Dr. Susan Celia Hellerstein, MD

Domineering, abusive individual who does not listen, does not communicate reasonably and should not be allowed access to patients. I wish I had read these reviews. Sadly I trusted the referral by my provider. The pattern is striking. Dr. Hellerstein is a bully.

Very traumatic first Pap and colposcopy with Dr. Hellerstein. When I looked up her name and found all the similar experiences as mine I am disheartened that she is still allowed to be in practice. I was referred to her by my primary care at Brigham and women’s and they knew it was my first Pap. Dr hellerstein was rude from the start, discounting my symptoms and gaslighting me that nothing was wrong with me and I was more worried about my “aesthetics” since abnormal hair growth was one of my symptoms (when turns out I was right and my hormones were off). Additionally, she didn’t let me know what the process would entail for the Pap, nor let me know when she was STARTING the procedure. I was yelling out in pain and she didn’t explain anything she was doing, all she said during the procedure was repeatedly “Say Stop if you want me to stop.” I don’t know how to describe it other than that of an abusive situation and it gave me PTSD I didn’t know I had. Then when the Pap came back… abnormal, I was obviously scared and didn’t know what the results meant and she did not explain anything to me. I am only writing this review so nobody else has to go through the same experience as me as I now have a new phobia of the gynecologist because of this experience. If someone at Brigham and Women’s is reading this, please take action and stop putting women in harm’s way with this doctor. There’s more than enough negative reviews to prove it. Do something about it.

I was looking forward to my first appointment , waiting several months to see her after my doctor retired. She was dismissive, cut me off and was harsh as she reminded me that she was not a primary doctor. She allowed me to bring up my number one concern only and then brushed it off as age related. Her demeanor stifled me. She made me feel small and uncared for. I found out after I left that she did not even look at my blood pressure reading. It was 187/90! Her bedsides ode manner is horrible but more importantly, she ignored a very dangerous blood pressure reading which is negligent. I will not be back or recommend her. I feel it is necessary to warn people as well.

Horrible bedside manner. I sent her a message through gateway a week before my appointment to give her a rundown of my health so we weren't wasting time in my 15 minute "virtual" appointment. Yet when the appointment came she clearly did not even look at my chart once or message once. She knew absolutely nothing about me and did not listen to me as I told her all of my worrisome and debilitating symptoms. She was demeaning and condescending after I waited 3 months to see her for really scary issues. She brushed it off as "stress" numerous times. I got off the appointment and immediately cried. A few months later I found out (from a different specialist) that no, it is not "just stress." It is a terrifying autoimmune disease. She is not there to treat the patient, just the labs. Absolutely no compassion or empathy. Avoid her at all costs if you are in a vulnerable position and just want someone to take you seriously, because she will only make you feel worse.

She was very demeaning and belittling. She would correct you on terminology in a harsh way. I’m a patient not a doctor. She would make you feel stupid about your medical comments and about your concerns. It was very difficult communicating with her and has terrible bedside manner. Sat there with the Johnny on while she checked on me and was getting annoyed at my lack of knowledge with medical terms. Was so embarrassed. Would not recommend her. I’m sure she knows how to do her job but she is terrible when it comes to communicating with patients.

I waited over an hour for this doctor to see me and was shuffled from exam room to exam room before Dr. Hellerstein came in, without apologizing. I then went on to tell her of my troublesome symptoms and was met with total rudeness and a lack of compassion or understanding. I actually dismissed this as perhaps she had just had a busy day. However, I have tried to get in to see a doctor in the office again, and Dr. Hellerstein has told her assistant that i can only see her, yet her schedule does not allow for anything that works for me. Additionally, I recently emailed her about something regarding my health care... she emailed me back with "That doesn't make sense." Total lack of bedside manner and seemingly has no idea how to communicate with patients. Will not be going back.

I absolutely love Dr.Hellerstein, if it wasnt for her listening and being a great doctor with my disease, I would still be having pain and being sick all the time. I would recommend her to any patient because she is a fantastic doctor.

The wait time at the office is little to none, and the medical assistant and office were very nice on the 2 occasions I had been. However, the doctor herself, is not my cup of tea. She is a cold and has no bedside manner. She is not empathetic, reassuring, or compassionate on any level. She is quick, curt, and not someone to go to if you have any gynecological issues or concerns. Not sure what she's like for OB. I put in a call to her office to request a phone call back regarding some symptoms, when she returned my call, she didn't have my medical records in front of her and started to discuss things about my history that were inaccurate. I switched doctors.

Love her.

I just saw this website and welcome the opportunity to complain about this doctor online. I saw Dr. Hellerstein over the course of a couple of years. I don't want to get into too many details of my case in a public forum however. She was brusque and condescending at most appointments. She did not seem to care about my discomfort or pain. I suffered with a very painful UTI for almost two weeks that she refused to treat because she couldn't find it on tests. She disregarded everything I had to say. And what's horrifying is that she teaches at Harvard Medical School. I would not recommend this doctor.