Ruben Alvero
Stanford University
Available Lines of Communication
Not available by email
Direct line to doctor
Direct line to nurse
Direct line to nurse
Not available by personal cell phone
Medical SchoolF. Edward Herbert School of Medicine
ResidencyWalter Reed Army Medical Center
FellowshipNational Institutes of Health
Sunnyvale
1195 W. Fremont Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(650) 498-7911
3 assessments
1
3
Age
37
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Poor Egg Quality, Tubal Blockage, Other
1
3
Dr.. Alvero told me I could not conceive due to various reasons. I’m addition he said I shouldn’t waste my money in attempting an IUI and I should forget about using my own eggs and use donor eggs and even then with IVF my percentage to conceive is very low. I sat there in shock not wanting to cry as all three doctors stared at me coldly. It was as if they were saying “ok, now you know you can’t conceive on your own. Chose a method and get back to us.”
I felt like I had to call in [to Stanford University] all the time. I was always unsure of what I was doing. Nothing was explained well. One nurse was very kind and helped me set my appointment at another facility for my scan. This clinic has little room to actually preform exams the day they are needed...I was never informed my scan results had arrived. I called in the day of my appointment to make sure they had. I was told they arrived but they could not be found. The nurse had to call the clinic where I got my test completed to obtain another result. I called a second time to ensure the doctor received the results. I was told they were unsure. I arrived and asked in person and was told the doctor had just received my results when I arrived. I was given erroneous information regarding my coverage. I had to request the financial advisor call my insurance once again to confirm her version. She was incorrect.
Age
37
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
?
Race
Latino
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 2 Docs
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Poor Egg Quality, Tubal Blockage, Other
1
3
How was your experience with Ruben Alvero at Stanford University?
Initially I thought he was very informative and easy to talk to. However; upon explaining my test results he was very cold and matter of fact. I didn’t feel that he saw me as a person just another patient. I was given a very low percentage in regards to getting pregnant and I asked for an explanation especially since my test results had been received by the doctor minutes before my appointment. I was essentially told not to have high hopes in getting pregnant with very little explanation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ruben Alvero at Stanford University?
Go in informed. Be prepared to potentially be treated as a number and not a person. That’s terrible to say but true.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ruben Alvero at Stanford University?
I went in on my own and I explained I wished to conceive but have never tried to do so. I was given somewhat high hopes in my first visit. I was sent for some tests. After completing said test I had to call back and schedule another appointment. During that appointment Dr. Alvero and Teo unknown doctors who were never introduced to me and I was never asked if I was okay with being present followed him into my room. I again was all alone. All three were straight-faced when Dr.. Alvero told me I could not conceive due to various reasons. I’m addition he said I shouldn’t waste my money in attempting an IUI and I should forget about using my own eggs and use donor eggs and even then with IVF my percentage to conceive is very low. I sat there in shock not wanting to cry as all three doctors stared at me coldly. It was as if they were saying “ok, now you know you can’t conceive on your own. Chose a method and get back to us.”
Describe the protocols Ruben Alvero used in your cycles at Stanford University and their degree of success.
I went in having already had a few test completed by my obgyn. The results were not great. I was asked to complete them again. The tests included hormone levels, thyroid test etc. I was asked to conduct a scan as well during my first cycle due to symptoms I had exhibited. My tests results showed I had poor egg quality, a diminished ovarian reserve and Salpingitis isthmica nodosa.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
I felt like I had to call in all the time. I was always unsure of what I was doing. Nothing was explained well. One nurse was very kind and helped me set my appointment at another facility for my scan. This clinic has little room to actually preform exams the day they are needed.
Describe your experience with Stanford University.
Strengths are the phlebotomist was very kind. One nurse was also kind and listened to me when I became emotional. Weaknesses, the financial coordinator was terrible. She misinformed me about my insurance coverage; she told me I had 100% coverage when I only have partial coverage. Good thing I called before hand. I was also given a treatment plan without having completed my exams and scan. The doctor I saw was not the most kind or informative. The front desk was also kind and cordial. The building was clean and there was plenty of parking.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ruben Alvero at Stanford University.
I had to pay $500+ for a scan. Overall I believe I paid $500 for visits. There were few because I went to another doctor.
Describe Ruben Alvero's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Stanford University.
N/A
What specific things went wrong at Stanford University?
- Failed to call with results
- Failed to send your chart to another clinic
- Lost results
- Provided conflicting information
- Scheduled the wrong procedure
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Stanford University.
I was never informed my scan results had arrived. I called in the day of my appointment to make sure they had. I was told they arrived but they could not be found. The nurse had to call the clinic where I got my test completed to obtain another result. I called a second time to ensure the doctor received the results. I was told they were unsure. I arrived and asked in person and was told the doctor had just received my results when I arrived.
I was given erroneous information regarding my coverage. I had to request the financial advisor call my insurance once again to confirm her version. She was incorrect.
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10
6
Age
32 - 34
Treated
2016 - 2018
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
3 IUI, 1 IVF
Diagnosis
Anovulation, PCOS
10
6
Dr Alvero is patient and clearly explains the reasoning for choosing a particular treatment. He respected my opinions and assessed my comfort level with the treatment at every visit. When I had questions or concerns in between appointments he returned my calls promptly.... He is very willing and comfortable discussing the reality of the situation and the steps that we will take to address the issues... I did eset for insurance reasons.
Communication! Not being able to call directly is frustrating. On the weekends I’ve had to send a fax to get the attention of the clinic staff [Women's & Infants Hospital] because their answering service answers the phone. The coordinator did not check to see what I needed in terms of my insurance company before proceeding with my last round so I had to change my plan to complete a test required by the insuranc. This set me back another month. Communication is poor at best.
Age
32 - 34
Treated
2016 - 2018
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
3 IUI, 1 IVF
Diagnosis
Anovulation, PCOS
10
6
How was your experience with Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital?
Dr Alvero is patient and clearly explains the reasoning for choosing a particular treatment. He respected my opinions and assessed my comfort level with the treatment at every visit. When I had questions or concerns in between appointments he returned my calls promptly.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital?
Bring a notepad. Write down questions as you think of them during treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital?
He is very willing and comfortable discussing the reality of the situation and the steps that we will take to address the issues
Describe the protocols Ruben Alvero used in your cycles at Women & Infants Hospital and their degree of success.
3 letrozole
3 iui
Ivf
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
Some of the nurses are excellent. Go above and beyond - one spent hours on the phone helping me deal with a prior authorization issue over a weekend that would’ve resulted in a cancelled cycle. Some of the others are less compassionate. They’ve done it a million times and forget that as a patient I may not have done this before.
Describe your experience with Women & Infants Hospital.
Communication! Not being able to call directly is frustrating. On the weekends I’ve had to send a fax to get the attention of the clinic staff because their answering service answers the phone. The coordinator did not check to see what I needed in terms of my insurance company before proceeding with my last round so I had to change my plan to complete a test required by the insuranc. This set me back another month. Communication is poor at best.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital.
I’m unsure of the costs, my insurance has paid for everything so far.
Describe Ruben Alvero's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Women & Infants Hospital.
I did eset for insurance reasons.
What specific things went wrong at Women & Infants Hospital?
- Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
- Failed to order appropriate test
- Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
- Provided conflicting information
- Failed to convey critical information
- Failed to consider drug intolerance
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Women & Infants Hospital.
I had an issue with prior authorization for drugs. And then when I had my retrieval a different doctor questioned the meds that I took, even after I confirmed them with the staff. This doctor then told me I wouldn’t be having a fresh transfer while I was in the recovery room. My doctor called me later to confirm I took the correct meds and was having a fresh transfer.
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10
10
Age
26 - 27
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
2 IUI, 3 IVF
Diagnosis
PCOS, Poor Egg Quality, Unexplained
10
10
We tried the antagonist protocol twice [with Dr. Ruben Alvero] , the second time being with higher doses of meds. The last cycle, we did estrogen priming protocol due to my poor response...always made me feel important and that my feelings mattered. He always made me feel like I could ask any questions I had or share all my concerns...did everything he could to try to figure out what was causing our unexplained infertility. Each IVF cycle gave us more information and as hard as it all was for me to hear, he always did a great job explaining everything and giving us all our options. He never pressured us into anything but gave his expert advice and what our chances were for each cycle.
Although we decided to stop treatment, if we decide we are going to pursue treatment again, we will 100% return to this facility [Women & Infants Hospital] and under the care of Dr. Alvero. Communication was great and I never felt like I annoyed anyone when I called to ask a silly question. I loved this facility. They made a very difficult time in our lives a little bit easier... My husband and I were pleased from start to finish.
Age
26 - 27
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Teacher
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
2 IUI, 3 IVF
Diagnosis
PCOS, Poor Egg Quality, Unexplained
10
10
How was your experience with Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital?
Dr. Alvero did everything he could to try to figure out what was causing our unexplained infertility. Each IVF cycle gave us more information and as hard as it all was for me to hear, he always did a great job explaining everything and giving us all our options. He never pressured us into anything but gave his expert advice and what our chances were for each cycle.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital?
Choose him for your doctor!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital?
Dr. Alvero always made me feel important and that my feelings mattered. He always made me feel like I could ask any questions I had or share all my concerns.
Describe the protocols Ruben Alvero used in your cycles at Women & Infants Hospital and their degree of success.
We tried the antagonist protocol twice, the second time being with higher doses of meds. The last cycle, we did estrogen priming protocol due to my poor response.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff.
The nursing staff was absolutely AMAZING. I cried my last appointment simply because of how compassionate they had been to me. When they called with updates, they always made a personal connection and made me feel like they truly cared about me and the outcome of our cycles.
Describe your experience with Women & Infants Hospital.
I think the clinic is a great place to seek infertility treatments. My husband and I were pleased from start to finish. Although we decided to stop treatment, if we decide we are going to pursue treatment again, we will 100% return to this facility and under the care of Dr. Alvero. Communication was great and I never felt like I annoyed anyone when I called to ask a silly question. I loved this facility. They made a very difficult time in our lives a little bit easier.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Ruben Alvero at Women & Infants Hospital.
We are lucky to have great health insurance in Massachusetts. The costs were mostly covered by insurance, which the exception of medications and some of the surgery costs.
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