Family Practice Group

The doctors here are ok but the front office consistently doesn’t know what it’s doing, and seems to have no motivation to improve.

I have been going to Family Practice Group (Dr. Laura Zucker) for a very long time. The practice is organized, has better hours than most (incl. Evenings and Saturdays). I am a big fan of Karen Hinchen and Dr. Laura Zucker, in particular, though all the nurses and doctors are great. Dr. Zucker is no-​nonsense, but patient, very good at listening, explaining things and addressing any concerns. I like her so much that she is my 3-​year old daughter’s pediatrician as well.

I have never in my life felt so great after leaving a doctor’s appointment. After moving to Boston and endlessly seeking a good PCP, I finally found mine. Dr. Redmond it is!
Since it was my very first visit, I expected the whole process to be annoying. It wasn’t at all! I grabbed my paperwork, started filling it out, and after waiting for about five minutes, my name was called. That might be the first time in history that a doctor has seen a patient on time.
I had a lot to discuss with the doctor, as it was my first time there and I was suffering excruciating migraines. In the past, my doctors have been very dismissive and amost condescending. Redmond and her medical student sat with me for almost two hours total, listening to me and allowing me to have a say in my own treatment.
This entire visit was great. The front desk is awesome. The doctors are awesome. FINALLY!!!

It’s a good thing the most of the doctors here are great, because absolutely everything about the front office is terrible.
My first appointment I had to leave without being seen because they sat me in an exam room and never told the doctor I was there.
I have been left standing at the pharmacy more than once because they didn’t do a pre-​auth for medications, and could not have cared less when I called to have it corrected. Couldn’t be bothered to do it.
Now the most recent, when I switched practices I called to have my records transferred. Was told to fax over authorization. Weeks later… still no records. My new doctor cannot refill meds and I now have to pay twice for an appointment because of the incompetence.
There are great doctors here, but be prepared for the front end to drop the ball nearly every time.
Update: Over a month after the original request for the records, a call to the office manager, being treated incredibly rudely… still no records at my new office.

I’ve been a patient at this practice for over 14 years and have unfortunately, seen it go down hill. The large influx of new patients as well as a revolving door for intern PA’s that cover for MD’s is terrible. I understand that it is cheaper to hire a Physician Assistant but at what cost to us? My primary is Dr. Zucker, who i’ve seen maybe four times in 14 years, maybe less. This practice lacks continuity of care which is dangerous as we age. As someone who has worked in medical profession and treats patients as well, I was given little respect and made to drive in to the office (for an appointment) for small things like an eye ointment etc. I believe this practice is best for children and young adults. Older people and the elderly would not get the best care. They would end up seeing ‘anyone’ and that is not good when facing complicated medical issues that come with age. I will find a new MD that will see me each time I have an appointment so I can build a relationship with them. I will no longer have to keep a running tally of the newest staff and will not have to introduce myself to a new treater at each visit. This office has nice people working but is severely over taxed and unable to keep up with the demand. This is good for business but bad for us patients. If I have Cancer, I want to know ASAP and I don’t feel that they would or could catch it early. Think twice about joining this practice if you are truly concerned about your longterm health.

I wish I could give them ten stars! It’s the most caring and skilled practice you could ever wish for.
From the front office to the nurses to the docs. I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else!

excellent clinic all around. my family have been patients there since 1985, through our 3 kids birth and into their 20’s. They continually add really excellent staff. I was there again today for an issue– turned out to be small, but might not have been– diagnosed in 10 minutes, with treatment plan appropriate to my needs and lifestyle.
Excellent, efficient, personalized care.

I just called this place to make an appointment. They told us that they don’t accept our insurance for new patients, but they’re listed on our insurance company’s site because they’re still accepting it for existing patients. Is it even legal to accept a certain insurance for SOME patients but not others? If it isn’t illegal, it should be. Family Practice Group, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I love the Family Practice Group. The practice is so forward thinking and proactive. I’m so happy with Dr. Bari-​Sue Brodsky, in particular, but everyone has been great.

I have been going to Family Practice Group for 13 years now. I’m a very happy patient.
The staff is a nice group of people who are always willing to help, particularly a staff member named Aoife, who I have found especially helpful over the years.
For general ailments and annual physicals, I see a PA named Betsy Shor. She is fabulous and so knowledgeable! She’s the kind of person who doesn’t sugarcoat things, but also makes you feel very welcome.
I’m also a patient of Kerri Hawkins, the registered dietician. Kerri and Dr. Wayne Altman have put together an incredible and life-​changing Wellness and Weight Loss Group. I recommend this group to anyone who struggles with weight management or their relationship with food/​exercise. They present the science of a healthy lifestyle, give group members attainable challenges that build upon one another each week, and guide in-​depth conversations on the topics of health and wellness. This is not Weight Watchers, folks. This is a supportive, medically-​supervised group of people having weekly interactions that inspire and motivate. It has completely shifted my perspective, as well as those of other group members.
Stephanie Power is also a wonderful addition to the practice. She’s the resident licensed psychologist who specializes in Cognitive-​Behavioral Therapy. I have found my relationship with her to be vital to my path toward better health. She is a very warm person who asks very thought-​provoking questions which lead me to better understand my self, my goals, and how I perceive the rest of the world. I cannot recommend her services enough.
All in all, I am a huge fan of this practice and its attitude toward treating mind, body, and spirit. I have benefited greatly from that philosophy and don’t think I’ll ever leave.

Not recommended.
Two stars only because I had positive experiences with Dr. Gulapalli – who was friendly and engaging, but left the practice in 2012. It has been one-​star or less since.
I have seen them a couple times – once for an agonizing sore throat (for which I did not eat for four days) about which the PA said «there is nothing I can do about it.» And a second time the physician was 30+ minutes late to perform a horribly rushed annual physical exam (less than 15 minutes). When I confronted my physician about this, he got indignant and insisted he covered everything and that this was the typical length (not in my experience!).
I do not know the nature of their business relationship with the Mt. Auburn Hospital Laboratory, but they will refer you to Mt. Auburn for EVERYTHING. Be sure to check your insurance to make sure you are in network with them… I got stung with a $ 300+ balance bill.
I am in the process of switching to another PCP.

I’ve been coming to this practice for almost ten years now and I have no intention of going anywhere else. I’ve worked with a number of the doctors and have never been disappointed. I’m constantly surprised how quickly they can get me in the office with a last minute request or minor emergency. The staff is always friendly and helpful.
I mostly see Karen Hinchen and she is one of the easiest people to talk to, always willing to listen and answer questions — and not answer them like most doctors (fast and in gibberish) but really, truly answer them, explaining things in a way those of us who don’t have a medical degree can understand. I have seen a lot of medical professionals and that is a rare quality to find.

My husband and I started seeing Dr Gulipali in 2011. He is fantastic. Unfortunately he left the practice in 2012 and the practice has since become a total disaster. They are particularly bad at pediatrics. My son had a rough start in life and they could not have been worse at communicating with my husband and me. It was 4 weeks past his birth before I saw through the haze of the hormones and ran screaming from these fools.

This place is terrible. I tried getting an appointment when I had a temp of 104 and they wouldn’t let me see a doctor until the next day late in the afternoon. I ended up in the ER later that day, as I had pneumonia. I’ve tried calling the on call doctor twice. One of the times no one called me back, and the other I was told if it wasn’t an emergency to call back when the clinic was open. I’m definitely moving PCP’s. Dr. Brodsky is good but its not worth it if you cant get in to see her.

I only came to FPG because I was following Dr. Bari-​Sue Brodsky from another location. And while I would follow her almost anywhere, I hope she stays at FPG for a long while. The location is great, the staff friendly, and while there have been a few hiccups along the way (wasn’t getting my reminder calls and missed an appointment), their new online portal is extremely helpful.
Last year I called the office because my boyfriend had an extremely high fever. He wasn’t even a patient yet, and they were still able to fit him in right away. They were able to do the same for me when my carpal tunnel was so bad that I couldn’t sleep at night. The next morning, they fit me in with one of their doctors and I had an appointment with a specialist and physical therapist within a week. Incredible!
FPG also runs an amazing wellness group for their patients with Kerri Hawkins and Dr. Altman. It’s informative and a surprising amount of fun. The best part though is the level of support they are able to provide.

I brought my child to this practice for annual check up. When I made the appointment, they quoted me the cost would be $ 150. I reconfirmed again one week before the appointment and they said, «Yes, it is $ 150.» However, on the day of the visit, we were asked to pay $ 180. We were not exactly happy but decided to settle and leave. To our surprise, six months later, we received a letter with a total billing of $ 365 and they claimed that they sent numerous letters to collect payment but to no avail. In actuality, we just received this outrageous billing statement and immediately called them to clarify the situation. My child was there only for annual check up and with the intention to switch to this practice because the location is nearer to our home. It is so unethical!
I decided on this practice because of the reviews in Unilocal.Now, it reconfirms what many people have been saying that it is only advertising; Unilocal has betrayed its followers. I won’t read Unilocal anymore.
As for the doctor, Bari-​Sue Brodsky, she is a detached and uninterested doctor. She has no interest in your well-​being.

This practice has gone down hill so much that I’ve had to move to a new PCP.
The doctors are great, when you actually get to see them.
So why am I giving them one star? Because of their office staff. I even told my insurance company how bad the office staff was and they said «oh yes that is a common complaint of all PCP offices».
Here are some examples of why their office staff is hard to deal with:
— Getting an appointment to see anyone is like pulling to teeth and you have to be practically dying.
— And if you are dying they send you to the Mount Auburn walk in clinic. Who sends you to the ER where you are seen by a doctor.
— And the woman in the referral department makes you do all the work for her when you want to be seen by someone else.
— Also the woman at the referral department is completely rude.
Really don’t need to say much more. Don’t waste your time going here if you want to wait forever to be seen.

The reviews are correct — I have been treated wonderfully by both the staff and physicians at this office. I reached the ripe old age of 23 and was informed that I could no longer see my childhood pediatrician. Luckily, FPG is accepting new patients.
Twice now they have squeezed me in same day for sick appointments and are very kind and caring on the phone. Plus, they have extended hours on weeknights and are open on Saturdays! Yay for a doctors office being open during times that I am actually not at work.
I have not yet had a well appointment here but I plan on doing as much as possible with this office as they seem professional and that they truly care about their patients.

75% of my family goes to FPG for our medical needs. Doctor Altman is great with my kids, and has continued to adjust his schtick appropriately while they have matured into teendom. He’s also been my doctor for many years now, striking the right balance of encouragement, thoughtful criticism, and insightfulness.
When Dr. A is not available, we have seen most of the rest of the staff for various sicknesses and other urgent needs. Dr. Gulipali in particular has worked with all of us. Plus, the new dietician, Kerry Hawkins, is outstanding.
The practice has implemented a Patient Portal to give you secure communication for basic things like prescription refill requests. The portal also shows your upcoming appointments, lab results, and other useful data. They fax prescriptions to your pharmacy straight from their computers, and keep records electronically so the doctors can get up to speed on your particular details quickly during each visit.

The BEST group if medical people on God’s green earth. I can’t say enough of how nice the doctors and support staff are!