Mt Auburn Womens Services

Horrible. I got a letter in the mail, saying that there were unrecognizable blobs on my mammogram, and I didn’t even panic — everyone I know gets this letter. You go back, and ouila! Nothing’s wrong! In my case, it was just lymph nodes that they mistook for God knows what! And the best part is, they don’t code this as preventative for insurance purposes, so I got hit with a $ 300 bill. Really? A lab technician can’t distinguish between lymph nodes and whatever — and I don’t even have dense breasts — and I am PAYING for this?
My insurance company has advised me to report this whole thing to the Massachusetts Medical Board, and I am tempted.

I went to the Hoffman Breast center for a follow-​up mammogram. was not a great experience. My appointment was for 8am, I got there early, and they were 30 mins behind. They were training a new receptionist — she was tacky — about 45 years old, 80’s style — big hair, animal print skirt, shiny heels, tattooed ring and anklet — not her fault she was so slow, but didn’t help make the experience better. She forgot to tell the 300lb woman in a walker to put her gown on open in the front, so this woman changed her gown in the waiting area because it was too difficult for her to get back into the changing room. Worst of all though, was the doctor who read my mammogram and said, «sometimes this happens to women» and I asked «what causes it?» he said, «well, I can give you a list of reasons, but it’s usually benign — we’ll see you in 6 months». I was interested in the answer — if there is something I am doing, exposing myself to, etc… I’d like to know. But — no — no answer to my direct question other than, «I could give you a list of reasons — see you in 6 months». Thanks, Doc.

Also known as Mt Auburn Center for Women, Women’s Services is a comprehensive care center for all women’s health issues.
The center is staffed with midwives, obstetricians, gynecologists, and supporting nursing staff. They provide regular care and pregnancy/​post-​partum care for the mothers.
I’ve interacted with midwives mostly, who have been wonderfully supportive and caring throughout my pregnancy. I’ve only seen one doctor, Dr. Dawn Anderson, who was very professional. The nurses are kind and warm.
There are three things that I look for when it comes to my health:
1. to be listened to attentively
2. to be taken seriously
3. to be explained (in somewhat painful detail) what is the problem, what is the treatment, what are the alternatives, what is the research that supports the suggested approach, who should treat me and what are their qualifications, etc…
And the staff at Mt Auburn Center for Women was able to deliver on all three points, even kindly sharing with me research articles and connecting me with various experts.
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