NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center Emergency Room 622 West 168th Street, Manhattan, New York 10032

"Somehow my wife’s health problems became the least of our concerns at this Emergency Room. The staff was disinterested, incompetent and rude. We are going on hour 14 and they have done absolutely nothing. Go anywhere but here."

"I would love to thank Heidi, the friendly emergency room nurse who helped me on May 23. 2024. Like the Heidi written by Johanna Spyri, the real Heidi was very friendly, attentive, helpful, and insightful, too. Such a kind soul. And her eyes behind her mask...they were sparkling. I was visiting the ER due to my distal radious fracture on my right wrist. Unfortunately I was treated wrongly a couple of days before. And my symptom even worsened. That's why I was visiting there to get help. Because of my limited financial issue, however, the hospital was not able to provide me with their further treatment. Unfortunately they refused me. Well, I wish they would have tried to fix the damage though. Nevertheless, Heidi and one of the nurses, a young male nurse with the rainbow unicorn pen, which was his wife's gift, were helping me as much as they could emotionally. Also, they treated me with respect and dignity. That's called hospitality. I truly appreciate that. Please find the young man: He was also carrying a small pink heart on his uniform. It was so symbolic to me. I will never forget their kindness—human quality. This hospital must be an extraordinary place because someone like them are working. They must be the reflection of the entire clinic, I assume. Again, thank you Heidi!"

"I went to the ER feeling pain in my lower leg persistent with my prior history of multiple DVT’s ( blood clot in my legs ) and PE’s( blood clot in my lungs ) condition. From triage ,with Nurse Varghese in the beginning , and Dr. Belange, I was treated very much with concern and empathy. The most impressive part for me is the fact that I was allowed to give my history and input making me feel very much a part of my own treatment. I have been to different emergency rooms where they are dismissive ( one doctor told me I didn’t have a blood clot and I insisted I did and I was proven right after the ultrasound) and/or was spoken to as if I was just a number or someone just overstating my concerns. I’m amazed that I was treated from first being seen , and all throughout my discharge with the seriousness my condition requires. I very much appreciate the staff for taking care of me and more importantly to me, showing care for me."

"Honestly a huge disappointment. The 80% of the staff has attitude and ignores the patient and speak to them in a really rude away The nurses and techs are very inexperienced you could be having a heart attack and they really don’t care about your life be waiting here over more the 2 HR with a really bad pain the left ear chest pain and could nearly breath I"

"Columbia Presbyterian was considered one of the best medical facilities in NYC a decade or so ago. I'm still reeling behind the deplorable conditions & gross lack of compassion & empathy from the entire staff. I could share more. I have insurance because I'm a NYCDOE educator. They treated me with respect & dignity. This I didn't see with many other patients who were there for nearly a day in the small hallway in the ER Fast track. I myself was there for nearly 11 hours. They were thoroughly thorough with my medical concerns because I was STILL running a high fever 2 weeks after having a dual surgery at Englewood Hospital. Now THAT in itself is a whole different nightmare. I did meet some wonderful people, nonetheless. We bonded as we watched in horror the treatment of other patients. Something is terribly foul & broken in our medical communities of the USA."