Heights Dermatology and Laser — Local services in New York

Dr. David Avram has been my dermatologist for 18 years. The first 14 years were good, I was happy with him. About 3-4 years ago I noticed a deterioration in his bedside manners. I had a burn 3-4 years ago, he saw me and told me to come again on a certain day and time. When I came back on time (never late) I wasn't seen for an hour, which was unusual. I inquired at the front desk, and 15 minutes later he saw me - he entered the room and asked me abruptly "What do you want?!" I was shocked and told him he wanted to see me today at this hour. He forgot, apparently. He collected himself, did not apologize and did the wound cleaning. I only made a mental note of the incident at the time.

More recently I had a recurring wart that required repeat treatments every few weeks. Dr. David Avram eventually seemed to become fed up with my wart, though it made me a frequent flier at his office, and implied that maybe I could take care of it myself (?) My frame of reference of the quality of the simple wart freezing he gave me is how another dermatologist treated it later, because I had to go to someone else eventually - Dr. David Avram was brutal and impatient. The other dermatologist was more gentle, did it in 5 minutes instead of 2 and unlike Dr. David Avram did not cause it to bleed, which makes a difference for the likelihood of a recurrence. Wart management can be done by an assistant, and if the dermatologist does not like doing it he can train an assistant.

Lastly, I had a rash that got infected. Dr. David Avram could not diagnose the rash itself and suggested it may be herpetic, which is absurd based on several aspects.

I was eventually told what I suspected all along, which was that the dermatologists in this practice specialize in Cosmetic Dermatology. That is a tricky issue. As an MD I know that partners and doctors employed by a practice are pressured to do procedures that bring more income to the practice, that is true everywhere. My insurance pays about $60 for a visit, including my copay (though wart treatment is considered a surgical procedure and they charge more than double for that, not bad for 5 minutes). Cosmetic procedures bring in more than 100 times more. But if they feel they reached the point where it's beneath them to spend any time on $60 - $130 procedures they can refuse to take any commercial insurance. I suppose the stream of regular patients provides a source of patients for expensive cosmetic procedures. It is unacceptable that a practice bills itself as DERMATOLOGY and laser, whereas they really want only the...

Dr. Avram has been my doctor for more than two decades. Throughout these years, he has treated me for a variety of dermatological conditions and in every case -- without exception -- I came away with results that I felt could not have been better. His main care for me was cosmetic and in that -- his primary advertised expertise -- I can say that he changed my life. It was genuinely transformative. His work gave me a new look and, consequently, such a positive outlook on my being in the world that I say point blank that becoming his patient was one of the best choices I have made in my life. I recommend Dr. Avram -- and his truly outstanding team (many of whom have stayed with him for as long as I have, which also tells a lot) -- to anyone who would want the best hair and skin treatment to be had in...

If you're looking around for dermatologists -- maybe new to the area, or needing to switch from your current provider -- I would just book this. The staff is great, professional, transparent, and on it. Price-wise, you may pay a little more than a larger office, service dependent, but I think it's entirely worth it. I came in for a basic skin check ... then asked about Botox ... they were able to consult with me and provide the service on the spot. I had a vasovagal response to the injection itself (not the Botox, I'm not good with needles), and they knew exactly what to do. The fact that this is a doctor's office made me feel 10x more comfortable than if I was at a MedSpa. Nurse in training...