James P. Harkins, MD

I am alive today because of the medical expertise/personal care of Dr. James P. Harkins, MD. During the summer of 1995, my wife and I along with a friend from work and his wife were leaving, on Friday, to spend the week-end at the New Jersey shore. Because I was having coughing episodes and I thought it was the beginning of a cold, I stopped to see Dr. Harkins. After the initial examination, I was expecting Dr. Harkins to give me a prescription for the pharmacy. Right after the examination, his assistant and nurse came into the examination room and began additional tests, including a heart monitoring exam. I said why are you doing these tests. They said, "we were told to immediately come in and do these tests". Shortly afterwards, Dr. Harkins entered the room. I said, "Dr. Harkins why did you instruct your staff to do these tests". I said my wife and friends are waiting for me to leave for the shore. He said you aren't going to the shore. You are going to hospital now. I called the hospital and they are waiting for you. Needless to say I was shocked. When I got to the hospital, I stated to get worried; because, there was a person at the front entrance with a wheel chair waiting for me. I was taken directly to the emergence room. They performed numerous tests. During the tests, a doctor in a white jacket walked up behind me and observed the tests. When he left, I asked the nurse attending me, "Who was that doctor? She said "Dr. Coady, Chief of Cardiology. I said, does he come into the emergency room often? She said, I have never saw him in here before". After the tests, I was taken to Dr. Coady's Office. To his credit, Dr. Harkins had called ahead and scheduled the exams/tests. Shortly afterwards, I had a heart operation that saved my life. As I stated, I am alive today because Dr. Harkins. possesses the professional/personal experience to recognize this fatal symptom and doesn't hesitate to act it.

Dr. Harkins is always available to meet our medical needs. He is patience, attentive, thorough, honest and has a great sense of humor. My husband has serious heart issues and Dr. Harkins is always available when in need. He is very detailed in his diagnostics and relates the findings in a simple and understandable manner. His staff is the greatest! Thank you Doctor for keeping my husband in good health. Thank you Theresa and Ann for your efficiency and care.

Please don't leave your practice!!!!

My story will be short because Dr Harkins keeps me in top health. It has been more years than I can count, I could never leave his care. Thank you Dr James Harkins. 👏 Eunice 

Dr. Harkins initially noted that my PSA had increased from 2.8 - 3.8. Not particularly high for my age, but rising too fast. (A friend's doctor didn't think a PSA of 11 was a problem and he too had prostate cancer). This led to a fortunate, early prostate cancer diagnosis, after which I chose surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. I mailed, then later faxed in the pre-operative paperwork using the specified address and FAX number. On the Saturday before surgery, the hospital called to inform me that Hopkins still could not locate my pre-op documentation. A cancer diagnosis is not one of life's great pleasures and the added stress of missing paperwork a day before leaving for out-of-town surgery certainly didn't help. But an urgent call to Dr. James Harkins saved the day. He went to his office that Saturday evening, re-copied all the pre-op paperwork and left it in his external courier bin for my pick up on Sunday in time to hand carry it to the hospital Sunday evening. What a relief and much appreciated extra effort!