Dr. Rodolfo José Dennis - Doctor appointment

[OZ62 17]

Before we left the Hotel Casa Sarita, the señora Paulina advised us to take theTransMilenio to the doctor's location. The cab ride from the Instituto yLaboratorio Clínico Calle 38 No. 8-28, would be very costly about $50 US dollars. After the lab work and eating a quick breakfast at Subways, we walked several blocks south to the TransMilenio station. We payed each 7,500 COL pesos for the ride up to the Dr. Rodolfo José Dennis place which is located way up north at the Fundación Cardioinfantil. Total cost for both: 15,000 COL pesos ($8.25 US).

- We took the TransMilenio B1 and got off at Calle 161. About a 30 minute ride.

- From the Transmilenio station, one can then take a short cab ride to doctor's place.

- Our appointment was at 2PM. We arrived at Calle 161 at 10AM.

- Since it was really early, we decided to walk and do a little tourist touring.

- When we got to the park on the left hand side, we made a left at Carrera 13B

- After the park, the building, next to it is the place.

- Went inside, made a right towards Tower H. Made a left and at the end was the appointment desk.

- Inside the building is a very nice food court with lots of choices.

- We hung out inside the building, taking pictures and then we walked out to have a look around.

- We sat at the park for a while, then around 1PM we went inside to eat and drink something.

- Approx 1:45 PM, we went to the desk and reported for the appointment.

- Approx 3PM, she was called in. I stayed in the waiting room.

- Approx 4PM, she said that she needed shots and that the passport picture was no good and that we needed to get new ones.

- Noticed three other VISA ladies were there and they ALL were required to take shots.

- Doctor told my fiancée that vaccines were needed for reinforcements (vacunas necesitan refuerzos). Additional cost for 3 shots, 151,100 COL pesos. IMOVAXGRIPE,TETANOS Y DIFTERIA, and SARAMPION. Doctor exam cost was 150,000 COL pesos. Our total cost 301,100 COL pesos and we were out of there with the medical package.Doctor said that if there where issues, especially from the lab work, she would not get a package.

- All ladies were required to completely undress, but my fiancée said that Doctor Dennis was very respectful, but anyway, she did not like the situation. None of the ladies liked it. I originally wanted to get an appointment with the female doctor, but read here in VisaJourney, that she wasn't participating. But my fiancée said that when she was at the laboratory, a lady said that her appointment was with the female doctor, Dra Monica Caicedo. O well...

- After my fiancée got her shots, we had to get a cab ride to get new passport or VISA pictures. We were given a place and address. FOTO JAPON, Calle 140,#18A-70 (Close to Avenida 19).

- Cab cost about 5,000 COL pesos each way. Cost for pictures, 41,000 COL pesos. I wanted 6 pictures, but, each sheet was 4 pictures and had to buy 2 sheets, total 8 pictures and was given a cd.

- Got back to the doctor's place around 5:10PM. My fiancée got her medical package and the DS-3025 in hand and we left the place before it got dark.

- This time we took a cab to the TransMilenio station at Calle 161.

- To go back we were recommended to take the TransMilenio H13 and to get off at Calle 63.

- Glad that we never took a cab, because there was so many traffic jams coming back. Very glad also, the money saved came handy for the required shots.

- We got off at Calle 63, about a 30 minutes ride on the TransMilenio and we then walked to our hotel from there.

[OZ62 17]

Sorry, but to be correct, we payed each 1,750 COL pesos each for the ride up on the TransMilenio to the Dr. Rodolfo José Dennis. Total cost for both: 3,500 COL pesos ($1.92 US). Return was the same price. Total price for the whole trip was $3.84 US for using the TransMilenio. Incredible!!! The current exchange rate is at 1,820 COL to the US dollar.

[COLOMBOB 0]

Thanks for the information. In regards to the timing of the medical appointment, is there a "time limit", or rather a limit of lets say "taking the exams within a week" of your VISA appointment? Or can these be done at anytime during the process? Thanks in advance.

[LAKY 1]

Wow thanks for the info!!!!

[OZ62 17]

Thanks for the information. In regards to the timing of the medical appointment, is there a "time limit", or rather a limit of lets say "taking the exams within a week" of your VISA appointment? Or can these be done at anytime during the process? Thanks in advance.

Nothing at all.... Timing is more to how you are going to plan the day. The laboratory is in the far northeast side of Bogota. It's on 8th ST. Well the doctor is at 161th ST. Way out there in the northwest, the doctor I picked that is. I highly recommend that you put a day between the doctor's visit and the embassy appointment. We were burned down after the lab and doctor. Glad that we had a day between to rest and put all the paperwork together before the interview. But I have read here that folks do everything in two days, well, it's up to you. Out medical day started at 6AM and we got back to the hotel late that night. Remember, the lab is only opened from 7-10AM. We went the Friday before, but got there after 1130AM and that's when we found out about the time. Glad that we did this Friday, because Monday we were ready. So you go to the lab... do the blood work and x-ray. They say that the package would get to the doctor sometime after 3pm or 4pm. Our appointment was at 2pm and when I asked the doctor's receptionist if there would be issues if going to the lab that morning and was told no issues. Even the nurse in the lab said there were no issues in having an appointment in the afternoon. Recommend getting the VISA pictures in Colombia (FOTO JAPON). I had Eilyn send me hers and had them done in Walgreens and at the doctor's office didn't like it and we had to rush out and get them. We got to the doctor's place at 10AM and if I knew, we would had gotten those pictures. Oh, well... all done. She had to get shots and apparently, the other ladies also had to get shots. Doctor says.. Stronger Booster shots... When we left the doctor's place, Eilyn had the form DS-3025, a rolled up taped folder, and a green sealed folder. The doctor said, if one leaves with this, you are ready to go. If there were issues, the person will not leave with this paperwork. We found out at the embassy interview that the only thing needed was the sealed green envelope. The rolled up envelope are the X-ray and they were not used during the interview. Basically this was for Eilyn. Again, if you can do the lab in the morning and the doctor in the afternoon and the next day do the interview.... Yes you can!!! Good Luck...

Edited June 8, 2012 by OZ62