Robert E. Herndon, MD in Oklahoma City: Internal Medicine with Extended Appointment Access
Robert E. Herndon, MD is an internal medicine physician in Oklahoma City who maintains one of the longer appointment windows in the market for established patients, with routine follow-ups commonly available within 2 to 3 weeks rather than the 4 to 8-week standard at many competing practices in the metro area.
What Robert E. Herndon, MD actually is
Herndon practices general internal medicine, treating adults across preventive, chronic, and acute care. His practice manages conditions including hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and routine health maintenance. Unlike cardiologists or endocrinologists, he provides first-line diagnosis and treatment for most medical issues and refers to specialists when needed. His practice accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans.
Services and appointment availability
Herndon offers annual physicals, management of chronic disease, acute illness evaluation, and preventive screening (lipid panels, colorectal cancer screening coordination, blood pressure monitoring). The practice does not perform procedures; EKGs and imaging are ordered and interpreted through affiliated providers or referred out.
New-patient appointment lead times typically run 3 to 4 weeks. Established patients generally secure routine follow-ups within 2 to 3 weeks, materially shorter than the 4 to 8-week average reported by other Oklahoma City internal medicine practices during peak seasons. Urgent same-day slots occasionally open but are not guaranteed.
Insurance accepted includes Medicare, Medicaid, and plans from BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. Patients should confirm coverage before the first visit.
How Herndon compares to other Oklahoma City internal medicine options
Oklahoma City's internal medicine landscape divides between independent practices, hospital-affiliated clinics, and large multispecialty groups. Herndon operates as an independent provider, meaning no hospital system ownership. That structure typically allows more flexible scheduling than hospital-owned clinics, which often prioritize system referrals or have administratively stacked schedules.
Compared to hospital-affiliated practices (such as those under OU Medicine or Integris), Herndon's established-patient availability is a concrete advantage for continuity. Hospital clinics often run 6 to 8-week waits for follow-ups during winter or flu season, driven by volume and system protocols. Compared to other solo or small-group internal medicine practices in the metro, Herndon's 2 to 3-week window is consistent with the upper tier; many single-provider offices operate with similar lead times.
Choose Herndon if you prioritize access for ongoing management of chronic conditions and want to avoid long waits between check-ins. Choose a hospital-affiliated clinic if you value on-site imaging, lab work, or close coordination with a larger specialist network.
Who this practice suits and who it does not
Herndon suits adults with established chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension) who benefit from regular check-ins. He is appropriate for preventive care and routine physicals. He does not perform in-office procedures, so patients needing EKGs, stress tests, or other diagnostic work will be referred. Patients seeking same-day urgent care or walk-in services will have inconsistent luck; the practice operates by appointment only.
What the first visit involves
New patients should expect 45 to 60 minutes. Herndon collects detailed history (medical, surgical, medication, family, social, allergy), performs a physical exam, reviews any recent lab or imaging results, and discusses preventive care needs. He typically orders baseline labs (CBC, metabolic panel, lipids) if recent results are unavailable. Establish insurance eligibility before arrival; bring a photo ID, insurance card, and a list of current medications and supplements.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Herndon's practice operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Verification of exact hours and any holiday schedule changes is recommended before traveling. Street and lot parking are available at the clinic location. Telehealth visits are offered for follow-up appointments and are useful for patients managing stable conditions who cannot take time off work.
Robert E. Herndon, MD fills a specific role in Oklahoma City's medical market: reliable, direct access to an experienced internist without the scheduling delays that plague hospital-owned clinics, paired with honest limits on what an internal medicine practice can provide in-house.
