Rony Elias

Wait times at UES are horrible for monitoring, I learnt very late that tribecca was always a 10min wait only. I learnt it way too late though. The reception staff messed up a few times at UES as well leaving me hanging for over an hour. The reception staff was probably one major reason I hated monitoring appointments and going UES in general. Another huge 1.5 hour delay also happened because one of dr Elias’s assistants put in the wrong date and time. You have to always double check what time and date they give you over the phone, and that it matches with the text and app confirmations you get! If you’re meeting with your own doctor, the reception on the left side next to the boardroom is way more efficient.

The facility was aesthetically fairly depressing and often didn't have enough seating for everyone waiting. In general most of the staff wasn't friendly and that includes the billing office which was wholly unhelpful (and I called 4 times before receiving a response).

I didn't always realize Dr. Elias would be in the city rather than the office, so occasionally came in expecting to see him and saw the nursing team only instead, which was fine as they are great, but would have preferred clearer communication around that sometimes.

At times, it was difficult to deal with the hospital side of things. Waiting for a call back or asking questions regarding insurance and such. I always got the information I needed but it was definitely easier to deal with Jessica, his office manager in mount kisco or Manar his office manager in the city, rather than the hospital staff.

Weill Cornell seems to be a well-liked and top-rated fertility center both for male and female issues. We chose it based on recommendations from our primary care providers and Google/FertilityIQ reviews. Regarding strengths, I would say that their doctors are highly qualified, competent, efficient and kind. They also seem to strongly prefer the least invasive and science/evidence-supported treatment strategies. I would say that they have three main areas of improvement: (1) a couple of the people in the billing office were often confused; our doctor had to personally step in to resolve issues (2) For male factor issues, they have three excellent doctors, but two do not accept most insurance plans and (3) they do not have many locations up North.

They are one of the larger fertility organizations. They are large enough to be very systematic and organized, but could be as personal or distant as you want to get out of the process. It is my understanding that even though I met with just one of the DRs as my primary, there were regular team conversations about patients and the different issues that would come up, which puts a lot of experience and intelligence together to help solve your issue. At the same time, I do believe they have the volume and case study to see most of the infertility puzzles out there, I think the team's focus is on perfecting the "majority case" process. I don't want to say it is a baby factory b/c I did not get that impression there as I did at a few other clinics, but their business is in volume so I don't think they are as focused on the much more specialized cases as much. Plus, as they are larger and more institutional, they are maybe not as experimental (coloring outside the lines) as a smaller operation might be willing to explore. I could be wrong, but I didn't get the impression that there was a real next level of investigation to uncover the reason for my ability to get pregnant but consistent miscarriages, sort of a really well explained and defensible encouragement to keep trying the same process. And maybe that is right and I am just tired from the emotional, physical and financial turmoil and hoping for some more answers where there are not any? Each DR within this clinic is different and has a different focus so maybe it depends on the DR you chose. I do know that they do not offer package deals like some of the other clinics do, so unless you have insurance or are willing to pay out of pocket for each cycle, no matter how many, there are no efficiencies of scale or deals. But in exchange you do get the strength of the Weil Cornell hospital and resources behind you, which is significant, especially considering the potential risks / complications of the procedures you go through on a regular basis.

I went to the office in Mt. Kisco and the upper east side. Since I live in Westchester, getting to the Mt. Kisco office was very easy and always had parking which is a plus. Mornings for monitoring are busy but I find the earlier you get there the less likely you are to have to wait. Jessica at the front desk keeps the office spotless and she is friendly and equally organized which made life so much easier. The office works like a well oiled machine. For the days I had to visit the upper east side location for monitoring on weekends (Mt. Kisco is closed) or for procedures such as IUI’s and IVF, parking was a bit of a hassle. They have a parking garage but don’t accept SUV’s. The office runs very smoothly and I was always in and out within 15-20 minutes and the staff there were always efficient and friendly.

The 7:30 morning monitoring time is rough if you work in the city or at a job that starts earlier. The first come first serve model is difficult to manage but most patients are courteous lining up. Jessica at the front desk is personable and extremely helpful in getting you set up as a patient.

The office staff was organized in explaining and obtaining the necessary paperwork. I was seen by the provider in a timely manner in relation to my appointment. I do wish that the office had a direct # that is not affiliated with the main # for NY Presby/Weill Cornell. I had received a phone call the morning of my appointment that I missed. When I called back the # I spoke to the answering service telling me the office was closed when I just received a message.

If you can try to go to the Mt. Kisco office for morning monitoring because you get to see Dr. Elias for US and Blood work everyday except Thursday's and weekends. The NYC main office is more of the factory feel and you get a different doctor or nurse each time. They are extremely fast though because there are so many NP's there.

Considering the results, the embryologist and the lab were excellent. I would assume that my rate of conversion from egg -->embryo-->blast is on the higher range of success for any clinic. Weekend monitoring on the UES was painless as the wait time was quick and the nurses always pleasant.

This clinic strengths are that they are really advanced on a technological, medical, research basis. The lab is really amazing and always try to improve, find new treatments. If you are dealing with a severe trouble to conceive, don't hesitate one second to go to them because they will surely find a way to get out. Weaknesses are the costs of course... You have to pay for success. Some people find also that it's like a factory because there is so much women and patient who are dealing with that and sometimes you will maybe have the feeling to be treated like a number. But I will definitely tell you something, most of fertility clinics are like that. This doesn't bother me or my husband, but I can understand that some women prefer more intimacy.

Strong Knowledge base. Clean facility. Reception staff could be friendlier. They do see lots of women. Be sure to Arrive early to avoid a wait on bloodwork/ultrasound days. Keep track of billing. It can get confusing.

Cornell is a large clinic and a well-oiled machine. They know their stuff. Monitoring generally moves very quickly, as they have a large nursing staff. A doctor almost always does all your ultrasounds, but may not always be your primary doc. Egg retrievals and transfers are done by the doc on-call that day. I found all the docs to be very good. The clinic is associated with New York Presbyterian, which I found to be an absolutely wonderful hospital.

They have an excellent lab, are organized. Definitely felt like a number in the NYC office, but the Mt Kisco satellite office was much more personable. Often very long waits for monitoring at the NYC upper east side and a complete cattle call. Monitoring hours were 7-9am which was tough for me to make.

I was lucky enough to do most of my monitoring with Dr Elias himself in Mt Kisco. In the event it’s over a weekend or holiday and you have to go to city it definitely feels more of a factory but they are organized and it moves quickly even though you may be overwhelmed by the amount of women in the waiting room. Same with retrieval and transfer day all done in city .. but again very organized and systematic. But that makes it less personal I’m sure for any city patient but dr Elias mt. Kisco location is really the best

Strengths — Huge number of cycles and success. Weaknesses — So many cycles that you really have to be on top of things and watch everything yourself. Closely. There were several near misses. Nurses and at times, even other doctors during monitoring try to apply protocol themselves. You have to be vigilant to ensure the plan that your physician set forth is being followed.

I really like going to the Mt. Kisco office because it doesn't feel like a factory, in contrast with the UES office. I also really like that I saw Dr. Elias every time I was there, as I know many others who did not have that experience of seeing their specific doctor. My only complaint was that I didn't realize I would have to go to the UES office so much - and the parking there is super expensive, and the drive can be challenging.

The clinic has an excellent reputation and operates like a well oiled machine. I like this, however, it can feel like a mill.

The clinic has the system down to a science and operates like a well-oiled machine. These types of clinics can often make one feel like an animal in their treatment of patients, but I haven't felt that here. The waiting area is well situated and waiting times for daily monitoring are minimal. The only problem for me is that it is a pain to get there. One area for improvement is their billing department. Last year they double charged me several appointments. My have colleagues who use this clinic who have said that it has been a nightmare as well working with the billing department.

Cornell is like a factory! That did not bother me at all - my focus was on getting RESULTS! In the results department, they are excellent. The doctors and nurses are simply amazing. Don't be overwhelmed or intimidated by the set-up there. Just focus on why you are there and don't be a stress freak - it is not even good for your chances. I did acupuncture for many months also which helped me with the stress reduction during the process.

The lab at Cornell is exceptional. That was one of the draws for me to go there in the first place. However, it is a huge institution and morning monitoring in the city is like a giant, awkward cattle call.

Likely the best in NYC. This is after being tended to at NYU, Roosevelt. Great doctors but because it's a hospital can feel like a factory at times.