NYU Langone Reproductive Specialists of New York Located in Brooklyn, New York

Mackenzie McBride

7 months ago

I went to NYU to pursue IVF with donor eggs and was told that Dr. Saketos, who is based on Long Island, would take the lead in my case and I would see Dr. Dondik for weekly appointments in BK. After nearly a year of treatment, I was extremely disappointed by the medical care I received, the complete lack of communication, and the dismissive way I was treated. I have a very complex and rare diagnosis that includes thin lining -- in retrospect I'm not sure that Dr. Saketos knew how to treat such a case. However, instead of acknowledging that and encouraging me to seek care from someone who was more familiar with my diagnosis,, she kept trying the same routine of meds over and over with absolutely no progress. Whenever I asked her or Dr. Dondik if I could have a biopsy or if we could try something else, I was told it wasn't time for that yet. As my frustration increased and I was reaching out by phone and email, it was rare that I would ever hear back from anyone. Communication in this office is terrible, please be warned. You can never reach anyone directly and all calls go through a messaging service first, it's a nightmare given the time sensitivity of IVF. Long story short, my questions and requests for a new treatment plan were ignored and it felt to me that my doctors no longer believed I would be successful and had stopped taking a real interest in my care. The last straw was when I went in for a routine appointment and Dr. Dondik, who was 15min late, told me she didn't have time to answer any more of my questions because she had other patients waiting. I walked out of the office and never went back. When I emailed Dr. Saketos to let her know I was seeking treatment elsewhere, she sent back a response related to something else entirely suggesting to me that she had not even read the contents of my email. I should also note, this is the first time she had ever responded to one of my emails. I moved my care to a small clinic in Manhattan and 6 months later I was pregnant. This was the result of a completely new and different treatment plan -- my new doctor was so confused as to why I had been on the previous routine from NYU for so long since it clearly wasn't working. I know it's on me that I should have moved on sooner but the business of IVF is just that, a business, and it takes a long time to come to terms with the fact that to many clinics, you are just another woman desperate for a baby that they want to keep in their rotation as long as possible. I think many other women who have gone through IVF and have felt like just a number will relate to me here. I know that this is a harsh review but please know that it is a sincere one. If I had been unsuccessful at NYU that would be one thing, but the fact that they were so dismissive and uncaring feels important to share. IVF is hard enough as it is and I deserved better treatment. I am so grateful I finally had to the courage to leave this clinic and move on to a team of doctors who wanted to give me a shot at motherhood, otherwise, I might never have had my beautiful girl.

kim licari

2 years ago

I had a wonderful experience with Dr Fritz and the whole team at NYU. The entire staff is lovely, every doctor I saw made me feel comfortable during the process. Special shout out to Elena for being so supportive during every visit and keeping the place running so smoothly. After 2 cycles and 1 good embryo, we ended up conceiving naturally as I was awaiting a transfer the following month. I will definitely be back if we decide to go for baby #2.

Rima Bakhru

2 years ago

I saw Dr. Dondik for my initial consult in June 2023. She was great and has excellent bedside manner. However, I found out that the egg freezing or IVF procedures are NOT in Brooklyn, they are in Mineola, Long Island. I had to wait 2 months to get a follow-up appointment to review the results of my fertility testing. This was a telehealth appointment. I waited over 30 min for her to log on to the appointment. My bloodwork results were also never uploaded to the portal. Portal is clunky and doesn't allow you to send messages, only receive messages, so you have to violate patient privacy laws to communicate electronically. At my request, she ordered an MRI in late August to confirm a diagnosis that ultimately allowed the 16K procedure to get covered. I got the MRI the same week. Another month went by, but no one got back to me about the results of the MRI and the insurance authorization, despite several emails to multiple staff members. Finally got a call back on Sept 23rd from Shandel, 3 days before my insurance coverage was ending ( I am transitioning to COBRA). She was helpful and empathetic, and confirmed that due to my diagnosis, the procedure would be covered. I was told that the authorization would be pulled and emailed to me, and that it would good for 10 years or as long as I was on COBRA. However, I never received the authorization. I called back on Sept 25th and was told I would get a call back. It is now Sept 27th, the last day of coverage, and I have not received the authorization and no one has gotten back to me. I've been on hold for 30 minutes only to speak to someone who first told me that I wasn't going to be covered (after Shandell confirmed that I would be due to my clinical diagnosis.) They could not confirm or even access the authorization in my file. They also refused to give me Shandel's email despite the circumstances. My initial plan was to freeze over the summer, when I had ample time, before my insurance changed, but due to the inefficiencies of the office - this was pushed off by 3 months. As a medical professional, and small business owner, it is difficult enough to find time for appointments of my own, let alone find time to freeze my eggs (which requires several appointments for 2 weeks, plus the side effects of the injected medication, and have a surgical procedure in Mineola) As a 34 year old woman with fertility that is rapidly declining, it is also stressful to have this pushed off. Some other issues: 1. IVF webinar taught by a man who makes sexist jokes about moods/hormones and instills a lot of fear by comparing your ovaries to a water balloon that might pop if you bend over. I had to schedule another visit with Dr. Dondik who clarified this was an overstatement. Also, found out that BK office is closed on weekends so monitoring appointments on weekends will also be in Mineola. 2. Jan - had to send several emails to get my medications ordered. It was cutting so close I opted to push again. 3. Feb - called to make a cycle start appointment during office hours - was supposed to get a call back if I was supposed to come the next day or following day. No one ever called. I even left an urgent message with answering service, was told I would hear back before the next morning so I would know whether to go in - and again never heard. 4. I provided pharmacy info twice. The nurse forgot what I told them at 8am, and sent a portal message at 12pm that I didn't see because I was with my own patients. The nurse leaves at 2:30 so my meds weren't called in. I called after hours at 4:45pm, was told they were going to reach out to a nurse to put in right away. No call back. Called again at 6, still waiting. Med I was supposed to start that night was called in at 6:45 5. The nurse at one point told me the wrong medication name, and also the wrong instructions. Pros: Dr. Dondik was wonderful throughout, and very comforting and thoughtful. The phlebotomists are also super nice and I looked forward to seeing them during my morning visits. Nurse Sarah in OR also very kind!

Elizabeth Rodriguez-Perez

7 years ago

I gave birth to my son three weeks ago thanks to this team. They were great— practical and transparent about the process. They also run the office incredibly well! I have never waited a crazy amount of time (the most I ever waited on a really busy day was 15 mins), and mostly was able to come in before work and be out in time to get there with time to spare. The labs are processed quickly with results shared within 24 hours. This place was great! I have recommended them to others and will continue to! Thank you RSofNY!

Caity Doherty

5 years ago

Can’t say enough about Dr. Dondik and the team at RSOFNY Brooklyn. Dr. Dondik is who you want as your doctor during a really stressful time. She explains everything thoroughly and never rushes you. She always wants you to understand the process and has a calm, relaxed nature about her that makes you instantly feel comfortable. She’s an incredible doctor you can trust. The other doctors and the nurse, Elena, are also very thorough and answer any questions you have. Appointments are quick and easy and the office is actually really beautiful with an amazing view. Everyone I’ve encountered has been kind and professional. We are still going through treatments but feel confident we selected the best fertility specialists to address our needs and highly recommend RSOFNY.