I will say that MCHW has undergone a lot of positive changes in the last year that are making me…read morequite optimistic about the future, but my first several years with the practice were terrible. Doctors who would ask me for medical advice (I work in the field), cancel 8 months worth of appointments which they made me schedule to get a medication I've been on for 18 years, then told me I can't sue them bc of this or that, leadership that couldn't enact meaningful change, phone numbers that wouldn't work, telephone staff that would never pass the patient's message along to the provider, and at one point, a dismissive medical director who was probably a great administrator, but utterly lacking in bedside manner. No wonder the turnover was so high and the place was a mess. BUT, the one shining beacon in the medical department, the reason that I stayed, and I'm sure at least part of the reason the practice has made a massive turnaround to the positive, is PA Celina Fine. She is one of the best providers I've ever had, and I have had an army of them. Celina is kind, professional, clearly passionate about medicine as a practice and an art, and she always listens to the patient and makes them (or me, at least), feel heard, understood, cared for, and safe. And a lot of times, I feel that's as important and as positively influential on a patient's health and well being than a particular diagnosis. People want to be heard and taken seriously. It's as important to one's well being as anything else, imo. I never feel like she's trying to push me out the door, if she doesn't know something, she researches it. She comes in already having looked at your chart (that's how it should be, yet never is), she always follows through and follows up, she's invested, kind, and is great at connecting to the patients. She's also a patient teacher (when trainees have been with her in the room). Her bedside manner always puts a smile on my face, and I have severe medication resistant depression, so that's really saying something. She's the sort of provider you hope walks into your room, and I'm so happy she stayed on. Things started to improve after she started and I bet that's not a coincidence.
Other positive things: Cassandra, who answers the phones, is an absolute delight. I always feel lucky when I get her on the phone. She gets things done, does what she says she will, is very professional, and simply has great, positive energy.
Maya at the front desk (I think she's new) is also wonderful. Very personable, thorough, and kind.
Something that has always been great, even when the medical side of things was a hot mess, was their behavioral health dept. Jamiyah is incredible. I absolutely love interacting with her. I bet if she worked in the medical dept, she would've fixed that place up years ago. I don't know what she gets paid, but that woman deserves a raise all day, every day. Emilia is a wonderful psychiatrist. You can tell she's so invested in your well being. She's kind, earnest, and very smart! My other doctors are often impressed with her knowledge of the newest pharmaceuticals as well as her extremely perceptive plans of action for her patient (me). I also simply enjoy talking to her. If I could talk to her every morning, I'd probably not need as many antidepressants! She's so encouraging and supportive, and if she were my guardian, I'd probably need a lot less therapy.... which brings me to Julie Morris, who is one of the best therapists I've ever had in my 15 years of therapy. She is simply awesome. She honestly makes life just a little more worthwhile. I'm very lucky to have found her.
So, if anyone makes it this far:
Celina Fine - 6 out of 5 stars
Julie and Emilia - 6 out of 5 stars
Cassandra, Jamiyah, Maya - 5.5 stars (though Jamiyah is prob 7/5 all on her own)
General practice - now a solid 4 and climbing its way from a traumatic 0.5.