Lisa Rosner Rutkovsky, MD

Dr. Rutkovsky is a Pediatric Cardiologist. When I had my son at NYHQ, she was the one that reached out to me to let me know of a condition that my son had/​has while he spent a few days in NICU. As a first time parent, it is very alarming to be informed that your son has a heart condition, so we didn’t question her and went in for a follow-​up two weeks later, which seemed at first quite soon to me but who am I to question the doctor, right?
We went in on a Wednesday morning for a 10AM appointment. First of all, she is one block from NYHQ, which means that parking is HORRENDOUS. We spent nearly ½ hour driving around and around looking for a parking spot. My husband finally dropped us off and went to look on his own. I walk in and immediately see that the waiting room is full of patients; she is apparently one of those doctors that allows for double/​triple bookings. Not a good sign already.
The staff at this place is rude. Gladys, whom I believe is the office manager, speaks to you as if you are indebted to her. Lady, YOUR salary is paid for by MY patronage of the doctor you are working for. Perhaps you need a reality check and learn some manners. Every question asked of her is responded to with a «I don’t have time for you» attitude.
Remember my appointment at 10AM? Well we didn’t get to see the doctor until practically 1PM. This is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, especially for a PEDIATRIC doctor of any kind. Did you not know that I am bringing MY CHILD, who is an INFANT, to see you? Did you not know that CHILDREN have their own schedules of peeing and pooping and eating and just flat out annoyance when they are kept waiting? Not only that, but for a medical facility that requires children to be half naked for 10 – 20 minutes so that they can get an EKG done, you would think they would keep the office warm? No, my TWO WEEK OLD infant had to lie on a medical chair in the cold because I did not know I was supposed to bring a blanket (HELLO GLADYS, you should’ve TOLD ME when you called a day prior to ask me for my insurance information and remind me repeatedly that you did not accept anything but cash??? I don’t goto cardiologists all the freakin’ time!) After the EKG, my son needed a diaper change. Obviously, since we were sitting in the waiting room for 2+ hours before we got to the EKG room (and then there’s the sonogram room and THEN you get to see the almighty doc). I told the lady (who is totally unprofessional) my son needed a diaper change and she proceeds to give me a quizzical look… reluctantly says «okay…» and then asks, «do you have a plastic bag to put the diaper in?» ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? WHAT IS THAT DAMN GARBAGE CAN FOR??? YOU WORK IN A PEDIATRIC MEDICAL OFFICE… DID YOU NOT EXPECT DIAPER CHANGES???
The only nice and warm person was the woman who performed the sonogram. I do not know her name, but thank you for being so kind and caring and someone who actually LIKES children.
The next appointment we had, was at 9:30AM. We did not see the doctor until THREE HOURS LATER. Apparently she makes rounds at NYHQ at 7AM every morning before her appointments. And apparently she had an emergency that day. Fine, I can understand emergencies happen. The third appointment? We waited for another two hours and the doctor STILL didn’t make it because «she was still at the hospital making her rounds». Doc, your time might be precious, BUT SO IS MINE, MY HUSBAND’S AND MY CHILD’S. Oh, not only that, but her overflowing waiting room had sick children. Yes, for a pediatric cardiologist who does not want her patients to get in close contact with sick children, she manages to have us all waiting in a miniscule waiting room together.
At the third appointment, WHILE I was waiting for the doctor to make her grand entrance, I dialed my pediatrician, got a recommendation for another pediatric cardiologist and made an appointment right then and there. I proceed to the desk to ask Gladys how I can get my child’s records released because I am switching doctors, and she gives me a dirty look and tells me that the doctor needs to approve of it first. Sorry, I do not think that’s how the law works you imbecile. I believe as long as I give my consent, you are to send my child’s records to Barnum and Bailey if that is my wish. My husband and I storm out of there without even seeing the doctor (although my son already got his EKG and sonogram done).
Many hours later, the doctor calls me and leaves me an apologetic voicemail. Sorry, too little, too late. I don’t believe in «emergencies at the hospital» every single time we have to see you. And it’s really not my problem that you have to cover two other doctors there; then you should schedule your appointments much later or on different days when you’re not covering.
You’re a nice doctor but your business practices are unacceptable. Additionally, you need to replace your incompetent and rude staff, ESPECIALLY GLADYS.