Dr. Laima Zarins, MD

Dr. Zarins is about to retire, and we will miss her deeply. For about a dozen years she has been the PCP for my husband, who has an advanced degenerative neuromuscular disease. Her dedication, concern, and kindness could not have been greater. Although there is no cure for the disease, she has always been tireless and creative in helping manage the direct and indirect symptoms, and has treated this patient with respect and compassion. Every appointment in her office has always felt like a happy occasion, thanks to her interest, skill and warmth. (The staff at the HLS clinic is also extremely welcoming and helpful.) We feel very lucky to have had this exceptional doctor in our lives for the last several years.

Laima could work more at compassion and empathy and listening.

She is friendly and has good intentions but can come across as insensitive and dismissive. Her approach is overly simplistic. I felt that she did not take the time to consider my individual case on its own, but rather, applied outdated medical knowledge in a formulaic way. She gave me a serious, lifechanging diagnosis based on a single test result, rushed through her explanation, couldn't understand why I was upset. The clinic is small, and her hasty manner may have been due to understaffing.