Dr. Donna Harriet Kleban, MD

Exceptional

My mother found Dr Kleban for her breast cancer surgery. My mother was always looking for successful women to work with in every aspect of her life, so Dr Kleban seemed just that. My first impression of Dr Kleban involved her short, dismissive responses to my questions about my mother's safety during the upcoming surgery. This was to be major surgery and neither my mother nor I felt safety questions should have been out of bounds. But Dr Kleban took particular offense to being asked pre-surgery questions and responded to both of us in a very demeaning, defensive, sarcastic, and insulting way that lead me to feel that if an attending nurse or staff member pointed out something safety-wise to her in the operating theatre, that she wouldn't hesitate to belittle and demean that person just as she did to my mother and I. Which meant to me, there would be no chance of any speaking up by staff if anything were going wrong during the surgery. A patient can't reasonably evaluate a surgeon's… skills in the operating theatre, but a blatant disregard for the norms of safety throw up a pretty big red flag to me. In my profession, I absolutely expect my subordinates to speak up and point out any safety issues they see immediately to me. I expect no less from a surgeon. I asked my mother to consider another surgeon after our unpleasant pre-operative meeting with Dr Kleban but my mother felt that there wasn't time to start the process over. I would never have gone forward with surgery for myself by this doctor after that meeting. Needless to say, my mother's surgery was a disaster from her point of view. She was devastated by what was done to her in that surgery. My mother kept asking me to look at pictures to "see what she has done to me..." but, not only am I squeamish about these things, I also didn't feel comfortable looking at my mother's breast pictures. When my mother finally succumbed to her breast cancer, she had left a letter she wanted me to mail to Dr Kleban to let her know just how much her botched surgery had devastated her, in addition to dealing with the cancer. How betrayed she had felt. Dr Kleban's flippant view of safety that she displayed to us and crass insults for even asking about safety prior to the surgery; with the horrific results of the actual surgery, are one of the few insights a patient can actually have into the competence of a surgeon. I would stay away from this doctor. And when you do find another, ask plenty of questions about how they feel about safety, and what to expect.

I chose this doctor to perform my biopsy and breast surgery on the advice of a friend who worked with her. At first all was well enough. She talked me out of having a mastectomy, but I don't hold that against her. I relented and had a lumpectomy and honestly, she did a beautiful job surgically. The problem is with her bedside manner. She is VERY sarcastic and does NOT like to be questioned. When you do ask a question, she reacts as if it's the dumbest thing she's ever heard. I returned to her office sometime after my surgery with a palpable lump in my breast, and she seemed so annoyed. She acted like I was questioning her work, when really I just wanted to make sure the cancer hadn't returned. She did the quickest ultrasound possible and then said "get out of here." That was after I waited nearly an hour to see her (her staff told me, "you know she's always late"). If all you are looking for is a surgeon, Dr. Kleban is fine. If you are like me, however, and want a… doctor who genuinely cares about her patients and their well-being (including their psychological well-being), then I suggest you find someone else.

I chose this doctor to perform my biopsy and breast surgery on the advice of a friend who worked with her. At first all was well enough. She talked me out of having a mastectomy, but I don't hold that against her. I relented and had a lumpectomy and honestly, she did a beautiful job surgically. The problem is with her bedside manner. She is VERY sarcastic and does NOT like to be questioned. I returned to her office sometime after my surgery with a palpable lump in my breast, and she seemed so annoyed. She acted like I was questioning her work, when really I just wanted to make sure the cancer hadn't returned. She did the quickest ultrasound possible and then said "get out of here." That was after I waited nearly an hour to see her (her staff told me, "you know she's always late"). If all you are looking for is a surgeon, Dr. Kleban is fine. If you are like me, however, and want a doctor who genuinely cares about her patients and their well-being (including their… psychological well-being), then I suggest you find someone else.

I had a horrible experience with Dr. Kleban that I wouldn't wish on anyone. It was like meeting Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When I met her at the consultation she was nice and informative. I was afraid to have my biopsy done but saw the necessity and was determined to do it. The day of my biopsy came and it took a lot for me to go because I was so scared. When I was called to the back I remember seeing Dr. Kleban in the hall and she looked at me blankly, no "hello", "good morning", nothing. I went into the room where the ultrasound tech had me change and lay on the table. She was explaining to me how once Dr. Kleban came in she would talk me through the biopsy and how good she was, etc. Honestly, the ultrasound tech provided a million times better customer service than Dr. K ever did. So Dr. Kleban came in, they had me lay on my side and she told me she was going to start by cleaning me. Still no greeting or ounce of friendliness. I opened my mouth to ask her a question about the… procedure, and Dr. Kleban said to me, "I have three biopsies and an operation today. I am not answering questions". I was floored. I have never heard of anything like that! How can you refuse to answer questions of a patient you are performing a biopsy on? I immediately told her that it is my body and my procedure and that I should be able to ask whatever questions I had and I got up, put my top on and left. This was all so very upsetting to me because it took so much for me to go there only to be treated so horrible during such a scary moment and have to leave without having anything done. I wouldn't recommend Dr. Kleban to anyone. I would not let someone who can't even answer a question perform on a dog, much less a person.

When I first went to see Dr. Kleban, I was terrified. I knew I possibly had breast cancer. When she came into the room after reviewing my mammogram, she told me she felt It was cancer but that she wasnt worried about me. The tumor was caught early. She did a biopsy that confirmed her diagnosis of cancer. She has been my anchor through all this. Excellent dr. Who cares about her patients.

One of the most caring Drs I have ever met. A woman Dr. who Understands what you are going thru. She will explain, walk you thru, recommend other Drs for your treatment and Actually Follows thru with you . She is there before, during and after any procedure. My friend recommended me to her over 10 years ago and I am still so very satisfied with her. She diagnosed my breast cancer that I was Unaware of.. In essence- saving me !! Thank you Dr. Donna Kleban.

Dr. Kleban has guided me through a very scary cancer diagnosis and has been extremely professional and kind!

Dr.Kleban has taken care of me since she operated on me for breast cancer 17 years ago. I continue to see her because she delivers excellent care and is a very thorough physician.

I had a small cyst removed from my upper chest wall. Dr. Kleban left a NOTICEABLE INDENTION on my chest. When I asked her about what happened she was defensive and uncaring. She obviously took too much out and cant admit to her BAD work. SHE DID A TERRIBLE JOB AT SOMETHING THAT WAS SO SIMPLE! DO NOT GO TO THIS DOCTOR.