John Podkowa DO
Executive Chief of Primary Care
Specialties:
Internal Medicine | Primary Care
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About John Podkowa DO
Dr. John Podkowa is the Executive Chief of Primary Care at Southcoast Health.
He began this role in 2026 and has served as a Southcoast Health Primary Care Provider since 2009.
Today, he is responsible for leading Southcoast Health’s Primary Care Practice in delivering exceptional patient care, ensuring excellent quality outcomes, and improving access to primary care services. Together with the primary care team, he focuses on partnering with numerous specialties across the Southcoast Health System to strengthen patient care and better serve our community.
During his tenure at Southcoast Health, Dr. Podkowa has served as the Medical Director for the Southcoast Health Network, a Regional Chief of Primary Care, and Chief Medical Information Officer and Senior Vice President. His leadership has always been rooted in improving how care is delivered and experienced.
Dr. Podkowa is board-certified in Internal Medicine and continues to see patients in Dartmouth. His commitment to compassion extends far beyond his clinical role, and he has partnered with Southcoast Health to establish the Nicole Podkowa Patient & Caregiver Fund, which provides support to Southcoast Health Cancer Care patients in need.
Before joining Southcoast Health, Dr. Podkowa earned his medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he served as Chief Resident. He was also a National Health Corps scholar and a member of the Osteopathic Honors Fraternity at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Locations
370 Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA
02747
Dartmouth, MA
02747
Insurance
Southcoast Health accepts most major insurance plans. Call the Southcoast Health patient registration department at 844-297-2952 or your health plan with any questions regarding coverage.
Ratings & Reviews
At Southcoast Health, we strive to deliver exceptional patient care along with an exceptional patient experience. We appreciate all of your feedback and share your comments to recognize the wonderful care our teams provide to you as well as identify areas for improvement.
Patient Comments (150)
When the answer is never to the substance assessment please terminate the questions rather than subjecting your patients to the additional pages of basically the same questions.
Dr podkowa said he will get my hurt knee appointment ASAP. Because the orthopedic i called would not see me soon
Dr. Podkowa and his staff are all the best medical providers i have ever seen. Whenever I need to be seen for a medical issue, I am ? grateful Dr Podkowa is there and insists on such professionalism and kindness in himself and his staff.
Dr. Podkowa is an excellent physician. He goes above and beyond and really listens to his patients showing kindness and compassion.
Well, to make a long story short, we (my husband Herve and I) love Dr. Podkawa and his staff and appreciate their attention and caring ways.
Everything went well And always doesEfficient, courteous ,
Professional, caring, informed and on time. Always a pleasure to visit this office and be under their care.
Staff is wonderful, Caring ,knowledgeable and respectful, Never a long wait ,Never try to hurry the visit
I am very pleased with my experience with the office and the doctor. I considered myself very fortunate to be working with competent and caring people. I look forward to my next visit and even though I'm not getting any younger, I am still very well thank you Dr. Podkowa And thank you to all the staff.
Dr Podkowa listens closely and offers sound advice. His associates and staff are professional, competent and kind.
Absolutely amazing Doctor and Staff
Always more than medicine need more like him. I have to say on the behalf of ALL OF MY PROVIDERS AT SOUTHCOAST, they are super. Thank you everyone!!!!!!
Very comfortable with this Dr
All was well the way I always is with all my southcoast doctors
Team Podkowa is truly the "gold standard" for providing health care to SHS patients. Led by Dr. Podkowa, this office is very efficiently run and delivers quality care in a timely manner. I cannot say enough good things about how this unit processes patients.
Dr. Podkowa is professional, knowledgeable, friendly and explains all treatments. He demonstrates a genuine interest in my health.
Everyone in the office was extremely caring and pleasant.
Excellent physician in who has my full trust and confidence. Could not be in better hands.
Caring, took time to discuss and understand. Did not feel rushed
The organization of this provider and his staff is impeccable. They have been providing medical care to patients and members of our community for so long they now have it down to a science.
Every aspect of of my visit was handled with the utmost of care and very professionally. Dr Podkowa is truly an outstanding physician In all respects.
Just love my doctor
Good evening. Dr. Patkoa is a kind, caring, compassionate doctor. Always listens to your concerns. Highly recommended by my family. Thank you. Good night.
I was called at the right time didn't have to wait long and everybody treated you so good there
Dr. Pokowa and his entire staff are the best of the best!!
Everything about this visit went well! Everyone in the office including the doctor was very professional and caring!
Dr. Podkowa is awesome, he is a rare gem! His staff are kind and helpful.
I leave knowing I'm in good hands so thankful for a caring doctor and his staff
Dr. Podkowa has been my primary for 15 years! In my opinion, he is one of the best physicians I have ever had! His staff all are top notch!
I always enjoy speaking with John Podkowa, who is a friend and excellent physician.
Dr Podkawa truly listens to me and knows exactly how I feel and know exactly what needs to be done to address any issues
Dr Podkowa & [Name] all staff to be honest are truly wonderful. Very kind
The doctor, nurses and staff are smart, friendly and always positive!
They are top tier. They are on top of everything related to my care from history, pre-scheduled Labs, and prescriptions. They make sure everything is perfect, always.
Always thorough at visits and listen and suggest well…
Everyone at this office is always professional, courteous and respectful. They all know their jobs and responsibilities and practice them always. They make you feel like a person rather than a patient while they are treating you.
Dr Podkowa is the best and so is his entire staff!
Love doctor podkowa and his staff
Dr Podkawa always explains things to me. He talks about my medical problems and what I have to do to get on track. This time he changed my meds for diabetes to see if I can get my sugars down. He will also order a new Glucometer to see if that helps. I know how important it is to listen to his advice as I was once a nurse!
always do well
Dr. Podkowa is always very attentive and listens to my needs and concerns and guides me.
Very thorough visit
Professional appearance, knowledgeable and answered all questions. Highly recommended.
Dr. Podkowa and everyone in his office are everything you want in a physician. They are kind, caring, knowledgeable and intelligent. All of these qualities make me feel comfortable that my health needs are being taken care of totally.
Dr. Podkowa always listens to me!
Dr. Podkowa,u00A0u00A0[Name] [Name]u00A0 and the team have provided consistently great care over the past 17 years.
Dr. Podkowa is friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. I could not ask for a finer Doctor.
Timely, courteous, well informed, professional, provided office notes.
Everyone was incredibly friendly and highly professional. A big thank you all the staff…
All interactions of the visit were professional, timely, and courteous.
Dr Podkowa and his staff are incredible!
Southcoast Hospitals would be in a far better place if the providers mirrored this extraordinary doctor - knowledge, compassion, courtesy, passion - and truly cares about my health is so incredibly refreshing - beyond words. Dr Podkowa is exceptional - best of the Southcoast
Dr. John is the best!
Office atmosphere is relaxing. Very efficient. Staff polite and helpful. Dr Podkowa is very thorough and makes you feel relaxed .
So professional AND personable - a winning combination. I always feel that I am heard - I am known and understood. Communication is clear, thorough, respectful and motivating.
Dr. Podkowa is exceptional…always kind, caring, thoughtful, and thorough.
He is a wonderful doctor!He always asks how everything is going personally before getting into how my health is. He doesn't judge me if my numbers are off. Instead, he calmly offers different approaches to improve my overall health. I am truly grateful that I have Dr Podkowa as my primary care physician. Southcoast Health is as lucky to have him and his wonderful team as well!
Doctor Podkowa listen to any concerns I might have had.
No room for improvements, they have patient care down to a science. Very blessed & extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful staff serving our community.
Always a pleasure to be cared for by Dr Podkowa. He genuinely cares
prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, caring
Staff are wonderful, Always pleasant and knowledgeable, Never a long wait ,They genuinely care ,Also spend the time with patients, Never rush you
I am a real person in this office. My health is good because they care.
Dr Podkowa is always on time. He always answers all my questions. He gives careful advice. He is an excellent doctor.
No complaints. Very thorough exam. Dr. Podkowa and staff very pleasant.
Dr. Podkowa has been my primary care physician for many years and he is a classic example of how every provider should practice and really know their patients. Thank you
This provider and all the staff of his office are really unbelievable good and efficient and also very nice! It is the best you can expect!!
Always treated with respect and always good listeners
Dr. Podkowa is a very kind and Intentional health provider I'm very grateful to have him as my primary care doctor. I only wish she had more room in the practice to be able to also add my mother who is 86 years old as a patient. She is trying to find a new primary care physician I also have two friends that are also looking for a new primary care doctors and would definitely recommend Dr. Podkowa but I believe the practice is not excepting new patients.
From the support staff to Dr Podkowa everything went very well. This office is like the good personal medical of the past where you aren't rushed and everybody cares. In addition to being qualified professionals in the medical field they are also great people who I enjoy talking to. The medical profession needs to follow their model.
Very kind, courteous, professional and reviewing each medical issue at a time being sure for me to understand the plan.I recommend him to everyone I encounter.
Always a pleasure when being seen at dr podkowa's Office. Well run , experienced office team .u00A0
Dr Podkowa is the bestu00A0
Always keep up and knowledgeable about my history!
Dr. Podkowa is very professional he takes the time to listen an address any issues or questions that you have.
On time appointment! Everyone was professional and pleasant, efficient but not rushed.
Dr Podkowa always listens and knows what is going on with my health. He is amazing!!
Dr. Podkowa is a "top notch" health care provider.
Professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and on time.
Dr. Podkowa provided much emotional support and shared coping techniques/resources for a stressful family situation that I am currently involved in. I left feeling much less stressed and felt heard and supported.
Dr. Podkowa and his staff are professional and caring. I am so appreciative to have him as my primary care doctor.
Everyone in this office is so compassionate and caring. I'm always seen by Dr. Podkowa and [Name] and I feel so blessed to have them all be a part of my care.
Convenient location with lab available now. Maybe offer TV in waiting area? Always professional.
Dr Podkowa is top notch, attentive, caring and great to work with! His staff is also very pleasant and great!
I find the visit, televisit was very informative with information that I was happy with, as always with South Coast.
Dr. Podkowa is a kind and caring physician, whom I am so lucky to have as my PCP. He listens thoughtfully to my concerns, answers all my questions, shares his recommendations, and together we discuss my plan if care. The entire office staff are wonderful. My family and I are grateful for Dr. Podkowa and his entire staff, for sure. They are exceptional exceptions to Southcoast Health.
Very caring about my Health. Professional,Courtesy, Respectful of my Health.
Dr. Podkowa was very attentive and thorough. Technician was also excellent.
The doctor and support staff were great, and always are when I have an appointment there.
Dr. Podkowa is very thorough and personable. He is very knowledgeable and projects that in a relatable way.
Always treated very good
Always professional and timely and aware of my needs and my families needs.I hope that nothing ever happens that keeps me from continuing to be one of the patients here.
The office of Dr Podkowa is the BEST of Southcoast.
Always treated well and everything explained. Dr John and staff are wonderful
Dr Podkowa is the ultimate example of a good person, good doctor.I trust his judgment and medical knowledge to provide the best care I (and my family) could ask for.We are grateful and blessed to have him and his staff as our medical team.
We switched over from Hawthorn to Southcoast 3 years ago and it has been the best move for my wife and I.
Dr. Podkowa is a wonderful and Varin physician and I am lucky to have him as my PCP.
Dr podkowa is the best
There is no need to improve my experience. My visit was everything I would expect with my doctor. He is always very thoughtful and thorough!
Polite staff & caring Doc. Nice to see beautiful paintings on the wall as well.
Always excellent care from entire staff!
Dr Podkowa is the most caring knowledgeable Dr I've ever came across. He always goes above and beyond to make sure I have and need anything in regards to my health issues! I truly wish more Dr where as kind as Dr podkowa
The telehealth worked well since getting into the office would have been difficult.Currently, homebound.
As always everyone was professional, courteous and knowledgeable. I was treated with respect and listened to regarding the reason I was there. Dr. Podkowa and staff are the best and I am glad that they're in charge of my health.
Dr. Podkowa and his staff are the "gold standard" for providing outstanding health care to patients. He/they are very knowledgeable, attentive, detailed, kind and compassionate people. Dr. Podkowa is "best in class" in every metric possible.
Everything went smoothly. There is nothing I can think of that would improve the experience.
He is really the best doctor and great person. It's good to go to an appointment where the doctor knows you and remembers things about you! It really matters! Definitely personal experience and humanity is not lost!
Dr. Podkowa and his team always make me feel so good when I visit the facility. Everyone is always so polite and caring. Always making sure my visits are pleasant. Everyone treats me with respect ! Very amazing office, grateful to be Dr.Podkowa's patient !
Exceptional care on all levels. So happy to have this team of caregivers.
Dr Podkowa is an excellent doctor. He's very personable. He is passionate about his job and cares about his patients. I would recommend them to family and friends. He is the best!
Polite. Professional. Welcoming.
Everyone was really good and helpful and very polite
Excellent in every way
I was made to feel comfortable, provider was very understanding, and respectful all while being very informative
Well care visit was excellent. Dr. Podkowa is exceptional provider.
Dr. Podkowa is in my estimation the most caring, compassionate Physician I have ever had! I trust him with all aspects of my health, physical and emotional. He has over the years become a friend as well as my doctor! Southcoast is very fortunate to have a doctor like Dr. Podkowa!
Staff is wonderful, caring and knowledgeable, Most doctors rush you in and out ,Doctor podkowas is an exception to that ,Everyone from secretary to Doctor are great .
Very welcome it was my first visit. Explain thoroughly what was going on. Gave me the freedom to ask questions answered all questions. Not only to explain thoroughly, but made sure you understood what what was being explained?
My provider is the definition of More Than Medicine. I'm blessed to have him and he makes me feel that he's blessed to have me.
Dr Podkowa and staff are the best! Couldn't have better care!!
Kind and knowledgeable of my personal medical history
Dr. Podkowa and his nurses always listen and provide me with help and tests and test results in a timely manner.He is a friendly doctor who cares . I am fortunate to have him.
Everyone was very pleasant and professional. Dr. Podkowa is a very kind and knowledgeable man who cares about you and your health, and also is a very good listener.
I've been with this practice for many, many years. They always exceed expectations and they always get me what I need. They couldn't be any better if they tried. Thank you.
Professional staff courteous, eager to help. Dr. Podkwoka takes the time to listen and discuss my health concerns and provides timely answers and solutions.
Dr Podkowa is the bomb!
-Appointment started on time-Dr. Podkowa reviewed my lab results with me-Discussed future Health Maintenance appointments to be scheduled - Efficient reception scheduling and Health Maintenance appointments scheduled-Always a pleasure to visit this practice Thank you!
Dr Podkowa was awesome helped with all my concerns. Great office
Thanks for helping me through the years. Growing older is not fun, however you all are very supportive.
My expectations are always exceeded when I have an appointment at this office. The support staff is exceptional. They are not only efficient and professional, they are also very helpful and friendly. Dr Podkowa is fantastic. He was up to date on my medical history, provided insightful information and I really appreciated his attention to detail and positive attitude. I feel very fortunate to have such a great team to work with in with Dr Podkowa, [Name] [Name] and the staff at this office.
Dr. Podkowa and his staff treated me as if I was a family member. The staff were very courteous and friendly. Dr. Podkowa made me feel comfortable and explained every aspect of my physical clearly and succinctly. They are top notch!
Extremely professional but friendly and efficient office. Very well run. Very organized and patient centered.
Dr. Podkowa and his staff are excellent providers. I couldn't have a more knowledgeable and caring doctor. Southcoast is very lucky to have him as a provider.
He listens… the office is always proactive and they put their patient needs first!
This office goes above and beyond all expectations.I feel very special and cared for!
Communication and human demeaner was real and caring
Saw me at the appointed time. Dr. Podkowa is a good listener and explains things in "layman's terms". All the staff is polite and make you feel welcome.
I love this office and the staff.
Dr Podkowa and team have been and always will be the best. I'm grateful for them all!
No suggestions. Always a wonderful experience to visit that office.
Great service from e-check in, to vitals, seeing Dr Podkowa, and scheduling follow up. Even got a flu shot will was there.
Dr. Podkowa is the absolute best. Kind considerate intelligent always provides great advice.
The entire experience went well. Everyone is kind, courteous and very understanding
Dr Podkowa & his staff have always been extremely supportive, knowledgeable, caring, professional & their helpfulness has always been above par.
Nothing. Top notch and I am a physician so I know what good care looks like
Dr podkowa and [Name] Are always very kind and understanding. Also respond quickly to my messages. Both are amazing. The office staff are always very nice also.
My experience was excellent! It could not have been better!
Very efficient care. Staff friendly and very caring. Would highly recommend this office and medical staff.
Great doctor and staff!! Always nice and welcoming and takes time to listen.
Dr Podkowa is a great doc.