Dr. Jeffrey Matthew Engel, MD

I ignored the reviews of other patients on here stated that Dr. Engel exclusively hires support staff with severe personality disorders and tried making an appointment. It took me a half hour and calling five numbers to get someone at another office to transfer me to Dr. Engel's secretary, Gena, on an internal line since she had marked her office's external one as closed for the entirety of that business day. While struggling to take down my birth date, Gena saw fit to raise her voice to me twice. She then informed me that Dr. Engel is not taking appointments for the next three months, which I suspect is not true. Save yourself the hassle and abide by the numerous warnings written here: avoid Dr. Engel and his disturbed employees at all cost.

After 18 years as a patient of Dr. Engel, I am finally leaving him. Over the past 18 years, I have had to self-diagnose because he shrugged my physical (and sometimes visually obvious) symptoms off, I have had to endure listening to him complain about his divorce and personal life (we are not friends), and I have endured the extraordinary rudeness that is Terry, his receptionist. I have stayed with him partially out of laziness, partially because he has referred me to great specialists when needed, and partially because I could not find anyone much better. At one point, when I was suffering from extreme migraines and exhaustion, I was having tremendous pain in one foot to the point where I could barely walk. His response, without ever once examining my foot, was that I had gained some weight. When I responded, if that were the case, BOTH my feet would hurt, he shrugged it off. I then immediately took myself to a podiatrist to learn that I had been walking on a fractured bone. The last… straw was over the past couple of weeks: After seeing him two weeks ago and him telling me to let him know if my health did not improve, I emailed him last week that there was no improvement. Having received no response (which is, unfortunately, typical for him), I called this week. Terry defensively and rudely exclaimed that they never got an email and tried to accuse me of never having sent it. After I politely said that I sent it through the system and it is irrelevant now, please just have him call me, she brought up the email she claimed they never received and then told me that she forwarded it to him and will forward it again. Here I am days later, still ill, and still no response. Terry has been horrible -- HORRIBLE -- to deal with over the years. As for Dr. Engel, after 18 years, I can say that he, at his best, is mediocre. There are plenty of other doctors out there who listen, respond and respond timely, and have helpful, caring staff. Take my advice and seek out one of those doctors.

I was recommended to Dr. Engel, by my cardiologist. I was more than pleased. He listens and talks to you with lots of patience. His receptionist Terry, is very lovely and very helpful. This was a very good find. Thank you to both of you. Rhoda

Very Arrogant, inappropriate naked male poster hanging in his office, staff Terry, secretary was also hostile, incorrect information was given to patient.

I've been going to Dr. Engel for about 5 years and am very happy with him. He spends the time necessary to be thorough and has a friendly demeanor that makes it easy to talk openly with him. The one downside? It can take as much as a month to schedule an appointment...a task that isn't facilitated at all by his front desk assistant. I don't think she has EVER answered the phone when I called, forcing me to leave voicemail. Sometimes, it is a full day before she calls back. But in spite of that, I give him high marks and have every intention of continuing to see him as my internist.

Not as good as it used to be. Fire the receptionist. Spend time listening to your patients.

Dr. Engel has an exceptional ability to use limited time well and express interest in an individual situation. Always surprised at how much he remembers from previous visits, as long as 3-4 months ago. Gives strong advice re life-style (e.g. weight loss) but doesn't badger. Is both supportive and challenging in dealing with your health issues.

Dr. Engel and Adria Fishkin are top-notch. I respect them both highly and couldn't recommend them more. Their referrals are outstanding. Dr. Engel may seem abrupt at first, but he is very sharp, smart and compassionate. He is actually a keen listener. Aria is his nurse practitioner and is the ideal NP. She is truly superb, smart and compassionate.

I've been going to Dr. Engel for a number of years. He is absolutely wonderful. He is compassionate, caring and understanding. He has a wonderful personality and has always been extremely patient with me. The nurse practicioner is also awesome. I have never had such consistently good medical care in my life. If my insurance did not cover my visits I would still go to see him.

Dr. Engel and Nurse Practitioner Fishkin are both phenomenal (Dr. Engel I can attest to from experience and the friend that recommended him has had appointments with Fishkin and says that she is wonderful as well). They are thorough, professional, friendly, relaxed, sensitive, and go the extra mile both in terms of care at the appointment and follow-up care. I am thrilled that this practice was recommended to me and plan to continue going here as long as I live in NYC.The only downside to this practice is the receptionist, and the friend that recommended me here warned me about her in advance so I know that it is not just me. She is rude on the phone, bad at returning phone calls. You always get the sense that she is in a rush. She is slightly better in the office but far from friendly. It is sad that the segue to make appointments with such a great, friendly, compassionate doctor is through such an almost hostile source.