I have never in my life tried contacting an office so many times to sort out a pretty big issue with a prescription. It is now September 2nd and I have been calling their patient help line since August 20th WITH NO CALL BACKS FROM SOMEONE WHO CAN ACTUALLY HELP ME. Their team that takes the messages have probably sent over 15 messages (or so they say lol) to the Greenpoint office from me regarding an incorrect prescription that I take on a daily basis which I have now been out of for two weeks because the doctor wrote the wrong quantity on my RX. Not only is this INSANE that literally no one cares about this pretty major issue but if I actually needed this medication to LIVE I would be dead by now. Any time I asked to speak to someone from the office from their answering service team I'd either get connected to an answering machine to whom I had no idea who I was leaving the message to, or my favorite - the call would just get dropped after waiting on hold for 30 minutes. And then of course, no one would call me back. That was my personal fave when that would happen... which happened so many times I lost count. I have been going to this location for a couple years now and I've never *loved* it but I never had any issues like this. I know times are weird right now which is why I was giving them the benefit of the doubt for so long letting this slide... but now I'm pissed. The only reason I chose this office was because it's two blocks from my apartment. I'd rather walk on hot molten lava to a dermatologist office on the other side of Brooklyn that actually cares about their patients. read more

The worse medical office in New York. Their admin office is a bunch of incompetent idiots who don't know how to resolve the basic prescription issue. They don't return calls either. Don 't recommend to visit. read more

I took my 94 yo mom for a second visit a few weeks after first. Waited an hour and fifteen minutes because we were 1 of 3 patients who had an appointment at 1pm. Triple booking appointments. No social distancing in the waiting room at all. Was asked for a list of moms medications...again. Said they didn't have them in their computer from the first visit. Then PA came in and said he would give her a cream. When I asked which one it was the same one that didn't work the first time he gave it to her. He had no idea nor did he bother to look at her chart. Then he said the bruising on her arms is from her blood thinners. She does NOT take blood thinners!! Where the hell did he get that from. Totally disappointing and upsetting and a but scary to say the least. read more

Doctor and PA here aren't bad, but it's an administration nightmare. Out of stock meds, then they only restocked it 2 weeks later - I have to chase them down for a follow up only to be sent to an appointment with an assistant who not licensed to inject it. Not to mention that trying to call them would mean that you'd be on hold for 40 mins with 10 people ahead of you. There are far better competitors out there. read more

I made an appointment with Michael Shapiro for 9 am. The office called me and asked if I could move the appointment to the afternoon. Nobproblem. My appointment was scheduled for 3:45pm. It is now 5:23pm and I was not seen. There is a distinct problem when a NEW patient waits for 1hr 30 minutes and is not seen. Especially when the front office staff is yucking it up as you patiently wait. No one even looked up to apologize for the long wait or even acknowledge me, or even ask my name as I left. I dont care how many castle &Connelly awards are on the wall. This is a poorly run practice if you have patients waiting hours to be seen. read more

Love DR. Marek Paliwoda! He took the time to explain the procedure and listened and answered all my questions. He made sure that I was comfortable throughout the process. I am beyond happy with my results and will definitely recommend and encourage anyone to see him. read more

I don't know where else to leave this review, because I didn't see a page for Dr. Shapiro on Yelp, so I will leave it here. I had MOHs surgery for a skin cancer on my face yesterday at Vanguard in Staten Island with Dr. Michael Shapiro. I couldn't be more pleased. He makes your visit as pleasurable as possible considering you have to get up on a table and have something carved out of your face. Dr. Shapiro and his staff are professional, personable, well mannered, and know what they're doing. They explain everything in detail and allow you to relax about everything as much as you can while you are undoubtedly worrying about your procedure. Dr. Shapiro has a conversation with you and allows you to ask questions without rushing you out the door. The only negative is the waiting time, but that is definitely understandable considering the amount of patients he has to accomodate. If I ever have to have another procedure, and I really really hope I never have to go through this again, Dr. Shapiro is definitely the doctor I want to go back to. read more

DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!!! For last 6 weeks I was trying to make an appointment for treatment which was authorized by my insurance (my medication was mail to one of office) with my doctor Marek Paliwoda who used to work there ( used, because he left this place two weeks ago). Spoke with several people over the phone, left several messages to call me back, left messages to your office manager to call me and still NO CALL BACK AT ALL!!! Even over the phone I was informed that my doctor is going to leave this place. If I knew I would contact with my insurance to mail my medication to my doctor new office. Now you keep my medication as a hostage and pushing me to see one of your staff. This medication is mine!!! I paid for it!!! My insurance and my pharmacy are telling me that you must give it to me!!! Another situation, you diagnose one of my friend that she has pre-cancel and set her up for another dipper biopsy. One month waiting of hell. During another appointment another doctor checked her papers and said that he does not see any pre-cancer signs, he does not know why she is there. Hell of place!!! NOT PROFESSIONAL !!! read more

I'd give ZERO stars if possible! Today is day 9 that I am waiting for a simple call back from their staff. I have called 5x and have spoken with Vicky, Renne & Michelle, who ALL assure me someone will get back to me in regards to prescriptions Oxana prescribed for my daughter back on 6/18. I have been told that messages have been sent to the staff as 'priority' and yet, still NO CALL BACK! You would think they would be concerned since the issue is regarding a child, but apparently they don't care. After reading other reviews, I see this is common with them. Do yourself a favor and find another Dermatologist since the service here absolutely is horrendous! read more

Dr Romano and his staff were great...highly recommend. was very convenient for me as well. Thank you.

I was very surprised to find my appointment with Dr. Michael Shapiro the way it was after all the good reviews on this site. I came to see him at their Lower Manhattan office. It was my first appointment and I wanted a thorough examination of my moles and skin, taken that I didn't see a dermatologist for a few years. Besides the fact that I waited more than an hour to see the doctor, even though I came earlier than my appointment time, the doctor was very distracted by his visiting small children who kept peeking in the room, distracting him, and he kept talking to them while I was sitting in my robe waiting to be attended. He rushed me through my appointment even though I waited to see him for more than an hour. He literally just barely glanced at my moles and when I said I'd like for him to look at a few more moles that seemed to be abnormal to me, his response was "Next time I will." I was shocked by such treatment. He seemed to be too busy for me. Then I wanted to advise with him on a few issues and prepared my questions in advance, but on all my questions he referred me to his colleague, who came in after and offered me very expensive treatments that were not covered by insurance - more like what an expensive spa salon would offer vs. a doctor's office. When I asked the doctor for some vitamins and skin care to help with my issues, he referred me to the supplements and creams that their office carried telling me that the prices are the same as if buying at a store. I decided to double check and the vitamins he offered in his office for $65, cost $19 at a store. And that applies to most of the vitamins/creams he offered in the office, including some paste for my son's rough skin spots that cost $7.99 at a store and he offered for $13.99. All in all, I'm very dissatisfied with my appointment and will neither see him again nor would recommend him/his office to anyone. read more

I am writing the review as I am sitting at their office! My appointment was for 1:3O and I reached at 1:20. It is now 3:35 and I am yet to be called or have any communication on delay. I asked the front desk lady twice on why the wait time, she basically said ohh well you are waiting coz there are patients in front if you! DUH!!!! Update now..3:45 went there to ask and some nurse said one more ahead of you!! Are you F***ing kidding me!! How do you not be able to manage the appointments?? Or communicate?? Clearly this is the worst office I have been too...I am going to update/publish the post after I meet the doctor...ohh 3 patients have so far walked out....not surprised at all... ok guys it's 4 PM and still have one more patient...if a doctor can't value the time for his patient then I don't know how he can provide a good treatment...I had to leave the place before meeting Dr Shapiro...never have I ever waited for a follow up appointment for 2.5 hours...!!! Dr kogvakar I miss you but it's obvious why you left the practice...wish you the very best and to Dr Shapiro and teAm, good luck with your existing patients...I fail to understand how you have loyal patients ... read more

I showed up to a surgery appointment to be told the doctor had left the practice last week. No notice was given to me. They said they called once and got no answer - but my phone history showed no missed calls or voicemails from them. Either way, wholly inadequate attempt at making contact. Had to miss work and lose income to go to the office, and had been stressed about getting the surgery for weeks, only to find out they wasted my time and didn't even have the decency to give me notice. read more

Made an appointment with the receptionist for a Saturday appointment specifically stating to see the dermatologist- get there and the receptionist tells me they don't work Saturday. Thanks for wasting my time. read more

Staff polite, little to no wait time and Doctor is right on point! I was in and out in 20 minutes,

Dr. Romano is fantastic. Extremely thorough and kind. I highly recommend him. Any poor reviews must be for other doctors at this office.

Went in for two visits to get a condition that's long plagued me looked at. Dr. Romano was professional and actually cares, as opposed to being just another quack trying to push an in house blood test that I've grown so accustomed to. Receptionists were cute, prompt and polite. Helped me sort out some nasty business with my insurance as well. Highly recommended, will be using them for any of my future dermatological needs. read more

Dr. Shapiro did MOHS surgery on me at his Ocean Ave. office in Brooklyn. I was there for 7 hours the day of the surgery, spending all but about half an hour in his waiting room. I saw him 3 brief times that day: the first two times he cut, and then he put in stitches. Each time lasted only for about 10 minutes. He was incredibly fast. I went back 2 times, to have the stitches removed and for a follow-up visit; each time, I had to wait about 2 hours before I got to see him. Clearly he overbooks. The last time I saw him, he assured me it was healing well and I did not have to come back. But now, just a few weeks after my follow-up visit, the cancer is back! Apparently, he did not get rid of it all. Now I am faced with having to go through with this whole ordeal all over again. I feel completely disgusted with this doctor. I feel he was much too quick and probably over-confident, and thus negligent. If he had performed the surgery correctly, I feel sure the cancer would have been eliminated. read more

My chemical peel appointment with Chris was absolutely horrible. She gave me a strong peel that I specifically explained during our consultation that I did not want! Furthermore after the peel she applied a face cream with an ingredient that I told her I was very sensitive too and have too avoid in my skin care! I was also left in the room alone while I listened to her goofing off with another staff member outside, and this was after she reassured me that she would be there with me through the whole procedure. Such a HORRIBLE experience. I had explained my concerns during our consultation and at that time she was nice. It is all just a sales tactic and I am sure she applied a stronger peel than I wanted just to make a more expensive sale. Once the sale was made I was treated like dirt. Afterwards when I had questions about recovery time my calls were not even answered. I will never be going there and I regret ever trusting her with my skin care. She DOES NOT have your best interest in mind and only wants to make sales. NEVER GO HERE. read more

On Friday, November 11, I had an appointment with Micheal Shapiro from Vanguard Dermatology to check out my acne. My appointment was called for 1pm so I left work earlier and cleared my schedule for an 1 and half. More then enough time to see and be at the doctor. When I came I was greeted by rude and obnoxious receptionist. They quickly asked me for payment- which I said I have insurance. They spoke amongst themselves and called me back and said we can't locate your insurance so we will charge your card and we will reimburse you once we have it. I figured I was already there and I'm sure I'll be able to clear it since I used the card just a few days ago so I agreed. When I asked how much is the charge the receptionist said $250, although I was quoted $200 over the phone. I made the payment and was assured within a matter of a few days the entire balance will be on my card. I asked how long was the wait and the receptionist said not long. Wow were they wrong! After a half hour I decided to check in, and was told again my appointment would be done within a few minutes. This went on for two and a half hours! At this point, I was frustrated and nervous since I had to be back in Brooklyn in time for the Sabbath. I knew if I didn't get up and leave within the hour, I would never make it in time. When I told one of the nurses I'll be leaving- she quickly got the doctor to see me. I finally calmed down and figured to myself I am already there and what's done is done, hopefully the Doctor will be able to help me and that would be worth the long wait. Since obviously he must be very good in his field if he is backed up. Boy was I wrong! I was put into a room and this time I had to wait 15 minutes, until Dr. Shapiro came in. He asked me for my name and why I was here. A basic protocol question and I went on to explain my reason for coming to him. Mid sentence he receives a call and ignores me while he starts speaking on the phone to another patient who wanted to make an appointment. I was baffled by the lack of professionalism! Why is a doctor taking the time to make an appointment with another patient, while he has someone in his office. Even more so, that job is a job for a receptionist. After a few minutes he gets off the call and calls the person back to confirm his appointment. Dr Shapiro, responds to a couple of text and while looking on his phone he says so what do you think I can do for you. Clearly I'm not a dermatologist and I came there for his experience so why exactly is he asking me what he can do for me. I was extremely disappointed, I paid $250 for a 3 minute appointment, which the doctor had no knowledge or guidance on how to help me. I waited close to 3 hours, was berated by the receptionist and after all that I didn't get the service which I paid for. I didn't have the time to stew since the Sabbath was coming. I explained to Dr Shapiro that I am Jewish and I have to be back in Brooklyn since I am Sabbath observant. He responded I am Jewish too and I work on the Sabbath. I don't care what his religious beliefs are and what he does, but to say that he crossed a line. I rushed home seconds before the Sabbath. The following Monday I called Vanguard dermatology, to speak with a manager and give my insurance card over the phone so I can be reimbursed, this time a friendly receptionist heard me out and quickly exclaimed why were you charge $250 when we typically charge only $200. She assured me that the office manager will call me back that day. I waited and didn't receive a call on Monday so I called back again on Wednesday. Again, I was told that the manager will call me back. I left numerous messages and no one from Vanguard ever called me back. I can't fathom how a place such as theirs seize exist! read more

Terrible experience, I came on time and waited 40 min... then left without seeing doctor. The saddest thing is that they behave like there's nothing wrong with it. read more