Dr. Nicolette Louis Fontaine, MD

Dr Fontaine is very caring

My son is 25 soon and has to be dragged kicking and screaming to change to a PCP versus his life-long pediatrician, Dr. Richard Marshall at Harvard Vanguard. I have had EXEMPLARY CARE with Dr. Nicolette Fonaine--so much so that I insisted my son choose her and get a physical. I have been with Harvard Vanguard since 1992 and have had 2-3 PCPs which were fine. Dr. Fontaine is BEYOND fine; she listens, she isn't rushed. She doesn't lecture (even though I deserved a lecture about weight, exercise, etc.) While she's a professional physician she listens like your best friend--and then gives you the CORRECT advice on what to do next. If I need a call-back; SHE calls back within the business day. If I explain I don't do med-web stuff she doesn't lecture about "it's all safe, secure blah blah blah." She doesn't judge. She's got the kindest 'bed-side manner' second to none (except possibly Uber-Pediatrician, Richard Marshall, who put up with this over-protective mother for 24 years!!) If a… patient had a bad experience with Dr. Nicolette Fontaine they must have been having a bad day, needed a brain muffin for breakfast, or are just an all-around unpleasable PIA. I would clone this doctor if I knew someone at Mass General or M.I.T. with the ability. (I AM a difficult person to please but believe me when I say this doctor is first-rate.) I am NOT happy at the moment because I see that Dr. Fontaine is not taking new patients. That is all. When someone who's difficult to please says "WONDERFUL DOCTOR, GET HER, GO SEE HER" trust me, she is an exemplary person for your life team.

I was seeing Dr. Fontaine the last few years for my care. While I had often seen the NP she works with, on my last visit (before i moved away) I met with Dr. Fontaine. Physicians now a days have little time to spend with the patient but, Dr. Fontaine did not seem rushed. She listened to my concerns, sat towards me, making eye contact and sharing genuine empathy for me. Not only did I trust her clinical competence (I myself am an RN) but, I was struck at how safe and cared for she made me feel. While I discussed something that was giving me a lot to worry about, she put me at ease, laid out a clear to follow plan and validated my fears. I would highly recommend Dr. Fontaine. She is someone that truly cares.

I am not sure why Dr Fontaine is a doctor. She does not care about helping patients only following a checklist. I have told her what I think could be causing my problems. She does not entertain the idea and will then recommend treatments that do not make sense. I am truly disappointed that a doctor could still be this way with all the technology we have. I will not be wasting my time with her again.

She is an awful doctor with no regard for the patient's well being. She wrote me a fake prescription after telling me my medication could be subscribed. She was a full hour late and when she finally arrived her first words were, "I don't know why you are here to see me." ...maybe because you're my doctor? She insisted that a scribe sit in on our appointment, makes me think that she has been in trouble before. I will never recommend her as a doctor nor will i be returning. I have decided to file a formal complaint because her lack of professionalism and rude demeanor was insulting and intolerable.

Dr Fontaine lacks professionalism, empathy and caring. She does not follow and is more interested in moving on to the next patient than attending to the reason for your visit.