GYN recommendation sought

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I did the right and proper thing and checked the tags, but "health care" only got me PCP recommendations and some other non-relevant-to-me posts. (Seriously? No one in the last couple years has asked about GYNs? Was there a better tag I missed?)

I have a PCP at Harvard Vanguard, but he isn't trained to deal with women's health issues, so I'm looking for recommendations for a gynecologist, preferably at Harvard Vanguard (because that's easy), but I'll consider any suggestions for any GYN in Somerville or Cambridge.

What I want most in a GYN is someone who will work with me on my health, give me the right information I need to make decisions, and then work with me on treatment, not just give orders or treat me like I'm stupid/untrustworthy/ignorant. I do not care what sex/gender the doctor is.

Feel free to PM me if you don't want to leave a comment here in public.

Comments

[primal-pastry.livejournal.com]

If you can use an ARNP, I recommend Marie Botte at Davis Sq Family Practice. She's everything you've described wanting, is also alternative -lifestyle -and -queer -friendly and is practical while being friendly to boot.

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

I think it's surprising that your PCP can't cope. I've had the same PCP in the Cambridge Harvard Vanguard office for 25 years (Barbara O'Neil, very sweet person, always running late because of it - she doesn't hurry people up). The only time I have had anyone else for my plumbing needs was when I was pregnant. Occasionally my appointments have ended up being with her NP instead, and that was fine too. From the web site, she isn't taking additional patients, but I guess what I'm saying is that you could consider a different PCP.

[entrochan.livejournal.com]

I've been seeing Cynthia Teft at Harvard Vanguard for years and she's great about this stuff. She's a nurse-type, not a dr-type, but for most stuff that doesn't matter. (It was years before I even realized that!)

I'd highly recommend her.

[jadelennox]

If you're okay with a short hop on the 87 from Davis, Dawn Anderson in Arlington was very respectful and informative.

[jennyelfenmass.livejournal.com]

I like my GYN, Dr Harney at Cambridge Hospital.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

No, my PCP can't even do a pap smear; I have to see his nurse. So I don't think there'd be much point in talking to him about other GYN issues. His nurse is really nice and gentle, but after my last session with her, when she demonstrated she is woefully out of date re:FDA facts about my current contraception . . . well, I won't be asking for an appointment with her about anything more complicated than the annual check-up.

[pensivewombat.livejournal.com]

Mount Auburn Center for Women is a really wonderful place for all GYN needs - i'd pretty much recommend them in a heartbeat. If you're willing to make the trek, pretty much anyone there is incredibly informed AND more than willing to listen to concerns, etc. without judgment / misinformation. The NP's alone are leaps and bounds better than most GYN's i've seen in the past :)

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

What practice is she with?

[leighjen.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you are facing any "unusual" conditions (in quotes because they are not that unusual, just under diagnosed), but if you are Harvard Vanguard Burlington's Vulvovaginal Clinic (http://www.harvardvanguard.org/locs/specialties/VulvovaginalService.asp) is a good place to go.

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Whoa. That's really really odd. I've never had that problem with a PCP before.

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

I think sometimes its about the maleness and the possibility for abuse/legal issues/etc. The nurse has to be in the room to be sure, and at that point the nurse might as well just do the digging.

Though if its any more complicated re: women's health, like PCOS, etc, they will send you to the Kenmore (or other) location.

[eeyorecol.livejournal.com]

I second Cynthia! I am a patient of Dr. Daniella Courban, but when I was pregnant I had every other appointment with Cynthia and she's awesome (I also like Dr. Courban, but I'm going to recommend Cynthia for what you need)

[jadelennox]

Mount Auburn OB/GYN.

http://www.mountauburnhospital.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=165&action=detail&ref=6830433

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I've had male doctors do paps before, and of course they had a female staff member present - but this doctor told me straight up he just couldn't (or wouldn't? I don't recall) do the pap at all, I should see his nurse, because that would be less trouble than making an appointment with a gynecologist. Uh, okay.

Why do they send people to Kenmore when there are gynecologists who work in Somerville?

[mamabunny72.livejournal.com]

Cynthia Tefft is great! She was my nurse for my prenatal appts. My OB was/is Dr Sylvia Fine, in same practice.

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

maybe he made with the bad touch, and isn't allowed? (god I hope not)

pcos is more of an "endocrinologist thing" hence the kenmore referral.

Second Cynthia Teft

[sueb226.livejournal.com]

More votes for Cynthia
Although you may need a specialist for something like PCOS
She is great I was referred to her by a friend and I have been seeing her for prenatal visits
She is really great about taking time to talk about issues I think I often make her run late with all my questions but she never rushes me and I always leave feeling reassured.
I also see Dr Stephanie Koontz, she is great too

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Ah, got it.

I hope not, too! It may have been just that he doesn't want to bother or something. Whatever. I never have problems getting referrals elsewhere from him, though I'm starting to consider finding a GYN who can also be my PCP (not what I was asking for so much with this post, though).

Marie is awesome

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

If you can possibly see her, do it. She was wonderful. I saw her back in June for my annual exam and my pap and it was probably the best and most comprehensive exam I've ever had. She's a great listener and I really dug her attitude and attentiveness.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Sylvia Fine at HVMA Davis is fantastic - takes the time to listen, thinks it's good when you take the initiative to take care of your own health, has actually tailored a prescription to deal with a complex problem.

[green-limousine.livejournal.com]

i see Dr. Susan Mann @ HV cambridge.
if it's possible for me to love my GYN, then i do.
i totally love her. she's great, she doesn't rush, and talks to me before doing anything. great "bedside" manner.

she's also an OB.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

I had a good experience with someone else from that practice, Dr. Bindiya Stancampiano:
http://www.mountauburnhospital.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=165&action=detail&ref=6788403

She's in Watertown but the bus goes from Harvard right to her office.