Who do you like at HVMA Somerville?

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Due to the vagaries of our health insurance, I need to switch my PCP to someone with Harvard Vanguard/Atrius Health or pay twice as much for copays, higher premiums, and all sorts of fun. Since the Davis office is closeby, I figure I'll just go there. Who do you like?

Ideally, I'd like a PCP who listens, is open to multiple approaches, and doesn't push drugs too hard.

(We're also looking for a ped there for the same reasons, though I've seen a lot more info on that. Still open to opinions if anyone wants to offer.)

Comments

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Hobbs!!!!!!!! She is SO GREAT. She always listens and is always about a preventative approach (rather than just a reactive one). I can't recommend her more highly. I feel like she gives me lots of options for treatment. I especially appreciate that, in her annual health check list, in addition to the regular questions, she asks a) if you wear a seatbelt (!), b) what gender you identify as, c) what gender(s) your partner(s) idenfity as. I really appreciated her open-mindedness!

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I second this. I have been seeing Dr. Hobbs for years and I really like her. She definitely listens to your concerns and will not push drugs on you unnecessarily. In addition to what closetalker said above, I also appreciate that before my yearly checkups she'll send me a letter saying "please come in to get blood drawn a week before your appointment so we can discuss the results when I see you."

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Thanks to both of you! I ended up choosing Dr. Hobbs. :)

[sparr0.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say I'm going to try Dr Hobbs. There's 2 month wait for new patient appointments right now, though :(

[aredridel.livejournal.com]

I'm not unhappy with Dr. Slavsky either.

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

She's all business, but I am generally pleased with Dr. Slavsky as well.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

My PCP is Dr. Angel, and although I basically just picked him because he was first on the alphabetical list of doctors, I think he's great. Good rapport, asks good questions, listens, makes referrals and orders tests as needed but not more, that kind of thing.

My understanding is that the majority of the physicians there are of a similar philosophy, although I couldn't tell you why I think that, so it could just be something I made up.

[teko.livejournal.com]

The ironic thing was that I found this thread from last year while hoping for some Harvard Vanguard recommendations besides Dr. Angel, whom I recently had my first appointment with and found him to be a useless waste of space who didn't listen to a word I said and needlessly signed me up for a sleep study and endoscopic procedure I don't need.

I'll give Dr Hobbs a try. I only wish that I was able to keep going to Davis Sq Family Practice under my new insurance.

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

I've had horrendous experiences with Slavsky - avoid. Berger is competent but cold. I'm now with Hobbs and she is very smart, will discuss options, and oh, recently she saved my life (sent me in an ambulance to the hospital directly from her office). Hobbs is the one you want.