New to the area, seeking internist/family medicine doctor...

[chickflick1979.livejournal.com]

Hi! I'm new to Boston/Somerville, and while I know this discussion comes up a lot on this community, I thought I would throw it out there again and get people's opinions.

I just moved here, and have been having strange and scary medical problems for months now. I'm usually a fairly healthy person, so I tend to freak out when it feels like my whole body is falling apart at once. I'm also a bit of a hypochondriac...

Anyway, I'm looking for a female doctor who is:
1. patient and non judgmental, doesn't rush you out of the office
2. can look at my body as a whole and try to figure out what's going on. (I.e., not someone who says, "You've been nauseous for five months? Oh wait - you have a UTI. That must be the whole solution.")
3. It would be great to find someone trained in women's health as well, so that they can do pelvic exams, etc. as well.
4. Can take appointments for the next day or next week, etc.

I've been going to a dr. in Brookline, because years ago I used to live in Brookline. I got a really sketchy vibe the last time I went in there, and sure enough, when I looked her up on yelp, I felt like I was reading the script for a horror movie.

I'd rather not go back there... but I do have a car so it doesn't have to be right in Davis or Somerville.

I don't know the Harvard Vanguard system, but most people I've asked seem to like it? I have good insurance, so I can really go anywhere. Dr. Fishman at Somerville Family Practice seems to get mixed reviews... any thoughts on that practice, or on Harvard Vanguard, or recommendations otherwise?

A few others that come up on my insurance website, if anyone has ever seen them:

Dr. Henrietta Barnes in Cambridge
Dr. Parra Tomkins
Dr. Lisa Kunins in Arlington


Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Comments

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

I go to Dr. Tomkins, and I highly recommend her.

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

I second this -- she's fantastic. I have some complaints about her office staff, but I care so much more about having a good doctor that I can overlook a lot.

[einzelein.livejournal.com]

Look into the Mount Auburn Practice for Women...it's based at the hospital in Cambridge but there are associated doctor's offices all over.

http://www.mountauburnhospital.org/body.cfm?id=165&action=list&swvar_specialties=610

I'm currently seeing the OB/GYN in the Watertown office, but even if you're having non-GYN issues they might be a good place to start.

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

Let me recommend Dr. Deborah Bershel. She's fantastic -- a very laid-back and kind doctor with a very holistic approach. I don't know from Harvard Vanguard, but she accepts even my lame insurance company. She's right in Davis at Davis Sq. Family Practice, next to Starbucks. She is, I think, the best doctor I've ever had.

She is trained in Women's Health and does a gentle pelvic. I never have a problem getting an appointment the same day if it's urgent -- she's my pediatrician and my doctor. (I like that because if we're all sick with the same thing, or if I have mastitis and it's caused thrush in my daughter, we can get treated all at once.) She schedule AN HOUR for my physical and TOOK THE WHOLE HOUR! (That's just stunning to me.)

When I brought my newborn there, she wrote down her private cell number on a card and handed it to me. "If you have any questions or if you're just freaked out because she's crying and you can't get her to stop," she said, "Call me, day or night." We gaped at her and she added, "Seriously. I wouldn't have become a pediatrician if I'd wanted to sleep through the night."

I don't know how long her new-patient appointments take. I do know that her Physicians Assistants are also very earthy, grounded, cool people. Her phlebotomist is only iffy, though.

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

I see Marie Botte at the same practice, and she's the best healthcare professional I've ever had in my life. She's the kind of nurse who can prescribe, instead of being a full-on doctor.

I highly recommend the practice; they've always been available when I needed them. I've had a few prescription glitches with them, but that's it. I've never had a problem with their resident vampire and I'm pretty happy that they have one; a lot of practices send you somewhere else for blood draws.

[chickflick1979.livejournal.com]

I've seen a couple of people here and on yelp call Dr Bershel "flaky." I'm not quite sure what that means, but do you have any experience with that?

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

Sure. I don't think she IS flaky, but I can see where someone might. Her speech patterns are very hesitant and gentle -- full of long pauses and ummmms --- and she lacks the brisk (brusque) manner that a lot of doctors affect. If you want that, this is not the doctor for you. If you can wait through long thoughtful pauses, she's fantastic.

She is very touchy feely, not physically, but verbally. For instance, I'm pretty overweight and she said that yes, I need to lose weight, but "you're always so cheerful and happy, I'd rather that you were happy and upbeat than thin and unhappy." She once asked a friend of mine, "Do you have any male in your life that you can be proud of?"

And she's happy to look into alternative/herbal therapies. (She's also happy to cite and forward the study she's referring to, as well, so it's not just hippy-dippy folklore.) She also has a sign on her practice offering free or reduced-cost care for patients who need it. (At least she used to, I haven't been there since my kid's three-year check up in January.)

That she's willing to spend time with her patients means that there's a wait, often. But I've never been to any doctor -- brisk or otherwise -- who didn't make me wait. And the waits are not outstandingly long.

I've also seen the other folks at the practice -- the physicians assistants and nurses and whatnot -- and they are similarly awesome. My issues with the resident phlebotomist may come wholly from and instance when she tried to draw blood from my infant and took three tries ... you can imagine how well that went over with a new (insane) mom.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend Hannah Olivet at Cambridge Health Alliance. She listens, is thoughtful, and seems to really want to build relationships with her patients. She was referred to me by another patient, and I've referred others to her, and we all agree: She is wonderful.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

Oh, and she's on Mass Ave right outside of Davis.

Dr. Fishman

[madscientist01.livejournal.com]

I see Dr. Fishman at Somerville Family Practice. In my experience she is very warm, patient, and willing to listen. My first appointment with her lasted longer than I've had with any other doctor because she was so thorough and didn't rush me out of the office. I never feel uncomfortable saying something to her. She also does pelvic exams, etc so you don't need to find another doctor for that. I don't have trouble getting a major (yearly) appointment there within a few weeks, especially if I'm not super picky about the time. If you are sick they can usually take you faster. She is very responsive.. I had a question about a medication that I called in at 5pm and said was "not urgent" - she called me back the next day. I think in general the NPs, PAs, and other staff at this practice are also very helpful. I've recommended her to several of my friends who are new to the area.

[elements.livejournal.com]

I go to the Marino Center at 2500 Mass. Ave. By far the best experiences with any medical professionals I have ever had, from my previous female primary care who got married & moved to Chicago, to my current male primary care there, to the phlebotomists (best ones I've ever worked with) and nurses and reception staff.

One of the things I really like about Marino: You meet with your doc across a desk, fully clothed. Only *after* you've discussed what's going on, and only if needed, do you go into an exam room. And then you only take off whatever clothes are needed for the specific purpose. No getting weighed by a PA when you're there for a sore throat. No having to have an awkward conversation in your underwear when it's completely unnecessary. It just totally changes the dynamic of a doctors' visit for me. Also: never have I been hassled about my weight.