Dr. Karen A. Finkelstein, MD

I had a horrible experience with Ice Queen Karen A. Finkelstein.After removing my uterus, she said I needed chemo and radiation, she never looked in to my eyes while talking, rushing through telling me these horrible news, the woman has no heart, cold as ice, was like being in the presence of a robot, when I ask for more information she told her nurse assistant to write on the computer ( they both never looked at me, just the computer), that I refuse treatment, I said wait, I never said that, stop putting words on your computer I never said, how can anyone make such a huge decision in less than 5 minutes after a doctor tell you something this serious? Them she told me “I have other patients to see”, rush out, told a nurse to take me to the chemo room to explain what was going to happen next, an incision to put a port under my chest for the chemo. I was in shock, I clearly said I need to think longer about such an important step, they did not care, calling me daily at my number and telling me to start chemo. So luckily my family lives in Europe, where I could go to Swiss and check if her info made sense. To make this short I end up having no cancer whatsoever in my body, she was going to kill my immune system with chemo for what she calls protocol. Luckily I choose death over Chemo and protocol, I am very healthy after two years of her nightmare diagnosis, I am wondering how many other women do not need chemo and end up doing it, and destroying their health. Is a very sad situation with doctors that do not have the whole picture clear, and use the word protocol to inject a poison like chemo, what kind of school teach then that ? I am asking myself. Is also very sad they have no time to talk to you, and this particular doctor has no human skills talking to human patients , no compassion, just cold ice inhuman communication, and as fast as she can. I am lucky I now live in Europe, a much better health care system.So please be so careful before you agree with treatment, check at least other 3 doctors. If you can afford go to Swiss, they are top. Health care seems to be so behind on prevention of unnecessary treatments , in the US, I had to ask myself many times, is it all about money these doctors care? Very sad way to treat other humans and their loved ones, what about if the chemo is what end up killing the person like me, who had NO disease in her body? Obviously each person must make their own decision, just think carefully please.

One of the worst physician experiences Ive ever had. It would take entirely too long and Im sure a bazillion more characters than would be allowed, to explain my awful experience with Dr. Finkelstein. I had a hysterectomy in July of 2023 and was sent home in the worst pain Ive ever been in after a surgery. The nurses seemed concerned but the Dr never came to the room post op. I woke up feeling something was wrong which was apparent by the literal screaming pain I was in, and after a 3 hour drive home and almost a week of trying to recover, my pain turned even more severe and I went to my local ER and was admitted due to a post op infection.Dr. Finkelstein has a cold and uncaring bedside manner, she didnt listen to my complaints about pain in the initial appointment or any follow up appointments. I was completely dismissed when making my wishes for the surgery known, and left with an organ that is dysfunctional and I will have to have another surgery to remove. I thought I had made the right choice by choosing the best doctor in the state but I was severely mistaken and my life has never been the same since. I would love to tell her this, but she referred me to another surgeon after the infection and I have been unable to get an appointment. Please do not trust this surgeon!!

My care has been EXTRAORDINARY!Only one wee comment.You’ll find the on-call doctors quite thorough! They access your chart remotely after hours.👉 MEDS ARE CALLED to the PHARMACY listed in your chart. Be sure you tell the docs you WANT to use AN ALTERNATE PHARMACY; the pharmacy name, & location. How else will they know? 🫦Thank you ALL!👏👏👏👏🥰

My mom has been a patient for over 6 years after being high risk for ovarian and uterine cancer. She is a good doctor and recommended taking the ovaries and was pushy with my mom about that since 2016 and my mom finally decided to do the surgery and elected to have a hysterectomy. Meeting Dr. Finklestein at the pre op room she was very rushed and her attitude was cold. She does not have good bedside manner. The nurses and anesthesiologist had more compassion and care than she did. When the operation was complete she called me and very rushed told me it had been completed. A 25 second call. Maybe the other surgeon in this office is more compassionate towards the patients and their families.

I would not recommend getting a hysterectomy/surgery by Dr. Finkelstein, especially if you have a large uterus with fibroids. I was scheduled/planned for a minimally invasive robotic hysterectomy to remove my large 5 month pregnant sized uterus with 15 fibroids. Everybody involved with my medical care, including Dr. Finkelstein knew before surgery of my long documented history with fibroids and that I had a large 20+ cm uterus size with at least 15 fibroids (according to my latest/recent pelvic MRI). The outcome of my surgery was I received the 5 robotic smaller incisions and 1 large nearly 7 inch C-section type incision. My surgery was not completed as planned/scheduled in a minimally invasive way once a large 7 inch incision was made to remove my uterus/fibroids/cervix/tubes. Dr. Finkelstein apparently failed to notify Lovelace Womens hospital of the invasive outcome of my surgery. Dr. Finkelstein didnt have the hospital keep me inpatient like other doctors would have done, once the surgery turned invasive with a large incision like I received, it is no longer considered a minimally invasive day surgery. I was then released from the hospital in less then 2 hours after my invasive surgery/hysterectomy was completed. Dr. Finkelstein also wrote in my post surgical report that the incision to deliver the uterus/specimen is a mini-laparotomy (which the medical community considers a mini-laparotomy as measuring somewhere around a 5cm/2inch incision). I received a 7 inch Laparotomy (not a mini-lap), consistent with an old school traditional open abdominal/pelvic hysterectomy or a large C-section incision and women are normally kept 1-3 nights in the hospital for proper pain management and to be monitored by trained medical professionals. This surgery/hysterectomy has been a life changing, terrible surgery experience that has been extremely challenging both physically and mentally. I thought I did everything right before surgery, researching for highly skilled surgeons/doctors in NM, Dr. Finkelstein is considered/labelled as a double master skilled surgeon in both minimally invasive gynecological/robotic surgery and has other impressive credentials on paper with 25+ years experience as a doctor. My personal hysterectomy surgery experience was a nightmare. A doctor should always be honest and upfront both before surgery and after surgery, patients deserve this.The other medical staff at Southwest Onco/Gyno have been overall caring/helpful and I do truly appreciate the other medical staff at the practice. In the past at Southwest Onco/Gyno office I have seen Dr. Victoria Garcia and Dr. Molly Carroll, they were both wonderful thorough doctors, they sadly no longer work at the practice anymore.

Dr. Finkelstein is a dedicated and compassionate physician. She always takes time to listen and discuss treatment thoroughly, and has been kind and responsive during the few panicky calls I’ve made to her cell phone, which she generously provides to her patients. I’m on my third go-round of stage IV cancer, and she’s been strong for me when I couldn’t always be strong for myself. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention her excellent support staff, a truly great group of folks. I would strongly recommend her to anyone who is coping with gynecological cancer and wants decisive and informed treatment.

Dr. Finkelstein and her whole staff are dedicated to providing the best care. A tissue biopsy came back negative but thankfully Dr Finkelstein still felt like a quick surgery to remove the spot was necessary. That tissue came back positive and resulted in a more aggressive surgery. I appreciate everything she does for her patients!! More than she knows...

Dr. Finkelstein is the reason Im still here. From my first appointment she made the right decisions about my care. She listens and takes the time to make sure I understand every aspect. Everyone on her staff is helpful and supportive. They treat us like family. Were very grateful for them.

Dr Finkelstein was overly aggressive with chemo for my mother. She treats studies, not patients. I had read a review online stating this prior to the initial appointment and also was warned by the general surgeon of her overly aggressive treatment but, regretfully, we were impressed by her intellect and assumed that wouldn’t happen to our family, who has extensive experience in the medical field.Sadly, my mother died of kidney failure due to chemo toxicity when no measurable cancer was in her body. Dr Finkelstein’s subsequent “sympathetic” behavior appeared to be an attempt to avoid being sued for malpractice. Then she didn’t put the appropriate cause of death on the death certificate, she put cancer. Dr Finkelstein said she was “in remission”. If oncologists don’t put organ failure due to chemo toxicity, then some “studies” and certainly statistics aren’t accurate. There are other oncologists who successfully treat cancer patients with chemo by focusing on lab results and symptoms, rather than primarily focusing on studies. Even when we voiced our concerns about the poor kidney function lab results, her response, that still haunts me, was, “but studies show....” We really believed she was better than that....but we were obviously wrong.

Falsely diagnosed me with cancer stage 4, without ever sending a biopsy. After the 1st biopsy came back negative, still sat my family down and said I needed radiation that I have cancer. I lost my job, and became homeless with 4 more false biopsies. Of which she then said shes not my doctor anymore she doesnt know what I had and refused to sign anymore disability paperwork so I could feed myself or my children. Upon getting a clear from Rheumatologist, her office calls me months after seeing her saying she wants to see me. I go in and she wants to do a radical hysterectomy. Why? Whats my diagnosis you ask? No one still knows after 9mos. Reason to get insurance to pay her, heavy bleeding and possible cancer. Of which she tested my organ for right after surgery, although we already knew the answer 4x! Im left now with still no job, no disability, no place to live, my last family member died year before, 4 holes in my abdomen where she said would only be 2, 4 radiology tattoos and wondering where the hell any sort of justice or physicians are to find out what I have! Not to mention the fact clear on PET scan (2x) that activity is around my heart and chest and throat, yet not one doctor has evaluated it.

Dr. Finkelstein is the most amazing Doctor I have ever had. She is caring and always takes the time to make sure that all of your questions are answered. She is fantastic, I cannot express how thankful I am to have her as my oncologist. Thank you Doctor for all that you do! 10 Stars

I give a shout out to Karen Finklestein and her crew, office workers and all involved in the process of caring for their patients!! I just celebrated my 5th year of being cancer free and pray for many more years to come. I would highly reccomend Dr Finklestein and crew for all your needs!! Thank You!!! ⚘

This woman has no empathy and speaks to patients and family members like a robot. She is absent most of the time and you will not hear from her until its time to try a new study!! Wow!then she is super motivated and excited Consider other options people there has to be better options than this.

Dr. Finkelstein is a fantastic doctor and surgeon. Ive been cancer free for 9 years thanks to her.

Dr. Finkelstein is an amazing doc I love her the whole staff is great they know everything about me n my family heck they r my extended family when I went in I was so scared but she reassured me that surgery was last resort thank God he made her n everyone there I love them all what can I say I was referred to the best 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

I had a terrible experience with my hysterectomy and a follow up appointment. You would think a woman would be more sensitive and thorough in explaining things.

Outstanding care, surgical staff, bedside manor. Dr Finklestien and her office staff took excellent care of my mother.

Cant say enough about her proactive view on cancer! Lives are and will be saved.

Always kind and helpful.