Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht 77 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick, MD 21702

"At some point doctor offices actually have to start being accountable for good work practices. It has become impossible to find good service among doctor offices! I've touted this provider as being the best in the area since I moved here but I've slowly come to realize the only reason I prefer them over the other OBGYN office in the area (of which there are only a few), is because they offer a midwife only option when pregnant. However, the office itself is very poorly managed. The phone system is basically non-existent. Of the multiple options on the phone tree available, only the triage will give you a real person. If you try calling to make an appointment, you will not be able to talk to someone! You will have to spend the 5+ minutes going through their extensive phone tree, to wait on a dial, then have to leave a message. It has been like this for the past two years that I've gone here. I have to drive in to the office to make my appointments. They rarely have appointments available within the next two weeks but they also don't open the schedule when it's more than a month and half out approximately. They apparently outsource their billing now, so when you try calling with a billing question you are forwarded to a secondary company also with a 20+ waiting time. As for service, the nurses and midwives always seem rushed and only one or two of them take the time to answer your questions patiently. I understand that the medical field, especially women's care, is flooded in our area. I understand that can make it difficult to keep up. However, people don't have an option to get medical care. And just because other medical offices are disorderly and not patient friendly doesn't mean all offices should feel comfortable sinking to that level. There is no excuse for such extreme poor customer service. Having a phone tree that doesn't actually provide service to your customers is not acceptable. Hire someone just to answer phones if you need. Medical care is too important for clients to be rushed and unappreciated during medical appointments. Please try to provide better service, we don't have options!"

"I had such an amazing experience with the SMH midwifes, from start to postpartum! With my last pregnancy, I was at another practice out of the area and not happy with the way I was forced into unnecessary interventions and shamed for certain medical decision. With this pregnancy, I felt so respected and safe. I also loved that they don't overdo it on the interventions. There is a time a place for interventions, but so many practices overdo it. The trust and respect meant so much to me that if I was suggested to do something out of what's standard, I would of trusted their recommendation. Five stars! :-)"

"Everyone in this practice is extremely professional and helpful. They follow up promptly about any concerns. I don't have to chase down results of blood work. The assistants have great phone manners. Best practice I ever been a patient of."

"Great experience! Check-in was easy and straight forward. I had my first pap smear and I wasn't sure how it'd be because I've heard stories it hurts. It was painless! I felt barely anything and the practitioner, Helen Bonilla, who I had was very kind and explained every step to me. I would recommend here because of how detail oriented they were and because I had an amazing first experience!"

"I recently switched to Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht as my OB provider and I'm so glad I did! All the staff were extremely professional, kind, and helpful. This is my first pregnancy, and I feel confident now that I'm in good care. They went out of their way to answer all of my questions and give me information on what to expect in the coming weeks. It's amazing how much my anxiety level has dropped after today's visit, and I'm so glad to be in their care for the duration of my pregnancy."