Dr. Lisa Leonard, MD

I had a number of issues with Dr. Leonard during my time with her, but here are the 3 most egregious problems: 1) My husband and I wrote a birth plan and when I brought it to her, she refused to even look at it, saying, "Births don't ever go the way you want anyway." 2) She expressed annoyance when my psychiatrist (who also has experience in obstetrics) reduced my anti-depressant dose during my 1st trimester. I was just trying to update my medications with Dr. Leonard, but she asked a bunch of questions about why he (the psychiatrist) would do that and implied that he didn't know what he was doing. 3) In my 3rd trimester, I suddenly developed right-sided facial weakness and rushed to the community clinic across the street from my house. The doctor diagnosed Bell's palsy and prescribed me antibiotics. When I followed up with Dr. Leonard, she disagreed with the PCP's treatment and, with palpable annoyance, she asked, "Why did you even go to that doctor in the first place?" At this, I… was extremely angry and yelled, "Because I thought I was having a stroke!" She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Yeah, I guess, but they should have prescribed you steroids." Dr. Leonard happened to be on vacation when I had my baby, and I'm so glad. My labor and delivery were totally normal, and my husband and I got to request some of the accommodations we had originally put in our birth plan. On top of that, I got to deliver my baby with a different, experienced OB-GYN who actually listens to her patients and colleagues... Dr. Leonard is the reason that I urge pregnant friends to find an OB that's right for them: I don't want anyone to have an experience like I did.

I do not recommend Dr. Leonard. She was very dismissive of my questions and concerns on a number of occasions: (1) When my husband and I presented our birth plan she declined to even look at it, because "births never go the way you want anyway." (2) My psychiatrist (who also has a background in obstetrics) lowered my anti-depressant dosage during my 2nd trimester based on the symptoms I reported to him about my depression, and when I updated Dr. Leonard about the dosage change, she said that he shouldn't have changed it because the dosage doesn't make a difference during pregnancy. (3) During my 3rd trimester, I suddenly developed right-sided facial weakness, so I rushed to primary care clinic across the street from my house. The doctors there determined it was Bell's palsy and prescribed me antibiotics. When I went back to Dr. Leonard, she was irritated about the doctors' treatment plan and demanded, "Why did you even go to those doctors in the first place?" I was so angry that I… yelled, "Because I thought I was having a stroke!" She replied, "Oh, yeah, I guess, but I would have recommended steroids." There were several other issues that came up during my time with her that were less egregious, but those three were the big ones. Dr. Leonard told me she was going on vacation right before my due date but planned to be back in time to help me deliver. I went into labor while she was away, and I was so glad I did: I ended up delivering my baby with an OB-GYN who is an experienced doctor who also listens to her patients and other professionals around her. Honestly, Dr. Leonard is the reason that I tell my pregnant friends to change doctors if they don't feel supported.

I had an appointment to do a biopsy but my original doctor cancelled and I had to do it with somebody else because I had already applied a special medicine. She was the only one available. While I was in the bed full of pain she asked me if " I could bear with it so she should take a third sample." Even though only one is needed. I went through unnecessary pain. And when I was feeling terribly dizzy and I almost passed out. She just left me alone to top it off, I couldn't even get up! Had to get out of the clinic in a wheelchair. She didn't listen to any of my needs or heard my opinions. Ever since the biopsy I've had non-stop bleeding, along with pain. I've had two biopsy's done with different doctors and never have I ever gone through something like this! I came out of those appointments walking!

During my pregnancy, she insisted everything was normal and rushed me out of all my appointments after 5 minutes into the appointment. When I had questions, she refused to even listen to the questions and asked me to go to other resources to answer my own questions. Finally, She neglected an important finding in one of my ultrasounds that I later discovered put me as a high risk pregnancy - She did not point out the issue and did not ensure that I get proper monitoring of the situation. I had to switch doctors and was taken more seriously at the new clinic - finally I had someone talk to me about my issues and spend appropriate time and attention to handle my case.

Dr. Leonard delivered all three of my babies- the last by emergency c-section. She is caring and compassionate, and makes me feel very comfortable. She is very knowledgable and is an excellent surgeon!