for Life to check my medical coverage. I concluded that they may not cover all the tests required to be on the clinical trial. When I questioned them about this they told me that I might get help from some cancer organizations, but no real assurances. So I elected to remove myself from the trial due to economics. I would have liked to help fellow patients but could not afford the costs of the excessive testing not really important to my treatment. I found out months later while doing research regarding my cancer that insurance companies are obligated to pay for FDA approved trials. One of the first bad incidents occured when they told my calcium levels where to high. They pumped something like Lime-away into my veins and discharged me with an instruction sheet stating I should call their help number, Well I developed one of the symptoms and called, I was told it was not their problem and that I had Kidney Stones. Contact a urologist, As it turned out it wasn't Kidney Stones and my wife and were left to own resources to cure the pain. The next I received a call from the PA to report to the Tri-Star Centennial Emergency Room for an undisclosed treatment, if didn't I was going to die. I received a treatment called plasmasericies where the suck your blood out of your body and replace the plasma and pump it back into you. Frightening procedure i had three tubes stuck into the artery in my neck and left there for three days while they repeated the procedure. Here was the first that I had a Dr. explain to what was happening. I,m sure Dr. Flinn found me lacking in knowledge about my condition. He explain the cancer and why this treatment was required. He also recommended I learn as much as I could about the cancer and the treatment. The more I asked the PA the shorter her explanation became. I was told not to use the internet because of the misinformation it contained and that I was to ignorant to understand the information, She also told there were no support groups for my cancer because of it being rare. Well I continued anyway and finally found the most wonderful website with an international support organization. There members include the most prominent Drs. from the Mayo Clinic, Dana Ferber and M D Anderson as well as many researchers from foreign countries. The first support group meeting that I attended I was overwhelmed by the knowledge the group had. Discussing my situation they all concluded I needed a second opinion. I then decided to contact the Mayo clinic in Rochester. MN. They set me up with a 1 hour appointment with Dr Thomas Habermann ( he actually reviewed my records and spent about 3 hours over 2 days giving a tremendous insight) He didn't think I was stupid and complemented me on what I did know. I asked questions about my treatment and seem puzzled by what was done, it's timing, and what wasn't done. Of course I had no answers since nothing was ever explained to me. One of his final comments was that my best chance for quality of life and living to an old age was to go with experience. Dr shipley or her PA never displayed any knowledge regarding my cancer and no desire to learn. That is why I have a new physician who has already impressed me with his knowledge and a caring attitude. The bright moments at TN Oncology was the support staff and duty nurse and technicians, they were wonderful and very respectful. My last appointment there I met Dr. Barton who seemed more intune with needs, but I gather he was not a permanent fixture but only filling in.

I am a stage 4 cancer surviver. I firmly believe God put DR. Shipley in my path with a gift of healing knowledge and a higher gift of carring for her fellow man. Not knowing i had had this cancer for 3 and a half yrs. before meeting Dr. Shipley, she search and studied what protocal i needed. She told me exactly what i was up against and for me to do exactly what she said. With out going into fine details, 7 months later i was CANCER FREE!!!!!!!! Praise God for people like her. P.S. I am not unaware that everyone has the results i had, and i don't know why either, but it was not because Dr. Shipley did't use every power that was at her hand to help everyone. Kenneth Briley

Best Dr around..

Definitely ...the most caring doctor I have ever known. She is positive and encouraging but best of all is that she takes the time to listen.

Most caring down to earth doctor I have ever met! She was created to be an oncologist,and it shows by how she treats her patients. I am so lucky to have had her as my oncologist! :)

Very compassionate very friendly.

The only word that comes to mind is unprofessional.

My Dad was diagnosed with MDS Leukemia and began to see Dr. Shipley. I went with him on some of his appointments. When I could not be there my Dad would have me on the phone so that I could hear her treatment or she would call me later. My Dad was 84 when leukemia won. I miss my Dad but I find comfort in the fact that he received excellent medical care from a very caring and compassionate physician. I highly recommend this outstanding doctor.

I met with Dr. Shipley for the first time on Dec the 8th. She was very friendly and seem to be very caring.