NEW YORK

BRONX
Rodika Coloka-Kump, D.O. 
	530 West 236 Street 
	Bronx, N.Y. 10463
	718-548-4560
	I have a GP who is entirely prepared to believe my blood
	pressure and not make speeches about my weight (110/70, 190 lbs;
	13 stone 8 for my UK friends). It probably helps that I've been
	seeing her for several years, so she now has a chart that shows
	that my weight is stable and my blood pressure is consistently
	good. They do weigh me, routinely, but the only thing they do
	with the number is record it in my chart. I think that if there
	were a major change in my weight from one visit to the next, the
	doctor would say something. She shares her practice with another
	doctor, Osama Sayegh M.D., who I find generally brusquer, and
	hence who I see only if it's urgent and she's not in that day,
	but I haven't had problems with him related to weight either.
	Which means that, at a minimum, he has the sense to realize that
	you don't lecture someone about weight loss while treating
	pneumonia. (They also have an office in Yonkers, N.Y., and
	sometimes when I call I'm asked whether I'm a Bronx or a Yonkers
	patient.) -- Vicki Rosenzweig

BUFFALO
Kent Crickard, Reproductive Endocrinologist
	219 Bryant Street
	(Children's Hospital)
	Buffalo, NY 14222
	(716) 878-9821
	This Dr is not only fat-friendly, he is one of the smartest,
	kindest, gentlest doctors around.  He does not make weight an
	issue AT ALL when dealing with infertility (even with PCO), and
	acknowledges without prompting that weight loss is a slow and
	highly difficult process. Realizing the non-efficacy of dieting,
	he treated me with the same protocols he uses with all his other
	patients, and I am a super-sized BBW(!!) As a sidebar, he gave
	me a completely pain-free HSG. I  have since moved from Buffalo,
	but drive 1.5 hrs each way to stay with Dr. Crickard's practice.
	-- Marie (fordmoco@aol.com)
	http://members.aol.com/fordmoco/index.htm

Carmen M. Todoro, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology
	Depew, Ny (A suburb of Buffalo, NY)
	(716) 656-2200
	Dr. Todoro is the best OB out there, I had a lot of medical
	issues with my first son. Most doctors would have assumed they
	were due to my weight (260, and 5'5), but Dr. Todoro did not.
	Even his nursing staff was amazing.  My bp was constantly high,
	and I was sick all the time.  Instead of harrassing me about
	weight, he sent me to specialists trying to figure out the true
	cause.  It turns out I was preeclamptic; it had developed into
	H.E.L.L.P and thanks to the fast acting staff and doc, I was
	rushed into the hospital and my son was delivered safely. He is
	nice, funny and a great guy.  I'm a military spouse so sadly I
	had to move away from him, but for my second child I am actually
	considering flying back to NY just so he can deliver my next.
	-- Angela Zych, animegrl1984@gmail.com

CROTON-ON-HUDSON
Patricia Boggio 
Registered Dietetic Technician, Certified Holistic Health Counselor
	StoneWater Sanctuary
	525 Albany Post Road
	Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
	914-788-9844 ext.:108
	Self-referred
	Private counseling on the non-diet approach to health as well as
	a HUGS for better health facilitator.

DEPEW
See entry for Carmen M. Todoro, M.D., under Buffalo.

GARDEN CITY
Jennifer Hanauer, OB/GYN
	394 Old Country Road
	Garden City, NY 11530
	(516) 742-9642
	While I've only visited her once, I am confident in saying that
	Dr. Hanauer is a truly caring and kind practioner. She took the
	time to do my history with me in her office *before* the exam,
	instead of me filling out pages and pages of history in the
	waiting room. She herself is a bit fat, but I don't suspect that
	necessarily contributes to her outlook on patient care. Because
	I am on the pill, we talked about smoking, and how quitting
	relates to weight, and she was open and realistic. As for
	weight, she basically expressed that everyone is different and
	does things in their own time - including herself! I was not
	pressured at all about either. In fact, I felt absolutely
	supported and cared for. - DerelictDaughter11, New York

MACEDON
Mary Coan, PhD, MD, Family Medicine
	Gananda Family Practice
	1200 Fairway Seven
	Macedon, New York  14502*
	Note: Macedon is near Rochester, NY
	(315) 359-2830
	Dr. Coan totally supports the concept of taking care of me & my
	body as I am now. My weight/size come up matter-of-factly as a
	factor when appropriate, *with no reference to weight loss.*
	There are wide chairs in the waiting room and some of the exam
	rooms, and the Xenical BMI chart has disappeared from her half
	of the office. She is learning about Health at Every Size
	(HAES), and about energy/vibrational medicine. She's smart, very
	approachable, and not stuck in the traditional Cartesian medical
	model. There are lots of docs much closer to my home, but being
	cared for by Dr. Coan is worth every mile of my 20-to-30 minute
	drive. -- "coach anne", AmpleAliveness, http://AmpleAliveness.com 

MINEOLA
Gabriel San Roman, Reproductive Endocrinologist
        200 Old Country Rd
        Mineola, NY
        (516) 739-2100
                and
        2500 Nesconcet Highway, Blg. 19
        Stony Brook, New York
        (631) 246-9100
        Dr. San Roman has never, ever mentioned my weight as an issue
        and I was 5'11" weighing over 300 pounds.  He is supportive and
        caring.  I did 2 IVF tries with him.  He supplied hospital gowns
        that were very roomy and I never felt I was too large for any of
        my treatments.  I have seen women bigger than I in the office. 
        His staff is wonderful and caring as well.  The only time that
        weight was brought up was when I brought it up and his comment
        was "There are women bigger than you having babies everyday.
        Your weight is not an issue."  He has many associates in his
        practice, and not one of them has mentioned my weight as a
        factor either.  I would highly recommend this practice as being
        fat friendly. -- K.D. in New York.

NEW YORK CITY
Body Love Wellness (Golda Poretsky, HHC (Holistic Health Counselor))
	New York City, NY
	email: bodylovewellness@yahoo.com 
	web: http://www.myspace.com/bodylovewellness
	Self-referred.
	We at Body Love Wellness believe that optimum health and
	well-being is possible whether you're a size 4 or 34. We are
	committed to giving you the tools to feel your best through
	healthy eating, fun body movement, and all other types of self
	care.

Jennifer Davidson, C.S.W., Psychotherapist
	19 West 34th Street
	New York, NY 10001
	212-947-7111 X160
	She gives great advice and encouragement about keeping life
	balanced, and accepting myself for who I am.  It's so hard in
	NYC to be overweight with everyone being so conscious about
	looks and fashion.  She won't let me beat myself up over my
	weight.  We talk realistically about my work toward my body
	goals.  She has personal experience with weight and body issues
	and really understands the struggle.  She's got a great sense of
	humor and it is calming to talk to her.  She is awesome! --
	Angela in NYC

Megan Davidson, PhD, Doula 
	Professionally Trained Labor & Postpartum Doula
	Breastfeeding & Babywearing Support and Education
	917-627-6727
	http://brooklyn-doula.com
	http://BrooklynDoula.vox.com
	brooklyndoula@gmail.com
	Self-referred.
	I am a doula (both a birth assistant and I offer postpartum
	services) and I work with all women, offering non-judgmental
	support through pregnancy, birth, and the transition to
	motherhood (either for the first time or again). I live in
	Brooklyn but I serve all of New York City.

Downtown Women Ob-Gyn Associates
Shelley Kolton, OB/GYN
	568 Broadway, Suite 304
	New York City, NY 
	http://www.downtownwomenobgyn.com/
	On the intake forms you fill out at your first visit there is a
	question that says "Are you comfortable with your present body
	weight?" If you say yes they will never ever bring it up. They
	also have large sized hospital gowns and I have never had a
	problem with them blaming my size for any problems or
	difficulties in examinations
	Initial submission by Shira E. Stone, updated Feb 08 by Stef

Lynn Friedman, M.D., OB/Gyn
	New York, NY (Manhattan)
	(212) 737-3282
	First of all, she's a great gynecologist.  Skillful, well-
	informed, personable, takes the time to talk to you and listen
	to you, admits what she doesn't know and finds out, returns
	phone calls promptly, etc. As to fat-friendly: she absolutely
	does not bring it up if it's not relevant to a medical problem.
	She recognizes that I can be (and am) fit while still being fat.
	It's just not an issue. The staff is also very professional.  I
	am always presented with a gown big enough to cover me and an
	appropriately-sized blood pressure cuff, without being made to
	feel that this is anything to be ashamed of. They accept if you
	say you do not want to be weighed and remember it on future
	visits -- again, without  any suggestion that there is anything
	wrong or unusual about this. The only problem -- she doesn't
	take my insurance and is pretty expensive.  I don't know what
	insurance she does take, if any. However, they are very good
	about helping you with your insurance forms.
	Listed Feb 08

Walter Futterweit, Endocrinology & Metabolism
	1172 Park Avenue (at 93rd Street)
	212-876-6400
	Dr. F treats women with PCO and other endocrine problems that
	can contribute to fat. While being weighed is mandatory and his
	office is NYC small, there is a large bench and NEVER EVER have
	I heard one judgmental comment about my size. Never has my diet
	been questionned unless I brought it up. Never was I talked to
	like I was stupid because I am heavy. He is wonderful with
	endocrine problems. Very intelligent and LISTENS!!! -- B.N. in
	NYC
	DISSENTING VIEW
	I knew in advance that Dr. Futterweit doesn't take any
	insurance. He charged me $900 for the first visit. My insurance
	does cover lab tests but he didn't want to be bothered so I had
	to get prescriptions for all the tests and go to the lab
	directly. He scheduled me for a test at the hospital that would
	be covered by my insurance but his office didn't get prior
	approval. So I traveled to the hospital for nothing. At the
	hospital, the insurance company would have approved the test if
	they could have reached Dr. Futterweit, but they could not. Then
	his office was very rude saying that I knew they don't take
	insurance! When I went back to him to get my results re:PCOS,
	etc, he didn't have a clue as to what was wrong with me and
	wanted to "think about it" and I should come back. -- Jane aka
	Janette k2jan @ nyc.rr.com

Kathryn Faughey, Psychologist
	E. 79th Street & 1st Avenue
	NYC
	212-861-1836
	This doctor has had fat problems herself. She specializes in
	infertility counseling, also having been thru it herself. She
	does ALL sorts of counseling though and is very intelligent
	Spacious waiting room and she is very friendly open and
	compassionate. I would highly recommend her. -- B.N. in NYC

August A Feola, internist, general practitioner
	Brooklyn, New York (Canarsie area)
	718 531-5111
	I have been going to Dr Feola for more years than I can count.
	My weight was never a factor in my health care!  Dr Feola is a
	large man himself so he knows the challenges of being large.  I
	was never told that "I have a cold because I am fat!!"  I think
	that most large people understand that remark!!  He is caring
	and personable--and more important--a great doctor! Even his
	office help are great!  He takes a lot of different insurance
	coverage--has office hours every day--is available in
	emergencies--is connected to Beth Israel Hospital in Brooklyn
	NY. -- Diane D in Brooklyn NY (painprncis@aol.com)

Ruben Garcia-Carrasquillo, M.D., gastroenterology
	NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital
	Listed Feb 08

Lesbian and Gay Community Center health clinic
	13th and 7th, Manhattan 
	Several large and supersize women I know have gone to the
	clinic. They have all had very positive experiences and have not
	been lectured to at all about their size. The FLAB group that
	meets there donated a large sized hospital gown to them so that
	they could become even more friendly. 
	-- Shira E. Stone (sestone@phoenix.Princeton.EDU)

Angelo L. Magno, M.D. - General Practitioner
	Brooklyn, New York 
	718-832-3200
	Dr. Magno is a very kind and patient doctor who never ever makes
	people feel bad for being overweight.  In fact, the only time he
	will mention dieting is when the patient initiates the
	discussion, and even then, he is supportive and never
	judgemental.   When he is asked for an opinion on which eating
	plan he endorses, he will give it - but he will never ever push
	his ideas on anyone. His staff is very kind as well and if one
	does not want to get weighed, the issue is not forced.  He does
	not utilize examination gowns. He does have one large size blood
	pressure cuff. Judging by the number of larger folks that I see
	as fellow patients in his waiting room, I am sure that they,
	too, feel unthreatened by this wonderful and gentle doctor.

Robert McConnell, M.D., endocrinology 
	NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital
	(212) 305-5579. 
	He has been my thyroid doctor since 1985 and he always treats me
	with respect.
	Listed Feb 08

Elizabeth Newton, nurse practitioner
	Downtown Women OB-GYN Associates
	568 Broadway, Suite 304
	New York, NY 10012
	T.  212-966-7600
	F. 212-925-8736
	www.downtownwomenobgyn.com
	I was very happy with her. She never brought up my weight and
	they did have gowns up to about a size 4x. I asked if she wanted
	to be listed on this list and she said sure -- I'll see anyone!
	The exam rooms are a bit small but not horrid. -- Leah Strock, FNP

Laurence Orbuch M.D. FACOG - OB/GYN
	229 East 79th Street
	New York N.Y.
	Tel. 212-717-6040
	Self-referred.
	Dr. Orbuch is a Gynecologist in private practice in Manhattan
	and is very accomodating and welcomes women of all sizes in his
	practice.

Zev Rosenwaks, infertility specialist 
	Cornell Center for Reproductive Technology
	New York City (Manhattan)
	212 746 1743
	My weight (5'4" and 225 when I started treatment) was never
	discussed. I have also seen heavier clients in the waiting room.
	As a bonus, he's an excellent provider, probably one of the best
	in the country. -- Patricia K. Tessler

Lora Sasiela, CSW, BCD ~ psychotherapy
	80 East 11th Street, Suite 508 
	New York, NY  10003
	212-844-0386
	and
	13 West River Road 
	Rumson, NJ  07760 
	848.218.6381
	lorasasiela@gmail.com
	Self-referred.
	Specializing in eating and body image concerns, I work from a
	feminist, anti-diet approach based on the philosophy espoused in
	Susie Orbach's Fat is a Feminist Issue. Trained at a
	postgraduate psychoanalytic institute founded by Ms. Orbach, the
	Women's Therapy Centre Institute, my treatment model involves
	working with clients to help them gain a more comfortable and
	nurturing relationship with food and their body. Individual and
	group modalities are available. Please feel free to contact me
	for more information or to schedule a consultation.  

Thazin Saw / General Practitioner
	349 Henry Street
	Brooklyn, New York
	718-780-1473
	I have been going to Dr. Saw for years, so has my mom and her
	sisters. Dr. Saw knows my weight but also knows that I am
	healthy. When I asked about bariatric surgery a few years ago
	she lectured me on the risks of the surgery and would not even
	recommend a doctor for me for which I am now thankful. She told
	me and I quote, "you are a healthy, young, beautiful woman, why
	would you want to risk your life?" She then put me in touch with
	a patient of hers who had undergone the surgery and regretted
	it. After inquiring about my eating and exercise habits she
	suggested I do yoga more often and walk the dog a half hour
	extra a day, not as a weight loss solution but to increase my
	activity levels. She was the only doctor who believed my fatigue
	and depression were attributed to something other than my weight
	and diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. She has larger examination
	gowns, larger blood pressure cuffs, it is standard, they don't
	go get "the big one" from under the cabinet especially for you.
	She is also a great person knows me by name, remembers things
	about me without reading that chart in front of me and always
	asks about members of my family that also see her.

Andrew Tucker, Ph.D., clinical psychology 
	Methodist Hospital Sleep Disorder Program
	Brooklyn, NY
	718-780-3017
	On the infrequent occasions that my weight is mentioned, it is
	connected to whether or not there have been any changes, so he
	can assess if we have to review my treatment protocol.  Once or
	twice in 3+ years he may have mentioned the research that shows
	a link between weight and apnea, but he has never made me feel
	uncomfortable about any such discussions.  I would say he is
	size accepting.

PINE BUSH
Patricia K. Tessler, Family nurse practitioner 
	Community Health Center 
	Pine Bush, NY 
	Phone: 914 744 2067
	Self-referred. Primary care services in adult medicine,
	pediatrics, and gynecology. 

PLEASANTVILLE
Barbara Altman Bruno, Ph.D., Psychotherapist
	45 Munson Road
	Pleasantville, NY 10570
	914/747-1525
	Self-referred.
	I consider myself a fat-friendly mental health professional. 
	I am a clinical social worker and practice solution-oriented
	psychotherapy in Pleasantville, NY.  I am NAAFA's Mental Health
	Advisor and author of the book Worth Your Weight. I also write
	a well-being column for Dimensions magazine.

ROCHESTER
See also Macedon

Naomi Pless, Family Medicine 
	[Current contact info unknown, may be reachable through
	University of Rochester Medical Center]
	Treats the individual, and the symptoms. Tells me if I need to
	exercise more, or eat healthy foods; doesn't blame my symptoms
	on my weight at all. Also, the Nurse Practitioner, Maureen
	Richardson, is wonderful. Very caring, and acknowledges my
	ability to assess my health status, and my sense to come in for
	treatment when necessary. Also treats me like an adult who is
	aware and concerned about my health. However, the health center
	does not have an adequate scale to weigh me; they have a beam
	scale with a counter weight that weighs up to 450 lbs (I'm 390)
	but the platform to stand on is too small. 
	Update Feb 08: Dr. Pless is apparently no longer with the Family
	Medicine Center on South Ave. WhitePages.com lists Naomi Pless
	as a "Family Medicine Teacher" at University of Rochester.

SLEEPY HOLLOW
Constance Young, MD
	358 North Broadway, Suite 202  
	Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 
	914-524-9612
	She is wonderful. I have referred many NAAFAns to her and never
	heard anything negative. -- Barbara Altman Bruno, Ph.D. 
	(see her own info in Pleasantville)

STONY BROOK
Gabriel San Roman, Reproductive Endocrinologist
	See entry under Mineola.

YONKERS
Rodika Coloka-Kump, D.O.
	See entry under Bronx.