I have some uniqueness attached with my endometriosis that he [Dr. Gregory Starks] and I did not agree on in our first visit. However, he did eventually listen to me. I realize my case is rare but it was odd to not be listened to initially. He also kind of talked at me and didn’t really seem appreciative of me asking questions...Then next few times I saw him during treatments, he was very warm and kind and got the job done
The [Midwest Health] clinic is nice and quaint. They do share the waiting room with general OB’s so you will see many young women waiting with their parents who are quite pregnant...The secretaries are very nice...As long as you were there on time, they got you in and out without any hiccups. It was nice to not spend a lot of time waiting around...cost us around 12-15 thousand dollars for an IVF round
How was your experience with Gregory Starks at Midwest Health (HCA)?
I appreciated his level of expertise and years of experience. I truly felt like he incorporates as many new treatment options as possible and I felt that he had the end in mind of helping us get pregnant. In my initial consultation he came off as arrogant, but I appreciated that because it meant he was going to do all he could to ensure we got pregnant. Then next few times I saw him during treatments, he was very warm and kind and got the job done. I am incredibly thankful to him and his amazing staff.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Gregory Starks at Midwest Health (HCA)?
Don’t expect him to give you warm-fuzzy feelings if something is wrong. He will tell you how it is, but he follows up with alternative plans that are still aligned with yours. I loved this about him because I knew I was going to get a straight answer from him and he wasn’t going to sugar coat anything.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Gregory Starks at Midwest Health (HCA)?
I have some uniqueness attached with my endometriosis that he and I did not agree on in our first visit. However, he did eventually listen to me. I realize my case is rare but it was odd to not be listened to initially. He also kind of talked at me and didn’t really seem appreciative of me asking questions.
Describe the protocols Gregory Starks used in your cycles at Midwest Health (HCA) and their degree of success.
We did a cycle of IVF. We used birth control pills, started me on thyroid meds and low dose aspirin, Dexamethasone, estradiol, follistim, HCG, ganirelix, and progesterone in oil. Since this was our first cycle and I had a decent AMH I believe I was put on a generic protocol. I believe if/when we do another round, it would be more tailored to what they now know about me and my body.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Midwest Health (HCA). (Assigned nurse: Brandi Weaver)
I love Brandi and consider her to be more than our nurse. She was incredibly patient with me and very quick to answer emails and phone calls. She educated us on injections, timing, amounts, you name it. She was open about her own fertility. When the hormones were high (along with my anxiety) she made me feel incredibly at ease. Seeing her at the clinic just brought on a sense of calm. Also, she delivered the best news we could have ever received in the most wonderful way. I’ll never forget that phone call.
Describe your experience with Midwest Health (HCA).
The clinic is nice and quaint. They do share the waiting room with general OB’s so you will see many young women waiting with their parents who are quite pregnant. This can be a bit of a trigger for women going through infertility treatments. The secretaries are very nice. Ultrasound room is quite small but honestly, you don’t need a spacious room for that but I did feel a bit like an animal being processed through the clinic during the tracking phase. I don’t think this is much different however than just going through IVF. The doctor and nurse’s offices were warm and inviting along with staff.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Midwest Health (HCA).
It was like a cattle-call but it was a very well oiled machine. As long as you were there on time, they got you in and out without any hiccups. It was nice to not spend a lot of time waiting around.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Gregory Starks at Midwest Health (HCA).
Without any insurance benefits associated with infertility treatments, it cost us around 12-15 thousand dollars for an IVF round.
Describe Gregory Starks's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Midwest Health (HCA).
I felt that they strongly suggested that people implant two embryos. However, by the grace of God, we had two “textbook embryos” so I was told if we put one in, the chances of it taking were very good. They absolutely let you choose as long as it is a safe choice for your body.
What specific things went wrong at Midwest Health (HCA)?
- Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Midwest Health (HCA).
Since they share a waiting room with general OB’s, there was an issue when I had a positive pregnancy test through blood draw. I was told that I wouldn’t ever see Dr. Starks again and that I needed to immediately contact my general OB. It really I was supposed to be tracked by Dr. Starks for an additional 6 weeks. With some calling around, and an email to Brandi, we got it figured out. It was not an issue on Dr. Starks team.
9
Clinic
Midwest Health (HCA)
Kansas City