Kenya Oselmo
If you are a first-time mother, as I am, I would not recommend this clinic for the following reasons: 1).Limited access to your assigned physician Throughout my pregnancy, I only saw my designated doctor once, as I was not considered high-risk. The majority of my appointments were conducted by nursing staff. I was informed that the doctor’s schedule was too full to accommodate regular visits, which made it difficult to discuss questions or concerns directly with my physician. While the clinic does offer an educational class that can be helpful, and wait times are generally reasonable, these were the only notable positives in my experience. 2).Lack of direct communication There is no consistent or reliable way to communicate directly with the doctor outside of the patient portal, which is primarily used for sharing test results. Responses to inquiries can take several days, and in some cases, weeks. When calling the clinic with concerns, I was often advised to go to the emergency room rather than being provided guidance. 3).Impersonal patient experience The overall environment felt impersonal. I did not feel seen or supported as an individual, but rather treated as just another patient. 4).Insufficient explanation of tests and procedures Recommendations for vaccines, blood work, and other tests were often given without adequate explanation. I felt that I was told what I “needed” to do without being provided the information necessary to make informed decisions. 5).Questionable guidance from staff On one occasion, a nurse incorrectly stated that folic acid and iron are the same, which raised concerns about the accuracy of the information being provided. 6).Concerns about specialist consultation I was referred to a cardiology specialist who documented that he spent 30 minutes discussing my baby’s heart and diagnosis with me. In reality, the visit lasted approximately 10 minutes, and the only information communicated was that “your baby is good.” This discrepancy was concerning, particularly in regard to documentation and billing practices. As a new mother who is also coping with the recent loss of my own mother, I was especially in need of compassion, clear communication, and supportive care. Unfortunately, I did not experience the level of kindness, attentiveness, or patient-centered care I had hoped for. For those seeking a warm, supportive, and communicative healthcare environment during pregnancy, I would recommend considering other options.