Dr. Karmela Kim Chan, MD

Dr. Chan is very patient, involved, solicitous, knowledgeable and competent. Following my initial visit she sent me an email and left a voicemail with observations and recommendations. Following my initial visit she sent me an email and left a voicemail with observations and recommendations. GREAT!!

I was suffering (still am) from joint pain and was told by orthopedic surgeons at HSS to go to a rheumatologist. I had lots of imaging from HSS so the damage was visible, esp to left hip. She came in and asked why did I come since I'd been there two years before which was a ridiculous thing to ask. She was dismissive and then started to talk about fibromyalgia, how it was associated with childhood trauma and told me to read a book. The cartiledge had slipped off my hip and I was in so much pain I cried. Her entire deportment was dismissive, as if I was wasting her time. A terrible experience and the opposite of what one would expect from a doctor.

If you like unnecessary appointments, tests and exams that create large bills, Dr Chan is the doctor for you. If not, find a different doctor.

I was referred to Dr. Chan by my PCP to rule out rheumatoid arthritis. I am an NYP employee and a previous HSS patient. I have been experiencing physically debilitating joint pain in my Hips, knees, and ankles as of 2 months ago. I have been unable to lose the pregnancy weight I’ve gained and am Unable to perform any form of Exercise because of this issue. When the visit began, she was a bit short in her responses and indirectly rude when remarking to my answers. I started to cry during our discussion because I just want to return to normalcy. This has hindered me from executing my daily activity along with any recreational activities I can do with my children. After all the pushing and squeezing my Joints endured, she proceeded to give me her diagnosis: plantar fasciitis/ torn miniscus / psychosomatic pain due to postpartum depression. Then she proceeded To recommend Cymbalta...she didn’t ask me how old my infant was or if I was breastfeeding...then she offered Gabapentin. I… asked her why the antidepressants and she stated because I cried while talking to her. That was disturbing very disturbing to me. I had to explain to her why I had cried and that this situation was impending greatly on my Quality of Life. Secondly, I don’t have seizures and this medication has no known side effects in respects lactating Mothers and their infants. Then she assumed I wasn’t on a gluten free diet after I told her my ethnicity. Somewhere she caught herself, put in orders for 15 tests that require 15 tubes of Blood to be drawn, bilateral xrays and an MRI. I will have my labs and images done but I will not return to her. She is dismissive, rude, brash, and outright unprofessional. She went outside of her scope of care. She’s not a PsychiatrisT, Psychologist or a LCSW. She was ready to prescribe medications that did not fit my ailment. I plan on reporting her to HSS. She needs to return to medical school and revisit the ethical portion and nucleic ethos of her obligation as a Doctor.

I have suffered from acute, debilitating osteoarthritic pain for months. My primary care doctor's PA suggested I go to a rheumatologist so I went to see Dr. Chan. No doubt she is highly trained, intelligent and competent but she was very dismissive of me and asked me when she met me why was I there...not an inquiry about my condition but rather why was I wasting her time. I had a file folder full of recent x-rays, MRIs and bloodwork, plus I am in HSS' system. I explained I had been told by HSS pain management doctor I had severe osteoarthritis in both hips and that my pain was so bad, I often could not walk, sleep and sometimes in tears. I also explained that I was alone, since often there are assumptions patients have some sort of help from others. She offered no treatment but referred me to integrative health doctor affiliated with HSS. When I got home and read her referral I saw the provider was in White Plains! I told her I worked (by necessity), lived on Long Island, and was… in pain. (going to see her required taking a day off from work). Why would I go to Westchester Country? Just that reference was fraught with obstacles. Moreover, HSS has an integrative pain management complex in NYC, as does Weill Cornell (there's is about a block from HSS). I felt dismissed and my general impression is that if she thinks you are worthy, she will provide the best possible care and attention. But her interaction and recommendations for me were disappointing.

Dr. Chan is caring, knowledgeable, understanding, friendly and comfortable and easy to speak with. Highly recommend!

Dr. Chan consults with my other doctors to ensure that I receive the best care. Without her intervention my insurance company would never have agreed to approve necessary surgery. She is very kind, clear and focused on quality care.

Dr. Chan has given me a diagnosis by exclusion, but it still has helped me address my problem. She is warm, caring and very informed on current treatments for my condition.