Lahey Outpatient Center – Lexington

I see two doctors at Lahey Outpatient in Lexington — Dawn Anderson, Gynecologist, and Christine Winger, PCP. I’ve really had no extreme horrible experiences with either doctor or this establishment. I have had Dr Winger has a PCP for maybe 6 years now — for the most part she’s been very good. If I go for a sick visit she only checks what’s necessary — if I’m having trouble breathing she’ll spend time dealing with my lungs than with my throat and ears, etc. She’s very straight to the point and I like that. My annual physicals are a breeze with her, she’s very compassionate, she talks to me during the whole exam, she tells me what she’s doing before she does it, etc. The only problem I’ve had is I brought a problem to her and she seemed to ignore me, as if what I was saying wasn’t true and «well, just lose weight» was her answer. I thought the problem was more complex and severe than «hey just lose some weight», but ok… I gave her the benefit of the doubt and tried, 6 months later, no luck, I called her back still complaining of the same problem. Still getting sort of blown off and told I didn’t have a problem, she made me an appointment with a GYN. I didn’t know of this appointment or what it was for until I got a confirmation in the mail. I ended up having to call and ask what it was for. I didn’t know who the doctor was or anything. This kind of irritated me with Dr Winger — in this situation she didn’t seem to think there was a problem, though I was telling her I knew my body and there was… I felt completely blown off. Other than this instance though, I’ve never had a problem with Dr Winger!
I originally saw a gyn at Layhe in Burlington… I forget her name, but I wasn’t impressed or happy with her. The first time I met her, from the minute she walked in the door I knew it wasn’t going to end well. She spoke to me in a way as if she knew better than me, everything she said was right, nothing I said was right. And then she insisted that she do an exam on me. I was like «HA no» and left. I called a week or so later asking for an appointment with a a GYN but a different one from who I saw. The lady I spoke to on the phone was very nice — she suggested Dawn Anderson, She said that Dawn was her GYN and was very nice, compassionate and kind. I figured… why not give her a try. I loved her from the second she walked in the door. I told her the problem I told Dr Winger, I told her my symptoms and I told her what I thought it was, a self diagnosis. She set me up with some ultrasounds and other tests and… my self diagnosis was confirmed — a problem that if left untreated can cause a mess of problems (diabetes, obesity, etc). Dawn Anderson listened to what I was saying and treated me with respect. I understand Dr Winger doesn’t have a specialty in GYN issues, but with everything I told her she could have been like «This doesn’t sound normal for you… let me refer you to specialist» rather than just telling me to lose weight and then after the 2^nd complaint ships me off somewhere else without telling me. Yes, my situation was taken care of, thanks to Dawn Anderson, but I could have started treatment 6 months earlier if at my first complaint/​acknowledgement of the problem, was recognized. Instead I was 6 months worse when I started treatment.

I was upset to see the negative review of my doctor, Dr. Christine Winger. Dr. Winger is a caring, compassionate and experienced physician. She is far from condescending and has always listened to my concerns with great respect. She has a very calm and kind bedside manner. Dr. Winger is a great doctor, and the practice is quite professional and responsive.

I am very happy with my doctors. However– I don’t understand why they tolerate technology intended to dissuade patients. This is 2014 yet they refuse to use email or voicemail. There is no possibility of me calling and actually speaking to my doctor of 10 years. If you need a document you are offered a facsimile or snail mail. If their technology is intentionally designed to thwart patient doctor communication it does make me wonder about patient care

Dr. Dawn Anderson OB/​GYN
Dr. Anderson works at multiple Lahey locations, and she is my GYN. She is still accepting new patients and therefore has room in her schedule so I can make appointments with her within a week. She is not only very up to date with the latest research and findings in gynecology, but she is also completely without judgement and is very compassionate. I absolutely love Dr. Anderson and am so glad that she makes me feel so comfortable and informed about my health. So glad I found her!

Only review is for Dr. Christine Winger. Very poor beside manner and condescending. I wil be looking for a new doctor immediately. After 2 visits, I remain unimpressed and unsatisfied. For all I pay for health care, I deserve a physician that listens, is compassionate and works with me to come to a solution. Thumbs DOWN.

This review is not about the clinic itself… 5 stars go out to a certain person who works there.
I don’t really want to share this information… I mean, part of me does to help others find good places but other part of me is worried if it gets too crowded, she may get over-​worked. (I also selfishly worry if she gets too busy and I can’t get appointments… I mean, it’s hard to get one as is.)
So I won’t say the name of the person, for her sake and also for mine. But I’ll just say this. She is a NP. The BEST NP. She always cares. About you and your condition. Not about anything else. When all the expert DRs in all the major hospitals around here (Burlington Lahey, Mass General, Brigham Womens Hospital, Beth Israel… the list goes on) couldn’t figure out the condition which my grandmother had, she alone knew exactly what was wrong with her. And this did not happen just once or twice. EVERYTIME, without an exception, for over 10 years now. She saved my grandma’s life so many times. My family is forever grateful.