The Women’s Practice

After an efficient, tech-​forward checkin on an iPad, I was treated by Beth for checkup and to get an iud. She was super knowledgeable, helpful and efficient (and really well-​dressed, which some may say shouldn’t matter at a doctors office but her preppy chic put-​togetherness that mirrored a Kate Spade ad mirrored her attention to detail in doing her job and made me feel like I was being treated by a peer vs some sterile drab technician). I was in and out quickly and painlessly, had no issues with the admin staff as mentioned in some reviews; the front desk was courteous and timely when I dealt with them. Going back for a checkup in a few weeks and on the advice of a trusted friend intend to see Dr Buscher herself when we start trying for a baby — she delivered both of my friends little boys and evidently was amazing through both high risk, difficult pregnancies resulting in healthy births for the boys and a healthy, happy mama.

I wanted to update my review since having two children. The desk and reception staff got better — way better. The current staff is busy, but very thoughtful. I might have had the air of an entitled pregnant lady the first time around, who knows?
My OB is been Dr Williams since 2012 and I love her. She delivered my second baby and was so thoughtful and reassuring. She even went to the cafeteria and brought back a giant cup of ginger ale to my delivery room (I missed breakfast and was so thirsty) immediately after she finished up.
Dr Mazzulo is all amazing. She delivered my first child and also helped me through my second loss. I would highly recommend any one of the five OB’s at this office.
I loved my NP’s as well.

I have been seeing Dr. Beth Walz-​Buscher for over 6 years now and am simply blown away with her dedication to her patients. She is an amazing physician who goes above and beyond for the sake of her patients. I have complete trust and confidence in her and feel absolutely lucky to have her as my OBGYN. She is an incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, yet confident doctor with outstanding bedside manners. She sits down and explains the situation in detail and patiently answers every single question. In regards to customer service/​patient care, I have never seen any other doctor like her. My questions and messages are always answered within the same day. If it is a simple scheduling question, her assistant would call and sort it out. But if it is a clinical matter or even when I have a simple question about a procedure, she always personally returns my calls on the same day (even it is at 8:30pm!). You do not get this type of personal approach from most of the surgeons/​physicians out there.
I also met with Drs. Amy Williams and Merita Tan during my pregnancy (Both are very good). Dr. Tan delivered my twins. It is a very busy practice and the wait time can get a little crazy. I wish this could get better. I don’t recall having any problems with the front office staff in the past– they always answer the phones, pass messages to the docs appropriately etc.

My doctor is Dr. Amy Williams, and she is, as others have noted, amazing. And I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with both the front desk staff and the nursing staff, unlike other reviewers. They have been efficient and professional and really quite lovely! It is odd that they don’t answer the phone until after 8:30 (as one reviewer noted)…even though they schedule appointments as early as 7:30. There was one occasion when I was running late, and I kept trying to call in and could get no answer. That caused a bit of a panic, especially since I had read reviews of people having issues if they showed up late. But it was not a big deal at all — in fact, they were very kind about it.

I have to agree with most of the reviews on this place. While the doctors here are quite nice and very helpful the nursing/​administrative staff are just terrible people.
My wife woke up very sick one morning and we decided to call in. Office hours said 8am but no one picked up until 8:35. They asked us to come down for more tests and when we arrived the nurse checking us in was extremely rude, «do you have an appointment?» She said to my, obviously, very sick wife.
We were eventually placed in a room to wait for the doctor and my wife became more ill and thirsty. I went up front to ask for water and was told there is a drinking fountain in the hall way outside the office. I asked for a cup and was told, «No Cups!»
After my wife became more nauseous I went back and demanded some water for my wife and, magically, cups appeared as I was on the verge of making a scene.
The doctor was quite nice and the wait was a little long but we felt taken care of by the practicing staff.
I don’t feel comfortable letting my wife come here alone considering the treatment she may receive from the nursing/​administrative staff.
We will be looking for a new group.

My review is for Dr. Mia Norlin. She is truly a grade A physician. She is caring, helpful, patient, and kind. I delivered my 2^nd baby with her, and couldn’t have been more pleased with my choice. The front office staff is OK. However, I could really care less about that department… if you really want quality care from an obgyn then this is the place to go. All of the doctors were great, and i would have felt comfortable with any one of them for my delivery.

I couldn’t feel stronger about the care I received at the women’s practice in chicago with Dr Lisa Mazzullo. I have been going to her for 10 years and she helped me through my pregnancies, deliveries and postpartum. Yes, you will wait to see her long after your appointment time passes, and yes the staff may be a bit short on the phone once and awhile, but when you actually get your time with Dr Mazzullo, she doesn’t rush you, asks questions, allows you to ask questions and I have to say cares overall about the well being of the mothers and women under her care. Don’t be surprised when she calls you personally at 9 pm from her office to go over test results or just return your call. I can say with confidence that I don’t know how I would have navigated the highs and lows of child birth, and the life transitions without her guidance. She doesn’t judge women for the decisions they make, only supports and encourages. She said to me once, «everyone worries that the babies are getting what they need, it’s my job to worry about the mom’s.» My mom once told me that the good doctors you have to wait for… and she was right. This women has helped more than deliver a baby, she is truly a guardian angel.

Office staff is sub par, not friendly and they get things done if and when they feel like it. Dr’s are good. Expect at least 45 min wait every time you walk through the door. They cram people in and are never on time.

If I could, I would give the doctors 5 stars and the office staff 1 star.
Dr. Buscher is wonderful and will spends the time you need with her to answer all of your questions and concerns. She has called me at 8pm with test results, easing my mind and providing exceptional customer service. Once time she had to cancel my appointment due to a hospital emergency, and fit me in the next day before she usually even comes into the office.
The front desk staff is lacking in customer service and communication skills. My last appointment was 4÷22÷15 and I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room, without any acknowledgement of the lateness or apology.
One genetic test was recommended as a lab visit, but when I came to get the test taken, they were «out of» the test. I had paid for parking and taken time off my busy work schedule to come for the lab tests and they were unable to do the test that day. I had to go back a couple weeks later to complete the blood work.
I’ve also been sitting in the waiting room, overheard a conversation between a patient and front desk staff, and after the patient left heard the staff person discussing with another staff person how «stupid» the person’s question was and to «use common sense next time.» I was horrified and feel uncomfortable asking them any questions when I’m there with the fear that I’ll be one of the «stupid» patients.
I wish this office would get up to speed with technology. I get no reminder phone calls or emails about appointments, and get hand outs that have been copied so many times they are not legible or are outdated. On 4÷22÷15 I was given a list of pre-​natal classes at the hospital from Fall 2014. It would also be great if more thorough instructions were given for big appointments — like the level 2 ultrasound scheduled at 20 weeks at a separate office, they didn’t give me any parking information and I ended up paying $ 30 because the second office wouldn’t validate the parking at the regular Northwestern lot.
I would highly recommend the doctors at this practice, but warn patients of the patience needed to deal with the office and high volume that this office does.

Consistently rude front desk. Consistently overbooked doctors and 90+ min wait. Avoid

Everybody has an opinion about everything and so do I, but when I review my experience at The Women’s Practice over the last few months I come to realize you cannot review a medical practice with the same standards in mind as you would a hair salon for example. You are not there to have your ego flatered but to receive medical care. My medical care here has been outstanding. Dr. Norlin was my chosen OBGYN and she is really terrific — everything you read here on Unilocal about her is absolutely true and well-​earned feedback! The practice requires that you rotate with the other partners (all women), which is a really good idea, since you never know which attending will be on service the day of delivery and even more so because you get to see/​judge various approaches to providing prenatal care. My interactions with the other providers in the practice was very pleasant, despite having to wait close to an hour in a couple of occasions. The one provider I want to angle out though is Dr. Tan — I owe the amazing labor experience I had to her expertise: well-​trained, experienced, considerate and, more importantly, in my opinion, calm and confident. Having her as the attending in service the night of my delivery made for a pleasant, yes, pleasant delivery and I will forever be grateful to Dr. Tan for the experience and the medical care she offered my precious newborn and I!
The front desk staff is not overly chatty or sugary, but they are efficient and so are the nurses. I didn’t care for the ultrasound technician the practice has on site, but the office that they collaborate for the important 20-​week ultrasound consists of really experienced staff, so you don’t have to use/​consult the onsite ultrasound technicians.

Ugh, I am so torn… its legit a 3.5
I went here because I want to see a NP for my yearly. I was paired up with Beth, who I like. She’s nice, to the point, gets in and out, easy to schedule an apptmt with, etc. I have been to her twice and MD once dt abnormal pap.
I dont love the location. They valid parking in the building. I guess its good because if I wanted to go shopping at Water Tower (kill me now!), its just down the road. Also, Neiman is right there, but I just never go.
I dont like the front staff or the techs. They are cranky. Mean. Not personable. The list could go on and on… however I am trying to be nicer in 2015 so I will cut it off there. If I could find a different NP, I would go somewhere else in a heartbeat, but surprisingly its difficult to find.
Yes, they have you check in on an iPad. I would rather have nicer staff than tech advances.
The office is pretty clean, lots of mags, overall just A-​OK.

I came on here to get the office’s fax number and I was so shocked by the negative reviews I had to put in my two cents. I have been a patient here for about 14 years, except for the three years I lived in another state while attending law school. I had my first child delivered by them in 2012, and since then have suffered a miscarriage resulting in me having to have a hospital procedure done, so I’ve been through the wringer there and know the ropes, I’m not some first time customer. I have to say, I have met all of the doctors now, and I honestly love them all. Does the staff *sometimes* suck? Yes. And I am quite sure that happens everywhere in major metropolitan areas. Are the staff making any important medical decisions for you? Nope! Also, after reading some of these reviews, maybe the staff seems a little pissy because they’ve spent all morning being yelled at by some of these crazies! That would be enough to rattle me too. I’ve never had horrible experiences with the staff, just some «meh» ones, and for the most part I’d say 80% positive experiences. But honestly, if you are a calm, rational person, none of these things should bother you (longer than usual wait times, long wait to get initial appointment, hard to get phonecalls back [rarely happens, but has happened]). All of these things are so insignificant in my mind, when you are getting top notch medical services, procedures, diagnoses, and a level of patient care that makes you both super comfortable and feel truly cared about by the doctors. Whenever I have had a problem, whether medically or right now when my insurance company is being sneaky and trying not to cover something that was medically necessary, I have felt as though the utmost level of care and attention was paid to me. The practice wouldn’t be so busy if the doctors weren’t amazing, but I have never felt that they have so many patients they don’t take the time to really give each individual patient the reasonable (and beyond I believe) amount of care and respect they deserve.
I would give these ladies 10 stars if I could.

Came here for my ob appts as they were highly recommended by several doctor friends. Was seen with Dr. Mazzullo (so, so great) and Dr. Williams (lovely person, but what’s with the no-​eye-​contact? You’re freakin me out.)
As other reviewers have mentioned, the administrative staff are miserable trolls. They are incredibly rude and to reschedule an appointment is a huge inconvenience to them. Uhhh… Sorry I’m not a housewife? Communication in general with this practice was challenging – more than once I found myself playing phone tag with a scheduler/​NP, and more than once I found myself calling at posted business hours, but… the person I needed to speak with was out to lunch/​gone for the day. The doctors are great and have good outcomes (emergency c-​section rate of about 25%, lower than national average), which is what matters I suppose, but having to deal with the non-​doctors made going to this practice for my ob/​gyn appointments a horrible experience.
I would actually just have sucked it up without writing a review, but the reason I am is because I have actually experienced «great». I found another practice that is both responsive (hellooooo online appointment booking!) and with excellent medical outcomes. So glad to be done with this place.

I’ve been going to you for the past 6 years and now my insurance is no longer accepted here. TOTAL BUMMER! Please set up Blue Choice PPO with the company. I don’t want to go anywhere else!!!

I’ve been coming here for about 5 years and could not be happier! I have had nothing but great experiences with Dr. Mazzullo, Dr. Norlin, all of the other doctors in this practice. I can’t tell you how many people i know (or have met through mutual friends) that actually get excited when the topic of «what dr do you go to?» comes up, and they find out I see Dr. Norlin. I actually have this conversation often which i think is kind of funny… Yes, sometimes you have to wait, and sometimes you don’t but thats how it works when you in a waiting room at a doctors office. Maybe i’m just extra patient? I don’t know, bring a book or something.
As a side note… I just happened to be in the waiting room last week when the madness in a review below went down. Yikes! He actually was up at the front desk yelling and told them they could not check any more patients in until his wife was seen! I felt so bad for the staff who had to deal this guy! He had been up there yelling for some time when Dr. Norlin came out with a patient and he started screaming and swearing at her! I’m impressed she stayed so calm because I would have probably started crying. She finally suggested calling for security which was totally not unreasonable. Maybe he did wait 2.5 hours, who knows, but maybe there was an issue where someone elses 38 week pregnant wife had some sort of horrible serious issue and needed to see a Dr immediately? Who knows? Also, he should know (as they have obviously been coming here for a while.) You don’t pick what Dr. does or doesn’t deliver your baby… (but, I get why he wouldn’t want Dr. Norlin after swearing in her face… I would be so embarrassed!) You get whoever is on call or at the hospital when you go into labor. No picking! That’s why you go to a great practice like this one where you know you are in good hands no matter who ya get =)

Can I give negative stars here? The front desk staff is AWFUL. So incredibly rude. You call, they answer and stick you on hold. I would hate if it was an emergency.
The wait times are ridiculous. 2 hours the other day. When I asked how much longer it would be and was told 30 more minutes, I said, no, I want to see another Doctor.
Doctor Williams is terrific. But Dr. Tam and Dr. Norlin were both 2 hours behind schedule.
Dr. Norlin said I was RUDE when I was upset the she was so far behind, that we weren’t told that when arriving (could have grabbed lunch first) and come back. She put her finger in my face and said I was threatening. Ran down the hall (I was at the reception desk), and yelled that I should leave and to call security. Hmm, come on Dr. woudln’t a rude threatening person follow you down the hall and not stand calmly at the desk.
It gets worse. wife is 38 weeks pregnant. Making her wait 2.5 hours is ridiculous. So, we saw another doctor within 10 minutes. My wife and I just demanded that Dr. Norlin not be the one to actually deliver the baby. They said they would call us back.
Today they called and said they couldn’t guarantee it woudln’t be her. Right or wrong, if a patient is upset, why would you have that doctor attempt to be in the delivery room. WORSE, Dr. Norlin told Dr. Williams to call us and say my wife could go to the appointments, but that I wasn’t to be allowed there.
Wow, so sorry a husband doesn’t want his 38 week pregnant wife to wait 2.5 hours during lunch time to see someone that obviously feels their time is more valuable than the patients time.
for the other Doctors to then not agree to have her NOT be in the Delivery room shows they have no clue either.
Horrible front desk staff, horrible billing, extreme wait times and no clue!
If Dr. Williams changes offices, or removes Norlin, we may consider returning, but that front desk staff. YIKES!!!
So at 38 weeks in, we feel better switching. Already have an appointment with another OB set for next week.

I’ve had one baby with this practice and my experience with the doctors (and nurse practitioners) was wonderful. I absolutely love Mia Norlin and found her to be extremely smart, empathetic, genuine and just all-​around excellent. I did not have a c-​section, but I’ve heard she and Dr. Tan are two of the best in Chicago for c-​sections.
The reason my rating is not 5 stars is because I agree that the practice has other shortcomings. The waits are often very long, the front desk staff is often not on the ball and you often don’t get calls with test results, etc. None of these issues have been significant enough for me to consider leaving Dr. Norlin, but I agree that the organization and front desk situation could be better.
Overall though, I highly recommend this practice, especially Dr. Norlin!

I agree with many other reviewers– Dr. Norlin is great (when you get her in person), but the rest of the staff is incredibly rude and inefficient. No one calls with test results, when I received a letter in the mail suggesting an abnormal pap– no one called to follow-​up and when I called, the nurse practitioner made me feel like an idiot for questioning what ‘abnormal’ means, it’s not uncommon to wait over an hour in the waiting room for an appointment, it’s unclear as to whether or not messages left for the doctor are passed along, and getting an appointment is extremely challenging.
I am strongly considering changing doctors for the remainder of my pregnancy. As a first time mom, I’d like to be confident that my doctor is available, if need be, and I certainly do not feel that way.
It’s clear that the practice has too many patients than they can handle and personalized care is far from the norm.

I didn’t even see a doctor here. The receptionist was rude enough on the phone that I just figured «forget it!». She acted like she had never before heard any basic question I asked. I literally had to spell words for her.
A receptionist doesn’t need to be a Disney employee but geez… courteous and professional isn’t too much to ask.