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Expectant and Postpartum Moms
RHJ in Chevy Chase?
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Anonymous
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I know that the RJH dowtown DC location gets terrible reviews. How about the Chevy Chase location? I'm thinking about switching OBs and thinking I could do this.
Also I've heard great things about Dr. Engel. What office does he see patients in? Thanks. |
Anonymous
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It's like a different world in Chevy Chase. Quiet and calm, bigger exam rooms, some even with windows, receptionists seem more on the ball. Parking in the building is huge, huge pain though. I've seen Dr. Engel in DC, but most of the doctors seem to see patients in both locations.
That said, I went to the DC office for all but my last 2 visits and 2 post-partum visits and didn't really have any major complaints. |
Anonymous
| I second the PP. The atmosphere at RHJ in Chevy Chase is pretty pleasant. The exam rooms are friendlier and larger. I recently saw Dr. Engel there (although he sees patients in both places, as do most docs) and also spoke to him one night when I started having contractions (he was on call) and really really liked him. I'm scheduled for a c-section with another doctor but if I ended up delivering with him I'd be delighted. |
Anonymous
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I followed Dr. Engel from Foxhall--he is just fantastic. He sees patients at all three RHJ locations. Keep in mind, he spends a lot of time with his patients--you will never feel rushe--and he will squeeze you in for emergency issues, too. However, he does tend to get backed up and that, honestly, doesn't really have anything to do with the receptionists--it happened at Foxhall, too.
I agree that the Chevy Chase office is nicer, but if you can manage to get either the first AM, last PM or just after lunch appointment, you could have better luck at the DC location. |
Anonymous
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OP here, thanks so much. I am currently considering leaving a solo OB for either Foxhall or RHJ. I don't feel a connection with the OB and he doesn't seem to remember me or any of my issues from appt to appt, so I don't feel like I am getting any of the benefits of a solo practice.
If you are a RHJ patient, I assume any one of the 15 docs could deliver you, regardless of which location you are at? |
Anonymous
Yup. |
Anonymous
| I've read many complaints about RHJ on this board, but just want to say all of my experiences have ranged from fine to excellent. I go to the DC office and yes, the exam rooms are cramped and there is always a bit of a wait, but that's been my experience with all doctors! I've seen a number of different OBs and NPs, all have been thoughtful and helpful. I've also particularly appreciated being slipped in for ultrasounds and whatnot when they were not scheduled - something you don't usually get with a solo or small practice. |
Anonymous
Yes, that is true. Honestly, this aspect of it never really bothered me. I delivered my first with RHJ and my second with a solo practioneer in another area. With RHJ, I had met the doctor who delivered me literally the week before for around 10 minutes. But she was fantastic at my delivery and I didn't feel any more of a connection with my solo practioneer who I had been seeing throughout my second pregnancy. I don't know, perhaps it is b/c I had easy labors/deliveries for both my kids, but I really was never very focussed on the OB when I was delivering my children. I was focussed on myself, my body, my husband and - to be frank - the L&D nurses who were actually the ones who spent the bulk of their time with me during delivery. For both my experiences, the OB kind of just shows up at the end and by that time you are usually completely distracted. Just my own 2 cents... |
Anonymous
| Love love love Dr. Engel - just saw him in Chevy Chase. I moved over from Foxhall. Have to say though I'm glad I'm done having kids. Aside from seeing Dr. Engel - I thought RHJ felt chaotic compared to Foxhall. |
Anonymous
Can I ask who your solo is? I've been toying with the idea of leaving RHJ for #2, but sometimes I think moving to a solo wouldn't be much better, and I like the technology and convenience of appts and locations. I was a little freaked out about meeting the OB in the delivery room for #1, but he was fantastic. |
mando323
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| I'm a patient of Dr. Engel and I go to the DC office and honestly, I"ve never had a problem there (been going for 10 years). It is a depressing office and it does get backed up, but I guess I expect that of any doctors office. |
Anonymous
| I really didn't like Dr Engel, he was alright except for the fact that I have seen him three times now (I'm rotating at the RHJ DC office), and he never remembers me. All the other doctors do... |
Anonymous
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OP here to 17:04: I see Dr. Malcolm Desouza, who has gotten rave reviews on this board. I do NOT click with him and his style and my DH cannot stand him (but would defer to whatever choice I made). When I see him he seems distracted and does not appear to remember me or any issues I've raised in the past. Now, I don't expect any doctor to remember the details (they see so many patients) but I expect them to note issues I've raised on my chart and then refresh their memories before seeing me. When I see him in his office, he types when I talk to him and doesn't make eye contact...it drives DH crazy.
When I read the fabulous reviews of him I wonder if I am seeing the same doctor. So now I am chosing between Foxhall and RHJ. I live in Friendship Heights and work in Dupont so I am very tempted by going with RHJ because it would be really convenient. But I like that Foxhall only has 3 OBs and I could meet all of them...I don't know if I want to rotate between 15 OBs at RHJ. |
Anonymous
| FWIW, I go to RHJ at Chevy Chase and so far have been really pleased with the office and the staff. I see an NP who I really like. I have not figured out yet if I want to rotate thru the docs or just keep with my NP and meet the OB at delivery. So far they have not required me to rotate and I get the impression that it is up to me. |
Anonymous
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I go to RHJ at Chevy Chase and see a NP by the name of Sharon Frisch. She's very nice and knowledgeable.
For prenatal care, they do suggest you rotate through their line-up so that you are likely to be familiar with the doctor who delivers you. So far I saw only Dr. Sartawi and really didn't like her so will schedule with someone else next time in a month. I'm 13 wks. |