Fenway Community Health Center Reviews

The absolute best healthcare offered to LBGT people in the state of Massachusetts and quite possibly the country.

Fenway staff is the most happiest people I have ever met they are caring and supportive and always put their patients first

I ve been with Fenway for many years. I was at the Sidney Borum for about 10 after which I switched to FH. I ve read a couple reviews from people complaining that you have to wait for months to get an appointment and that it takes a long wait before you see anyone- various complaints which are all valid for those individuals. But for myself and my experience, I have been committed to FH to care for my fairly complex health issues and they ve seldom let me down (if that can even be considered for the circumstance). I ve never had to wait months to see anyone, they have always had someone I can come in to see either same-day or the next. And since all the doctors work closely with one another, if I see someone other than my primary team, I don t worry about whether pertinent information will make it to my doctors. Having eye and dental (and mental health if that s needed) all in the same place is awesome! And if you need an x-ray, no worries! They have a radiology floor! The offer an extensive list of groups and other services like acupuncture for wellness and detox. They are very knowledgeable and very sincere and have always made me feel completely confident that I m being given the best care. With their link to Beth Israel Deaconess, referrals to outside specialists are smooth and simple. All notes are viewable going both ways- lab work, imaging, discharge notes- no running back and forth to get records and no missed information from a specialist visit! The pharmacy downstairs makes filling any prescription insanely easy and the staff are super friendly and helpful. I can t say it enough- Fenway Health pulled me back from the brink of death. I went from being on hospice care to regaining a big portion of my health back. I am so confident in the Fenway that I ve transferred my son s care to FH so he can experience doctors that genuinely care about each of their patients. 5 out of 5 stars! On a scale of 1-10, FH is an 11! The best place to go whether you part of the LGBTQ community or not!

Worst service. Been trying to get my prescription fillers for over 2 months. They seem to not have any idea what is going on. I do not recommend them.

I am a real person using my mother's name.

I have post concussion syndrome. I was not referred by anyone from Fenway Health to a concussion clinic or related. I don't understand the point of having a primary care physician in my case. I have 24/7 ringing in the ear among other complications.



I never thought this would happened to me in Boston, the sports city. I trusted the opinion of the health providers. When it comes to concussion, even if there was no lost of consciousness, you health providers have to take it seriously and please get educated. What you know is very little. Thank you.
My life is not the same. I just hope and pray I get better and the tinnitus as well goes away and made a full recovery. Thanks

So here I am waiting an hour after I arrived, because they tell you to arrive 20 minutes before your appointment... there s a sign on the table in the lobby for healthcare open enrollment... for 2017... and a sign next to it about notifying the front desk if it is 10 minutes after your appointment... if you need to put this sign up in your lobby, then you already have a problem.

I went to pick up my new eyeglasses...wow, what a difference in my eyesight! Can't thank the staff enough for helping me (and the glasses, themselves, are pretty sharp looking!

Doctors, nurses and PA s are amazing, but the folks on the phone I ve dealt with have always been challenging to work with. Care doesn t stop once the patient has left the building. A simple hello, how are you today or I ll be transferring you to someone who d be able to assist you better than myself is way better than an annoyed Fenway Health how can I help? Or a cold transfer to god knows who. Not to mention I ve never waited less than 10 minutes to talk to someone. And make sure your cell service is the best you can get, because if it s spotty, and they don t hear you say hello immediately after they finally answer you, you ll be hung up on. I ve worked the call center for one of the big guys down the street, and the some of the staff at FH can definitely benefit from a soft-skills/telephony training.

Fantastic. They do so much to try to help you get what you need!

You will receive nothing but loving care at this health facility.

Dr. John-Paul Bettencourt is the best doctor and most kind one I have found in a long while.
Its nice to talk with a doctor who doesn't have a huge ego and who will admit when he is unsure or doesn't know something. LAB AND PHARMACY ON SITE!

Great healthcare for our community... really helpful for setting up MassHealth for you..

Their doctors and dentist are awesome at what they do,I haven't had any issues at all their.I recommend checking them out if your looking for a small hospital to go too.Their is no Ambulance area for it though besides the front door area.

I have had good experiences with the doctors and staff at fenway. However, if you do not live in Boston then they arent able to assist you in finding literally anything. I have tried to ask for assistance in finding trans resources outside of the boston area but still within massachusetts and they have failed me time and time again, even if I m simply asking for therapists. When it comes to finding mental health professionals they fall extremely short of actually helping if you do not live in the Boston area. Hopefully in the future this will not be an issue but seriously dont tell me that there is no one who can help me outside of Boston when there are definitely trans resources in Massachusetts that do not revolve around the city. I ve had to do a lot of research on my own because of incompetent staff who would not help me or outright told me there was no one they could find. Thanks a lot.

I have since deleted my original one-star review. A number of people reached out to me to collect further information and assured me that this is not at all common practice for their organization. I was shocked by the time and effort put into a complaint that could easily be dismissed as an "angry yelper." I thanked everyone involved and see a bunch of great people attempting to fix a mistake that was not their own. This is essential to a great business and reaching out definitely made me feel that the office took this sort of behavior seriously. It's upsetting that one individual can make patients see an organization that's really trying in a negative light. I think it's completely unfair for the organization's reputation to suffer because of this one individual and I know that the problem will now be taken care of. Thank you again to everyone who handled this matter and especially to those in the patient services department.

In today's fast paced world there is a health center where personal attention can be found. The Fenway Community Health Center is that place. I became a patient there 20 years ago. My physical and mental health care needs are met completely. It's a sincere caring environment. The Fenway CHC is a health clinic that feels like visiting friends. Even though they have grown, due to the care and special needs of patients, it is a small intamate clinic. If one needs hospital care, they work closely with Beth Israel Hospital. I personally go to MGH for my hospital care. They are supportive of that and they do not mind working through extra paper work.
I have shared my deepest private situations in the clinic and in the mental health clinic. The Fenway CHC believe in the body mind connection. I have never been judged at the Fenway CHC.
The support eastern medicine mixed with western medicine, if that is what you want. I can't give the Fenway CHC anything less than excellent care.

It's a great place for LBGTQIA, race sensitivity and community ready.

If you have something actually wrong with you, if you're sick - choose a different hospital.

After 5 years, I have to write this. The physicians are great, the service is not. If you go here, just know you will have to call in your Rx several times before it gets filled. My wait for an appointment with my PCP is around 2 months. The customer care is an answering machine. Unfortunately, this is the only LGBTQ clinic I know of. Let me know if you know of another, I'd go there.

Very well planned and organized, everyone is friendly

Seeing your doctor will take forever here. Why take on patients if your so busy and it's six months in advance to book an appointment. Made an appointment for a physical several months prior. I called on day of to confirm, since I hadn't gotten any message on their part. Was told it was cancelled. I was NOT notified! They have both my email and my phone number. I live 40 miles away. Can you imagine driving all the way in and paying for parking. Never mind arranging my plans around it. Good I called. I did NOT even get a we're sorry for the inconvenience.
Rescheduling will be another 6 month out. Are you kidding me.... this place is going down the tubes. No wonder my previous doctor left.

A few years ago I move to Boston and my friend recommended going here because she had been going on for years. Overall my experience here is good. The the desk workers scene genuine as well as the doctors and dentists that I've seen. My only complaint is the ridiculous prices on some of their procedures that aren't covered by MassHealth. But to be fair that is a nationwide problem and not just this Hospital. Overall their service is good I just fear when and if I have to pay for a procedure out of pocket.

It really is too bad Fenway still hasn't still improved their customer service. After leaving a few years ago after several issues with customer service, billing and a condesending doctor I recently returned as I followed my Dr here. After six attempts of getting ahold of the nurses line and/or her voice mail I was disconnected four times and transferred to the wrong department twice. This took a total of forty-five minutes. Today I called, reached someone eight minutes later and was transferred to again be disconnected. I finally was able to leave a message with the nurses department informing them that I will not be returning to Fenway Health. I will make sure to let everyone I know how difficult it is to deal with Fenway Health.

I have not yet had anything to complain about. Attentive doctors who listen to your concerns and don't just ignore them. They have a complete pharmacy with really great technicians. They have optical and dental services. They have a great mix of older doctors with good experience and younger doctors with the latest training. If I can see my primary care physician I try to, but I'm never disappointed by the other doctors I've seen. They are super friendly and welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community. My insurance gives me a lower copay if I'm there, so I wish they would expand to have ultrasounds and other radiology available since I'm already getting almost all of my care there. (one time I needed some imaging and had to go to Brookline, which was fine but for an organization of their size, I was a little surprised they couldn't do it in-house).

Great clinic founded with emphasis on serving the LGBTQ community. I've been a patient at Fenway going back 45 years when they were in the basement at New Edgerly Road & Haviland Street; they only had two examining rooms! It's been great to share their journey as they've grown into the mature community medical facility they are today. They provide a large range of services with facilities on Boylston Street in the Fenway and at Berkeley St & Columbus Avenue in the South End. Oh, and they have onsite pharmacies at both locations featuring low prices for generics; they offer free delivery within certain boundaries. In case you're wondering, they serve all folks, not just LGBTQ.

For first time in my life I can honestly say that I love my healthcare provider and really feel heard and supported.

Incredible staff is inclusive and caring. Never go to Harvard Vanguard, only go here. Take it from a student... if you want nice people, go here.

This is basically Beth Israel with a focus on the needs of LGBT. But a location for a wide range of medical services for anyone.

Phenomenal and life changing positive experience, inclusive and knowledgeable of gender identity and all providers I ve engaged with have been amazing.

Very satisfied!! Dr's very nice, professional, knowledgeable, attentive, kind, always available, patient, speak to you not at you, keeps a good watch regarding your needs and health--HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Horrible communication and Incompetent service. Took me 18 phone calls over a period of 48 hours to schedule an appointment that ultimately they canceled and were unable to figure out referral to different facility. You will be passed around to different departments where no one has any authority to do anything. Do not recommend.

I am happy with the healthcare you can receive here in general

Best care I ever had, my partner and I are patients there for about 5 years now, as well as a couple of friends.

Beautiful and very-clean facility. Very kind staff, doctors, and physician assistants. Very easy to schedule appointments, even last minute, even on Saturday! I chose FH because I worked nearby for four years.

I have since deleted my original one-star review. A number of people reached out to me to collect further information and assured me that this is not at all common practice for their organization. I was shocked by the time and effort put into a complaint that could easily be dismissed as an "angry yelper." I thanked everyone involved and see a bunch of great people attempting to fix a mistake that was not their own. This is essential to a great business and reaching out definitely made me feel that the office took this sort of behavior seriously. It's upsetting that one individual can make patients see an organization that's really trying in a negative light. I think it's completely unfair for the organization's reputation to suffer because of this one individual and I know that the problem will now be taken care of. Thank you again to everyone who handled this matter and especially to those in the patient services department.

Do yourself a favor and visit a medical center with competent staff. I had to change PCPs after my work changed insurers. At the first visit the MD did the laziest physical I have ever had, akin to just looking me up and down. We speak about my poor mental health, and she assures me she is "on my side", and will immediately send through my prescriptions. A month passes, and CVS have nothing from her. My husband has to commincate with her on their "health portal", and she clearly forgot. She then asks him to provide my prescriptions (and doses) because apparently it isnt policy to take records during consultation. No further prescriptions were ever put through. I will be writing to the medical board to seek advice on this "medical health professional"

I went with my Brother for his appointment.. And omg.. I might have to start coming here... My brother twisted his knee and they suggest physical therapy... I get electric shocks when I lift my leg and my pcp tells me 'rest and we'll see how it goes' .... FH'S care is beyond others.

The Ansin Building on Boylston is a very modern and stylish building. The staff and environment are both always welcoming and kind.

Get rid of the manager in the dental department. The morale there is going down the drain daily and Human Resources knows this as well.

I remember walking in and being disregarded as a TWOC. I've tried to connect to their transgender health coordinator and haven't received any response. Maybe i'm having a different experience on the count of my race and perceived class. Seem to have a strong preference to cater to a more affluent community. Their entire management team is all one race and the board is the same and maybe 2 people of color are present. After being there for hours no white staff greeted me with kindness and acceptance and patients of color were visible. I'm guessing this isn't a clinic for TWOC and poor folks. Sad all these resources not available to those mostly impacted.

My doctor is at Fenway Heath and I love how Queer friendly, trans friendly, and knowledgeable they are at Fenway Health. I feel comfortable being open about my health needs as well as being open about my body.
The building is nice and clean without feeling impersonal and sterile like a hospital, and there is a pharmacy and a Quest Diagnostics right in the building so you can get everything you need done at one place.

The best medical facility in Boston, specializing in the LGBT community. The best professionals in a beautiful state of the art facility with amazingly friendly and welcoming staff. 110% yes!

A very welcoming, inclusive, and professional office. I have received excellent and compassionate care here since 2010, when my previous Dr. retired. Office staff, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, and my doc, all on the same page. Recommended without reservation.

Exceptional staff, very welcoming of diversity, very inclusive and friendly environment. Definitely an LGBTQIA+ safe space. Gender neutral bathrooms are available here!

Grief and Competence

Fenway follows malfunctioning recipes for transgender care. Not enough knowledge on their end to correct what goes wrong. They need to learn to listen to patients and to learn from others.

And Fenway doctors have yet to learn the difference between GRIEF and ANGER. They always misidentify negative emotions as anger, when in reality the majority of their patients are grieving from intolerance due to gay, lesbian, transgender minority status with the exception of those who look great and function well. Grief is a very big deal and causes people to act out, complain, etc. Fenway needs to become more emotionally intelligent!

One stop "shopping" for all your healthcare needs, dental, optical, lab (Quest Diagnostics), pharmacy. It's a nonprofit, community-based organization, a true Boston trailblazer, especially with focus on LGBT community.

This facility has the most pleasant staff, I feel extremely comfortable at this clinic! Highly recommend!

The doctors and nurses are good when you can get in touch with the nursing staff isn t enjoyable to work with at all. They are rude and make you feel illiterate when you keep calling after they fail to send your pharmacy the perception you needed a week ago.

I've been going to the Fenway since the mid 90's ! still have a couple of the same providers they have a full pharmacy, eye care, dental, prenatal men's health ,geriatrics even radiology which is off the BIDMC network
BUT you go for yourself.

Amazing health facility!
I've been coming to Fenway for a long time and I always receive great care here!
The entire staff is so kind and they know what they are doing.
Thanks a lot!

Julie Thompson provided me with a great experience; personable and knowledgeable. I never dread coming to Fenway Health or asking any questions I might have. The staff is very friendly.

The nurses are extremely professional and very caring. I fell I was among friends instead of a clinic . These people earn my respect.

I've never even imagined being so comfortable in a medical setting before; I am so unimaginably thankful Fenway Health exists. AWESOME dental, vision, and health visits. It's truly the little things that matter, thanks to everyone who keeps it up!!

Best trans friendly clinic I have ever been to. Be aware that visits are a little sparse, and primary care is heavily booked in advance. Mental health services has a 3 month wait. Comes with a pharmacy downstairs with good insurance support and a blood test area for getting blood drawn.

The place and doctors are is great, the people who answer the is awful, they transfer you when you are not even done explaining, and because they don't heard they usually transfer you to the wrong extension.
Update: I changed my review to 5 starts because they contact me to know more about the issue. I appreciate that they care about customer satisfaction.

the most callous, unfeeling people. called for help with intense (and embarrassing) pain, and rather than saying "how can we help?" they offered me two timeslots and then told me it was my problem for leaving my job immediately. refused to refer me for treatment to urgent care, too

Amazing team, wonderful customer service, exceptional doctors who care

My friend killed himself and I no longer had a therapist because of piss poor management.
According to "them" I didn't need a mental health representative.

3rd floor nurses leave passive aggressive inaccurate notes in patients medical records if you make them do their job. They are extremely lazy and will not be forced to do their job properly. Watch out.

Don't even bother. Find a different place for your healthcare.

Excellent service. I am so thankful that I go to Fenway health

Fenway confuses grief with anger and anxiety, misdiagnosing and mistreating patients.

Fenway needs to train all of it's staff and physicians to become more emotionally intelligent.

I really loved Fenway about 4-5 years ago when staff really cared about YOU, the patient. Now it's much more business and factory like. "Address these issues come back later" and "you have another question? Schedule another appointment?" I just feel like I am a number, which is sad because that was never how this place used to operate.

I have called every single day for the last week due to needing a loan prescription for my depression medication to hold me over until my next medicine doctor appointment later this month. The first time I called, they said they would send the OK to my pharmacy, only for them to not do that at all, but to also not even write a record that I even called requesting them to call my pharmacy. The next day my mother called for me, this time she got a hold of my nurse who said they had lost my release form stating that I gave permission for my mother to speak on my behalf, and that she would need to have my present in the room for them to talk to her. They said they'd be in all day and that we could call again whenever, so they left it there. Later, when we called back and requested to talk to that nurse again, the lady we were speaking to refused to transfer us to them, and then proceeded to straight up lie to us, saying that the OK from my doctor had already been sent to the pharmacy and that the prescription was ready for pick-up. She was completely unfriendly in the call and treated us as if we were a nuisance for calling for a situation as detrimental to my mental stability as possible. None of this would be a problem, but keep in mind I have been off of my medication for A MONTH. I'm giving them until Tuesday to cooperate and do what they're supposed to be doing before I admit myself to a crisis center. Horrible. If it were up to me, I would not be using this hospital as my primary anymore after the bullsh*t they've put me through in the last week. By god, I wish I wasn't transgender so that I wouldn't have to go here.

Unrelated, but I've been going here for the last few years and every single time I go for an appointment, I'm told I'm getting a new primary care physician because they're being ~transferred~ elsewhere. Do not get attached to your doctor, keep them at a distance, because you will only see them maybe twice before you're given a new doctor.

EDIT: Guess who never called in my depression medication for me? These guys! I literally had to call and speak directly to my medicine doctor at my therapy office and beg to give me enough meds to hold me over until my appointment with her. Never trust Fenway with your life, they're good for nothing but providing you HRT. They don't care about you. The receptionists will tell you anything you want to hear so you get out of their hair.

Pros:
Love the center
They started Prep for me and the person who tested me came down with me to get a primary care
Flexible about appointments

Cons:
I haven t seen my dr in months
Dr is ALWAYS booked for the next 3 months
Come in for your appointment oh you re dr called off no one called you when actually the Put you on the books for someone else?????? That I don t even know.

Needless to say after going here for years I will be looking elsewhere they are just too busy to care.

Dr. Tyler Sanslow is an incredible dentist. He is very knowledgeable yet very personable. I feel like I've known him for years. I have horrible dental anxiety and Dr. Tyler makes me feel at ease.

Becoming more disgruntled every time I walk through the doors.
I have a bunch of gripes and dislikes with Fenway health , I'm very quickly losing all respect for Fenway Dental and it's employees.
But I must say Fenway eye time and time again has done whatever they can to keep glasses on my eyes.
Thank you for that.

if you need to book, change or cancel an appointment don't bother. no-one knows how to do their job and all the people operating calls have no idea how to direct your call. I was on the phone for over 30 minutes simply trying to reschedule an appointment. I was transferred to over 8 different people who all told me they couldn't reschedule my appointment. Overall waste of time, would not recommend unless you enjoy hearing hold music.

Worst place I ever called, they kept transferring my calls without doing anything productive. Do not call them, it's a nightmare for you.