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Christopher Opella, M.D.

Christopher Opella, M.D.

Family Medicine, Adult Primary Care

Offers Virtual Visits

Beaufort Memorial Physician Partners

Locations

Beaufort Memorial Marshview Primary Care

1 Burnt Church Road
May River Medical Pavilion
Bluffton , SC 29910

View hours
Monday
7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday
7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday
7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday
7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday
7:30am - 3:00pm
Beaufort Memorial Marshview Primary Care

About Dr. Christopher Opella

“I am a country doctor, very old-school. Talking with my patients is essential to providing good care. I try to ignore the clock ticking on the wall when I walk into the exam room, and I give people all the time I can.”

A board-certified physician with broad experience across the spectrum of his family medicine specialty, Christopher Opella, M.D., is devoted to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness in his patients.

Areas of Expertise

  • Metabolic syndrome – A group of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood glucose, or sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels, that when occurring together raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
  • Cardiovascular disease – Disorders of the heart and blood vessels, among them heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
  • Gastrointestinal conditions – Disorders of the digestive tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and celiac disease.
  • Orthopedic conditions – Conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, including arthritis, back pain and overuse injury.
  • Preventive care – Check-ups, immunizations, tests and screenings used to prevent serious diseases and medical conditions or to detect them before they become major problems.

Video Visits

Dr. Opella offers virtual visits for patients needing medication checks, standard chronic illness management, sick visits and follow up care for certain conditions. If interested, ask about the option when scheduling.

Background

Dr. Opella came to Beaufort Memorial in April 2022 after more than two decades as a clinician and a medical director at family medicine clinics and hospital emergency rooms in his native state of Texas, most recently Surepoint Family Medicine and Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

Dr. Opella joined Beaufort Memorial in April 2022 after more than two decades as a clinician and medical director at family medicine clinics and hospital emergency rooms in his native state of Texas, most recently at Surepoint Family Medicine and Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

With a medical residency that provided full-scope family medicine training, including emergency medicine and surgery, and subsequent practice in small-town and urban settings, Dr. Opella brings extensive knowledge of various specialties to patient care, including cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, orthopedics, dermatology, and emergency medicine.

He and his wife, Misty, an ICU nurse, have two children, a daughter and a son. In his free time, he enjoys golf, running, working out and playing the guitar.


 

Education

Medical School:
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - Houston, Tex. , Doctor of Medicine

Residency:
John Peter Smith Hospital - Fort Worth, Tex. , Family Medicine

Board Certifications

Family Medicine, American Academy of Family Physicians

Conditions Treated

  • Allergies and Asthma
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Celiac Disease
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases
  • Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Respiratory Infections
  • Smoking Cessation

Procedures Performed

  • Adolescent Care
  • Cancer Screenings
  • Diabetes Counseling
  • Family Planning and Birth Control
  • Family Planning and Birth Control
  • Geriatrics
  • Holistic Care
  • Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment Of Acute And Chronic Disease
  • Preventive Care
  • Women's Health

Patient Ratings

4.9

813 reviews

A provider's star rating is an average of all responses to provider-related questions from the last 365 days on the nationally recognized Press Ganey Patient Experience Survey. Learn more about ratings.

Category Ratings

Likelihood of recommending this provider?
Provider discussed treatment options with you?
Provider explained things in way you understand?
Provider included you in decisions?
Provider showed concern?

06/21/2024

I'm thankful Dr Opella moved to this area. His care and concern for his patients is unmatched by other area doctors. I feel very confident in his care.

06/23/2024

Doctor Opella is an amazing doctor and most of my family use him as a primary health provider.

06/21/2024

I felt better about the more personal connection the doctor was making regarding health.

06/27/2024

Dr. Opella is the best doctor we have had in the 19 years we have lived here and we have had many doctors because the keep leaving.

06/27/2024

Dr Opella is an excellent physician as well as an amazing person. The best I have seen in many years

06/27/2024

Dr. Opella is great. He explains everything in language we understand

06/29/2024

Dr. Opella is the best Doctor we have ever had!!!!

06/29/2024

Dr. Opella is very caring and listens to you.

07/02/2024

Dr Opella is the best doctor I've ever had. I feel very lucky to have him as my doctor.

07/04/2024

I definitely want a physician that takes time to hear me and has time to give the necessary advice and care I need for my health and well-being. I am extremely satisfied with the physician I have and pray that that physician stays that way. Directions give about my condition, the medication I need, and the bodily care I need to take were well understood because of the easy communication given by my physician.

07/03/2024

Dr. Opella is amazing! Took the time to listen and follow up with detailed explanation of his thoughts on the problem and different options for treatment, very helpful!

07/03/2024

Good

07/09/2024

Dr Opella is an excellent listener. H explains everything fully. I trust him implicitly.

07/09/2024

Dr Opella is excellent. He's the best Dr I've ever had.

07/09/2024

Dr. Opella was very patient and understanding.

07/09/2024

My doctor is in high demand. And those of us that are lucky to have him.Are extremely thankful

07/09/2024

Dr Opella is a very informative physician! I am of the opinion that he truly cares for his patients! He is very detailed oriented and provides informative options and solutions to best assist with your healthcare.

07/12/2024

Dr Christopher Opella is very good at providing explanations, describing alternative treatments, and including me in decisions about what to do.

07/10/2024

Dr Opella is the best primary doctor I've had

07/16/2024

I mentioned concern about a health problem I was having and doctor immediately prescribed a cream and explained other procedures to remedy situation If needed.

07/15/2024

We are so grateful to have Dr. Opella as our physician. He is an outstanding communicator, very caring and friendly. He is always very thorough and knowledgeable when meeting with him and we trust him implicitly. He has a wonderful bedside manner and personality.

07/17/2024

Dr Christopher was excellent

07/17/2024

Love Dr. Opella! He's very thorough and he takes the time to get to know his patients.

07/18/2024

Dr Opella is one of the best doctors I've ever dealt with.

07/18/2024

Dr. Opella is the best doctor I have ever had. His concern and compassion is hard to match. He explains everything thoroughly. I'm so fortunate to have him.

07/25/2024

Dr Opella was excellent with helping solve my situation

07/28/2024

Dr Christopher Opella is wonderful! Very informative and explains things very thoroughly. I feel that he is thorough and very kind.

07/27/2024

Very happy with doctor. Best I have had in the area.

08/01/2024

Best Primary Care doctor in area!

08/02/2024

Dr Opella is a most caring, professional and experienced doctor. He is a pleasure to deal with.

07/31/2024

He's a caring professional.

08/01/2024

Have faith and confidence in dr

08/06/2024

He displayed care and kindness.

08/06/2024

Dr. Opella comes in totally prepared

08/10/2024

Dr Opella is exceptionally good knolegable caring doctor

08/10/2024

Dr Opella went over in detail my lap report, and acknowledged that my numbers were very good, went over vaccinations that a may need in the future and the medications that I was taken.

08/15/2024

Dr Opella is probably the best and most competent PC physician I have ever encountered.His knowledge is extensive and if there is something he doesn't know, he will find out and reply back.He also listens, engages, asks questions, dialogs, explains, and communicates extremely well.

08/15/2024

Dr. Opella always explains things thoroughly, thoughtfully, and respectfully. He offers advice and recommendations whenever I request it.

08/14/2024

Great Doctor

08/16/2024

It is a pleasure to have Dr. Opella and Beaufort Memorial physicians. Outstanding practice.

08/20/2024

Dr. Opella explains everything very well.

08/17/2024

Dr. Opella is the best of the best~

08/22/2024

Good

08/23/2024

Dr Opella is the best primary care physician in the area!

08/28/2024

Dr Opella takes time with his patients. He dumbs everything down to the level of the patient. He is very receptive to my input and hears what I have to say. Don't know if it's a compliment or not but he does old school, Granny Clampit dockterin'.

08/27/2024

Dr. Opella is informative and caring. He is the BEST primary doctor we have ever had.

08/30/2024

Feel like just a number there, next....

08/29/2024

Outstanding highly recommended

09/02/2024

Opella is awesome.

08/31/2024

I have recommended Dr Opella many times.

09/06/2024

Dr. Opella is the finest doctor that I have ever had in my fairly long life. He is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of medicine and is excellent in conveying that knowledge to a patient. I can't say much more than that.

09/05/2024

I was comfortable with Dr. Opella's explanations.

09/05/2024

Good

09/06/2024

Dr. Opella and his staff are very efficient and always listen and give suggestions.. Dr. Opella has the most knowledge of any doctor we have ever had. He spends lot of time researching issues. We Have referred all of our friends to him .

09/07/2024

Felt the doctor went above board to talk to me about my various issues and problems. Really appreciated his consideration and concern!

09/10/2024

I'm glad Dr Opella became my physician when I moved here 3 years ago. He's caring, easy to talk to, and very patient. He takes his time to explain all situations to me,

09/13/2024

Dr. Opella is by far the best physician I've seen. He's extremely intelligent, easy to communicate with, listens, and answers my numerous questions and concerns.

09/11/2024

Dr Opella is always prepared for my visit, and professional in his duties

09/14/2024

Unfortunately the doctor is the only one in this facility. The man has far too many patients.

09/16/2024

Dr Opella is very thorough & obviously does his homework prior to the visit! All staff was excellent! Dr. Opella is the best Dr. I have ever had!

09/19/2024

Doctor always does his best to treat my care. I surely recommend this Doctor to my relatives and friends

09/20/2024

Dr Opella is outstanding! I enjoy my visits with him due to his thorough and personal care. He always has time to provide answers and ensures that I thoroughly know what is taking place. He exemplifies the kind of care that other doctors should give. I can't say enough good things about him.

09/28/2024

Always had a good experience Dr. Opella always gave me a full explanation of any problems or successes

09/27/2024

NO bad experiences

10/01/2024

Dr. Opella always comes in prepared and ready not only to listen but fencer the best advice/treatment. Very attentive.

10/03/2024

Dr. Opella is very knowledgeable and informative and my questions are always answered.

10/03/2024

Dr. Opella's communication is outstanding. The best I have ever experienced.

10/03/2024

He explains everything ask

10/03/2024

Dr Opella is a gem-he not only listens but really understands how to translate his medical expertise to something his patient can understand. I'm fortunate he's my GP

10/05/2024

Very good experience. Always nice when Doctor listens to you and explains everything to you

10/05/2024

As usual Dr Opella was personable and knowledgeable

10/10/2024

I am thankful for the great medical help.We have teams that

10/10/2024

Dr Opella is a wonderful Doctor. His previous stint as an ER Doctor gave him excellent diagnostic skills.

10/11/2024

Dr. Opella is a great physician.

10/17/2024

Went in with symptoms. Left with unsatisfactory solution or none.

10/18/2024

Dr. Opella always offers detailed explanations and information allowing me to make the best decisions concerning my healthcare.

10/18/2024

Dr Opella always asks questions and gives clear answers. He is a wonderful addition to the staff.

10/17/2024

Everything went well!!

10/17/2024

Dr Opella listens and explains everything in detail

10/19/2024

Every hospital needs more Drs. Like Opella

10/21/2024

That's why I go to Dr Opella we work as a team

10/17/2024

Dr. Opella always listens and explains treatments with understanding and in a way I can understand.

10/23/2024

Dr is very goood at explaining how things work and why things are the way they are / what causes a condition. Makes you feel informed and encouraged you to make your own decisions concerning your care while giving very helpful guidance.

10/22/2024

Dr. Opella was very thorough.

10/23/2024

Good !

10/25/2024

Very good service and respect.

10/25/2024

Dr.Opella is the most caring and knoledgable physician I have ever had

10/28/2024

I would always recommend Dr. Opella.

10/26/2024

Dr Opella is amazing. He spends time with you and explains things well. Doesn't rush I've always been pleased

11/02/2024

Good

11/13/2024

My questions were answered in a clear concise manner

11/15/2024

Nice

11/18/2024

Dr. Opella took time with me. Answered all my questions and concerns.

11/18/2024

Dr. Opella is the best!

11/19/2024

He was very attentive and concerned.

11/22/2024

Excellent experience and doctor id always proactive In knowing my records.

11/22/2024

Dr Opella is the best!

11/25/2024

I would recommend dr. Opella to everyone who needs a dr. He explains everything to you & does not hurry you out.

11/28/2024

Dr Opella is the BEST !!!!!!

12/05/2024

Dr. Opella is fantastic.

12/04/2024

Great doctor. Very attentive

12/05/2024

Dr. Opella is undoubtly the very best in the Lowcountry. He cares for his patients and takes the time to review your charts in advance. Dr. Opella is knowlegable as expected and takes the time to explain medicines both good and bad side effects. The best.

12/10/2024

Very happy with Dr. Opella's care.

12/06/2024

Absolutely love Dr. Opella. Answers all my questions and never feel rushed.

12/13/2024

Best Primary Care Doctor I have had

12/13/2024

Good

12/18/2024

Excellent Dr.

12/19/2024

Dr. Opella is one of the best doctors I've met. He is experienced, up do date on research, listens and welcomes discussion. He never makes you feel rushed.

12/18/2024

Dr. Opella is one of the best doctors I have ever been to.

01/09/2025

Dr. Opella is hands down the best! He is always prepared, speaks clearly and with confidence. He takes the time to answer questions and really is genuinely concerned about making sure I understand my medical situation. In serious situations he Is very responsive and helpful. Best Doctor I have ever had.

01/09/2025

Very efficient and effective. All concerns addressed.

01/09/2025

Love,this place.

01/11/2025

Absolutely I would recommend this practice

01/16/2025

Dr Opella has great bedside manners, he always listens to your concerns and is very educational in his explantion. I never leave an appointment with with with any nanswered questions/concerns

01/17/2025

Dr. Opella is the best Doctor we've ever had!

01/18/2025

Dr Opella has been the BEST doctor I have ever had. He takes his time during your visit and really does his homework prior to your appointment. He has been the ONLY doctor to have a real plan about my care.

01/19/2025

Dr Opella is the best Primary Care Doctor!!!

01/18/2025

Dr. Opella and his staff are the best. Dr. Opella always reviews your history prior to appointment, listens, recommends, etc. Totally prepared and genuinely concerned about any issues you need to discuss.

01/21/2025

Dr. Opella is the best primary care provider I've ever had. Cannot recommend him enough!!

01/22/2025

Dr Opella always responds to my concerns in a highly professional manner.

01/23/2025

Very detailed and explaining any problems that I do have and recommend alternatives

01/28/2025

Dr Opella is very knowledgeable. I am a Registered Nurse. He answered all of my questions and concerns. Easy to talk too.

02/05/2025

Dr. Opella is an excellent physician.

02/05/2025

Dr. Opella grasps my situation very well and delivers what I will require to move forward in my post-cancer care.

02/06/2025

Dr.Opella is the most knowledgeable and understanding physician I have ever met.

02/09/2025

Dr. Opella spent a lot of time with me as my situation was a bit complex. He is never in a hurry

02/12/2025

Dr Opella is excellent. He listens, he cares, he is extremely knowledgeable. Best MD visit in a long time!

02/13/2025

Love Dr Opella

02/14/2025

Dr Opella is a great doctor

02/14/2025

[...] Dr Opella is very sympathetic and offers solutions to try

02/14/2025

Love Dr Opella!

02/14/2025

Dr. Opella is always prepared for my appointments having reviewed my status and inputs from other medical providers. He answers my questions and concerns with examples and relevant expanded information.

02/23/2025

Great doctor

02/25/2025

I have full faith and confidence in Dr Opella. He's excellent in all aspects of care giving.

02/25/2025

Great experience all around with Dr. O.

02/27/2025

Just a wonderful and experienced professional who CARES about his patients

02/27/2025

We live Dr. Opella. He listens and is extremely knowledgeable.

02/28/2025

Very good!
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