Dr. Barbara Joy Foner, MD

I had an appointment with Dr. Barbara J. Foner on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, seeking help for lifelong chronic fatigue and worsening insomnia. I explained in detail that I have been chronically tired my entire life, regardless of sleep schedule, and that my symptoms have become more difficult as I’ve gotten older. I was hoping for compassion, guidance, and possibly further testing such as a sleep study. Unfortunately, my experience was deeply upsetting. Dr. Foner was dismissive of my concerns and made comments that made me feel as though I was wasting her time and that there are people who “actually need her help.” I felt unheard, invalidated, and spoken to in a condescending manner, as if I did not understand something as basic as maintaining a sleep schedule. I also felt that my concerns were not taken seriously because of my age. I am 33 years old, and she commented on me being “young and pretty,” which felt inappropriate and dismissive in the context of a medical appointment.… Those comments gave me the impression that my symptoms were minimized based on my appearance and age rather than evaluated medically. The interaction felt biased and uncomfortable, and it contributed to me feeling judged instead of supported. There was little to no empathy shown for how long I have been struggling or how significantly these symptoms impact my daily life. No meaningful next steps were offered, and I was told she would not schedule a follow-up appointment. I left feeling embarrassed, discouraged, and emotionally distressed. Patients seeking care, especially for chronic and complex health issues deserve to be listened to, respected, and taken seriously. Sadly, that was not my experience. I would not recommend Dr. Foner to anyone seeking compassionate or thorough care for chronic fatigue or sleep-related concerns.

Calling all week to have her interpret “critically abnormal” test results is not cool. I don’t know if I need treatment or not and she will not call me back. Terrible!

Dont even try to schedule an urgent appointment!

After we waited for 45 minutes, Dr. Foner didn't even know why I was there. She couldn't keep facts straight even with the written records in front of her. Then, she answered her cell phone TWICE while in with me. She did seem to understand, finally, my health issue and did a thorough physical. She then ordered tests to check every aspect of causes before proceeding with treatment.