Dr. Yelena Dondik, United States

I met Dr. Dondik for an initial consultation in June 2023. She was very nice and had an excellent bedside manner. However, I learned that egg freezing and IVF procedures were not performed in Brooklyn but in Mineola, Long Island. I had to wait two months for a telehealth follow-up to review my fertility test results. I waited more than 30 minutes for her to log in, and my blood test results were never uploaded to the portal. The portal is cumbersome and lets you receive messages but not send them, so electronic communication requires violating patient privacy laws. At my request, she ordered an MRI in late August to confirm the diagnosis, which ultimately made the $16K procedure eligible for coverage. I had the MRI that same week. Another month passed, and despite several emails to multiple staff members, no one responded about the MRI results or insurance authorization. I finally received a call from Shandel on September 23, 3 days before my coverage ended as I transitioned to COBRA. She was helpful and compassionate and confirmed that the procedure would be covered based on my diagnosis. I was told the authorization would be obtained and emailed to me and would remain valid for 10 years or as long as I used COBRA. I never received it. I called again on September 25 and was told I would receive a call back. It is now September 27, the last day of coverage, and I still have neither the authorization nor a response. I was placed on hold for 30 minutes only to speak with the first person who had told me I would not be covered, even after Shandel confirmed that my clinical diagnosis qualified. They could not confirm or even access the authorization in my file. Despite this, they refused to provide Shandel's email address. I originally planned to freeze my eggs during the summer, when I had enough time and before my insurance changed, but the office's inefficiency delayed this by 3 months. As a healthcare professional and small-business owner, it is difficult to find time for my own appointments, let alone egg freezing, which requires multiple appointments over two weeks, medication injections and their side effects, and surgery in Mineola. Delaying the procedure was also stressful as a 34-year-old woman whose fertility is rapidly declining. Other issues: 1. The IVF webinar was taught by a man who made sexist jokes about emotions and hormones and created fear by comparing the ovaries to water balloons that could burst if you bent over. I had to schedule another appointment with Dr. Dondik, who clarified that this was exaggerated. I also learned the BK office is closed on weekends, so weekend monitoring appointments are also in Mineola. 2. January—I had to send several emails to get the medication ordered. Because we were so close, I chose to proceed again. 3. February—I called during office hours to schedule the start of my cycle and was supposed to receive a call back about whether to come the next day or the day after. No one called. I even left an urgent message with the answering service and was told I would hear back by the next morning so I would know whether to come in, but again heard nothing. 4. I provided the pharmacy information twice. The nurse forgot what I told them at 8 a.m. and sent a portal message at noon, which I did not see because I was with my own patients. The nurse left at 2:30, so my medication was not called in. I called after work at 4:45 p.m. and was told they would contact the nurse to submit it immediately. No return call. I called again after 6 and was still waiting. The medication I was supposed to start at 6:45 that evening had not been called in. 5. A nurse once gave me the wrong medication name and incorrect instructions. Pros: Dr. Dondik was wonderful throughout—very reassuring and thoughtful. The phlebotomists were also excellent, and I looked forward to seeing them during morning visits. Nurse Sarah in the operating room was also kind!

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Fritz and the entire NYU team. All the staff were lovely, and every doctor I saw made me feel comfortable throughout the process. Special thanks to Elena for being so supportive during every visit and keeping the office running so smoothly. After 2 cycles and 1 good embryo, we ultimately conceived naturally while waiting for a transfer the following month. If we decide to have baby number two, I will definitely return.

The treatment plan was not tailored to my specific needs. Communication was poor. I ultimately completed 3 cycles without success.

I went to NYU for donor-egg IVF and was told that Dr. Saketos on Long Island would manage my case, while I would see Dr. Dondik in BK weekly. After nearly a year of treatment, I was deeply disappointed by the care, the complete lack of communication, and the dismissive attitude. My diagnosis was complex and rare, including a thin endometrium. Looking back, I am not sure Dr. Saketos knew how to treat it. Instead of acknowledging this or encouraging me to see someone more familiar with my diagnosis, she repeatedly tried the same medications without progress. Whenever I asked her or Dr. Dondik about a biopsy or another approach, they said it was not yet time. As I became increasingly frustrated, I contacted the doctors by phone and email but rarely received a response. Be aware that communication at this clinic is terrible. You can never reach anyone directly; every call goes through a messaging service, which is a nightmare given the time-sensitive nature of IVF. In short, my questions and requests for a new treatment plan were ignored, and I felt my doctors no longer believed I could succeed or truly cared about my treatment. The final straw was a routine appointment when Dr. Dondik arrived 15 minutes late and said she had no time to answer any questions because other patients were waiting. I walked out and never returned. When I emailed Dr. Saketos to say I was seeking treatment elsewhere, her reply was about something entirely different, showing she had not even read my email. It was also the first time she had replied to one of my emails. I transferred my care to a small Manhattan clinic and became pregnant 6 months later with a completely new protocol. My new doctor was very confused about why NYU had kept me on the previous protocol for so long when it clearly was not working. I know I should have changed sooner, but IVF is a business, and it takes time to accept that many clinics see you only as a woman desperate to have a child and want to keep you there as long as possible. Many women undergoing IVF who feel like just a number will relate. I know this review is harsh, but it is sincere. Not succeeding at NYU would have been one thing, but their dismissive and indifferent treatment needed to be shared. IVF is hard enough, and I deserved better care. I am grateful I finally found the courage to leave and seek help from doctors willing to give me a chance at motherhood; otherwise, I might never have had my beautiful daughter.

My experience at this clinic was terrible. The finance team called constantly, which felt more like harassment than support. The nurses sent medication instructions only one day before I was due to start them, which was highly unprofessional. For services costing $10,000–$15,000, this level of communication and care is unacceptable. Instead of respecting patients, they make you feel like just another case and as though they are doing you a favor.

This clinic feels like an assembly line and is highly unprofessional, with extremely rude front-desk staff. They only offer appointments from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and require everyone to give two days' notice for a visit. They call repeatedly, but if you miss the call, it is difficult to reach them again because calls are routed to a central NYU call center that is not even in New York, so the agents do not know any staff members' names. They also leave messages in messaging systems that provide no notifications and do not allow replies. Overall, this was a very poor healthcare experience. I recommend finding a private clinic that provides more personalized care.

Stay away. The MD I saw lacked the qualities needed for patient care; it felt more like a business. The doctor would not explain why I needed a certain medication or even recommend supplements. Most of the RN team was very kind, except for one person. Fatima in billing has an attitude problem and needs retraining in patient communication. Do not go there. I wish I had known before starting treatment. The MD barely contacted me, never discussed a strategy, and left me to go blindly through the entire process.

Dr. Song and her staff are amazing! We cannot wait for her and her wonderful staff to help us have our second child! Dr. Song's meticulous transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer technique is flawless! She and Dr. Gaudas set a 5-star standard not only for themselves but for their staff and patients. Our IVF rainbow phoenix baby, born when we were 40 after more than six years, is proof of that! Now I am 42 and just tested at home today and got our BFP! It is even darker than the BFP with our first baby! We cannot wait to learn our beta result on Saturday! 🤞 To everyone on this journey!

My experience with the front desk at this office was extremely disappointing. The staff were rude and disrespectful, making me question how the rest of the office operates. I have not yet met the doctor, but if the front desk's behavior is any indication, I am unsure whether I want to continue with this office. They also use an answering service that takes your information but does not follow up to schedule an appointment. Save your time and consider going elsewhere.

She is so sweet, kind, and patient. She explained everything perfectly. I felt especially comfortable with her 💕

This place is awful, especially the phlebotomy area! They are so slow and take a break after each patient, leaving us waiting forever even though they know we are fasting! I had an ultrasound, and whoever was accompanying the technician made a face while I was in pain! This place is terrible.

If you are seeking fertility treatment, this is the place to go! My gynecologist recommended this facility, and I am so glad they did. I first met Dr. Song, who explained all the hard facts about becoming pregnant at my age in a caring, straightforward way, which I greatly appreciated. I underwent a series of tests and scans that helped me understand my reproductive health better. Most of my testing appointments were early in the morning before work, and this office is truly efficient. They complete check-in, testing, and bloodwork in under an hour while still leaving time for questions. That does not mean they rush you; they simply manage their schedules and staffing well. I was able to ask the ultrasound technicians many questions about my ultrasounds and scans, including what they saw and what I should expect to feel. I always brought a magazine or something else to occupy myself, but thankfully I never had time to finish it. Since this is an exciting and stressful process for most people, I am glad I came to RSof NY. My colleague, who froze her eggs two years before me, was also pleased. The staff are reassuring, patient, thoughtful, and helpful. Even so, do your own research, come prepared with any questions you may have, and advocate for yourself during appointments. I had to ask about taking COQ10 and needed clearer instructions on how to take a particular medication, and they spent plenty of time with me. Helpful tip: Wear a dress to appointments whenever possible so you can get ready for the examination quickly. The only minor issue is allowing a few extra minutes to drive through the inconvenient parking lot, which is not their fault at all. Overall, I enjoy being a patient at RSofNY, and I believe you will too!

After a less-than-ideal consultation with RMA, we went to NYU. We scheduled with Dr. Fritz because of his good reviews. I liked him immediately because he did not pressure us into IVF or PGTA at the first consultation. He gave us options and ordered several fertility tests to establish a diagnosis. Ultimately, my reproductive age was causing recurrent miscarriages, and we decided to proceed with IVF. The front desk was always pleasant, and I loved all the nurses. The operating room nurses were especially supportive during retrieval and transfer. Dr. Kuokkanen performed my retrieval, and Dr. Goudas performed the transfer. On transfer day, everyone was very supportive and wished us well. Our first cycle and transfer were successful, and our daughter is now three weeks old! IVF is a long process, and we had some setbacks, but Dr. Fritz and the nurses always returned calls quickly and remained positive. Fertility clinics can feel like factories, but you cannot let that bother you. It took me a while to let go and trust the process.

The most unprofessional office I have ever dealt with. My husband went in for testing, and we spent two weeks trying to obtain the results. They told us they had the results and would fax them, but never did. We practically had to beg them to do their jobs. I will never deal with this place again.

This was one of my worst clinic experiences. Thankfully, my treating doctor there was kind, but over the years I encountered some very cold and unpleasant staff. Their attitude alone is enough to make you want to give up, which is why I appreciated the few kind people there. The clinic also has no direct phone line; every call must go through an answering service.

Update: I changed clinics and became pregnant on the first attempt using embryos from here. Although I ultimately miscarried, at least I became pregnant, which was better than anything I achieved here. I created new embryos with my new doctor and am now 37 weeks pregnant with my first child. My experience here was not good. My treatment plan was never personalized and was always one-size-fits-all. My test results were consistently normal, yet I never received a positive pregnancy test, even after exhausting my lifetime insurance benefits. I wish I had received more guidance during this time.

I was disappointed with my experience in this department. I did not know they do not schedule appointments directly; instead, you must leave a message, and they only try to call once. If you miss the call, you have to restart the scheduling process, which is inconvenient and inefficient. I also found the front desk staff unprofessional and unhelpful. Overall, it felt like a waste of time and effort, and I regret not choosing another clinic.

I learned the hard way that NYU wasn’t the right fit for me. Monitoring appointments always took over an hour, even at 6:30 AM. I’ve waited there an hour and half many times. Other clinics you’re in and out with 40 mins. If you move on to IVF, They strongly push PGT testing on everyone. It wouldn’t have made sense with my extremely low AMH. They basically force ppl to PGT test. During my 5 IUI cycles, my doctor only prescribed letrozole without exploring other medicines to stimulate more than one dominant follicle. So for 5 IuIs I only had 1 dominant follicle. This was counterproductive as I already ovulate on my own. I didn’t even know injectables were an option until I switched clinics. Also the timing of their IUI was off because most clinics do 36 hours after trigger, but NYu does 24 hours. This is important because prepped sperm for IUI only has a life span of 24 hours. I would visit an Acupuncturist who over time confided that she hears the worst from her patients about nyu. She even had a patient she knew that NyU allegedly dropped their embryos!! After hearing that I explored other clinics. Most concerning, they missed my endometritis on in an early biopsy. I had two chemical pregnancies prior to starting at NYU. Which was likely caused by my endometritis. I went on to do five failed IUIs and was never told or treated for the endometritis. After switching clinics, my second doctor caught the diagnosis. I was treated with two weeks of antibiotics and conceived naturally a few months laterr with a successful pregnancy. Stay away!

I did not have an entirely negative experience here, but I wanted to leave this 1-star review for one reason: If you plan to have ERA testing before a transfer, please advocate for yourself and have the test performed during a natural cycle. Medicated cycles are now known to produce false-negative results, which happened to me. Because of this false negative, we transferred a PGT-tested normal embryo that did not implant. I have since moved to a new clinic. Based on my clinical history, the first thing they did was repeat the test during a natural cycle, and I very clearly have mostly "silent" endometriosis. After treating the uterine inflammation with Lupron for 2 months, we performed another frozen embryo transfer with an embryo from our time at NYU, and I am now almost 8 weeks pregnant. I wholeheartedly believe that if my endometriosis had been identified and treated, the first embryo transfer would not have failed.

Dr. Dondik is an amazing doctor. My husband and I found her after 3 years of unexplained infertility and 2 failed IUI cycles. Under her care, I became pregnant during my first IVF cycle. From our first meeting, she was attentive, kind, supportive, and knowledgeable. She explained everything, remained very calm, and made me comfortable. My egg retrieval was successful, I had an embryo transfer 10 days ago, and today my pregnancy test was positive 😀 We are eternally grateful to have found her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart; she is like an angel to us. Words cannot express how I feel. Thank you again, Dr. Dondik ❤️. Highly recommended, 10/0.

Dr. Dondik is wonderful! She cares deeply about her patients and explains every step of treatment in detail. With Dr. Dondik, you feel supported and cared for. Our personalized treatment plan reflected her deep understanding of our unique situation. She carefully tailored it to maximize our chances of success, and her attention to detail was evident in every aspect of our care. Effective communication is essential in any medical field, especially fertility treatment.

What better day than our graduation from the clinic to praise Dr. Dondik in LI, her nurses Elena and Guadalupe, and Dr. Sung and Dr. Kuokkanen? We not only became pregnant under her care, but she also helped our friends conceive their child, who is now one year old. Another friend is currently receiving treatment, and we hope she receives her 3 3 3. If you are still considering it, take this review as your sign to schedule an appointment.

Elena is the doctor who helped give us the opportunity to have a child. We had worked with other clinics for several years before turning to her. When we found her, she considered all our individual circumstances and wishes and combined them with her professionalism and skill. Thanks to this, I became pregnant almost immediately. Dr. Dondik was always in contact, supported and reassured me, and gave very useful and effective advice. Thanks to her, I overcame my fear of fertility specialists caused by previous negative experiences. I want to express my deepest gratitude for her work and for our child!