Susan Maxwell

Southern California Reproductive Center

Rated 9.7
Strongly recommend: 98%Don't recommend: 2%9.7
98% strongly recommend
5 reviews
Humanity
9.9
9.9
Humanity

Ratings of 1 mean patients felt this doctor treated them as "a number."

Ratings of 10 mean patients felt this doctor treated them as "a human."

Communication
9.6
9.6
Communication

Ratings of 1 mean poor communication.

Ratings of 10 mean excellent communication.

Frequency Seen
7.8
7.8
Frequency Seen

Ratings of 1 mean patients only saw this doctor once or twice during treatment.

Ratings of 10 mean patients saw this doctor at every appointment.

Responsiveness
7
OK
Responsiveness

Scale is "poor, ok, good, excellent" and measures how responsive a care team was when patients needed to speak to them.

Education

Medical School
Chicago Med School - Rosalind Franklin Univ
Residency
NYU
Fellowship
NYU

How Doctor Communicates

nurse available by email
nurse available by directline
nurse available by directline
not available by personal cell phone
not available by personal cell phone
Susan Maxwell works in 1 office at

Southern California Reproductive Center
Rated 7.4
Strongly recommend: 59%Neutral: 13%Don't recommend: 28%7.4

Explore Clinic
Santa Barbara
1722 State Street, suite 203
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
866-312-0771

5 patient reviews

Most Recent
Strongly Recommend
98%
Neutral
0%
Don't Recommend
2%
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2022, Consult
NPS
3
NPS
0
Age 37
Income $500K+
Only Doc Seen
Doesn't Recommend
Doesn't Recommend
Unsuccessful
Review of
For Dr. Maxwell herself, I have only met her twice...I have a pretty good impression on her. She is very patient and willing to spend time with me to answer my question...I came in for embryo banking, and decided to drop out the process after two visits...I would suggest them to avoid her at the UES location,
The [Northwell Health] team is the main reason that I decided to drop out the process. The overall impression I got from her team including her assistant, her insurance coordinator and her nurse is that you need to CHASE them for things even for things that they promised, such as give you a call or send you some instructions.
How was your experience with Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)?
For Dr. Maxwell herself, I have only met her twice since I decided to drop out from the process early due to her team. I have a pretty good impression on her. She is very patient and willing to spend time with me to answer my question.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)?
I would suggest them to avoid her at the UES location, since the nursing and admin team are horrible.
Describe the protocols Susan Maxwell used in your cycles at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish) and their degree of success.
I came in for embryo banking, and decided to drop out the process after two visits.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
The team is the main reason that I decided to drop out the process. The overall impression I got from her team including her assistant, her insurance coordinator and her nurse is that you need to CHASE them for things even for things that they promised, such as give you a call or send you some instructions. If you don't chase them, they won't do it. Two things lead to my decision to drop out. 1) Her insurance coordinator: I have two different insurances (primary and secondary), so finding out if I have coverage is tricker than most people. I called this person one month before my planned cycle to see if I have coverage and she promised to get back to me once she spoke with the insurance company. However she never called back. I have to chase her for days when my cycle start date approaching. And I only heard back from her the day before I need to get my bloodwork and start my medication, and she was still not clear about my coverage at that time. 2) Her nursing team is not better either. I showed up for my bloodwork since I really wanted to proceed with my procedure, and her nurse promised to give me a call to tell me if I am ready for the medication the same day. However, she never called me either. I emailed her to follow up in the afternoon and only found out she is out of the office. The whole process gave me a lot of anxiety and upsetting moments. I feel like even I were to proceed, with such careless treatment from her team, I am not sure what the end result would be. But dropping out from the procedure is also costly and painful, since I already spent months on her team and paid thousands out of pocket for all kinds of testing, and now I need to start all over again.
Describe your experience with Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
I chose this clinic since it is very close to what I live. I am not sure about other branches, but from my experience, the staff from the UES is not so good.For more information, please see my previous comment.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
For embryo banking, the procedure is about $10,500, medication is depend on how much you will use, around $5,000-$7,000.
Describe Susan Maxwell's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
I haven't got to that point yet.
What specific things went wrong at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)?
  • Failed to call with results
  • Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
  • Provided conflicting information
  • Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
Please see my previous comment about the staff.
3
Doctor
Susan Maxwell
NPS
Humanity
2 of 5
Communication
1 of 5
Frequency Seen
1 of 5
Trustworthiness
2 of 5
Compassion
3 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
0
Clinic
Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)
New York City
NPS
Operations
2 of 5
Scheduling
2 of 5
Billing Department
1 of 5
Nursing Staff
1 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
4 of 5
Educational Resources
5 of 5
Review of
2020, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 32
3 Fertility Medications
PCOS
European
Income $200K - $499K
2nd of 2 Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Review of
[Dr. Maxwell was] Very thorough in her explanations, and made sure we understood all risks, pros, and cons. Was very easy to get ahold of and would walk through options so that we could make the best informed decision for ourselves...took time to answer every question and never made us feel our questions were stupid...recommended trying ovulation induction first since it’s less invasive. She has explained every step along the way and told us what to expect and when which has been very helpful...
medical secretary [at Northwell Health] has been amazing in getting questions answered, appointments scheduled, and helping us get in touch with other staff as needed. The nursing staff has also been very helpful and always very pleasant and efficient without making you feel like you’re a number...what a better experience it has been in terms of treatment plans, speaking with staff and overall experience with the clinic staff....
How was your experience with Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)?
Very thorough in her explanations, and made sure we understood all risks, pros, and cons. Was very easy to get ahold of and would walk through options so that we could make the best informed decision for ourselves.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)?
Ask any questions you have even if you think they’re stupid. Dr. Maxwell took time to answer every question and never made us feel our questions were stupid.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)?
She spoke with me and my husband and made sure that we were comfortable with all the steps and treatments and would call to check in while going through various cycles.
Describe the protocols Susan Maxwell used in your cycles at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish) and their degree of success.
We tried 3 rounds of ovulation induction which did not result in pregnancy. From there we are now doing IVF stimulation. Dr. Maxwell recommended trying ovulation induction first since it’s less invasive. She has explained every step along the way and told us what to expect and when which has been very helpful. We plan to do the egg retrieval sometime in the next few weeks and a transfer shortly after.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
Dr. Maxwell’s medical secretary has been amazing in getting questions answered, appointments scheduled, and helping us get in touch with other staff as needed. The nursing staff has also been very helpful and always very pleasant and efficient without making you feel like you’re a number.
Describe your experience with Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
We saw a previous doctor at this clinic that is no longer there and the clinic seemed (along with the doctor) very disorganized and you very much felt like a number. Since transitioning to Dr. Maxwell, this has not been our experience and my husband and I have both commented on what a better experience it has been in terms of treatment plans, speaking with staff and overall experience with the clinic staff.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Susan Maxwell at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
Most of our treatments were covered by insurance but the billing coordinator was very available to discuss costs, billing due dates and options. Dr. Maxwell’s medical secretary also made sure that we recurved all the financial information needed from the billing coordinator and helped us get in touch with her when needed.
Describe Susan Maxwell's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish).
We have discussed with Dr. Maxwell and we will try single transfer first and potential multiple (2) in later transfers if the first are unsuccessful. I am still on the “younger” side so Dr. Maxwell does not want to start with multiple embryo transfer, but indicated if I was over 37 we would start with multiple embryo transfer.
10
Doctor
Susan Maxwell
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
10
Clinic
Northwell Health (FKA North Shore Long Island Jewish)
New York City
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
6 of 5
Review of
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2019, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
10
Age 44
1 IVF
Tubal Blockage
European
Income $100K - $199K
1st of 2 Docs
2 IUI With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Review of
Susan Maxwell performed a laparoscopic tubal ligation (1 tube removal)...Not only she was calm and very professional, but also very knowledgeable and took her time to explain the procedure at pre op appointment, before surgery and follow up appointment...I could trust her from my first appointment, calm, clear, listens, answers all the questions....
I think [NYU Langone Fertility Center] is number one due to the amount of research they do and more than 20 years of practice. All the doctors constantly publish research papers... It is a huge practice and they are super busy...Tabitha - care coordinator / assistant - followed up, was really easy to reach, checked up on me...laparoscopy - tubal removal - around 75K -100K - 100% covered by insurance egg retrieval - out of pocket included in the IVF package - around 15K without medication which was around 4K
How was your experience with Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
I would recommend Dr. Maxwell to my best friend as she is absolutely wonderful. I could trust her from my first appointment, calm, clear, listens, answers all the questions. She is a fertility physician and she performs fertility surgeries herself. This is not that often when your RE can do both.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
trust her, she is excellent
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
Susan Maxwell performed a laparoscopic tubal ligation (1 tube removal). This was my first surgery and I was really afraid of it. Not only she was calm and very professional, but also very knowledgeable and took her time to explain the procedure at pre op appointment, before surgery and follow up appointment. The surgery was flawless. I have no scars. the post surgery directions were super clear. Her medical assistant Tabitha is the best I communicated at NUY. Susan Maxwell also performed my 1st egg retrieval as a doctor on duty. She is wonderful.
Describe your experience with your nurse at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic). (Assigned nurse: Tabitha (Tabi) )
Tabitha - care coordinator / assistant - followed up, was really easy to reach, checked up on me!!! after my surgery knowing I was so afraid of it. The best smile and amazingly caring.
Describe your experience with NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic).
I think NUY fertility is number one due to the amount of research they do and more than 20 years of practice. All the doctors constantly publish research papers, they are super stars there. This is the strength. Nurse team - excellent. They have a LOT of patients. So be patient and they will treat you the best. There are some characters which make me smile every time. Weakness - some doctors assistants but you have to bare with them if you are happy with your doctor and once you recognize this problem you find a way around it. I was going to leave my doctor as I could not communicate with my doctor's assistant. It is a huge practice and they are super busy.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic).
Monitoring is well organized. Come earlier - leave earlier.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic).
laparoscopy - tubal removal - around 75K -100K - 100% covered by insurance egg retrieval - out of pocket included in the IVF package - around 15K without medication which was around 4K
What specific things went wrong at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
  • Provided conflicting information
10
Doctor
Susan Maxwell
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
10
Clinic
NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)
NY - 53rd Street (Eastside)
NPS
Operations
4 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
4 of 5
Educational Resources
6 of 5
Review of
2019, Unknown Success
NPS
9
NPS
N/A
Age 32
1 IUI
Unexplained
European
Income $200K - $499K
Nurse or HC Services
Only Doc Seen
Strongly Recommends
Success w/ Doc Too early to know
Review of
Dr. Maxwell was attentive and reassuring during our first consultation. She listened to all of my concerns and has been responsive to phone calls. I feel like she has my best interests at heart when determining my treatment plan. Her nurses are also super knowledgeable and helpful. ... I have only completed one IUI cycle so far (unsuccessful). I used Clomid 5 mg on days 5-9. Then Ovidrel injection when I had a big enough follicle. On the second cycle my labs showed that I ovulated that day so they did not do IUI and recommended intercourse.
NYU is organized, high tech, and although some people describe it like a “factory” I never felt like a number. It does run like a well oiled machine, but can be very crowded during the monitoring times. They do their best to accommodate your schedule, which is much appreciated. ... The nurses are all great. Responsive to messages, knowledgeable, compassionate, patient and encouraging!
How was your experience with Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
Dr. Maxwell is easy to talk to, involves you in the treatment plan, and is on the conservative side, which I like. She gave me the pros and cons of doing IVF immediately, but also gave me the reasons for trying IUI first. She gave me her recommendations but also the choice to do what I felt was right for me and my husband.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
Make sure you come in with questions, and ask if you don’t understand something.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Susan Maxwell at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic)?
Dr. Maxwell was attentive and reassuring during our first consultation. She listened to all of my concerns and has been responsive to phone calls. I feel like she has my best interests at heart when determining my treatment plan. Her nurses are also super knowledgeable and helpful.
Describe the protocols Susan Maxwell used in your cycles at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic) and their degree of success.
I have only completed one IUI cycle so far (unsuccessful). I used Clomid 5 mg on days 5-9. Then Ovidrel injection when I had a big enough follicle. On the second cycle my labs showed that I ovulated that day so they did not do IUI and recommended intercourse.
Describe your experience with your nurse at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic). (Assigned nurse: Andrea and Laura)
The nurses are all great. Responsive to messages, knowledgeable, compassionate, patient and encouraging!
Describe your experience with NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic).
NYU is organized, high tech, and although some people describe it like a “factory” I never felt like a number. It does run like a well oiled machine, but can be very crowded during the monitoring times. They do their best to accommodate your schedule, which is much appreciated.
Describe Susan Maxwell's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at NYU Langone Fertility Center (Prelude Network Clinic).
Dr. Maxwell recommends single embryo transfer.
9
Doctor
Susan Maxwell
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
4 of 5
Frequency Seen
3 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
4 of 5
Explained risks
4 of 5
Adaptability
4 of 5
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Review of
Verified
Verified

This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.

2024, Successful
NPS
10
NPS
9
Age 36
1 IVF
European
Income $500K+
Business Executive
2nd of 2 Docs
2 IUI With Other Docs
1 IVF With Other Docs
Strongly Recommends
Strongly Recommends
Successful
Review of
[Dr. Susan Maxwell] went through my years of results and showed me that she really knows her stuff...patient and thorough with me...liked her balance of being direct while also supportive and warm...one failed transfer and then a successful transfer. She used a more natural approach the first time and a bit more of a medical intervention the second time
[At Southern California Reproductive Center] later in the mornings, things get backed up and you end up waiting longer for your appointment. I recommend being one of the first appointments of the day (like 730/745)...Johanna was a wonderful presence...was always helpful and quick to response and super sweet
How was your experience with Susan Maxwell at Southern California Reproductive Center?
I switched to Dr Maxwell from another doctor that had been hard to get a hold of and wouldn’t explain to me what had gone wrong etc. Switching to her was the best decision I made. She went through my years of results and showed me that she really knows her stuff. She was patient and thorough with me and I liked her balance of being direct while also supportive and warm. She made me feel very taken care of.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Susan Maxwell at Southern California Reproductive Center?
Switch to her asap, this doctor is extremely smart and on her A game.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Susan Maxwell at Southern California Reproductive Center?
She has a great bedside manner, professional and matter of fact, while also compassionate and empathetic. She really spends time on you and thoroughly answers questions with facts
Describe the protocols Susan Maxwell used in your cycles at Southern California Reproductive Center and their degree of success.
I had completed three transfers using the kitchen sink approach with another doctor and had two miscarriages and one failed transfer. When I switched to dr Maxwell I had one failed transfer and then a successful transfer. She used a more natural approach the first time and a bit more of a medical intervention the second time (that worked I’m currently 9 weeks) but still not as many drugs as with the first doctor. I also did an embryo retrieval and a hysteroscopy with Dr Maxwell both went well.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Southern California Reproductive Center. (Assigned nurse: Johanna, but also saw Jess and Lainey quite a bit)
Johanna was a wonderful presence during my difficult journey. When I started with Dr Maxwell, she had taken on the care coordinator job from a staff member that had just left so at first I think she was new to this particular job and learning the process but she was always helpful and quick to response and super sweet even when I felt like I was asking annoying questions haha. She also did a lot of my blood draws as well and felt like my cheerleader. Lainey the ultrasound tech was always very nice and fun to talk to. Jess did a lot of my blood draws and was always helpful and supportive, Pam the office manager was always a sweetheart as well. I also liked Sam who I talked to on a few locations.
Describe your experience with Southern California Reproductive Center.
The one thing I would share is that as it gets later in the mornings, things get backed up and you end up waiting longer for your appointment. I recommend being one of the first appointments of the day (like 730/745) so you are in and out quicker and don’t have to wait. I also recommend triple checking your medication amounts with the team and the pharmacy you order from. There was a mix up in my meds and it took months to figure out which was irritating (I don’t think anyone’s fault, just an annoying occurrence)
Describe the costs associated with your care under Susan Maxwell at Southern California Reproductive Center.
I believe the costs are fairly standard in the industry but nonetheless still expensive.
Describe Susan Maxwell's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Southern California Reproductive Center.
Seemed like the clinic generally recommends a single embryo transfer. I was never recommended to do multiple.
10
Doctor
Susan Maxwell
NPS
Humanity
5 of 5
Communication
5 of 5
Frequency Seen
4 of 5
Trustworthiness
5 of 5
Compassion
5 of 5
Explained risks
5 of 5
Adaptability
5 of 5
9
Clinic
Southern California Reproductive Center
Santa Barbara
NPS
Operations
5 of 5
Scheduling
5 of 5
Billing Department
4 of 5
Nursing Staff
5 of 5
Clinic Atmosphere
5 of 5
Educational Resources
7 of 5
Review of

Learn from top medical experts

IVF - In Vitro Fertilization

The most complex fertility treatment, this course will help you do it right the first time.

Featuring experts from
Cornell, NYU, +17 more
631k
Fertility 101

You took sex ed, but now you need to understand fertility. Data to answer your questions about natural conception and diagnosing what might be wrong.

Featuring experts from
Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai, +16 more
19k
Mental Health & Fertility

Breaking down every important topic relating to mental health & fertility. We cover data around anxiety, depression, and stress as they relate to fertility & fertility outcomes. Studies on relaxation techniques & SSRI antidepressants. Tools for managing relationships with your partner, family, friends, & co-workers

Featuring experts from
Harvard, Cornell, +3 more
8k
Explore All Courses