As almost everyone knows, there is nothing worse than being sick or hurt - except, perhaps, being sick or hurt when no body can figure out why. Decidedly worse, is being sick or hurt when no one can figure out why AND they won't admit to not being able to figure it out, AND they are not nice, AND they are impatient, AND they don't take the time to listen to you.
As a result of having visited so many of the "top" doctors in NYC over the years with very mixed results, I have come to the conclusion that what makes a "top" doctor a great doctor is not what school they went to, how many awards they have won or how arrogant they are. Experience has taught me that a great doctor possesses the following qualities:
- INTELLIGENCE
- KINDNESS & PATIENCE
- LISTENS and VALIDATES
- GIVES more than 10 minutes of their time
- ADMITS when they do not know the answer
- THINKS outside of the box
Unfortunately, the great health care providers I've met almost never accept insurance (and of course, they are expensive). In fact, there seems to be an overwhelming negative correlation between greatness and insurance acceptance, which is fodder for another article to be written at another time.
My List of Great Doctors and Health Care Providers in NYC:
- Dr. Leo Galland, MD - http://www.mdheal.org/ - 212-717-6792 - Upper East Side. (Does not accept insurance). Doctor Galland is the godfather of integrated medicine. He takes a nutritional approach to preventing and reversing illnesses and is very thorough in researching and diagnosing his patients' health problems.
- Tonya Juge, PT - http://www.hdphysicaltherapy.com/ - 212-988-2501 - Upper East Side. H&D Physical Therapy is perhaps the best place to go for physical therapy in New York City. Tonya is my physical therapist and I think she's great.
- Jeffrey Morrison, MD, CNS - http://www.themorrisioncenter.com/ - 212-989-9828 - Flat Iron District. (Does not accept insurance). Doctor Morrison also takes a nutritional approach to preventing and reversing illnesses. He also has a very nice staff. Very punctual.
- Gary Goldman, OBGYN - 212-535-6100 - Upper East Side. (Does not accept insurance). Dr. Goldman was referred to me as being one of the best OB-GYNs and endocrinologists in NYC. He listens to his patients, is sensitive and kind. Up until meeting him I had always opted for a female OB-GYN.
- Keith Pyne - Sports Medicine, Chiropractor - 212-989-9828 - Flat Iron District. (Does not accept insurance). Dr. Pyne travels the world every two weeks bringing his healing touch to athletes and laymen alike. He doesn't have a Website or even business cards, but he doesn't need them; word of mouth keeps him booked solid. He practices out of Dr. Morrison's office every other Thursday, so book ahead. First consultation lasts an hour; each visit after that is a half hour. Very punctual.
- Mitchell Gaynor, MD - Oncologist, Internist & Hematologist - http://www.gaynoroncology.com/ - 212- Upper East Side. (Does not accept insurance but his staff will fill out the paperwork for you to submit). I was told that Dr. Gaynor is one of the leading oncologists in NYC. Having met him, this is not hard to believe. He has a very holistic approach to wellness and is a firm believer in utilizing antioxidants, supplements and meditation to achieve physical and psychological well-being. He has written several books and articles and leads a meditation session once a month for his patients.
- Benjamin Asher, MD, PC - Ears, Nose & Throat - http://www.restorativeent.com/ - 212-223-4225 - Upper East Side. (Does not accept insurance but his staff will fill out the paperwork and submit for you). Dr. Asher is very nice and very smart. He takes an integrative approach to solving ear, nose and throat problems, incorporating traditional and alternative medicines into his practice. He prides himself in truly listening to his patients and leaving no stone unturned. Also, Dr. Asher's assistant, Harriet, is probably the nicest medical administrative assistant I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Punctual.
- Rudy A. Segna, MD, FACOG - http://www.themedicalgroupforwomen.com/ - 212-888-8439 - Upper East Side. (Accepts some insurance). Dr. Segna works with Dr. Peter Dottino at the Group for Women on Fifth Avenue. Dr. Dottino was highly recommended to me for a second opinion on a surgery, but as he was on vacation, I saw Dr. Segna instead. He was great. Very professional, knowledgeable, friendly and punctual. I have since seen him several times for my endometriosis-related issues and like him more and more with each visit.
- Jean Shum - Acupuncture & allergies - 917-836-5035 - Upper West Side. (Does not accept insurance). Jean is not a doctor and yet she has greatly helped me with my shoulder pain and has helped other friends I have sent her way with pain and allergies. She works on people with all types of problems, including cancer, chronic pain and allergies and is well known and respected by many of the doctors on this list. A one hour visit with Jean is a very interesting, enlightening and relaxing experience. She is hard to get in to see as she is very busy. Very punctual.
- Jennifer Green, PT, MS, CFMT - http://www.physioarts.com/ - 212-997-7490 - Times Square. (Does not accept insurance). Jenn is one of the 7 physical therapists who work for PhysioArts, an employee-owned physical therapy office that incorporates traditional and alternative therapies in helping its patients recover. Although I have not used Jenn, I have been told by another physical therapist whom I respect that she is top-notch. In fact, she is so popular, that it's pretty much impossible to become one of her clients. Pickychick tip: PhysioArts only allows 30-minute appointments with its therapists. Although this is common practice in New York City (it allows physical therapy companies to make more money), it generally allow enough therapy time for rapid improvement in a patient's condition. For great physical therapists and one-hour one-on-one time with therapists, I recommend H&D Physical Therapy (see above).
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