I've been seeing my internist (Stephanie Rein) for over 20 years. I like her very much and think she's a great diagnostician.
She tells me I'm part of the OG. "Old Gang," she says. But then modifies it to a more palatable, "Original Gang."
When I first started seeing Dr. Rein, she shared an office with one other doctor, in a low-frills basement on the Upper West Side.
When I would call, it would take less than 30 seconds to reach a real person.
When I arrived for my appointment, the wait was never long. The office never busy.
When I needed an appointment, it was easy to get.
And I was usually in and out in under an hour,
A couple of years ago, Dr. Rein became part of a large group of medical professionals called Langone Women's Health.
She now works in a sleek, modern, multi-floor mid-town office.
Today is my annual wellness check-up.
I wait in a busy waiting area. All beautifully appointed and spacious.
One older woman is talking on her phone with the speaker on. She's loud. The call is long and purely social. She's discussing the French Open, hardly a call that needs to be made.
Another woman appears to be dictating a very long story into her phone. I don't think she is even talking to anyone, It's like she's reading off a script.
And then some older guy is doing arm exercises while he waits.
Finally, my name is called.
The 20 minute or so appointment all goes well. I am asked to wait and someone will call me to take my blood. "It shouldn't be more than 15 minutes."
35-minutes later my name is called. (But only after I complain about the much-longer-than anticipated wait).
My blood is taken quickly and I'm done.
Before leaving, I ask to schedule my next year's annual appointment. This way I can avoid the million-prompt menu.
"Sometime in late May," I request.
The earliest we have is July 7th."
And two hours after arriving I'm done.
I love my doctor but sure miss her old basic place.
I used to see Dr. Breite at that office and my daughters saw Dr. Rein. I miss the practice too. they would always get you in right away when you were sick.
ReplyDeleteMy Primary Care Physician is retiring and I have to find another one. I know from others that finding a doctor who will take new patients and isn’t a completely new doctor themselves or someone who has no online ratings is going to be really difficult.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Lyn!!! You are missing the best part!!! After your next visit take the elevator all the way down to "C" and join the party going on in the absolutely amazing food court. You have to see it to believe it!! (You can actually view what looks like a massive restaurant if you look down from your doctor's floor into the building's atrium.) Sometimes they even have live music. The crowd is fun and professional. I was very pleasantly surprised. (If you are unsure, ask one of the schedulers how to access the food court without leaving the building.) 😊 (My GYN is in that building, Dr. Ruth Tessler. It is a very busy place!) ((My internist is Megan E Collins, MD in NYU's main doctors' office (and they have the best CT and MRI there, too): 222 East 41st Street. No waiting ever.))
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