I will preface my review by commending Dr. Hessel as a fine OBGYN. Very efficient, thoughtful, and calm demeanor. The patient portal is also very organized to access test results, medical history. However I am leaving a mixed review based on the office staff. It has been very difficult to reach a live person when calling about appointment scheduling. I also was turned down to see the doctor today because I was 13 min late for my appointment due to subway delays. When asking the office staff if there was anyway to accommodate me because my commute is long, I was publicly scolded for not calling to inform I was running late and instructed that I could either come back hours later in the day or reschedule. I was also patronized and asked "do you understood what a schedule is?" The treatment was humiliating and disrespectful to a patient of almost 20 years. I don't feel comfortable going back to an office that lacks compassion for their patients. I'm sure I've waited more than 13 min to see the doctor in the past and have never complained. read more

!!! WARNING !!! This is not a body contouring review its a !! WARNING !! This review is to just warn you if you speak to her about anything other than what you went to her office for she will charge you...DO NOT even DISCUSS the weather, it will cost you $$. I went for a GYN well visit, she asked if i smoked, i answered yes, i told her i was going to call 311 for the free patches & quit, do you know this woman charged me $75!! Not covered under insurance. Oh and you have to leave your credit card info on file and if your insurance company doesn't pay on time she will charge you... She charged me $423 and she knows damn well the insurance company doesn't give them what they charge. I did get a refund after 2 months (Less the $75.00) unbelievable! read more

Started to see Dr. Barbara Hessel about a year ago. I stopped getting my period after getting off birth control for a few bad side effects. Because I have PCOS, I needed to find a doctor that was better equipt to help me fix this in the most natural way possible. I was currently seeing a women's pavillion that was not educated in this hormonal balance (even though it is not rare). I did have to take medicine to help me get my period back but, with the help of Dr. Hessel, I now have a regular cycle and working towards ovulating and hopefully beginning to TTC. It has been a long way, and I know it will be longer but: I am down 20 pounds, have had 4 consecutive periods on my own and have fewer cysts in my ovaries as per my last ultrasound. All AMAZING progress for a PCOS patient and all of these results in under 1 year of being with her. She gets right to the point and listens to what you want to do but gives you her raw advice. I 100% appreciate this and trust her. It has been such a different experience from past OB-GYN and I can say that I have found the right doctor for me! read more

Dr. Hessel was straight to the point and got down to business. She had a nice bedside manner and her staff is really nice. I think I found my new doctor read more

Dr. Hessel has been my Obgyn throughout my first pregnancy and I can't say anything negative about her. Everyone in the office are very kind. Things are done efficiently. There's not a single complaint about her or the office. Definitely recommend her! read more

I was recommended by a friend to come to Dr. Hessel's office and after years of not feeling confident with an OB-GYN she was the first I trusted and have stayed with her for years. Since moving out of Forest Hills and living in Flushing, Maspeth and now Ozone Park I still make the trip to see Dr. Hessel. Her staff is great as well, I have called many times and there have been occasions where they squeeze me in that same day or they let me be the first patient the next morning, usually if I call to make an appointment I have to call a month in advance to be seen. Dr. Hessel gets to the point and tells it how it is, that is what I love most about her and I am never there longer than an hour. She always has an assistant with her and tells you what she's going to do step by step; she even has a patient portal that you can see your most recent visit to all of your history at the office, you can see notes of the visit and the results of all tests. For the past year or so I've noticed that there have been more people than usual waiting to see her, which is good because it only shows how great of a doctor she is. Bad for us patients because lately the visits have been more impersonal. The usual preliminary questions are being done in a tablet and she's like the flash in and out of the office after the usual check-up, which if I have 5 questions for her I can only get 1 or 2 in, hence, that is why I gave the review 4 stars. I went to another OB-GYN in the area because of this and it was even more impersonal so obviously as a human I stop complaining and like a scared dog returned back here. read more

My initial impression of this office was that it was clean and updated, but smelled bad (it's about 80 outside and the air inside is very low) As I walked up to the receptionist's desk about 4 women were sitting at it but they were all on their cell phones and none of them acknowledged me until I told them I'm a new patient It was cool to fill in my paperwork on a tablet, never done that What I'm unhappy about is 1) they forced me to make a co-payment even though I'm getting my annual. According to them since I've never been here before they're billing me as a typical visit and not as an annual. How absurd! I'm calling my insurance company to complain about this practice. I've never experienced this ever 2) while I was talking to the receptionist I was called by a nurse to enter. After 10 seconds of "waiting" she called the next patient which increased my wait time I'm a teacher and I consider an aspect of my profession "customer service" so I try really hard not to be difficult but while speaking with the receptionist about how they're forcing me to make a co-payment and it didn't make sense to me, her facial expression was clearly of annoyance and no patience. These first few things gave me a very negative impression of this practice. However, Dr Linkey was amazing and took my concerns about the co payment seriously and explained the reasoning behind charging me as a visit rather than annual. This is bc some people "forget" if they've used up their annual visit and so its to cover their own butts which is understandable. Dr Linkey was very nice, friendly and explained everything she was doing unlike other docs who just poke and prod with no explanation. I will be returning but only bc Dr Linkey made up for the bad customer service dished out by the receptionists. I do have to say I arrived the office on a Wednesday morning at 10:30 and didn't leave until 11:45. Hopefully this won't be the case for my next visit read more

I've been several times now, to see the newest member Dr. linkie and I'm overall pleased. My husband has attended every visit with me since we are having our first baby, due July. We have met Dr. hessel as well and found her to be polite and efficient. As one person commented, she isn't the "always smiling" type, but she was friendly with us and knowledgeable. Our doctor, Linkie, is a friendly, well informed woman who has answered any question either of us have had. Even my very shy husband feels ok asking her things at appointments. As for the staff, I'm baffled by some of the comments. In the few months I've been a patient, my calls have always been answered or returned promptly and my treatment has been above par. I was a receptionist for many years (non medical) and these ladies care. There may have been staffing changes, idk, but I'm quite pleased. I'm horrible with names tho, so apologies for not being more specific. While all lovely, the nurse/tech who does my blood draws is a wonderful delight. I wish I could give her name to you, but she is younger and wears glasses. It may be Marie(?). I've had an excess of experience with blood draws and she is one of my top 5 techs, EASY! Many people fear needles, especially in medical environments. Please take heart getting it done here. You couldn't hope for a more gentle experience. I leave 4 instead of 5 stars here because I've not experienced delivery with my doctors yet, nor have I been in for a by the book annual. I believe even the best always have room to improve. read more

No empathy and no patience for you. I was forced to do a Pap test during early pregnancy when I told her I didn't want to do it.

She's a bitch! Dr Hessel was so nasty to me. I asked her a simple question: to repeat herself when she explained how to take the Diflucan tablet: I asked if the second pill is on the 2nd or the 3rd day? She lost her temper and said she told me already. WOW! Yes you did say it, but perhaps I didn't catch it? We are all human, right? You practice human medicine, not veterinarian, right? Then you shouldn't act like an animal. Ethics and respect is what a physician practices, right? I will never be visiting her again. I also overheard her speaking poorly to what I gathered was a pharmacist on the phone. She was calling in orders for another patient: I heard ALL that patient's information which is a HIPAA violation. read more

Doctor Hessel is such a delight! I am a self pay patient and I am glad I invested in her. She is always polite and answers any questions I might have. I actually reach out to her at odd hours of the day and she never complains. I highly recommend her. Edna & Natalie both are one of the best front end staff I have come across. read more

I learned of Dr Hessel through a friend a mine who delivered her child through her and I'm glad I did. Dr Hessel's office was conveniently located and easy to find off Yellowstone Blvd. Her staff was very professional and yet friendly during the pandemic so I felt very safe during my scheduled appointments. The recent birth of my child was via scheduled caesarean so Dr Hessel was the doctor who delivered my baby and she and the team at Katz' Women's hospital did a wonderful job. I highly recommend her as an OB if you're in the market for one. read more

Dr. Hessel is the best gynecologist I have ever been to. And i've been going to them for 30 years. She is thorough. Her bedside manner is calming and she is so smart! Also her office staff is very very nice. They are accommodating because sometimes I have to schedule an appt without a lot of notice. NYC really has great doctors. I've come to discover that since I moved here 4 years ago and I am so happy i found a gynecologist i trust and feel very comfortable with. I was freaking out a little about a procedure i was getting and she made me feel relaxed. Also she is like a ten minute walk from my apt. So that's definitely a bonus too! read more

I just had a visit the highly "recommended" Doctor for my annual visit and I am completely dissatisfied with both her and her practice guidelines. Before seeing her I had also seen my Primary Care Physician for my annual checkup. His office did not charge me my co-payment because it was my ANNUAL checkup ( FYI I was also NEW to the practice). When her receptionist asked me for my $40 co-pay I had told her it was my ANNUAL and she replied that I needed to pay because I was NEW to the practice. Relentlessly, I paid, even though the broker for my oxford plan specifically explained to me that I did not have to. Following my instinct I further informed myself a little more, since my broker was unavailable, on The Affordable Care Act and it mandates: "that preventive care be available at no cost -- even for high-deductible plans," That's a quote from USA today Kelly Kennedy, USA TODAY 12:50 a.m. EDT October 3, 2013. This article was written because Doctors are STILL CHARGING. I work for a Doctor's office and am appalled that this office was practicing this way. My appointment was strictly a preventative one and the only one in 2 years, one that was as regular as any other annuals I've had in the past. I had the office tell the Doctor that my insurance payed for an annual and that I was also told by them that I was not supposed to have payed the copay if she had just billed it as an annual. However she had billed it with an additional complaint that fell out of preventative care in order to collect my copay, as per my insurance. Now, as I explained before from beginning to end I informed everyone I was strictly there for an annual no other chief complain was stated. Now if you want even more proof, Dr. Hessel please open this link and inform yourself, please. Annual checkups are PREVENTATIVE CARE! hhs.gov/healthcare/facts... If you follow that link Dr. Hessel you can stop hustling people. Doctors are supposed to help people not take advantage of them. I know you may say its only $40 but it's the principle or in this case lack THEREOF. I am in financial strains that make me very careful with my spending and forces me to be more knowledgeable. Because of financial hardship most women don't go for their preventative care and "Commonwealth Fund found that in 2009 more than half of women delayed or avoided necessary care because of cost." So how are you helping Dr. Hessel when you are part of the problem by charging illegally? Now I know your ratings are paid for and Zoc Doc can cherry pick what you desire but I'am glad I can be honest to the public here. And office manager save your apologies, I truly don't care for them, informing yourself will be helpful. Andrea Alban. read more

Dr. Hessel is NOT informative, she's not friendly; doesn't smile when she see you in the exam room. She's in and out of the room. I don't have a bond with her and I regret having her as my OB. I rather deal with her RN I think her name is Marie. She's nice and smiles, and give you information on what to expect and ask you questions. Dr. Hessel has not communication / customer service skills. The girls are the office are very nice, they always look happy and friendly. They take your vitals quick. The office is ok, the rooms are small. I don't think she has a sonogram machine because I've always been referred to another place for my sonograms. read more

First appointment today. Very pleased. Quick, professional, to the point, very clean. Would definitely recommend!

Terrible staff and miscommunication. I was at the office once, paying straight from my pocket right before the visit. Few weeks after, suddenly I've been getting additional payments from the office, and the lab. Something I never was told about, altho I did payed up front. When I try to call the office, the front desk way saying different story every time. I did have a proof of payment the same day I was at the doctor office. It took me a moths of calling them. It wasn't the nicest experience, when one of her staff told me that I need to pay additional fee otherwise they will go on my credit history. My bad. Selecting wrong MD office. I got payed twice for something I shouldn't. Be aware !!! read more

Dr Hessel seems great but can't say the same for her staff (she gets 4 stars from me). My rating is based on how patients are treated in her office and the overall vibe of being there. The front desk is often never there to answer calls during business hours. Not great if you're pregnant and you're trying to reach the doctor during the day. When they do pick up, they're extremely rude and condescending. Dr Hessel was highly recommended to me and I wish I could continue to see her but after several interactions with her belligerent staff I might just have to look for another doctor. read more

We have since moved out of the neighborhood but my wife continues to make special trips just to visit Dr. Hessel's office. After three successful pregnancies and deliveries we would not trust any other doctor. Dr. Hessel is knowledgeable, attentive, compassionate and generous with her time. Her office staff is friendly and, most importantly, efficient. Whenever I need any kind of paperwork completed they are quick to turn it around. There is a gentleman who manages the office who is particularly outstanding. Thank you Dr. Hessel! read more

I wouldn't say recently, but I became a patient of hers over the summer after a bad experience elsewhere. When I had my first appointment, we wasted no time, she answered all my questions. Luckily we were able to fix the issue the last place left me with and I appreciate her work. She knew what to do and did it. She may not be all cheery and cuddly but she's a good doctor. I've seen her multiple times now and she warms up to you. Staff is ok but I didn't go to the gyno for the staff. read more

Patient back in 2015 Pros: Dr. Hessel is professional and polite. No complaints there Office: Staff is competent and polite Appointment: Easy to make appointment online Wait Time: ExceIlent- 5-10 min. Cons:Contacting office: sometimes there is no answer and you have to leave a message and may wait some time for a call back (Once I had to reach the office to cancel my appointment and received a call back right before the appointment. Staff is polite, but picking up the lines during the course of business was scarce.) My delivery experience: Dr. Hessel wasn't on duty when I gave birth but she was supposed to report to LIJ for my son's circumcision (which was on a Saturday 2 days post delivery)...instead the responsibility was passed on to Dr. Linkie (other doctor from her practice)... No one could get in touch with Dr. Linkie and there was no other doctor at LIJ that was able to perform the procedure...This was very upsetting for me as a new mom because I was told it is best for a newborn to be circumcised within the first 48 hours...as a new mom all I kept wondering was how or when my son would be circumcised and worried if we waited any longer would this cause further suffering to my newborn... I ended up having to make an appointment with LIJ to do the circumcision almost a month after my son was born...that was the soonest they would see me because they were booked....at this point I felt so insignificant to my doctor (Hessel)... I felt like I didn't matter as her patient and it felt worst because my newborn son would be affected by this.. I felt when I needed my doctor there was no one there.... It may sound lame or laughable to Dr. Hessel and/or her staff because I'm just another patient and another story, but when you are a new mother it is the biggest deal in the world...this is someone's life and experience and it can be very traumatizing.... as a new mom this is all new to you....you are vulnerable...you can do your research, but you still don't know what to expect until after you've been through it....you don't want your child to suffer unnecessarily and having a late circumcision meant my son would have been more developed causing him more discomfort and pain... not to mention my husband had to take off more time from work, which could have all been avoided...I was turned off from the situation and really didn't want to return to Dr. Hessels office for my 6 week appointment post birth, but I didn't have anywhere else to go...when I went for my appointment with Dr. Hessel she asked the routine questions....thankfully everything turned out ok...I asked her why no one showed up for my son's circumcision and she gave me a lame reason...I don't remember what it was, but again I felt like I meant nothing...I understand her obligation is to her team (Dr. Linkie) and it certainly did not make anything better...Dr. Carmen Rodriguez was on duty the Thursday my baby was born...she came to deliver my baby. and I am forever grateful..She was the calm to my storm and made me feel like everything would be ok...everything went well with the delivery...a special Thank you to Dr. Carmen Rodriguez...I love her and wish I were her patient, but it's so hard to get an appointment. Background Info- Day I went into labor I was scheduled to see Dr. Linkie for my weekly checkup because Dr. Hessel wasn't in the office....if Dr. Hessel is not available Dr. Linkie can be an alternative doctor and vice versa.... day I went into labor I had a visit with Dr. Linkie for my weekly check up...I also requested an update on how far along I was dilated...Dr Linkie checked me...it felt a little rough and uncomfortable but I thought that was to be expected...when comparing notes with other women they said it shouldn't have felt that way...when I left the office the bottom of my stomach felt heavy and weird....that night I went into labor...the rest is history..whether is it was intentional is debatable...I wouldn't understand the motive.. this was my experience. read more

Dr. Hessel is patient, informative, and educated. I asked loads of questions, she responded thoroughly without ever making me feel like I was "using up her time." I felt taken care of, that's what it comes down to. Clean, modern facility. She has a patient portal, so I can ask a question at any time and receive a response within a day or two. read more

The staff here is very friendly and cares about their patients. They work with the patients to better their service and they have very good time management. When your appointment is at, for example, 12PM, you are in by 12 and are done by 12:30. read more

Dr. Heseel cares about her patients. She takes you into consideration and is attentive to your needs.

excellent doctor! the front staff may seem a bit standoffish at first but they are very nice and welcoming and the assisiting staff is excellent! Dr Hessel is very professional very good at what she does! they even have an ultrasound tech in the office which makes things easier read more

I've been going to Dr Hessel for years and have been very pleased. I had previously had terrible experiences of gynecologists - especially male ones, but Dr Hessel has always been excellent. Appointments are prompt, the staff are helpful. I have even had surgery performed by Dr Hessel. I would recommend her to anyone. read more

I've been going to Dr. Hessel for years. She takes her time answering my questions and thoroughly explains the choices I have in my treatments throughout the years. She has delivered both of my boys. She is professional, respectful, and courteous. The staff has always been kind and accommodating to me. I couldn't be more pleased. read more

So difficult to get someone on the phone and when I finally did, she wasnt very friendly. I called today, 09-15- and she offered me an appointment 10-21. Seriously!!? No appointments before that? At my last visit, I asked to be tested for STDs & they took it upon themselves to run other tests that my insurance didnt cover and then expected me to pay of out pocket. The doctor however is sweet (the only reason i wanted to go back) but the way the office runs is very unprofessional. They also promised to call when my results came in, no one ever called. read more

The staff are courteous and professional. Dr. Hessel saw me on time, even early and has always been very professional, approachable and gentle. I am very happy with this facility and have recommended her to many women. read more

Dr. Hessel and her staff are by far the best GYN office I have ever been to. I have been going for over one year now and last week had surgery scheduled with her. Her and her staff were very patient with all my questions and were always accessible. I changed my mind on several things and they were always accommodating. The surgery went perfectly and I am recovering very well and look forward to a healthier future. Dr. Hessel is very thorough in explaining everything and open to conversations about anything. My daughter will now be her patient and I will be a patient for life. I highly recommend them!! read more

Dr. Hessel is efficient and knows what she's doing. She is not the bubbly type but she does answer questions and she tells you what she's doing before she does it. There is a very short wait time for all visits, no more than ten minutes. Dr. Hessel saved me on two emergencies: One was on New Year's Eve when I got a UTI, and I called the office in desperation. The very kind girl on the other end texted Dr. Hessel, who faxed a prescription to my pharmacy. I don't even think the office was open on NYE. Life saver! The other time, I had a yeast infection and they squeezed me in on the same day I called. Whew. I do wish she was more bubbly but a lot of people are uncomfortable in this kind of environment so I can see why she's more matter-of-fact. When I first saw her, I was very embarrassed and nervous but she wasn't fazed by emotion. She gets the job done. And she does talk; I shoot her questions (as many as I can come up with) and she answers them. The receptionists and nurses have always been nice as well. read more

in the mornings, the staff never picks up the phone when the office is scheduled to be open - sometimes you can call for 45 - 60 minutes (after their official opening time) before they actually pick up - not good if you're having a medical problem read more