Dr. Elizabeth Handel, MD

After reading the review of October 30, 2019, I was comforted to know that I was not the only patient to be the object of Dr. Handel's wrath. I, too, received an evening phone call from her -- she yelled at me for calling too much (I'd call, but not excessively) , and told me to never call again. I had never heard of a doctor "dumping" a patient, and this happened at a time when I was at a terrible low, and needed a doctor to actually care about and advocate for me . The words "unprofessional" and "cruel" describe Dr. Handel perfectly. If the reviewer reads my comments, know that you were not alone.

The office is a mess. I was constantly put on long holds when I called and she is always late, often times an hour. She has taken personal calls when I am in the exam room waiting. Our last interaction made it clear she does not enjoy being a doctor or care about her patients. I needed bloodwork and an EKG for a cosmetic procedure. I had to call the office several times because the order was not done. Part of the script from the surgeon was to get medical clearance. Dr. Handel tells me: "They do this for liability so they won't get sued". And also said to me: "Where can you get access to your doctor like this" and "I"m backed up, I have to go" when I had another question. Patients should not be rushed or made to feel lucky to get her doctor on the phone. Since Dr. Handel was so busy complaining, she never even noticed an alarming part of my bloodwork. I will never go back and she should be ashamed of herself to talk to a patient this way.

Dr. Handel was my doctor for 30 years. I loved her and felt fortunate to have her as my doctor. This past August, though, she called me one evening and started yelling at me on the phone about how I don't "follow up", meaning I don't get every conceivable test under the sun, while at the same time telling me that it is my right to not have tests done I don't want. It was odd, because I had just had a colonoscopy and blood work done (the former on my own and the latter at her request). She was saying things that were just not true, like that I hadn't been in since 2015, but I had in fact gone in every year, but every time I tried to merely clarify or correct her, she'd interrupt and yell, "I am not going to argue with you!". It became clear that she just did not want me as a patient any longer. Now I'm stuck with a bill for, ironically, a follow up visit, because Dr. Handel refuses to give them a referral so my insurance will cover it. She was unprofessional and cruel.

Exceptional doctor! Provides thorough,thoughtful and sensible care. Spends time with patients and is genuine in her approach.

I called to schedule an appointment and the staff on the phone was extremely rude and unaccommodating. Also, apparently, Dr. Handel does not accept insurance for the first visit (WHAT???). I'm surprised to see so many positive reviews.