Alison Cromwell, MD

I’m writing this review on behalf of my father, who just had a terrible experience with her. He went to the Belmont Northwestern to refill a script for his hydrocodone. He currently has spinal stenosis, which not only causes him pain, but therefore also affects his diabetes. He has been prescribed a number of medications for this ailment including a set number of hydrocodone. This number of hydrocodone pills has not changed in the year he has been taking them, and because of the restrictions put on hydrocodone (for obvious reasons) he has to get a new script for it every month. Again, this script does not change.
His usual PCP wasn’t there today, so Ms. Cromwell filled it for him, but when he received his pills, he noticed the number was half of what he usually gets. It turns out the script (which is supposed to last him a month) was written as «4 pills/​day, 60 pills.» Anyone with basic math skills can tell that doesn’t add up. He tried telling this to Cromwell, and she was no help at all, saying she didn’t «feel comfortable» giving him 120 pills for the month, and that he should take the usual number of pills he takes per day, and after two weeks, see his doctor and get another script.
In short, she wanted him to set up an appointment and WASTE his time seeing his doctor for a script instead of doing the basic math, actually taking the time to look at the records (she claims there were no records???) that show his past prescriptions, and correctly fill the script.
In the end, she walked away from my father as he was talking to her, and refused to correct the script. Hopefully, my father never has to deal with her again. It’s sad when a doctor’s ego takes precedence over a patient’s quality of life.

She’s a great doctor! I have had her as a client for several years.

Doctor Alison Cromwell neglected to inform patient the consequences of not scheduling another appointment with doctor’s office before most recent Clonazepam refill was exhausted.
Dr. Alison Cromwell has more recently gone on the defense via mychart pointing to Rx prescription label from the last Clonazepam refill. She says the notes on that bottle absolves her responsibility to patient’s needs and/​or well being.
That prescription bottle can be made available (to you) upon request.
I feel Dr. Alison Cromwell was reckless when she recommended taking an antihistamine for insomnia on Thursday, June 25^th without even consulting patient of possible side-​effects, and for not considering any probable interactions with patient’s other prescriptions currently taking.
Dr. Alison Cromwell’s bedside manner with patient from Tuesday, June 23^rd — through Friday, June 26^th was exceptionally unpleasant. I was more than willing to meet any of her requests and I made myself available for an earlier office visit (as early as same day).
An after hours call (on Thurs. ⁶⁄₂₈) to physician for prescription refill request that was requested Tuesday, June 24^th is not typical of Northwestern Memorial’s exceptional patient care.
Dr. Alison Cromwell would not even relay a new (MoviPrep) prescription to my pharmacy for my Tuesday, June 30^th colonoscopy. Northwestern Memorial physicians have always provided service with sensitivity to my individual needs. I do not understand Dr. Alison Cromwell’s arrogant posturing and obliviousness towards patient’s needs.
I will, as she and her staff recommended to me, find somewhere else for my medical needs.
For the sake of my own well being, effective immediately, I will no longer patronize Northwestern Memorial for Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Hospital services, and/​or medical needs.

Dr. Cromwell is a great doctor — she is responsive and caring, easy to talk to, and it seems like she keeps current on a lot of different issues (diabetes, diet, etc). One thing I like about going to her is that there’s a system in place to email her, and within 24 hours her PA will get back to you (via the messaging system) with her answer. This is a very good thing, because, as another reviewer mentioned, the office system is worthless. There’s virtually no chance that a message left with the desk will reach her.

I began seeing Dr. Cromwell in 2009 after a bad experience with the first physician I had after moving to Chicago. I immediately appreciated her thorough, no-​nonsense nature — she took the time to address all of my questions in detail and had a few of her own for me as well!
I travel a lot for work, but Dr. C has been there for me wherever and whenever I need her — it is easy to contact her and I think she goes above and beyond in providing timely, effective care no matter what my problem or where I am!
I’ve had a couple of serious health challenges while in her care and she has seen me through them with flying colors… Great follow-​up and aftercare in addition to regular health maintenance.
Her bedside manner is low key but thorough — I feel that my health is in good hands, and appreciate that she keeps me on track as well as supporting me in my efforts to become healthy. You know how sometimes you just want to avoid the Dr. because you know you should be doing something and aren’t? Well with Dr. C that’s a given as well, but at least she approaches things in a supportive manner instead of making you feel bad… I really appreciate that!
I’m very confident that my health is in good hands, and appreciate having such a thorough, knowledgeable partner in my corner!

Thankfully the stars were aligned when I was in need of a new internist 6 years ago and found Dr. Cromwell. She has always been nothing short of kind and patient — even with someone with a lot of questions. She’s been a great doctor from everything from the sick visit to the yearly physical.
Saying my family has a complicated medical history is an understatement. Dr. Cromwell has always listened to me and treated my concerns and questions with respect.
When you almost lost your father because a doctor wouldn’t listen to his complaints, finding a caring doctor with a listening ear is my number one priority.
I’ve had doctors who were condenscending, impatient, and unpersonable — these are everything Dr. Cromwell is not.

I’m updating this because I thought the reception area wasn’t good. It wasn’t. But this HAS CHANGED :) & for the better! Yay!
I have to continue to say that she is awesome! In fact, I have never met a doctor (trust me, I see a lot), that treats you like a REAL PERSON, not a patient.
She spends a lot of time w/​you & you don’t feel rushed.
Highly recommend.

I found Dr. Cromwell after she left another hospital group 2006-​07. I was prepared to meet the office staff after the reviews of some. What? my experience was pleasant with office staff even as I was imperfect my interacting with all concerned. By the time
I met with Dr. Cromwell, i was all worked up for a change in her personality. Not?
It was important to me that she listen to my needs as she did before. She was kind, patient and listen to how I expected my life to be. She was articulate about her best practices in medicine I listen and did take them under consideration. My time there was time well spent.

I love Dr. Cromwell. She’s smart, well spoken, gives solid advice, and is always pleasant to deal with. I’d recommend her to anyone as a general practitioner.
Sadly, she is ensconced within the operating system of NMPG, which is clearly an organization created by one of the following:
A. some diabolical mastermind bent on driving sick people to the brink of suicide and/​or homicide by forcing patients through a complex gauntlet of communication, scheduling, and billing practices that make no sense in 2012
B. a loose cabal of semi-​intelligent chimpanzees who, following a failed bid to conquer the world, have settled for administering a barely-​functional medical practice wherein staff do not communicate with patients or each other, instead opting to send cryptic emails through a third party «Relay Health» system which is slightly less efficient than speaking through two tin cans connected by a string.
I will review NMPG separately, but wanted to make the point here that Dr. Cromwell is not the problem; rather, the problem is the collection of miscreants who run the office around her.

I had a really bad experience with another doctor and came to Dr. Cromwell for another opinion. She really helped explain things to me and gave me a correct diagnosis.

I just moved from Chicago to Dallas and I am sad to have to find a new primary caregiver. I have seen Dr. Cromwell for the past 6 years and she is wonderful. I never felt rushed and she always gave me enough time to asks any questions. She is not overly warm, but not cold either. She is very professional and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend seeing her.

I was referred to Dr. Cromwell through Northwestern’s physician referral service. She was a great listener and thoroughly answered any questions I had. Also, she took the time to explain my diagnosis in a way that made sense to me. I left her office feeling relieved — which was not the experience I had with other doctors outside of Northwestern’s affiliation. As a result of my initial experience with Dr. Cromwell, I am going to start going to her for my yearly exams. I would completely recommend her.

I can’t remember the last time I had a doctor spend so much time with me on a routine health exam. Dr. Cromwell was friendly and asked a lot of questions about my medical history, my health concerns, etc. We talked about simple things I can do to be more healthy.
Sure, you may think this is all normal and expected, but I haven’t had this in the past. I have always felt rushed at doc appointments– with most docs spending maybe only 10 minutes with me. I think Dr. Cromwell spent upwards of 40 to 45 minutes with me.
I highly recommend her. Great bedside manner, knowledgeable and helpful.

I saw Dr. Cromwell because the other doctor I was scheduled to see originally was on maternity leave. I thought she had a great bedside manner, and patiently answered my many questions. Since it was my annual physical, I had a TON of them!
She was also good about explaining the answers in detail, and also made sure I felt comfortable with every step of my exam and told me if anything else came up that I could call her. I really liked her calm demeanor, and I know the other Unilocaler said she had a terrible bedside manner, but I just didn’t get that from her. One of my best friends also sees her, and she likes her too!
She also asked if I thought I needed the H1N1 vaccine — I told her that I wasn’t sure, and asked her if she thought I needed one. She told me that I wasn’t in the high-​risk group, and that she would leave it up to me, but having not been sick and being in pretty good health, she said she wasn’t worried, so I passed. She did insist I get a tetanus booster (ouch!) but wasn’t at all pushy.
I needed a referral for some other tests, and she was very expedient about getting them ordered and in the system, and the respective departments at Northwestern were very prompt in calling me to set them up.
My only complaint is the people that work in the reception area — they are somewhat rude, and that definitley put me on guard when going in to my appointment, but Dr. Cromwell, as well as Summer, her nurse that assisted with the exam, were great!

I have been seeing Dr. Cromwell for over 4 years. She is one of the best physicians I’ve worked with. I hate going to the doctor and I avoid it as much as possible. Dr. Cromwell is an excellent fit for someone like me. She is very kind, patient, and takes the time to address my concerns. She is also willing to listen to my preferences and take a slower approach if I would like (and it is appropriate).
I do find her bedside manner very nice and confident without being egotistical. I highly recommend her as a primary care physician.

The last thing I needed when I was feeling ill was poor bedside manner from Dr. Cromwell. I was forced to see Dr. Cromwell when my regular doctor was fully booked. Whatever, I needed to see someone for my cold-​like symptoms.
Everything was going fine until Dr. C asked me if I was worried or concerned about H1N1. Working at an organization filled with public health advocates and nurses and knowing that I appropriately wash my hands, I replied, «Not really…» before I could continue to list my reasons why I didn’t really feel overly worried, Dr. C very defensively asked me, «Well why not???» I replied, «Well, I work at _​_​_​…» and could not even finish my explanation before this woman very smugly replied, «Well I don’t know how you saying that is supposed to explain to me why you’re not concerned about H1N1!»
Everything went downhill from there as I was basically fed scare tactics by this doctor who must have thought I was being nonchalant about the dangers of H1N1. Despite not having a fever, I was then basically told, «Well you might have it.» In the end, she never treated me for it or provided me with that diagnosis, so go figure.
Never again will I see this doctor and if you’re looking for a doctor that has even an ounce of bedside manner, I wouldn’t recommend you see her either. I get better treatment when I go to Take Care Clinics at Walgreen’s.