Reiter, Hill, Johnson & Nevin

[Anonymous]

I know that this practice is discussed a lot throughout these threads, but I was hoping to get overall feedback in one place. Most of the reviews are negative, but I just wonder if they are specific to Reiter, Hill, Johnson & Nevin or just typical of large group practices?

I have been going to Reiter, Hill, Johnson & Nevin for gynecological services, and the office drives me crazy. I dislike the people at the front desk, having to wait on the phone to talk to anyone, and the crowds. However, now that we are looking at the need for an ob, are the benefits of having the various doctors available for appointments and the convenient location (near my office) worth the negatives? I am trying to think about this practically.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you must go to the DC office. I go to Chevy Chase for all the reasons you described.

Tons of traffic on these boards about Reiter Hill today for some reason. One very specifically compares doctors, so you might find that helpful.

I think your individual philosophy and expectations will be a huge factor in whether you like Reiter Hill for OB.

If you have a very detailed birth plan, are opposed to medical intervention, etc., then it might not be the right practice for you. In that case, you might be happier with a midwife.

[Anonymous]

One thing to consider with RHJ. I've been going to them for years and was pregnant with them for 11 weeks, during which time I had a few issues and I was always able to get in to see someone that day and get an u/s when needed. My regular gyn is Abraham, and while she is not the warmest, I think she is nice and I've never had trouble getting answers to my questions.

A big practice means that they can be pretty responsive in a crisis or an extra agitated pregnant woman's "crisis." "Like OMG I just ate a half a sandwich of lunchmeat, did I just hurt my baby?" (Please note I am not denigrating anyone's concerns when pregnant, but sometimes we all get freaked out for no reason)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing to consider with RHJ. I've been going to them for years and was pregnant with them for 11 weeks, during which time I had a few issues and I was always able to get in to see someone that day and get an u/s when needed. My regular gyn is Abraham, and while she is not the warmest, I think she is nice and I've never had trouble getting answers to my questions.

A big practice means that they can be pretty responsive in a crisis or an extra agitated pregnant woman's "crisis." "Like OMG I just ate a half a sandwich of lunchmeat, did I just hurt my baby?" (Please note I am not denigrating anyone's concerns when pregnant, but sometimes we all get freaked out for no reason)

This is a big reason why I go to them. Things can be addressed quickly, and having the u/s equipment on-site is very nice. At one of my appointments, the Doppler didn't pick up the heartbeat so the doctor just had them work me in for an ultrasound while I was there. It was nice for peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

I go to RHJN's Chevy Chase office. With the exception of Dr. McKanders, I like (or feel neutral about) all of the doctors and the office staff. In addition, I have found them to be responsive in a timely fashion. For example, I appreciate the fact that they always call back to tell me that they received my faxed prescription form and that they submitted the form to my mail-order pharmacy. And just today, when I called with a concern, they returned my call quickly and got me a same-day appointment.

The waiting room does sometimes make me feel like I'm part of a casting call for pregnant women, but I'm not too bothered by that, possibly because this is DC #2 for me, because I don't personally need a lot amount of personalized attention or hand-holding, and because my only concern to deliver a healthy baby without unduly compromising my own health and well-being.

[Anonymous]

PP again. By "my only concern is to deliver a healthy baby without unduly compromising my own health and well-being," I just mean that I don't have strong preferences about delivering with or without an epidural, with or without an episiotomy, etc.

[Anonymous]

Reiter, Hill, Johnson & Nevin... they are too big, things slip thru the cracks and I will forever feel they are responsible for my miscarriage.

I was referred to them by my best friend who said amazing things about them. I also was in the delivery room with her and was impressed by one of the namesake doctors who delivered her baby. I have a very busy and demanding job, so when I had a gyn issue that required a sonogram and I needed lots of flexiblity with scheduling I was OK with having different doctors and locations and decided to use them. I was set for a procedure and the doctor told me i have to have a blood pregnancy test 48 hours before the procedure. Due to scheduling i went back later for the bloodwork and then had the procedure scheduled with a different doctor. That second doctor had a better bed side manner and seemed more experienced so i trusted her over the other doctor that looked about 15 yrs old. She discarded my blood work opting for a urine test the day off and then did a painful procedure that requires a negative pregnancy test or it causes miscarriage. Turns out I was pregnant, for the frist time. I spent a heartwrenching month going to get weekly blood work and sonograms, only to lose the baby.

Lots of people like them, and they have delivered tons of healthy babies. As for my case, I know that many pregnancies end in miscarriage, and that pregnancies have survived even after an abortion (at least that is the nice kind statement one of the namesake doctors told me while confirming my miscarriage, no doubt to downplay any malpractice) but the negligence was unacceptable and my heart break is forever.

[Anonymous]

I think Dr. Heather Johnson is the BEST!!! Try her...she is smart, honest and always makes me feel like she cares. AND she did an awesome c-section with my first baby!

[Anonymous]

I know there is a lot of negative feedback for RHJ, specifically the DC office, but I have never had a problem. I have been seeing Dr. Radecki as my gyn for about 10 years, and am pregnant with my second child. I like most of the front desk people. I've only had one medical assistant that I didn't care for, but I've never had a bad experience there.

[Anonymous]

I've also been going to Radecki the past few years as my gyn and have been really pleased. I am now pregnant and it's a pity she does not practice OB. She is really great (takes lots of time with you and answers questions-never rushes). I'm trying to decide whether to give the OB side of the practice a chance or switch to a smaller practice.

I know the majority of deliveries are at Sibley for the practice but some docs have privileges at GUH. Anyone had experience delivering with a RHJN doctor at GUH (I am considering there over Sibley)? I've seen mainly Sibley postings.

[Anonymous]

I was with RHJN earlier in my pregnancy and then switched. It is my understanding that they only deliver at Georgetown if an emergency arises. GUH really isn't an option with this practice unless it's absolutely necessary.

[Anonymous]

OP, I saw RHJN early in pregnancy because one of the doctor's there is my gyn and their DC office is only a few blocks away from my office. I never liked going there for my gyn appointments, and honestly am not thrilled with my gyn (her bedside manner, in particular) but I started to go there for the convenience factor. Every time I went (and i went several times very early on) I waited for AN HOUR to see someone. I even called ahead of time to ask if the person I was seeing was running late and was told no, and still waited an hour. Finally, they lost my bloodwork. That was it for me. It wasn't saving me any time because they were always SO late, and it made me miserable to go there. I switched.

[Anonymous]

Have gone to Dr. Muangman in the CC office for years. Just GYN - no pregnancies - but I have always felt well cared for, not rushed. No problems with office staff. Never even have to wait long, but I guess that part is different for OB patients.

[Anonymous]

I was going to their Falls Church office, and had no issues, but changed practices when I moved to another part of Virginia. One thing that is good about them is that they have an ultrasound machine at their office, do all of the blood tests at their office, and offer Maternit21. They seem to be concerned about keeping up with the latest in new technology.

[Anonymous]

I saw them before I switched to wisdom. I think they are just fine, and were responsive to my needs and requests. Just your basic medical care. They aren't for me because I really want a natural childbirth, but if you don't, then I think they are fine.