I just started going to this clinic, and I feel lucky to have found Marie Botte: she is the warmest, most caring health professional I have ever encountered. She spends plenty of time with you, listens carefully to what you say, explains everything clearly, and really conveys a feeling of genuine care for you. I wish more doctors were like Marie! Marie is a Nurse Practitioner, not an MD; but I feel every bit as comfortable with Marie as I would with any MD, she seems fully qualified as a health professional. read more

I LOVE Dr. Bershel. As noted in another review, she is totally willing to concede to the fact that I know my body better than anyone else does. I have a lot of health concerns for a 20-something, and she always takes me seriously, where some doctors in the past have treated me as though I was a paranoid hypochondriac. It's been totally liberating for the past two years to be seen by a doctor who will admit she is human and treats me and my partner with actual kindness and respect. I'm already sad that when I move to San Francisco someday, I won't be able to take her with me. read more

Late hours on Tuesday!!!! Instead of having to leave work early to make it to the doctor, I can go at 7:15 on a Tuesday night! AWESOME. and again, I was welcomed so warmly. I think I might actually like going to the doctor now. read more

All five stars are for Marie. She is so amazing. she is so incredibly caring and takes the time needed for me. I have been going to her for over three years now and am truly blessed to have found her. Marie is the best. read more

I am going to put this rating right in the middle as, like many others, Marie is the best doctor I have ever had. She is amazing and I never am going to allow myself to go into this office to see anyone but her again. However if i could give a zero star to Dr. Marcia Tanur I would. During a recent appointment she was rude, made backhanded judgements about my character and made me feel like I was being verbally assaulted throughout my visit. Even better the appointment had nothing to do with the points she was bringing up and the same things that she was criticizing me on other doctors have been praising me for. It was the most inappropriate experience that I have had at a doctors office and is making me consider changing practices. Marie please start your own practice, you are amazing and the only reason so many of us keep going there but the doctors you are working with are just not reaching the bar you set. read more

I have only written one star reviews but Dr Bershel is just that good. She has seen me through good times and also times where her staff has arranged for me to be transported by ambulance on a stretcher. Dr Bershel has a depth and awareness that is extremely rare in medicine and in the world. If I weren't against using all caps I'd use them here: she listens. She's also an advocate of alternative medicine and has introduced me to things that I can't afford or wasn't sure of like Tong Ren and laser therapy. She is knowledgable and the same time humble at what she doesn't know. Best of all she is a human being and will never tell you your symptoms are all in your head. read more

I was losing patience trying to find a PCP with an office near the T, where you can get an appointment within a few days. Then I found this place. They are excellent! Nurse practicioner Alison is so caring and thorough. The office is right near the T, you can get an appointment remarkably easily. Receptionists are very helpful and friendly. read more

I feel the same as another reviewer above, that I'm a little hesitant to give an imperfect rating, but had the same experience with a strange manner from Dr. Bershel. I do love the Physician's assistants, and have been going to the office for years. And it's great to have an LGBT friendly office. But. I went in with severe asthma and what at first looked like a bad cold. Dr. Bershel gave me an additional inhaler saying "You're going to love this gadget" and I hated it (and turns out I didn't need it - no medication of any sort was making its way into my inflamed lungs). She fixated on a small rash on my wrist that might have been poison ivy as the cause of my problems and accused me of (and I quote) "fibbing". I had pneumonia. My allergist diagnosed it correctly when I went in so sick I could almost not stand. I had absurd amounts of fluid in my ears and lungs, and Dr. Bershel was busy accusing me of "fibbing" about poison ivy. She's very nice, but pretty flaky and fixates on some weird symptoms. When I take my car into the mechanic, I know he's a really great diagnostician - doesn't spend time asking me how often I change the oil if the problem is in the electrical system. Dr. Bershel maybe has some off days in diagnostics. read more

This is a great clinic! Ever had a hard time getting ahold of your doctor or even a nurse? Not here! Dr. Berschel takes her time with us, and listens carefully. This is a new experience for me, as I'm used to being rushed in and rushed out with my former health plan. She even made a house call for a first exam of our newborn (home birth) son, and his tired mommy. NP Mary Botte called us late night to give us exam results we were worried about (good news), and put us at ease. She also listens, and handles us with respect and humor. Honestly, I've never felt so well cared for, and literally trust this clinic with my family's lives. read more

It's true. Dr. Bershel is touchy-feely. She's very Type-B. She'll spend as much time asking questions about your life and daily existence as she will about medical issues. She'll actually have a conversation with you, instead of asking a bunch of canned questions, and dictating canned answers. She also won't beat around the bush, and will tell it like it is, when needed. This can be off-putting to people who are used to being coddled or treated in a strictly professional, impersonal manner. Why do I like her as my family MD? I tore off my fingernail rescuing a horse. Friends and family told me that I needed a tetanus shot. I wasn't keen about taking time off to travel an hour to Dr. Bershel's office, so I emailed her and asked for advice. To be honest, I expected to get a CYA response that would suggest a visit for treatment. Instead, she told me that unless it was a puncture wound, the odds of getting tetanus from a nail issue were tiny. She suggested not to waste my time coming in, and instead suggested keeping it clean. She said she'd be happy to give me a shot, but thought it would be overkill. How nice to find an MD who makes decisions with the patient in mind instead of insurance companies and trial lawyers. I personally have never felt rushed. In fact, I don't know how she manages to spend so much time with patients when she's always so busy. read more

Dr. Bershel and her crew are wonderful. We have a newborn and they have gone above and beyond to give him the best care possible. She is very patient and flexible and listens closely to our concerns. We never feel rushed. We've never had such an accessible health care provider before. Highly recommended practice. read more

I just started going there several months ago and since then have gone in about 6 times as I got sick. Marie is awesome. I had the same doctor back home for 20 years and loved them but Marie is now my new favorite. She listens and takes her time. I am so thankful I found her. I do have to say the first time I went in I met with an other Doctor who was not friendly, but have since run into her at the office and has been very nice so maybe she was having a bad day. I suggest Davis Square and Marie whole heartily read more

I received a bill in February from a visit I made nine months ago. It was clear that they took five months to bill my insurance company. Without insurance, it would have cost 150.00 for a five-minute visit where I was told I had a viral infection and needed rest and fluids. Dr. Tanur's beside manner during this short visit was awful. She typed into a laptop the whole time, never looked at me until I revealed I had a Harvard connection (and thus important enough to take seriously as a patient I guess) and offered blood work. When I asked "Do I need blood work?" she didn't respond. I understand why they say they accept almost all insurance. This practice is clearly using the chargemaster to the fullest extent. The nurses I encountered and front-of-office staff are really nice but that's about it on positive aspects. I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

I've been going to Davis Square Family Practice for over 10 years. Sad to say that the practice seems to be going down hill. At first, I really appreciated the time, care, and compassion that the doctors have shown me. I like that they aren't quick to recommend medication or more medical procedures than necessary. If you are an existing patient, you'll get in right away if you have a cold, etc. This is where my positive review ends. I'm not sure what's happened, but in the past few years, the level of service has declined. Their professional demeanor has been lacking. Depending on who you see, I've found treatment to be a little bit clinical (i.e. no bedside manner.) When I was in the middle of an appointment, a doctor ran up and down the hall screaming for a particular nurse, then came over the intercom asking about her whereabouts. This disrupted what was a difficult conversation I was having with my health care provider. But mostly the reason I'm choosing to find another GP is because of the poor level of treatment I've received over the last few months. I went in 3 times complaining of the same symptoms which were getting progressively worse. Each time, I was told to take more Advil. And --no joke-- no medical professional laid a finger on me, other than to check my vitals. It was down right Victorian. Not to mention other things, like forgetting to phone in prescriptions, billing against outdate insurance info, taking 6 months to process billing.... 10 years ago, I recommended this practice to every one. Today, I would strongly suggest you find another practice that is more organized and more attentive to their patients. read more

We have been patients of Dr. Bershel for over 20 years. We feel that she is a very caring and thorough Doctor, the best there is! My only complaint is that when you call for a " sick appointment " it usually is impossible to get a same day appointment. I don't want to wait 2 or 3 days, I'M SICK TODAY. Plus, they never give you an RX for antibiotics without being seen. Yeah, there is usually some kind of wait but I find that to be true of ALL doctors. On the plus side. I have , on many occasions gotten a call from Dr. Bershel at 7 or 8 PM to let me know blood work results. Not many devoted ones like that! read more

My son is 15 months old and a patient of Davis Square Family Practice. From the second you walk in the door you feel welcomed! Yes. The office is run down but in my opinion, but when you receive the real care these doctors give, the fact that the office needs updating goes right out the window! The front desk staff is amazing and always very helpful and kind. We've seen multiple pediatricians at this practice, (every one goes above and beyond) Dr. Carmen Phillips is the pediatrician we've seen the past 4 times. She couldn't be better! The visit is not your usual 15 minute rushed pedestrian visit. Our visit has never once felt hurried or abrupt. They actually take time go over questions, they walk you through every concern in complete detail. At our visit today she took it to the next level and brought out a stuffed animal to demonstrate the stethoscope and otoscope to my son to make him feel comfortable! I've never met a doctor as thorough and compassionate!! They are amazing! read more

i also feel bad posting a horrible review but i have given this office so many chances....sooooo many. i have had nothing but problems dealing with the staff as well as miscommunications with medical information - and all of this in only 6 months. i feel like things are really rushed and when i call the office i feel like i am treated like just a number - if i have issues or need anything extra i feel like they don't take care of it. the final straw was friday and i'll be looking for a new doctor even though this office is really convenient. read more

I called - couldn't barely speak at all due to my cold. I asked if there were appointments open today. The woman who answered the phone said "Yes, 2 p.m." I said "Great, Put me in." When she found out I was a new patient, she said "Sorry, nothing is available until late February, early March." Doesn't help me at all. Worst reception I've EVER gotten from a doctor's office, regardless of whether it's primary care or a specialist. Would never ever recommend this place. read more

I recently moved to the Boston area and chose DSFP because it is close to home. I just came from my first physical there, and I think I made the right choice. Keep in mind that I have no serious health concerns, so i can only speak to the routine physical. Four stars only because it may be too soon to tell. Following Molly S's format, here is why: 1. Although the Dr. that I chose as my PCP was booked until October, I was able to get in to see a NP within a few days. 2. I saw the nurse practioner Marie (can't remember her last name). She apologized for making me wait. I have never received a sincere apology at a Dr.'s office. I was immediately impressed. 3. She asked detailed, thorough questions about my life/history. She encouraged me several times to express any health concerns. I felt like every concern I had was valid, and she made notes on everything I said. 4. She explained everything she was doing, even asking permission at times. 5. She explained what I need to do for referral, prescriptions, etc. 6. She was very down to earth and friendly. I didn't feel like just another nameless patient. read more

I can't believe there aren't more negative reviews. I really hesitated writing this, because I don't likely dwell so much on the negative, especially in a public forum. However, I think that people looking for a physician should really have reviews to make their decision from. I wasn't surprised to see other people who are dissatisfied. I The only reason I remained a patient for the last 5 years was because I rarely need medical care and found the thought of trying to find a new doc overwhelming. After my recent visit (physical required for work) I realized I couldn't take it anymore. I specifically asked how much time I should plan for this and was assured it wouldn't take more than 20 minutes. I should have known better. Not only did I sit in the exam room for 20 mins (though it seemed there were no other patients), I heard the staff in the hallway chatting about their plans for later. This is typically the case. The entire staff appears to have no idea what professionalism is. In the medical field myself, I find this inexcusable. I never felt confident in my care and was often misdiagnosed. When I found myself seeking all of my care at the minute clinic in CVS, I knew it was time to leave. Enter at your own risk. read more

A friend highly recommended Dr. Botte. To my dismay, she is ill-educated and wrongly opinionated about thyroid disorders and has not kept up with current research. For anyone with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, DO NOT go to this practice. She stated that Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism are the exact same thing. She is also your typical doctor who doesn't like to take all the tests, however she took more tests than necessary and I was surprised to see them online on my chart. Her manner and work-ethic surprised me because her profile on their website says she has worked in Endocrinology (hence the word HAS). Her bed side manner was stale and uncaring. She was not in a particularly good mood when she assessed me which should not have carried over into my visit and was unfriendly. I was charged for tests that I did not ask for, nor was I told the cost of tests or what is and isn't covered by your insurance. read more

I've been going to this practice for around 15 years. And boy has it changed. First of all the old doctor was Dr. Berkowitz-Shelton. Like all doctors he was respectful and helpful and all that, and much more 'tuned in' than the new Dr. Bershel. Funnily enough, theyre the same person. That's right. To my family's dismay, our beloved Dr. Roy Berkowitz-Shelton turned out to be a transsexual and was quite open about it. I respect him...I mean her, for their decision but nobody should go talking about getting sexually reassigned in front of 3 and 5 year old girls. After seeing him go through his transformation we were tempted just to leave. How would I or my kids get over the fact that Dr. Berkowitz was no more? We ended up giving the new him...her, a try. Big mistake. It was as if the old doctor not only changed his gender but also his whole demeanor. Dr. Bershel developed an attitude unlike what we had been so used to. She would fixate on the little things whereas her male counterpart would help us out what was wrong by looking at the bigger picture. Dr. Bershel, in the few months after their surgery, still responded to Roy, which was really weird. Once again, with the surgeries long behind her, she still talks about how it felt for her....tissue down THERE felt when it was stripped away to become something...else. My oldest, now 8 and mortified, told the story to her teacher and got sn after school detention. Overall it's as if Roy-now-Deb is trying too hard to be what he now looks to be. You may br in your fifties but you don't have to call your vaccine tubes 'little sweeties'. I'm serious. When my younger daughter had to get her vaccines for Kindergarten, Bershel opened the box and said, "Now which one of you sweeties wants to help out this litte doll Ingrid over here?". Um. Awkward. And this was just two months after the surgery. Yet Roy was gone altogether. Overall odd feeling about the whole place. Glad we left. I do feel bad for the one normal, humorous, and optimistic employee, Marie, who has helped us in more ways than Bershel ever has. Kudos to her- go start your own practice and I'll transfer there in a heartbeat. read more

me and my kids where patients since 2006. The only reason why we left the practice was our move to Switzerland. As a good bye I am writing this review. Opposed to all the other specialists and ERs I have been visiting throughout the years I never had to wait neither did I feel rushed or not taken serious. Marie was the best and I and the kids just loved her. Especially with the baby she was very calming (to the nervous first time father) and humorous, but still serious about things when she needed to. We got the appropriate treatment when needed and a good advice and a reason when nothing should be done (viral infections especially). Marie had a broad spectrum of what is still "normal" in kids and she was not panicking over nothing. Deb visited us after my son's homebirth and performed the first pediatrician check up on the baby at home so I did not need to get myself and the little one up and ready two days after delivery. Even though she is opposed to homebirth, she went out of her way to do me this favor. She and her staff also helped me to get reimbursed for the homebirth from my health insurance, even though the whole procedure took more than a year. They where on my side to support my claim. Marie as well as Deb always explained my options and accepted any of my decisions about my family's health. If you are looking for a family doctor with your health in mind and not for a practice where you are just a number, than this team is the right one for you. Here in Switzerland I have to start to search for a family doctor again and so far I am kind of disappointed. I miss Davis Square Family Practice already and wish you guys all the best. Cheers ;-) read more

Deb is a genuinely warm person, and she spends tons of time with me everytime I come in even if for something relative minor. She asks about everything else going on in my life. I feel like I can tell her anything, which is a relief! I think she is a little overbooked and always seems like she is dealing with multiple urgent situations at once. I also found that the front office people said that there was along wait for new patient appointments, but when I spoke to her, she said that she would take someone for urgent matters even it was a first time. I think it would be good for her to talk to her staff about being flexible on the policy. read more

I have never been anything but impressed with the care that Dr. Bershel, Marie and everyone else provides. Our whole family is part of this practice. I have never been rushed during our appointments and, more importantly, they take the time to listen, answer questions and ensure that we are comfortable. When my son was sick, they would call the next day AND the day after to ensure that he was OK, getting better, etc. When I call the office with a question, they get back to me as quickly as a busy practice will allow (usually a couple of hours or immediately in an emergency). Before I saw Dr. Bershel for the first time, I read all of the reviews on YELP, including the negative ones. I can only assume that they caught them at a bad moment (everyone has one of those, right?) since we have never, ever been anything but impressed. Dr. Bershel, Marie and their team are everything that I could ever want in a medical practice. They are the best. read more