Margaret Lewin, MD

If you are looking for a physician who is truly a partner with you in your healthcare, Dr. Lewin is the one for you. I was referred to her by another physician who described her as «someone who actually cares what her patients have to say.» After a long, unproductive and ultimately adversarial relationship with another internist, I stopped going to physicians altogether. When it became obvious that this was a poor decision, I met Dr.Lewin. She is caring, thorough and incredibly knowledgeable. Lots of people don’t like going to doctors; I am no exception. But this woman has gotten me to do more to take care of myself in the past 8+ years than in my entire life. She is patient, understanding and down-​to-​earth. She listens! She sends me as needed to specialists whom she values, who are caring and competent like herself. She is willing to pave the way to make any appointment happen. I cannot speak highly enough about her.
She is not in-​network for any insurances, so I use her as my go-​to person and general provider to manage my care. If asked, she will find excellent physicians and providers in my network to whom she refers. I have also used some of her out-​of-​network referrals for things I deem important. She is willing to work with me either way to help me obtain good care. The upside of not being constrained by managed care companies is that Dr. Lewin can take the time she needs and that her patients deserve to render excellent care.
I have also utilized her specialty services as an expert in travel medicine when I volunteered in a hospital for a week in Haiti. Dr. Lewin has done volunteering herself around the world, and she is comprehensive in the counseling she provides in preparation for travel as well as the necessary vaccinations/​medications.
One comment about the negative review on Unilocal based on interaction with her receptionist: I don’t necessarily disagree. I have had some issues myself. But I have expressed them to Dr. Lewin, and she has been responsive to my concerns. Many people (including me) struggle with the front desk staff at physicians offices for a variety of reasons. In weighing this difficulty against the positive and wonderful relationship I have with this physician. I have found ways to make it work. None of my care has ever been compromised because of the front desk. Ultimately, finding a way to make this relationship work outweighs the front desk problems.
She always returns phone calls. She is available by email. She will always find time to see me if a need is pressing., And, holding my hand, she accompanied me to another office that I was struggling with getting to alone. And all she does is tell ME how good I am doing. She rarely takes credit for anything.
This physician is unique, rare and amazing. I consider myself so lucky to be in her care.

I’ve seen first-​hand what happens to people who contract scary diseases in 3^rd world countries and let me tell you, it’s nooo joke. My boyfriend sophomore year in college went to Thailand for the summer and one sunny day in August I received a call from a strange strained voice on the verge of sobs. Poor Rob had somehow contract Malaria and was calling me from what seemed like his deathbed after being emergency flown back to Vancouver from Phuket. He had dropped over 20 lbs and was in the hospital for over a week.
Needless to say, while my Rob lived longer than our relationship, I did learn the value of travel immunization. With a few weeks left before my trip to Panama, I called up Dr. Lewin’s office at New York Physicians for a vaccine appt. I was slotted in with only two days wait and received the most educational consultation I’ve ever had in my life. She has packets for each country. I’m serious. We walked through the trip agenda, mapped out where I was going, step by step risks and recommended vaccinations. After comparing my history and schedule with the risks we decided on getting my second Hep A shot, a round of Typhoid pills, a certain type of Malaria pills and a Z-​pack to top it off in case I got some sort of horrible explosive bowel problem that I shall not name.
She’s been all over the world and gives both medical and first hand advice. She even recommended a certain mosquito-​repellent to coat my clothes before my trip. Extremely personable and fun, I’m almost wondering if she does primary care so I can switch. I left with a sore arm, pages of information, packing lists, advice, 3 prescriptions and a $ 275 bill. Stupid travel vaccinations aren’t covered by insurance and I considered giving 4-​stars to Dr. Lewin but really, it’s not her fault Blue Cross wants me to get really sick and then argue with my about paying for my treatment before I die of Malaria.

I went to see Dr. Margaret Lewin for travel reasons, in order to get the Yellow Fever vaccination to travel to Trinidad & Tobago, and Barbados. In case you’re not familiar with it, Yellow fever can cause:
–fever and flu-​like illness
–jaundice
–liver, kidney, respiratory and other organ system failure
–vomiting blood
–DEATH.
Long-​story short, I got the shot — and also went over my entire immunization history so as to be sure to be covered for future voyages to the 3^rd world.
Other things to watch out for? Typhoid fever, cholera, tetanus… etc.
She’s great for getting an appointment on a tight schedule. And she’ll prescribe antibiotics/​ambien as most travel doctors do.