***TLDR: If you think seeing a black woman doctor will result in extra caring and compassion in your treatment, you're comically mistaken. Dr.Browne is aloof, uncaring, and transactional like any other doctor.
I have been seeing Dr.Browne for a severe medical condition (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) for over 2 years, so it pains me to leave this review because I really liked her, the medical assistants, and her office (one star for the interior designer).
While I'm thankful Dr.Browne was able to properly diagnose my condition after years of being misdiagnosed by previous doctors, her attitude and demeanor slowly started to change over subsequent visits.
Because my condition is recurring and has no cure, we initially began with appointments every 2 months for follow up and to check on my condition's development and progress. Because I was diagnosed with a disease I had never even heard of, I wanted to navigate this slowly and thoughtfully before moving on to the various immunosuppressant biologics she wanted to prescribe. While this disease is pretty painful and effects quality of life, I felt the severity and rate of occurrence I have did not yet warrant going on something so strong and w potential side effects - especially since I was able to lessen the severity of my flare ups on my own through diet, stress management, and the use of over-the-counter topicals off label (I also have a family history of death as a result of a weakened immune system from biologics via pneumonia). It was from there on that Dr.Browne started to become more disinterested in our visits. Then rather than continue with our routine follow-ups every 2 months as initially determined, it became appointments "as needed", then her not even saying when she wants to see me next.
I had a really bad flare up over Christmas and was lucky to schedule an emergency appointment the following week. At that appointment she referred me to a surgical dermatologist and wanted to see me again two weeks later in January. Then at that appointment Dr.Browne seemed annoyed that I was there, like she forgot she was the one who scheduled it. She was upset that I had not yet called the surgical dermatologist or followed up on another issue (potential TB exposure) that came up through blood work I had done for her over the summer. I explained that I suffer from depression and anxiety (as noted in my chart) and was having a bad week mentally, thus the reason I had not yet called them. Rather than show any signs of empathy or compassion, she tore into me, telling me I was wasting her time and her staff's time. Tells me we're "just going in circles." I was shocked and immediately burst into tears. She tells me to sit in her waiting room to call and schedule those appointments before I can leave, and just to be cruel, tells me I can't come back to see her again until I follow up on the referrals. I left humiliated.
In February I made good and followed up, and tested negative for TB. I had requested through my primary another dermatologist for a second opinion on things. Then I had a new stress-related flare up and tried scheduling with this new, yet unseen doctor, only to find out there's nothing available for a few weeks. I was always able to make emergency appointments with Dr.Browne, so against my better judgement made an appointment with her since my current authorizations were good through July. For some reason Dr.Browne's office couldn't find my most current referrals/authorizations, including the one she wrote for me (auth #8229255). She called my primary and found out I had a referral to another dermatologist. Having a referral to another doctor should not cancel or supersede ones that are current with her office, but somehow Dr.Browne feels because of this I should pay out of pocket at my upcoming appointment w her. I cancelled the appointment.
I guess as a one-off or things like botox she's fine, but if you have something serious you're better off elsewhere. read more
