Mary Lee Rivera Casamento MD, New York NY

I was pregnant for the first time and needed to find an OB-GYN who I could trust and feel comfortable with. I was referred to Dr. Casamento by my primary care physician (who I think is an all-star), so I trusted her recommendation. I’m so happy I went this direction. Dr. Casamento is a sweetheart, but more importantly to me, intelligent and an expert in her medical specialty.

When I first visited her office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, I appreciated the cleanliness and welcoming environment. Her assistant Michelle is personable and doesn’t miss a beat. She was so helpful throughout my entire pregnancy!

Dr. Casamento is very high energy, always first brings you into her office to go through any questions and updates pertaining to test results and discussions around what to expect in the coming weeks and then takes you in for your exam. This was a really great process for me as I always feel like I “need to know”. So I found it really comforting to have this 1 on 1 with the doctor before rushing into an exam table and going home.

Above all I’ve shared, the most important piece to this comment is the experience I had with Dr. Casamento when I went in for delivery. Dr. C truly operates as a concierge physician. She is available when you need her. While I was at the hospital she was focused on me (I didn’t feel like I was being put in a waiting queue with other birthing mothers) my doctor was there for me. Ahead of my visit to the hospital, she coordinated everything so when I arrived I walked right in and was attended to by a great group of nurses at Lennox Hill Hospital (which is where she delivers her patients). I had a long labor because I begged her to do whatever possible to deliver naturally. So we really tried every method, each time, she walked me through what would happen next, what to expect, and always validated that I was doing great throughout the process. Ultimately I ended up having to go for a c-section. As much as I feared this before going into labor, when the moment arrived, I felt safe. I truly trusted and still trust her. Fast forwarding to now. I am 3 months postpartum and my c-section scar is truly impressive.

Dr. Casamento is amazing. She is wise, caring and super talented. I wouldn’t think twice in trusting her again should I be pregnant again in the future.

Dr Rivera is amazing! She is a very thorough Doctor. I had my first baby with her and the experience couldn’t be better. She made
sure me and the baby were always safe and healthy.

I have been Dr. Mary Lee Rivera Casamento’s patient for many years and have always found her to be very knowledgeable, compassionate, and easy to talk to. Everything you would want and hope for in a doctor-patient relationship can be found with her and her practice. Her office manager, Michelle, also a gem, always pleasant, efficient, and helpful.

Dr. Rivera Casamento is in a class all by herself. All doctors visits are nerve racking especially those as delicate as an OB/GYN - She immediately makes you feel comfortable and at ease because she is such a warm and kind person. She is very patient, knowledgeable in her field and takes her time explaining everything and answering any questions or concerns you may have. Her experience (over 20 years as an gynecologist and obstetrician) makes her an expert. Her staff (Michelle) is very professional and friendly. Dr. Rivera Casamento is truly a professional and a very skillful doctor. I am a very loyal patience and went to her as a second opinion. 12 years later she is my primary doctor and blessed she was there to deliver my healthy twins. I strongly recommend Dr. Rivera Casamento to anyone who wants not only the best for themselves but for their family and friends.

Almost 39 weeks into my second pregnancy I found myself wanting to write a THANK YOU to Dr. Rivera Casamento.
If you are seeking excellent service, care and all around attentiveness; Welcome home. I found myself in her waiting room accompanying my mother for an appointment. I was coincidentally 6 weeks pregnant with my first child. The doctors demeanor, office manager (Michelle) and the fact that she is one of the very few doctors that is willing to deliver unscheduled births (As in non scheduled C-section or induction) made me want to work with her. In a world of rotating doctors groups this is HUGE. I knew she would personally be delivering my child. As a first time mom my husband and I were educated on tests and processes that were to be expected and everything flowed beautifully. The doctor has an open door/ phone policy and made both my husband and I feel secure. As I gear up for my second unscheduled birth I can not recommend her enough.

Dr. Rivera feels like family to me. She delivered 2 happy, healthy babies via c-section and I am forever grateful for her expert care, loving attention, and safe guidance throughout the entire process. My first born was a very high risk pregnancy and I couldn't imagine going through that with any other physician. When I was admitted to the hospital at 32 weeks, she constantly checked on me in person and via text while she was on vacation, and was there on d-day with a smile on her face and calm, steady demeanor you would hope to see in a surgeon.

My c-section scar healed beautifully and recovery was quick and painless with both children. It was as if nothing happened by day 10 with my first and I was up and walking comfortably on day 3 with my second.

She also approaches the prenatal journey with the perfect balance. She lays out all of the medical facts - she's as thorough as they get - and makes suggestions for how things should go, but allows you to be in the driver's seat as well. I never felt bulldozed or forced to do anything against my wishes. She supported my desire to try VBAC with my second child and never once pressured me otherwise. She also gave us ample time each visit to ask every question imaginable before she conducted my exams. I can only assume this is one of the key benefits you get with a single practitioner.

I can't sing her praises enough.

Wonderful! My favorite part of my relationship with Dr. Casamento is that she leaves no stone uncovered. I have been a patient of Dr. Casamento for 14 years. I enjoy the fact her office is small and she is reachable. I have left my prior practice because it was not personal enough for me, I call Dr. Casamento office, speak to Michelle and I know things get done, not waiting. I had two very healthy pregnancy with Dr. Casamento. However, it could have been different. Dr. Casamento was always thorough, and made sure I had my tests done, and because of this with my first pregnancy my platelet were going down, I have always had lower end platelets, the danger is if she would have not caught it I could have hemorrhage. Which is interesting because my Mom hemorrhage with my birth. She had me see a hematologist, it turns out I learned something new, my platelets clump and that when diagnostic run test they use a common variable, therefore not an accurate reading. Dr. Casamento takes her time to review your medical history, family history, asks the question if there has been changes in your lifestyle that can be contributing to changes in your health. There is one thing to read results on test, but a caring, smart doctor wants to help you understand why and how, next steps and be proactive about being preventative. This was the case after my pregnancies when she saw spikes in my liver enzymes and made sure I saw a liver specialist to address the issue. If you want a doctor who is dedicated to your health, where you can work together, have an open conversation where there is a game plan, Dr. Casamento is that Doctor. I want to stress doctor and patient relation is a personal relation where both parties have to communicate and work together. At the end of the day as a patient you are your own advocate, and it bring peace of mind when you have a Doctor who empowers, supports your advocacy, Dr. Casamento has always been that Doctor for me. Complete sidenote- my husband never missed one of our pregnancies appointments for our two children, when we decided that two children completed our family. My husband turned to me and said I am going to miss going to the appointments, Dr. Casamento really made me understand and be part of the pregnancies vs.getting your playback, I ended up with my own experience and appreciation of our children births.

FIND ANOTHER PRACTICE. The equipment is outdated. They do not have the resources to do bloodwork (you will be sent somewhere else for routine testing), the ultra sound machine is archaic (how crummy to not get good visuals!) and Dr. Mary Lee Rivera Casamento is extremely un-organized.

There were too many negatives that were either drastically affecting my pre-natal experience or could have been detrimental to my un-born child.

The doctor and her staff of 1 person seem to be nice people, but the bottom line is you can do better. Find an office that is more up to date, with better equipment, necessary resources for ALL the tests you need done and a less dis-organized doctor who will take a minute to scan your chart before you are seen and be prepared for your visit.

Here are a few examples of what made my experience less than optimal:

• Information about the necessity surrounding vital routine bloodwork was not disclosed. I was asked to visit LapCorp “at my convenience” to have my blood tested. This office does not have the resources for routine testing. Very inconvenient. I was tested on site, day 1, with my new OBGYN and alerted to vital information about my very rare blood type that could have been detrimental to my unborn child. Why would you go anywhere that could not address this immediately?
• The ultra sound machine is archaic, which I didn’t realize until I found a better doctor, operating out of modern, up-to-date facilities. The quality of the experience and the imaging is horrible! A real bummer, especially for a first-time mom wanting to make the most out of her experience.
• Dr. Rivera-Casamento is dis-organized, forgets you and your medical needs, and you’re always waiting. Here are a few examples: 1) I had explained that I had vacationed in Brazil within the calendar year. She was alarmed; said she would need to pay special attention to the growing fetus and take exta measure to ensure I didn’t have Zika. On subsequent visits, this was never referenced again. No extra measures were taken. I was confident that I didn’t have Zika, but the point is that she forgot. 2) Upon arriving I would be received by the doctor with “Okay so uhhh remind me what you’re here for today” She always forgot who I was, the status of my term and why I was there.
• The pre-natal process is poorly communicated and dis-organized. There are literally dozens of tests and appointments that need to be made at very specific points in time during your term. Dr. Rivera-Casamento speed through these verbally at the first meeting. I had to stay after my appointment and review everything AGAIN with the office assistant. Other doctors provide expectant moms with a check list: Week 6 – have this test. Week 10 - book this appointment. Week 12 – do this etc. This is essential.
• Taking my blood was a nightmare. I have NEVER had issues getting my blood drawn. In fact, nurses have commented at how obvious and easy it is to draw from the large vein in my right arm. Dr. Rivera-Casamento stabbed my arm several times in different places, dug the needle around under my skin – I was told to “just be patient. ” She said this was “typical” to have to dig around and search for an entry point. We LITERALLY had to take a break, so I could lie down because I was dizzy. She asked if I had eaten breakfast. I told her I hadn’t had much that morning, but I did eat something. She blamed my dizziness on the lack of food in my system. That was not the reason. I was fine. The next day my arm was bruised, and I had literal puncture wounds from the multiple times she went at it.

Please note – I saw this doctor several times from weeks 6-12 of my pregnancy. During my time with Dr. Rivera-Casamento an initial ultrasound was conducted, a pap smear was taken, all genetic testing and Maternity 21 were completed, and I had a nuchal scan at her direction. There were several appointments and significant correspondence that occurred, which I formulated the above feedback from.