Summerville Family Health Team (Central)

I’ve been a Summerville patient for 18 years and I’ve just about had it with them. This is the most uncompassionate medical team ever. The doctor hardly ever works, she’s literally only in the clinic once a week. I happened to be 15 mins late to my appointment and they decided to mark me as a no show and couldn’t see me for a very pressing issue for another week. Yes I admit the lateness is my fault but life happens and they could’ve at-least called prior to cancellation.this is a doctors clinic, a necessity not a luxury like a restaurant where consequences for lateness are warranted.as a patient coming from miles away with a medical issue, This institution feels more like a danger to my health than a benefit.

My wife and myself have been patients of Dr Ruby Alvis for over a decade. Every appointment we have had has always had a positive outcome where we leave feeling like we have learned something which can help us move forward towards reaching our health goals. Dr Alvi is very thorough, never rushes and always takes the time to listen carefully to our questions and concerns. Thank you and your staff for everything!

I really liked my doctor here, but, trying to get through on the phones is a nightmare.caller #8 or more to just be picked.while you are at work is not feasible for me. New staff is not that friendly.
Had to move on.

Totally fed up with trying to get through to anyone without being disconnected hung up on or waiting on the phone forever, I have tried since last Friday to get through to make an appointment to get results for a test and I have no way of knowing. I finally got through and was told to book an after hours appointment and then when I tried I couldn’t get through and then when I did get through they were booked already I left a message for the doctor to call and I haven’t heard back and I’m going to be leaving this clinic in the near future.

Dr. Bourne is the worst healthcare provider I have ever spoken to.
She was combatitive, incredibly blaming and told me to change physicians when I asked to be referred to a specialist.
She told me 6 months ago that I would need to come back to get my prescription renewed (that being the first time I met her, I can confidently say I don't even remember what she looks like, let alone the details of what she said). When reception called they said Dr. Bourne wanted to "speak about my medication". Nothing about this indicated I could not get it renewed until I spoke with her.
I then called to ask if I would still have my prescription renewed if I didn't schedule an appointment. This is when I learned I would not. I asked for the soonest appointment and I explained how many days left I had of my life saving medication. After a lot of arguing to get even be allowed an appointment time, they offered one availability.
So at this point my options were:
1.take this appointment during a time I was at work
2.die

So, I took the time, and had to take an extra break at work. After waiting for 15+ minutes I had to return to my job and as a result missed the call.
I went to book again online this time, and was called back by reception to say I was not allowed to book again on the same day unless I paid $40 even though time was available. She then told me Dr. Bourne wouldn't be free until Tuesday- after my medication would run out. I said that's not okay, and I will not be giving her $40 to not die. They then confirmed my appointment.

At the appointment, Dr. Bourne made me feel incredibly unsafe from the moment we began.
She firstly got upset with me for missing my first appointment and questioned why I would make an appointment while at work (I work the same hours the office is open, so I'm not sure what she expects, not everyone can afford to take off time). I explained I was still at work, and I didn't want to make the appointment but instead had to.
After more combativeness, and disrespect, I finally settled that I did not want her to manage my medication and asked I be referred to a specialist. She then immediately advised to completely switch family doctors (as if that isn't tedious and doesn't have its own cost attached to it). She then questioned why I couldn't contact the specialist myself, and got mad at me when she realized that past medical history with other specialists wasn't properly recorded (which is not up to me at all).

I cannot begin to explain how unsafe I felt with Dr. Bourne. I now feel like I have to change family doctors because it seems apparent her opinion of me will be affecting the type of care I receive.

I really hope that Dr. Bourne learns from this experience, because it is truly terrifying to think that this is how patients are being treated. Especially for patients who do not know how to advocate for themselves.

Terrible. Will reschedule and cancel the day of 5 times. Have been waiting weeks to see a doctor. Absolutely terrible. You’re better off going to a walk in clinic

I love the summerville family health team. With any practice, a few hiccups along the way. Carmella is just the best medical administrator to deal with. Although, majority of the team is kind, welcoming and helpful. Dr. June Kingston is hands down the best doctor I have ever experienced. I am sad to see her go, but Dr. Nessari has been pleasant to deal with as well. Asks all the right questions, she is very thorough. The staff are great there. Wait times are usually a little long, but it's not secret so don't book another appointment right after somewhere else. This kind of care is hard to find.

Wish I could rate zero stars. Dr. Kingston was an amazing doctor. Her sub-sub-standard replacement, "Dr. " Nasseri is nothing more than than a power hungry woman who takes on her first calls with new patients by claiming she's going to drastically change their meds while displaying it's very obvious she hadn't read their patient charts before calling them blindly. No self-respecting doctor should take over the practice of an extremely well-established professional by attempting to change how patients are treated overnight. The new replacement must first conform to the existing procedures before deciding that throwing them out on day one is a good idea.

Shame on you "Dr. " Nasseri. You've destroyed a respectable practice that took Dr. Kingston many years to build.

Dr. Rosen was my family physician since childhood. He went above and beyond for my grandfather until he passed at 94. Since retiring, Dr. Rosen's choice, Dr. Gharagozloo is great! He genuinely cares about his patients. When I developed an infection that is common amongst young women, he provided a lot of reassurance which eased my worries and fears.

It's too bad Linda is such an unpleasant person because Dr. Kates is such an absolute pleasure and a wonderful doctor - he is the only reason I still stay under his care and have for over 30 years! I really wish someone would speak to her about how she treats the patients, I am a human being and don't deserve to get treated as if I am dirt on her shoe - especially since I've been a patient of Dr. Kates for so long! She has been like this with me since day 1! PLEASE someone speak to her about patient treatment - I wonder if there are continuing education courses for medical office admin on patient relations? I am almost at my breaking point especially after the last most recent interaction I had with her - she had me in tears.

This rating is based on the past 3 months. I give 5 stars prior to this timeframe,
I have been going here for a very long time 30+ years and now have been assigned to a new Dr. I have to call each month to get my prescription renewed and since I have the Dr.has made me feel like I am am doing something wrong. She has questioned why I once called a week and a half in advance for a renewal (I was instructed to do that by the office so they are not scrambling at the last minute). She has also attempted to change my medication over phone during our first meeting. The situation has left a bad taste in my mouth as I should not be made to feel this way by my Dr. Now I feel hesitant to discuss anything with her.

I highly recommend Summerville Family Health Team to anyone in need of excellent health care services. Its great team will work hard to find you the best solution for your individual needs. They provide all of the education you need while also supporting you through what may be a difficult time.

It’s hard for me to rate it so low because I adore my family doctor at this practice. I’m rating it so low based on availability of other services. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A MONTH WAITING PERIOD BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKER APPOINTMENTS! People need these services more and more now. Some don’t have insurance to cover going outside of the practice. You have a program where people can come and get free counselling. It feels like because it’s OHIP paid we have to suffer longer for more frequent appointments. It feels like management is saying to us “We’ll offer the service but we don’t really want to. ” Also, but a cap on how many appointments some one needs is bad practice. You’re offering a service to help people. Helping people shouldn’t be conditional.

Always had good experiences with Dr. Sethi, Elena (receptionist), NPs and student practitioners. The only reason I deduct a star is because of how long the waiting times can be for an appointment with your actual doctor. While I understand patient numbers are generally regulated by Ministry of Health, I suspect they are able to take additional patients per medical student resident, thus making the ratio to patients-to-GPs higher than most other practices. This can often leave you waiting for 3 weeks+ from the time you call for a simple 15-minute appointment, if you insist on seeing your GP and nobody else. Otherwise, they are prompt with appointments when you arrive, receptive to your health concerns, quick with faxed prescription renewals and have free parking.

The teaching unit receptionist refused to fax a requisition We needed to refax because we didn’t hear back from the hospital. She also did not want to validate my parking when I had lost my wallet and couldn’t get out of the parking lot, I was stuck in there for an hour and had to get family members to come and get me. I understand if this was a reoccurring situation, however it was just a one time issue I asked for help with from my family doctors office. She does the bare minimum for patient registration anything different that she is presented with she does not do as though she is really disinterested in patient needs and care, lacks empathy and decision making skills. (31 July 2019 8: 45 am)

Best place. On time! Dr Chen and Dr Majid and many other doctors are great here. Clean and validating parking is a bonus.

Reading the reviews, I don't understand why people have so many issues. I personally never had an issue with any receptionist.

Nothing but praise for Dr. Kates, my physician for many years. His skill, personality, and love for his profession are what most would consider ideal in a physician. Supported by an efficient team, I've never waited more than 15 minutes past an appointment time, with an average wait time of 5-7 minutes. His admin, Linda, is extremely efficient, and can be counted on to 'get things done' with a straight-forward request. From simple appointments to a couple of very serious situations that required particular personal attention beyond 'just' a diagnosis, I've always been able to count on Dr. Kates.

I'm sure the other doctors are probably fine, but don't go to Dr. Vincent Park if you want proper care. Dismissive and misdiagnosed me many times, and if you check online there are many with the same experience. I'm glad to be taken off his patient list. Also, I'm surprised his receptionist still has a job with how unprofessional she is. Really awful attitude, and speaks over you before you even get one sentence out. Gave me information I knew was wrong (unless she somehow knows better than the folks at ServiceOntario) and refused to correct her mistake. Real shame, because I'm seeing really good reviews for some of the doctors here.

Very bad experiences with Dr. Paula Molnar. Extremely dismissive and never looked into any health concerns. Told me I was “just depressed, ” turned out I was actually anemic. Told my sister she was bulimic even though she never made herself throw up, she had stomach problems. Also refused to let me get my tonsils out and after seeing a specialist it was recommended due to severe sleep apnea. The new doctors there are much better.

Dr. Rosen was my family physician since childhood. He went above and beyond for my grandfather until he passed at 94. Since retiring, Dr. Rosen's pick, Dr. Gharagozloo is great! He genuinely cares about his patient. When I developed an infection that is common amongst young women, he provided a lot of reassurance which eased my worry and fear.

I have been coming here since February or March of this
year, I have Dr. Marianchuck and she is very good at what
she does, she phones me and lets me know all my results
where other doctors don't and also when I need prescriptions
refills she gets right to my pharmacy right away. I only had to wait
once for about an hour and a half it seemed liked, but now I am
sorry that I have to give up a good doctor especially a female one
and now I have a new family doctor young male one. I hated to give
up such a nice doctor but I had moved from Mississauga to Burlington
to bad they don't have a summerville health team here in Burlington.
I found the staff all very nice, no problems. Thank you all.

Want to have your antidepressants held from you and forced through withdrawal because they cancelled your appointment, and refused to allow to refill until next appointment? This is the place for you! 10/10 would go through withdrawal so Dr. Sethi can power trip again!

Best place that I have ever experienced in my life and I’ve had a few but I’m sticking to this place till I die or until Dr Zhao leaves, hoping I go first.

My resident Dr.has listened to my concerns in a very compassionate and helpful manner. She put me on the meds of my choice despite her concerns for side effects (which I experience none of and this message works very well for me) as well as directing me to other services the clinic offers. The front staff are friendly and competent as well as efficient. I've never waited longer than 15mins pass my appointment time and the receptionist makes making appointments easy and fast. I love this clinic.

Excellent clinic. A physician or/nurse is always available. I've never had a bad experience and everyone is friendly.

I had been with Teaching Unit for 5yrs and unfortunately I have very bad experience due to which I changed my family doctor. Won't recommend anyone, they made blunder twice and pt blame on me.

If you get a resident doctor, they're usually really nice, but they will 1) try and mess with your medication dosage because they're afraid I'll abuse it (even if I've been on it for 17 years without EVER doing such a thing) ; and 2) they always seem a bit unsure, and are always checking with a senior dr; and 3) good luck getting an appointment with your "family" doctor anytime soon. My family doctor is booked for a month, so I usually see a different Dr. It feels more like a walk in clinic. Otherwise- they're pretty nice and prompt. No long waits in the waiting room.