She [Dr. Kowalczyk] always reviewed our file beforehand and during while we were in the office with her. We have seen her outside of the office randomly here and there. She has always been pleasant. She gives you the good and the bad. Gives you options and let's you make the decision. ... For ultrasound and blood work, she has a great time that moves you through your appointment with ease.
Strengthens: They [MI Center for Fertility & Women's Health] are on time, effective and empathetic. I tell everyone to make sure you have them run ALL tests. You never know what they will find on you. If there lab hours were longer that would be even better. ... Everyone in her office is nice, warm and personable. They are emphatic and reasonable. Talk to you with real emotion. For some it is an emotional time and they understand that. They call you when they say they will. They want to develop a relationship with you.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
She always reviewed our file beforehand and during while we were in the office with her. We have seen her outside of the office randomly here and there. She has always been pleasant. She gives you the good and the bad. Gives you options and let's you make the decision.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Tell her EVERYTHING - she needs to know it all
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Everyone in her office is nice, warm and personable. They are emphatic and reasonable. Talk to you with real emotion. For some it is an emotional time and they understand that. They call you when they say they will. They want to develop a relationship with you.
Describe the protocols Carole Kowalczyk used in your cycles at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health and their degree of success.
For ultrasound and blood work, she has a great time that moves you through your appointment with ease. They also will give you feed back on timing. During these procedures - timing is everything.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
The best staff!! They make this office what it is.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Strengthens: They are on time, effective and empathetic. I tell everyone to make sure you have them run ALL tests. You never know what they will find on you. If there lab hours were longer that would be even better.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
[Dr. Carole Kowalczyk is] Very educated, very good communicator, very compassionate. Only thing I would change is I don't see her as often as I would like, she took over a practice for my previous doctor who passed away, so she is very busy...She was very sympathetic of our situation, infertility due to my husband's cancer treatment.
Strength [at Michigan Center for Fertility and Women's Health]-great staff, qualified and compassionate. The clinic offers group therapy, nutrition, accupunture, massage. Weakness-its a large practice, that is not always a weakness but because of that you don't see the Dr as often for scans and bloodwork...Nursing staff is great, they always get back to you usually the same day to answer questions or go over results.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Very educated, very good communicator, very compassionate. Only thing I would change is I don't see her as often as I would like, she took over a practice for my previous doctor who passed away, so she is very busy.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
I started seeing Dr. K after my doctor (that she had worked with) passed away. She was very sympathetic of our situation, infertility due to my husband's cancer treatment.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Nursing staff is great, they always get back to you usually the same day to answer questions or go over results.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Strength-great staff, qualified and compassionate. The clinic offers group therapy, nutrition, accupunture, massage.
Weakness-its a large practice, that is not always a weakness but because of that you don't see the Dr as often for scans and bloodwork.
Describe Carole Kowalczyk's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Dr. K will not transfer more than 2 embroys for patient safety.
I was a patient for all of 2016, did 4 iui’s (5 planned but one didn’t happen because I ovulated early), and we never actually met the doctor [Dr. Kowalczyk]. We were initially handled by the nurse practitioner, then nurses only. While everyone was nice I didn’t feel important to the doctor...But assumed sometime before the iui we’d actually get to meet our doctor. I also thought the doctor would at least be present for the initial iui, that was not the case.
their [Michigan Center for Fertility and Women's Health] Lake Orion location didn’t offer many services when we were there as it was newer. I believe these clinics would be better suited to IVF patients versus IUI patients...When we scheduled our initial appointment we knew it was to be with the nurse practitioner. ...we never actually met the doctor [Dr. Kowalczyk]. We were initially handled by the nurse practitioner, then nurses only. While everyone was nice I didn’t feel important to the doctor.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
In the almost 9-12 months we were at the practice we never even met Dr. Kowalczyk. When we scheduled our initial appointment we knew it was to be with the nurse practitioner. But assumed sometime before the iui we’d actually get to meet our doctor. I also thought the doctor would at least be present for the initial iui, that was not the case.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Be ready to not meet the doctor
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
I was a patient for all of 2016, did 4 iui’s (5 planned but one didn’t happen because I ovulated early), and we never actually met the doctor. We were initially handled by the nurse practitioner, then nurses only. While everyone was nice I didn’t feel important to the doctor.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Liked that there were 2 locations. However their Lake Orion location didn’t offer many services when we were there as it was newer.
I believe these clinics would be better suited to IVF patients versus IUI patients.
What specific things went wrong at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
[Dr. Kowalczyk] was very friendly, complementary and understanding. She also was very eager to offer their sperm clinic sources since I was no longer with my partner to do this journey with and that was a huge plus to me. She didn't make me feel bad based on my weight or my age or even my ethnicity. She was very welcoming and full on supportive..
[the Michigan Center nurse] did not belittle me or make me feel bad for wanting a child. She was lighthearted and presented facts in such a way that it was optimistic yet realistic for someone in my demographic...make sure you have a good internet connection and power source if you're doing telehealth. If you're using your phone, make sure there's enough space on the app they use too.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
I remember doing telehealth with her at my initial consultation. Because she is so busy one of the nurses worked with me after all of my test results came in. She was very friendly, complementary and understanding. She also was very eager to offer their sperm clinic sources since I was no longer with my partner to do this journey with and that was a huge plus to me. She didn't make me feel bad based on my weight or my age or even my ethnicity. She was very welcoming and full on supportive. I've heard horror stories of other fertility doctors outside of their facilities and I was apprehensive but my gynecologist referred me to just the right person and I'm grateful for that.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Be open minded and have your questions ready. There's no question that's too stupid for her. Oh and make sure you have a good internet connection and power source if you're doing telehealth. If you're using your phone, make sure there's enough space on the app they use too.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
They actually took the time to talk to me and explain concepts simply. At my initial consultation I did have connectivity problems with the app and she was very patient with me.
Describe the protocols Carole Kowalczyk used in your cycles at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health and their degree of success.
It's all still very new. I'm to be on a low carb diet and I'm on metformin as well. She also stated (because I sprained my knee and ankle prior to seeing her) that once I am healed up and get the ok from my physical therapist, I can start exercising too as I was diagnosed with Insulin resistance. I possibly have a thyroid problem as well that they want me to get retested for before I'm put on thyroid medication.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health. (Assigned nurse: Sandra?)
She was very open and had a warm presence. She was encouraging and very knowledgeable for women like me (insulin resistant and over 40 and overweight). She did not belittle me or make me feel bad for wanting a child. She was lighthearted and presented facts in such a way that it was optimistic yet realistic for someone in my demographic. Never discouraging but taking a one step at a time approach.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
The location I went to is not listed on this site and there was mention that they were moving soon but I have not received any paperwork stating this. The location is also still listed on the teleprompt when you call in so it's a little confusing on how long this place will still be around. Other than that everything else is terrific
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
felt like the recommendations she made were personalized to my husband and I and not just a standard “cocktail” of meds/procedures. ... She demonstrated a combination of professionalism and friendliness that made me feel very comfortable with her. My only complaint is that she is very busy and after our initial consultation back in 2016, we never saw her again. ... We recently returned to Dr. Kowalczyk and had another consultation to discuss getting pregnant again ...
The ovulation induction nurses were always prompt with calling me back when I had a question. They made suggestions and recommendations for ways I could fill prescriptions for as low of a cost as possible, answered questions at my ultrasound appointments and when I left messages, and worked with me to schedule my appointments. ... The clinic is always clean and the office staff are friendly.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Dr. Kowalczyk was very comforting and friendly. She demonstrated compassion for what we were going through and gave me hope. At our first consultation I couldn’t help but cry due to feeling overwhelmed and scared at the potential for another loss. Dr. Kowalczyk gave me a hug and assured me that we would figure out a way for me to be a mom. On our first round of treatment we conceived our son and had a successful pregnancy. We recently returned to Dr. Kowalczyk and had another consultation to discuss getting pregnant again, and I felt like she spent a lot of time beforehand re-familiarizing herself with our first round of treatment a couple years earlier. She demonstrated a combination of professionalism and friendliness that made me feel very comfortable with her.
My only complaint is that she is very busy and after our initial consultation back in 2016, we never saw her again. She has a PA who is wonderful and the PA is who we met with when we were graduated after conceiving our son.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Trust her and her experience, and know that even if you aren’t personally meeting with her at your appointments, she is monitoring your treatment and making decisions/recommendations for you. Also, always plan for appointments with her to be running late.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Dr. Kowalczyk was very comforting when we went for our first consultation back in 2016. After years of TTC and multiple losses, she was empathetic and gave me hope. I felt like the recommendations she made were personalized to my husband and I and not just a standard “cocktail” of meds/procedures.
Describe the protocols Carole Kowalczyk used in your cycles at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health and their degree of success.
She did an initial blood workup to determine what medications/supplements I needed to take. I take thyroid medication and have a diagnosis of PCOS, so she ensured that my thyroid medication was at the proper dosage, and she put me on 2,000mg Metformin/day. She also had me begin taking folic acid and vitamin D, and I followed a low-glycemic diet based on her recommendation.
For our fertility treatment, my husband had a semen analysis which came back fine. I had a baseline ultrasound done before treatment, which included a saline sono to make sure my tubes were open. Once all was decided to be ok, she had me do a round of letrozole cd 3-7 with an ovidrel injection. She chose letrozole for me because I had been on and off clomid for two years prior through a different doctor, and had multiple miscarriages during that time. Dr. Kowalczyk explained that letrozole worked in a different way and that her thought was my body would respond to it better.
Based on the doctor’s recommendation, my husband and I chose to do timed intercourse (since his analysis came back fine).
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
The nursing staff was friendly and helpful. The ovulation induction nurses were always prompt with calling me back when I had a question. They made suggestions and recommendations for ways I could fill prescriptions for as low of a cost as possible, answered questions at my ultrasound appointments and when I left messages, and worked with me to schedule my appointments.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
The clinic is always clean and the office staff are friendly. There is a wellness clinic called In Harmony that shares the office space and works with fertility patients, offering things like acupuncture and other holistic treatments. They also have a fertility counselor (her name is Claire and she’s wonderful!) who offers therapy/counseling to patients for a reduced rate. Claire also runs support groups for fertility patients.
Dr. Kowalczyk is always running behind, so if you have an appointment with her plan to be there for a while. While her running late is kind of an inconvenience, it’s because she doesn’t rush through patients; she spends time and answers questions thoroughly. She never made me feel like she was hurrying me along so she could get back on schedule, and I’d much prefer for her to be running late and still take her time with me than to be on time with appointments but rush.
They have a second office in Lake Orion and while it isn’t available for all appointments, it never hurts to ask to schedule your appointment for the Lake Orion office if it would be closer/more convenient for you.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
I cannot remember exact costs but I believe each blood draw was around $60-$70 and each ultrasound was about $200. So I ncluding medications, each medicated cycle cost my husband and I about $800-$900.
[Protocols with Dr. Carole Kowalczyk included] Monitored clomid, ivf, fet, PGS. PGS testing on embryos ultimately provided the insight/information we needed after failed IVF/fresh transfers...She is very nice and competent. She helped with setting realistic expectations along the way and gave us hope when we felt like there was none...We did failed multiple fresh transfers of 2 embryos...eSET of a frozen embryo after PGS with positive result.
Some [nurses at Michigan Center for Fertility and Women's Health] are better than others, but overall good...The PAs are great and very helpful. I’ve had IVF procedures scheduled in the afternoon which is a real pain since you can’t eat/drink before anesthesia, etc. The front desk/reception could be better ....I recommend just leaving messages with the nursing staff and/or emailing them...This is a busy clinic but i felt like I had a customized plan and my needs were addressed. Every phone call was returned the same day.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
She is very nice and competent. She helped with setting realistic expectations along the way and gave us hope when we felt like there was none. We spent years trying to get pregnant and feel our toddler is a beautiful (IVF) miracle.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Dr K has a busy clinic and it can seem frustrating at times....but the protocols are in place and they are taking care of you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
This is a busy clinic but i felt like I had a customized plan and my needs were addressed. Every phone call was returned the same day.
Describe the protocols Carole Kowalczyk used in your cycles at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health and their degree of success.
Monitored clomid, ivf, fet, PGS. PGS testing on embryos ultimately provided the insight/information we needed after failed IVF/fresh transfers.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Some are better than others, but overall good.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
The PAs are great and very helpful. I’ve had IVF procedures scheduled in the afternoon which is a real pain since you can’t eat/drink before anesthesia, etc. The front desk/reception could be better ....I recommend just leaving messages with the nursing staff and/or emailing them.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
30k-40k
Describe Carole Kowalczyk's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
We did failed multiple fresh transfers of 2 embryos...eSET of a frozen embryo after PGS with positive result.
What specific things went wrong at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Dr [Carole Kowalczyk] treated me personally and professionally. She discussed diagnosis, treatment options, recommended plan of care, all while being honest, realistic and understanding of concerns and questions...Dr was respectful of concerns and questions based on diagnosis. Provided realistic options for treatment. She addressed all angles of treatment and next steps. I would recommend anyone to her office for their needs.
[Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health] Reliable, understanding, shows compassion, quick to respond to needs. They always follow back up with me timely and help address my concerns and questions as needed without judgement. They are overall very great...All nurses are kind and understanding any time I call. They address my concerns and questions within a timely manner and leave me with a good understanding for next steps.
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Dr was respectful of concerns and questions based on diagnosis. Provided realistic options for treatment. She addressed all angles of treatment and next steps. I would recommend anyone to her office for their needs.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Review all angles as a summary at the end of consult for a snapshot and shorter understanding of what situation may appear as.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Dr treated me personally and professionally. She discussed diagnosis, treatment options, recommended plan of care, all while being honest, realistic and understanding of concerns and questions.
Describe the protocols Carole Kowalczyk used in your cycles at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health and their degree of success.
Still in progress
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
All nurses are kind and understanding any time I call. They address my concerns and questions within a timely manner and leave me with a good understanding for next steps.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Reliable, understanding, shows compassion, quick to respond to needs. They always follow back up with me timely and help address my concerns and questions as needed without judgement. They are overall very great.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
TBD
Describe Carole Kowalczyk's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
So far she [Dr. Carole Kowalczyk] has been kind and follows up with me if I see any other provider at the clinic. There are good communication among providers. I wish I saw her for visits more . I also wish she was at every visit... Her staff called me with updates, helped watch my daughter during blood draws. It made the process easy
Strength [of MI Center for Fertility and Women's Health- Warren] is the actual visit. I never wait, I can always be seen. It’s very easy going and they run on time. Weakness is that sometimes younhave to call both offices to find your chart or speak to your nurse because they move among locations... She [the nurse] kept me up to date on medication and lab results. She followed up on the weekend when dosing needed to be changed. She always explains everything to me
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
So far she has been kind and follows up with me if I see any other provider at the clinic. There are good communication among providers. I wish I saw her for visits more . I also wish she was at every visit
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
I have had many friends with success out of this office. A doctor is important, but the staff is critical as well
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Her staff called me with updates, helped watch my daughter during blood draws. It made the process easy
Describe your experience with your nurse at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health. (Assigned nurse: Kay)
She kept me up to date on medication and lab results. She followed up on the weekend when dosing needed to be changed. She always explains everything to me
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Strength is the actual visit. I never wait, I can always be seen. It’s very easy going and they run on time.
Weakness is that sometimes younhave to call both offices to find your chart or speak to your nurse because they move among locations
Describe the costs associated with your care under Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
So far we have paid about 450$ for work up and testing
She [Dr. Carole Kowalczyk] was very calm and attentive. Hugged me if I was upset, went thru my treatment options. Was very informative. She had a nice office and kept things on a tight schedule. I appreciated her willingness to get things done.... I don’t exactly know the protocol and we are still going to her but she was very sweet and went thru everything step by step.
[Michigan Center for Fertility and Women's Health- Warren's] Strengths are communication and their hearts. Weakness maybe would be jumping straight into IVF when they’re other options, felt blindsided. Go in the appointment with an open mind and be optimistic bc the office is great.... She [Dr. Carole Kowalczyk] was very calm and attentive. Hugged me if I was upset, went thru my treatment options. Was very informative. She had a nice office and kept things on a tight schedule. I appreciated her willingness to get things done
How was your experience with Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
She was very calm and attentive. Hugged me if I was upset, went thru my treatment options. Was very informative. She had a nice office and kept things on a tight schedule. I appreciated her willingness to get things done.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Carole Kowalczyk at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health?
Ask questions.
Describe the protocols Carole Kowalczyk used in your cycles at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health and their degree of success.
I don’t exactly know the protocol and we are still going to her but she was very sweet and went thru everything step by step.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Very sweet and informative. Understood what we wanted from
Them.
Describe your experience with Michigan Center for Fertility & Women's Health.
Strengths are communication and their hearts. Weakness maybe would be jumping straight into IVF when they’re other options, felt blindsided. Go in the appointment with an open mind and be optimistic bc the office is great.
