I am searching for a new endocrinologist in the NYC area and would really like some recommendations from this group. Previously, I saw Dr. Lauren Golden at the Naomie Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University. I loved Dr. Golden but found her staff to be unprofessional and extremely difficult to deal with regarding getting prescriptions/appointments. Also, while Dr. Golden is great, I always feel like because my kidneys aren't failing and my legs aren't being amputated, I'm treated as a "Good" diabetic and am rushed out of Naomie Berrie before I'm ready. I'm looking for a kind, educated, compassionate, UP TO DATE endocrinologist who I can have a relationship with. I'd like to be able to trust this person and to feel we have mutual respect. I can't seem to find anyone else in NYC who comes highly recommended. I currently have an appointment with Dr. Susan Zweig at NYU but there are many reviews of her online condemning her beside manner. This makes me want to cancel my appointment. I've also seen a few other doctors- one at Cornell, who I hated. Can someone please recommend an endocrinologist who SPECIALIZES in Type I? I am not interested in someone who basically specializes in thyroid disorder or other conditions and does diabetes on the side. I want a specialist in Type 1 who is updated on insulin pumps and CGMs. Can someone please help? If the endocrinologist has Type 1 themselves, that would be even better. I'm tired of the cross-eyed looks non-diabetic physicians give me when I describe hyper or hypo symptoms. Thanks ya'll. I really appreciate it. Betta
Wow, this post is SO RELEVANT to my life right now. I have been trying to get a freaking appointment at the Berrie center for MONTHS because I live like three steps from it, and my previous CDE was fan-girling over it when I said I might go there next.
I'm sure the doctors are great, and I'm going to keep my appointment, but I HATE, HATE, HATE their administrative staff. They are rude and don't care about the patients AT ALL. They make false promises (like telling me that I will absolutely get a sooner appointment after they cancelled my appointment twice), and I often have to wait on hold for half an hour just to talk to someone who will "help me" (and it is questionable whether they really help at all...).
ANYWAYS, after that rant, I have been looking to make an appointment in other places. I have never been to this place (http://www.friedmandiabetesinstitute.com/) before, but it is the second result in a google search for "diabetes centers in NYC." It's the Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Israel Hospital in lower Manhattan (right next to Stuy Town). You could try calling there and see if their staff is more friendly. I'm sure they have tons of doctors there since it is a center like the NB Diabetes Center, so there are bound to be some very compassionate doctors. The real question is whether or not the administrative staff is composed of professional, helpful people or mean, arrogant jerks!
Let me know if you find someone!!!! I live in NYC too and have been looking for a good endo for a few months now!
Hey Alycat, Thanks for responding. Seriously, I could write a thesis on the rudeness of the NB staff, Don't even try to get emergency prescription refills from them if you're traveling or if they cancel your appointment. I had my pharmacist call them twice, and the receptionist wouldn't pass on the message. Finally I called them myself from the pharmacy and basically had to go into a thesis of WHY I needed the insulin called in and what it means when a Type I diabetic runs out of insulin. Let's just say I was less than pleased. Being a Type 1 diabetic is difficult enough without the addition of unprofessional and downright hostile admins getting in the way of me being able to access the medication I need TO LIVE. That being said, the doctors at NB are truly great. I also saw an ophthalmologist there who I really liked. BUT, I need to move on. After that last episode at the pharmacy I decided I was done. There is also usually a long wait time when you have your appointment- even if you get there early. There are so many patients there and unfortunately a lot of them are having major health issues. It's probably not the best choice for someone who needs less of the basics and more hands on monitoring. Although I will say that the time my Medtronic pump failed on me in the middle of the night and sent me into DKA, Dr. Golden worked with my ER doctor to facilitate my recovery and explain the nuances of my particular challenges with T1D to my care team. I will miss her but NOT NB! Thanks for the link to the Friedman Institute. I will definitely be checking it out!
I'm not in NYC but have run into this. The staff don't seem to work to build relationships, they call and go "I'm the nurse" which always makes me think "are you the 'nurse' or the 'CDE', who's also a nurse but to whom I might listen a bit more..." but I don't ask the question since I sort of run my own show. One of my running buddies recommended an endo (she has thyroid issues but is pretty sharp and boyfriend is T1...) who is very highly rated. I just switched and the new clinic is interesting. The people are very nice and say, sort of, the right things but you have to get them on the phone first and they are way too slow with the callbacks...
He's not. He's my Dr and I travel half-way around the country to see him. Very down to earth. A real patient's advocate who listens and a delightful human being. He's also an outstanding Dr. who will work with you to thoroughly explore all the options to tailor the best treatment plan for you.
I'd read the book some before visiting. If I had the money, it'd be good to see him even if it was only for a short while while he gave tips and did a thorough examination.
That is something I hadn't thought of! Thank you. I will most certainly check them out and am not shy about the train. I'd rather a place be really quality with great physicians and staff and spend more time to get there than something more convenient that doesn't meet my needs. Just a question: How are they with technology? I want a place that can help with get a new insulin pump/CGM, etc. I am seeing an endocrinologist I made an appointment with months ago today but very nervous about it as she has terrible reviews. It was too late to cancel so I'll give it a shot. Gulp.
Well... After canceling my appointment twice, I was supposed to have an appointment today at 11am. I get there, and they say they have no appointment scheduled for me.
I almost lost it in public. I am definitely not going there. Let me know if you find a place you like! After waiting months for an appointment, I really need to find someone soon.
Hey Alycat! I found a new endocrinologist that I really like. I had initially not wanted to see her bc I read a few negative things online. HOWEVER, when I met her in person I had a REALLY good experience. Her name is Dr. Susan Zweig and she's associated with NYU. I really, really like her- as a matter of fact she put me on a Tandem t:slim insulin pump and I'm switching over to the new pump today! I must warn you that I had to wait 3 months to get an appointment, but I called about a month before my actual appointment and luckily someone had canceled (keep checking with them) so they fit me in 2 months after I called instead of 3. Dr. Zweig is YOUNG and up to date. She's also been REALLY easy to deal with for prescriptions. She does everything online while you are sitting in her office with her so you can watch her send everything out to the pharmacy while you are sitting there. Of course I've only had ONE appointment (next one is in May) but everything went really smoothly. Her number and address are: (212) 725-7841 at 135 E 37th Street, New York, NY 10016. Good luck!!!!!!
If traveling to New Jersey is an option, Dr. Maria Lamothe is in Westfield. She is young, up to date on new technology, and really listens. In addition, her staff is pleasant and really easy to work with.
Hey Elizabetta, I am under the watch of Noel K. Maclaren. Can't really compare him to others endos in the City but I just got to tell you I love this guy. I was recommended to go to him after I was diagnosed in Italy (I live here and there and I was in Italy when first symptoms occurred). I had the Anti GAD test done over there and it was all over the place (meaning i developed T1) and when I got to Dr. Maclaren with my labs in my hands I found out that he was the one that invented (and got several patents on it) the Anti GAD lab test to determine T1 diagnosys.As far as it looks to me He is really up to date. After 1 year i was diagnosed he put me immediately on pump+CGM (he got all models in the office and showed me all of them carefully before I made up my mind) and the staff take care of all the insurance hassle fast and smoothly. Now every time I have an appointment I just hand my CGM to the receptionist when checking in and they immediately download all the data needed for the doctor to look at them even before I enter the door. He also told me is running a clinical trial (with Johnson&Johnson) to prevent T1 onset on kids. Never looked into it since I am not planning to have any kids soon, but if you are to I would really consider to give it a shoot. That was also a pro to me since it show he's constantly updated and working on not only treat our disease but also fighting for a cure.
That's all. Let me know if you need more info or just have question about him. Meanwhile here's the link where you can find his infos: http://bioseekclinics.com His office is in Midtown (w 57th if i remember right)!
Hope this was useful to you :) good luck with your research!
Any other diabetes specialists recommendations for NYC? I’d like to go on a pump/cgm and would like one place, one doctor, one CDE to work with as a team.
Thank goodness for this post! I’ve been living in NYC for a year now trying to find a great, up to date, Type 1 specialist! I finally have good insurance and am going to call all of these people. My current doc seems overworked and uninterested in getting me a CGM in any kind of efficient manner. Can’t wait to give these names a try. Thank you!!
@Sarah32, how is your search for a Type 1 specialist in NYC? I would really like to find a CDE to answer more of the day to day type questions. Maybe even insertion techniques for CGM’s.
