I was referred to Dr. Oja when I was in my early 20's, for nasal problems. He far succeeded my expectations, from start to finish. Many years later when I was in need of carpal tunnel surgery, then a few years after that, lesion removal (twice), and am now waiting on a consultation for my left arm (pain from shoulder to fingertips, with 'feeling asleep' hands), I requested Dr. Oja. I hear people complain that Dr. Oja has no bedside manner.....I have come to find that this stems from his "surgeon personality", meaning when he is in 'professional mode', whether it be in his office or the operating room, he has one focus and will not be distracted. Dr. Oja takes his work very seriously. If you have other ailment questions, you will need referred again. Dr. Oja takes his patients seriously and due to his incredible work load, this is one way to ensure the patients who are waiting for consult or surgery will not have to wait longer. Add up the many patients, and the many conversations they want to have, and we will be waiting a whole lot longer to see Dr. Oja. He has one focus at a time and that is one you....how refreshing! You have all of his attention, no distractions. Dr. Oja wants everything in order, no variations, and he demands and gets it. When dealing with Dr. Oja, it's simple....wait until he is finished talking and then ask the questions you have that are pertinent to what is at hand. I found that he is open to other questions if you let him do his job, and don't expect random conversations; be quick and to the point.
Outside of office hours he is an entirely different person! Night and day!
The bottom line is, Dr. Oja an excellent surgeon, no question. Expect to see a Professional with his own way of doing things, and you will never be disappointed. If you feel he is rude, that's not on him, that's because you don't know how to take him, He's not out to win a popularity contest; he's here to make you right again.