The Institute for Family Health at 17th St image

The Institute for Family Health at 17th St

Medical clinic Family practice physician Community health center Abortion clinic Social worker

One of the Worst Reviewed Abortion clinics in New York


Address

230 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

Website

www.institute.org

Contact

(212) 206-5200

Rating on Google Maps

2.30 (130 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 8:30 AM to 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 8:30 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: appointment (23) doctor (21) time (19) told (17) call (13) medical (12) wait (11) people (11) clinic (11) medication (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Lana K. 3 years ago on Google
    The care once you actually get in to see someone is good. My issue has been with scheduling and trying to get ahold of someone with questions. First off, I schedule my appointments well ahead of time so I will not have any trouble securing one. Every time, however, my appointment has been canceled by the office because the doctor won’t actually be in that day. It’s Happened three times now and I wonder why they even have the doctor’s book open so much if their schedule isn’t clear. Second, every time I have tried to call with a question recently, the call back system does NOT work (they claim you won’t lose your place in line but then just never call). And when I have waited for upwards of 40 minutes on hold to speak to a nurse, I am then regularly hung up on right when I am supposed to be the next caller to be answered. They need to seriously fix this system so I can get ahold of someone!!!
    13 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Rakshaka G. 10 months ago on Google • 89 reviews
    On 2 occasions I've reached out to receive services from them. On the 1st occasion in 2021 I was set up with an appointment with a social worker. I spoke to the SW for an hour and was then told I would be put on a 6 month long wait list to see someone. I never heard back. I reached out again yesterday and was told someone would call me by Monday to make an appointment. Today I was called to be told they did not have any availability at all. That a mental health institution can do these thing is abhorrent. They are causing damage to those that are seeking help with their mental health. It is already hard enough to admit you need help, to be treated like this is unacceptable. I spoke to a Program Director and while they were willing to apologize, they took no responsibility for the actions of their organization.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Ammi A. 2 years ago on Google
    I went In for a check up because of physical pain. There was a long wait, which I didn't mind. After finishing up with the doctor she told me to stay in the room and ordered blood work, I waited over an 1hr no one ever came to the room to draw my blood. They came back telling me the phlebotomist is gone for the day and that I would either have to come back or go to some other place to get my blood drawn. I'm very surprised on how I handle myself, i kept my cool and walked out quietly. That's unacceptable to have forgotten about a patient in an exam room. Beyond unacceptable! Update: I got an email last night when I logged into my chart I saw the result of my blood work! Please explain how you can furnish blood work result when no blood was drawn????? MEDICAL ERROR! On top of terrible customer service and to be forgotten in a room!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Stephania G. 8 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    To be honest I don’t understand why so many people give 1 start. I have my pcp doctor there and for me they are really fast and efficient. The made for me hear test blood test and Pap smear the same day I asked them without make another appointment and I get the results in 2-3 days. The doctors are really nice and friendly but maybe nurses are kinda rude same as receptionist but for me it’s not really Important it’s normal in this city people have this behavior but doctors are really nice and friendly. The place is really clean and beautiful. I have the app and I really like the way they take control of everything and how easy is to make an appointment receptionist sucks as giving you appointments you can just go to the app and make the appointment earlier. Receptionist for me are useless but still I like to go there and the end I’m going there for doctors no for receptionist.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Courtney G. 11 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    Find another location / another practice, anything other than this place. Took 6 weeks to even get an appointment. Showed up early, as requested for new patients, but was given the wrong location, even after confirming the day before. The paperwork is unclear and asks for consent and legal signatures without any information as to what medical information you're signing away. After 3 different buildings, being shuffled between 3 different floors and waiting 2 hours to be seen, I went ahead and left. No idea if the medical staff is decent because the admin process prevents patients from being treated.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Peter O. 5 years ago on Google
    I have read through all these reviews and it seem that who ever in management is replying to various reviews is paying zero attention to their gripes. I'll outline the gripes again. There is no point in making appointment here as you will still have to wait HOURS. I recently made an appointment for 9am. I didn't see my doctor until 2 hours later. I made a scene to no avail. All the negative comments about reception are correct. I just tried phoning in and "due to a higher volume of calls than normal", really?, I was told that I was 13th in line. How does this place stay in business. The only good bit is that I like my doctor.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Isabel R. 1 year ago on Google
    Let me just start by saying that the majority of the employees that work at this location are not very bright. I requested a referral and it took them a week to try to accomplish an authorized referral. I was told numerous times someone will get back to me, I was told numerous times they put it as an urgent referral request and then I was told there's no referral department. It's so disappointing that these people who are incompetent of accomplishing anything, work in the medical field. It does not take an entire week to get an authorized referral from any insurance company. Spoke to a man who wanted to dismiss me and told me I have other patients in front of me, very unprofessional and uneducated. On top of that when you try to speak to these receptionists, they interrupt you and don't let you speak. It's sad that a lot of people have to deal with those type of people especially the older people I could only imagine how poorly they get treated. Patients, please look for doctors elsewhere and stop giving business to this particular location. It amazes me how you speak to a doctor and ask for authorized referral, and she didn't even put it incorrectly, and this is a person whom people trust to make medical decisions with their lives. Than to have these reception is have a attitude on top of it all, it's really bad business. It's time to move on from this location. Hopefully they'll shut it down! This place doesn't even deserve one star yet alone 5. I had to reach out to the insurance company myself to get an authorized referral because of the incompetence of the employees that work at this location.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Alysha L. 6 months ago on Google • 51 reviews
    Great practitioners. Just hard to get an appointment.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Logic D. 2 years ago on Google
    I understand the other comments however they have strict policies. Do I get the struggles. I have experienced nothing but high level professionalism and my doctor is a top notch person, well known in the medical field. Over the past year the Institute of Family Practice has been my go to and I have never been misguided.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jseivad 1 year ago on Google
    From my pregnancy to when my child was born and after, the wait time was ridiculous. There should be no reason why my appointment is at 1 and I'm not seen till 3. One time I actually sat for four hours before seeing a doctor. It's also annoying that my daughter doctor got switched every visit or ever other visit. I also had a nurse who was highly rude and aggressive when drawing blood. I report it to front desk, they told me to write it down and they will give it to the supervisor but nothing was ever done about it. This location at the time was the closest location to me when I was pregnant. Since it was still Covid I didn't want to risk going far especially after the birth. Now I'm looking for a different place.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Makee 1 year ago on Google • 5 reviews
    I will try to be objective, but trust me I won’t come back even if it’s free. Pros: clean and comfortable environment, free clinic on Saturday, great attitude of the doctors and nurses(they are students). Cons: 2.5hours wait time for a physical check up/ 3 times drawing blood to find the blood vessel/ painful pep smear. I arrive at 11:40AM, and left at 4:30PM. a simple check up turned into a day of waiting. If you want treatment from real professionals. Please avoid this clinic.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 James S. 3 years ago on Google
    Since my regular Dr wasn't responding because of the present Covid crisis, the Institute..., was recommended to me. After asking for a call back because of a long reservation telephone cue, I was eventually called back and got an appointment for the next day. Yes everything went well and the Dr. went out of her way to be helpful. It was a good experience... Be polite, the intake staff is over burdoned...
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sarah G. 10 months ago on Google • 12 reviews
    I was extremely frustrated by my experience with the Institute for Family Health. I was helping a refugee family get help, but 1. promised phone calls with social workers never happened, 2. you can't schedule an appointment within any useful timeframe, 3. we waited nearly two hours for an appointment, 4. we weren't told a child needed more immunizations for school, and 5. our phone calls for school forms weren't answered. Individuals were pleasant but didn't communicate with each other. I watched other patiences being told that their appointments didn't exist or were actually online, even though the patients had come in person. It was a stressful and difficult process and I wish we'd never gone there. People deserve better.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Susan C. 2 years ago on Google
    I had a 10:45 appointment today and was called at 8:30 to say my appointment was canceled. I called on Sunday and spoke to a live person who confirmed my appointment. Thought it was unacceptable to cancel at the last minute. I had to see the doctor today as I need clearance for a procedure in 3 weeks. I was able to get another appointment today but wait time was horrible and had same experience of being left in a room for long periods of time and never knowing when or who would come back. Ended up spending over 3 hours there. When I did get to see or deal with the actual doctor, nurses and assistants, they were all good
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marina F. 4 years ago on Google
    Can't speak more positively about this place. Yes, they are very busy and have wait times, but the facilities are always clean, and the staff are always kind and attentive. Each time that I've been here, the doctors and staff treated me great and took their time to answer all of my medical q's and counseling me. I've been coming here for some years now, and the staff are also incredibly talented- some being professors and very well seasoned medical professionals. I'll continue coming in for as this place is around (just wish they had an office in Queens!)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Teresa 6 months ago on Google • 5 reviews
    Appointment was made for in person. Upon arrival, we were told appointment was in 2 weeks & virtual. Unacceptable. Friend was given a script that made her pace. Reaching out to her doctor, not hearing back for days. Sometimes only receiving a one word response. If you've had luck with this clinic, that's great. I will not be recommending this clinic.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 M R. 1 year ago on Google
    I would give 0 stars if I could. This place is ALWAYS running a minimum of 45 minutes behind, even first thing in the morning. I once waited 2 hours to be seen by the doctor WITH an appointment. The reception staff and doctors are also rude and unhelpful.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Angie 1 year ago on Google
    This address is used by a health first employee Keisha desrosiers who used 8 false identity as a clinician impersonator by email, calling, texting, home visit,& postage she used false identity as zazu tauber holly ellison she's also a scam caller she's also text me from 255255 as a utility co attempting to rob me no matter how many times I changed my number & no matter how many times I report it to police it gets worse & worse
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lori K. 5 years ago on Google
    This place came highly recommended by a good friend of mine. The doctors and staff were absolutely amazing. They made me feel comfortable and they definitely knew what they were doing. I saw that almost all of the poor ratings were due to the front desk and the long wait. However, I didn’t have any negative experience with the front desk people and the wait time is not longer than any other clinic/hospital I have been to in the past.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Anonymous 7 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    Dont pick Kristen Gavidia. Choose another doctor with more experience and knowledge. Because of lack of knowledge and wrong advice, patient took a long time to recover from an illness.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sketches L. 1 year ago on Google
    First time having to place a review for any medical facility in the 41 years living in NYC but I have to say I’m shocked and feel incredibly let down by the behavior from this clinic. I have been coming here for years, I have had several primary doctors assigned to me, and it’s only now that I am unable to even receive a response from my primary. It’s been weeks. This is a constant issue, and no matter how much I express my pain, I express my concern, I express that yes I have gone to the emergency room and was told that my issue must be taken to my primary doctor, even when I express another doctor I have met with expressing I need to take this matter to my primary doctor, I receive no response. It’s heartbreaking, it’s depressing, this clinic pushes you to the emergency room and when you go there the staff at the ER are just as confused as I am with why these issues are sent to an overwhelmed emergency room when it should be addressed by my doctor. I have receipts upon receipts documenting my desperate attempt to try and get help all left with no response. It’s scary to think I will receive help when it’s too late, and now I have had to make the decision to take my medical records else where after so many years coming to this clinic. I truly hoped care meant something with medical care.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa Van D. 1 year ago on Google
    Clean and friendly. Dr. Kaur saw me almost immediately and not only did she see me for what I originally asked her for, she offered an additional service that I needed so I didn't need to see another physician! Highly recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Erica v. 1 year ago on Google
    This is the worst clinic to attend to not only are they rude they are incompetent In doing their jobs. they have one lady in the front name Diana who they have doing all the secretary work and putting all the patients in.the line goes from the beginning of the door to the elevator they never have appointments And when you ask them for forms they never filled them out this is the worst clinic I have ever been to. I hope this clinic is shut down by JACho
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jaime D. 2 years ago on Google
    Family member needed medical help and had received free services with them in the past. When I made the appointment, they said they took our insurance and it would be covered. When the person got to the appointment, they refused to even look at the insurance card. The person was a minor and a parent was not allowed in due to COVID. The minor continued with the procedure as they needed the medical help. Now I have bills over $250 coming in months later. 😡😡😡 Deceitful organization. Bad service. Bad treatment.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lina G. 5 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    I had a good experience no long wait times. The employees are nice and professional. The doctor explained everything thoroughly and was friendly.

  • 1/5 albayda m. 8 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    The lady who handled the phone today was really not doing her job so well and I will do everything in my power now to get her fired…I called to make an appt after waiting for hours and she picked up paid no attention to what I said then after I explained it to her the second time she finally understood then wants to say not to scream at her!! Please get better staff!!! Please this is not how health care supposed to be, and for ur stink attitude I’m just gonna say this….u wouldn’t do that if we was outside 🤣🤣🤣

  • 1/5 Tina 3 weeks ago on Google • 6 reviews New
    Low rating is due to the customer service and communication with this office. Never experienced issues when it came time to come in and see a doctor but communication is very poor. Expect to chase on communication - typically several times over weeks to get prescriptions/files/etc. I can't imagine relying on this institute for life-threatening conditions or care. Phone lines are outsourced to a customer service dept. upstate so there is no way to reach the actual office outside of the instant portal. Last straw was contacting the dept to inquire on the status of my medication refill that I requested online, I was told the request was rejected and I needed to come in person for an appointment, did not receive any notification via phone, email, or within the portal of this. Save your time and find another office!

  • 4/5 Reed J. 2 months ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    Good doctors and staff, I came very early in the morning 8:30 and was seen quickly, long wait times are probably in afternoon hours. There’s a lot of people in this city, not just one’s self!

  • 2/5 Jeanne D. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a good experience initially with Kayla Villanyi n her Supervisor Jessica Swartz she called on a Saturday that speak for itself. I don't have issues with the therapist capabilities I need a higher level of care. Mz Swartz stated she would do a referral. I didn't have the bad experience had a side from the way the call center is set up but once I reached someone it was fine. Not used to speaking with the same person as front desk. Mz Swartz was very receptive I hope she can do what she stated. A stipulation of lease contract is active therapy I will eventually get evicted I am physically disabled it takes me a really long time to get there from the outermost borough by public transportation. I didn't have the experience others I read have . Layla Villanyi didn't call to find out why I cancelled that augered bad things? I am hoping Mz Swartz will do what she said was possible. It's a stipulation in my lease I have therapy or I'm evicted. I know it's good business to concentrate on present clients. I didn't give them any trouble, I just hope what was promised will materialize. Fingers crossed. I will lose my apt.

  • 1/5 Tomasz R. 1 year ago on Google
    There is a huge problem when it comes to medication refills. I dont know how did this office send my medication to Wallgreens when I never used them as my pharmacy? They sent it there because CVS contacted the office saying they didnt have the medication I needed, but little did they know that both of these pharmacies use the same supplier so none of them had the medication. On Friday I had the office to transfer the medication to Costco which had that medication available , told them its urgent and to be done right away because I was supposed to take the dose on Wednesday so I was already 2 days behind (mind you this is the medication that need to be taken systematically otherwise it defeats its purpose), so now its Saturday I called to check where is my med and guess what office is closed and only call reps are picking up the phone , nobody had the chance to send a script to Costco for a medication that I was already late for. I was told the earliest is Monday. Thank you very much for your care.

  • 1/5 Athena A. 4 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    This practice started out great and went downhill quickly. It is impossible to get the people I need to on the phone. It is impossible to get them to coordinate with my insurance company. It has been 5 months since I started the authorization for an RX and they are still dropping the ball, ignoring my messages, and not communicating even through their portal with updates. Today was the breaking point for me. One one the people there knew I was calling today to get an update. I left multiple messages with both the office, which is hell to get through to with the gatekeeper of the call center, as well as the call center. I was assured the person was at lunch and would call me back when she gets back. If I was holding my breath I would have been dead 10x over as 2 hours after she was supposed to return from lunch, I still have no phone call from her.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Tiffany C. 8 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Abortion services are terrible. They don’t give the option of sedation. They don’t give you a small snack before or after hand. You just clean your self up with a doggy pad and go about your day. There was no follow up aftercare but a telegraph call after 2 weeks asking how was the cramping and flow afterwards. No medication was prescribed to me. Not antibiotics or pain medication. They gave me a few boxes of Plan B after the procedure. It was terrible. Don’t get your abortion here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Roberto R. 3 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    They will leave you waiting for over one hr and pretend that you are being impatient if you dare to ask anything
    1 person found this review helpful 👍


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