David M. Whitehead

I’ve never been treated with such disrespect from a doctor and hospital system. Everywhere there are signs telling visitors to ask questions, so I did, but each one said that I have to ask the doctor. It felt like I was caught in a customer care loop that never gives you want you want. My kid is having GAP surgery. Whitehead comes into the cubicle and engages with me, interrupting what I was reading, actually. I gave him my attention and asked if Talia would need homecare. From that moment on he treated me like he was a sour, angry robot, he spoke like he was reading from a script, truly robotic, with statements like “that isn’t an appropriate question.” Why is asking if you have a GAP program and how to apply and if homecare will be needed inappropriate questions? We’re talking about a five-hour surgery on my child. Is there no time to answer a few questions without him doing the doctor version “I’m a master of the universe” and impress that he is pulling rank me at the same time? He needs an emotional intelligence coach. I know this can’t be the first time he has disrespected a patient, family member, or colleague. I shutter thinking of having him in my day on a regular basis. He may be a fabulous surgeon and I applaud him for that, but being civil to a parent of an adult child who is about to go under the knife is just not that hard. It really isn’t, and Northwell should pay attention to this one and the complaints. I won’t be looking to get care when I need it from Northwell going forward. A healthcare system that doesn’t control its rude doctors is not for me.

Pick another surgeon is my recommendation. Whitehead needs to grow up and get over himself. No, you are NOT a master of the universe, you’re just a rude doctor, a stereotype. You’re a surgeon, supposedly doing no harm. Definitely, a FAIL.

I saw Dr. Whitehead for a FTM top surgery consult. When I asked them if I could have any say over what my surgery results would look like (scar placement, nipple size, etc), they said "No, it's up to whoever my assistant is on the day of surgery". So I asked what can I expect my results to look like and they replied, "I don't know, whatever you see in the results photos". They then proceeded to critique their other patients' results in front of me. Definitely not someone I would trust to perform surgery on me.

This user rated the provider, but did not write a review

I am a transman and had my top surgery done by Dr. Whitehead almost 2 years ago. I had a very large chest and was extremely nervous for my surgery. Dr. Whitehead was patient, properly responded to every single one of my concerns and expressed nothing but a positivity and confidence with his work. My chest came out better than I have ever expected. I highly recommend Dr. Whitehead. His professionalism, perfectionism and precision is well noted. I am a transman and had my top surgery done by Dr. Whitehead almost 2 years ago. I had a very large chest and was extremely nervous for my surgery. Dr. Whitehead was patient, properly responded to every single one of my concerns and … More

Dr. Whitehead is amazing!