I tried, I really tried with her. I have a couple rules with doctors, which is the reason I kept giving her chances. I don't need a doctor who is on time. If they are late, it means they take their time with their patients. And I don't need someone with a great personality. I just need someone who knows their stuff..... The few time I met with Dr Michaelson, she was reviewing my medical history with me and walked out of the room when I told her about my history with sexual assault. One year later her staff reached out (I am assuming by accident) to schedule my annual check-up. I went ahead and booked with her. This appointment, she openly admitted that she was shocked I came back to her. I told her I was too. I went to her a couple more times, where she consistently fat shamed me. I am a solid 20 pounds over weight. No one deserves to be fat shamed, ever. She also could not seem to keep track of which family member was dead (even though she took what seemed like detailed notes every time we met). She would constantly ask the same questions over and over again. My finally straw was when she ended up having to open her own practice (she moved around a lot), I am assuming because the previous family practices could not tolerate her. No one clearly liked her in the office. When I showed up to my appointment, she had double booked me. Informed me she had realized she couldn't take my insurance, and should have informed me before I came to the appointment. She canceled the appointment on site, after I had waited a full hour because of the double booking. She ordered blood work. Then charged me for the appointment. There is still no resolution. I can't encourage people enough - do NOT go to her. She is AWFUL. read more

When you go to meet a new physician you hope that they will have good bedside manner, but as long as they know what they are talking about I can ignore if folks are a little cold. Cold is fine if competence is high. In my two meetings with Dr. Michaelson she showed sprinkles of empathy, but for the most part wasted my time on both. Took my vitals and went through some standard questions: medical history, family history, etc where she rightfully pressed, but made me feel like I wasn't trustworthy in my responses or that I was lying. That made me feel a bit odd. It's important to get to know your patients, but when the line of questioning turned to my partner - not me the patient - and she asked ********if my partner was male or female************** that oddity turned to something more sinister and was unacceptable to me. If we were talking about reproductive safety, birth control, etc I could understand the relevance, but that was not the topic of conversation. read more

I arrived 5-10 min early and I waited in the waiting room over 20 minutes after my appointment time before my name was called. When Ellen walked in, I didn't receive a proper greeting. The way she questioned me and poked for answers gave me the impression she didn't trust me and/or wouldn't help. I could tell that this was not a typical doctor visit. She continued to probe me with questions, questions, and more questions. It felt like we were getting nowhere. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and thought she was just trying to get some background info on why I might be there in the first place. When I started informing her of my reasons for the visit, she stopped me and asked me why I was even telling her what I was. Confused, I clarified that I am just letting her know important background information and that my therapist recommended I see a PCP to have some anxiety medication prescribed. She told me that she couldn't prescribe me anxiety medication without knowing me. Confused again, because I had started to describe this to her, I asked her to clarify what information she needs. She discussed how people have abused drugs and they continue to abuse drugs. I'm a good person and should not be treated the way she treated me. Unreal. I almost left mid-visit. I've never had my blood boil during a doctor visit. A doctor is supposed to make you feel safe, like they care about you, and should want to lead you to the impression that they can help. All I remember thinking during the visit is, "This is a complete waste of my time" and "I better not have to pay for this visit." I did not feel safe or pleased with my visit and will not step foot in that building again. PS- Ellen weighed me on the scale and said, "you're not skinny." Thanks, Ellen! read more

Never in my life have I encountered such a wretched doctor as Dr. Ellen Michaelson. She questioned me like I was on trial in Nuremberg. She was suspicious of every answer I gave her and I was grilled like she worked for the gestapo! She accepted nothing I said to her as if everything I told her about myself was a lie. Really!? I had never met her. I came to her for help but she was obsessed with questions ..really stupid ones like what was the exact time I moved to Portland. .I didn't remember the exact date and this took her into some weird OCD spinout! And the grilling over why I changed my name. Umm, because it's a free country and I have a right to without being treated like a criminal! Really crazy. This doctor has some Serious Issues. I felt she was a complete bigot and I felt racially profiled by her. Talk about a horrible bedside manner. When I told her my daughter had just died and I was having a very difficult time..I lost over ten pounds ( I was already slim to begin with). She didn't even blink and said but that was 3 months the ago! Oh! So I should be over the death of my daughter and closest friend now because it's been 3 months already!?? I would have received more concern and empathy from a robot!! This doctor needs to be put out of her misery or at least put out to pasture. She looks about 80 and clearly has no people skills, let alone doctor skills..hence a one doctor, one receptionist operation. I should have been clued in from the moment I walked in and saw no patients and a deadpan reception lady who's own miserable expression was only a preclude to the zombie I was to be tortured by in the back office! Oh and this so called doctor Michaelson did nothing to help me but waste my time and bill my insurance. I would not wish this doctor on my worst enemy! I highly recommend you look elsewhere for medical care and treatment because you won't find it here in this person passing herself off as a medical provider! read more

I started seeing her as my primary care doc about 18 months ago. She initially struck me as a bit quirky, but she came highly recommended by a friend of mine, so I put up with the quirks. She did and still does seem knowledgeable, but her effectiveness as a doc is greatly diminished by her poor people skills. I'm no longer seeing her. The sequence of events that led to my decision to find another doc is as follows: 1. Late last year, she prescribed a common blood pressure med. 2. Shortly thereafter, I began to experience itching - over much of my body, but centered in my groin. Uncomfortable and embarrassing. 3. I did some online research and learned that itching is an uncommon, but not unheard of, side effect of this drug. 4. I mentioned this to her, and she literally scoffed aloud at me. Knowing that much of what is available on the web is not true, I accepted her opinion. 5. The itching persisted, and she then referred me to a dermatologist, whom I saw twice. He could not definitively determine the cause, but he agreed that the blood pressure med might be the cause, and I should ask Dr. Michaelson to prescribe another med. 6. Here's where the fun really began: I messaged her through my online portal and requested she prescribe another drug. 7. Five days later, I received a reply, but there was no text. Shortly thereafter, the message itself (with no text) disappeared from my inbox. 8. Without responding to my request, she TWICE insisted I look at the disappeared message. Hard to do if it isn't there. 9. She utterly ignored both my claims that I didn't get the message, and she ignored all my increasingly insistent requests that she just write the dang prescription. 10. After yet another message insisting I look at the message (the one with no text) and that I should just make an appointment with her, I sent her a rather testy reply asking her to either fill the prescription or tell me why she won't, in which case I will find someone who will. 11. I waited for a reply. Never got one. My primary care doc had ghosted me. Talk about stubborn! As an aside, she stated her resentment of the online messaging system twice: once when my spouse was also in attendance at my appointment, and another time online. To paraphrase: "I don't get paid for this". read more

Dr. Michaelson has been nothing but kind, generous, and helpful to me. I've been seeing her for almost two years and every time she remembers little details about me, my life, and my health that most doctors don't remember. She's a sweet lady and knows her stuff as a doctor. If you're looking for someone who gives you lots of personal care, I'd recommend Dr. Michaelson. read more

I just got done with my appointment with Dr.Michaelson and I was extremely impressed with her service, attitute, and care. Like other reviewers have mentioned, the office was bit hard to find (it's more on the corner of 19th than 18th) and was outdated, but meh, I kinda like the 80s business glam. [Kitchy and serious.]To me the most imporant part of the medical exam is the interaction between patient and doctor and I felt comfortable and not judged--like I could ask her anything. She was very informative and kind;I will definitely be returning! read more

I think Dr. Michaelson means well in her effort to run a single doctor practice with just one other employee. But it doesn't work. She is unprofessional in her manner, practice, and dress, and her assistant is merely OK. Both can have very negative and condescending attitudes. (I suspect the assistant dislikes working for this doctor.) Dr. M is scatterbrained, disorganized, and forgetful. She consistently fails to focus on the issue or matter in question at any given time. She can be very rude. I suspect this is a well-meaning, but burnt out doctor; possibly one who could not work with others, hence the individual practice. I had high hopes for this doctor, but would not recommend her at all. read more

I booked an appointment with Dr. Ellen Michaelson (www.healthmaxpdx.com) for my annual internal exam (pelvic and pap). She did the usual preamble - oral history, blood pressure - but then said she was not equipped to do the internal, promised to call when she was, and sent me home. She never called. But she did send a big fat bill. I've left multiple messages but she has not returned my calls. So, at the end of the day, I have a big bill and she has still not done my annual internal exam. I will never, ever, under any circumstances go to Dr. Ellen Michaelson ever again. And I do NOT recommend Dr. Ellen Michaelson to anyone. Ever. read more

Dr. Michaelson is exceptional in every way. She is very intelligent, highly knowledgeable and up-to-date in her field, and a very good listener. She spent 45 minutes with me in my first appointment as a new patient, asking really useful questions to make sure she understood my healthcare needs. She is also warm and generous with her time and expertise. She is very accessible; and when I called her office and left a message, the issue was immediately handled (a new prescription) -- I can't imagine better service. I am so glad to have found her. If you want someone smart and kind, you've found a great doctor. read more

It was a little bit difficult to find the place but everyone there is just wonderful. Doctor Michaelson was very thorough, friendly and a good listener. Definitely something you'd want in your doctor. I felt welcomed, and her medical assistant was also friendly and efficient. If you're looking for a doctor, look no further. She's the 6th Doctor that I've met here in Portland, and she has the best bedside manner among all of them. read more

Dr. Michaelson was friendly and personable. She listened to me and understood my needs, I will be working with her to maintain my health through some complicated circumstances. Due to the complexity of my issues I am selective in the professionals I trust, this woman is the professional I need. read more

Dr. Michaelson has been my general practitioner and hematologist for three years. I was referred to her by my allergy physician, another of the Dr.'s patients. I was impressed that she rides her bike everywhere, even in the rain. I don't bicycle but I like the fact that she's in shape as an example of good health. She even gave me recipes for people on-the-go. You can tell a lot about a doctor on your first visit. I still remember mine. I don't think I waited more than five minutes. In the exam room the first thing we did was sit across from each other and talk. I talked more and she listened intently and took notes before asking questions. By my exam time, I felt she knew enough about me and my concerns to trust her. My hunch was right because the tests she suggested helped her determine what was going on with my body and determine a course of action treat me. I was also glad that when it was clear that I needed tests from a different type of specialist, she referred me with no problem. I've had docs whose egos were too big. Her referral doctor I saw was also great. So many potentially dangerous illnesses were ruled out, that the time and tests I took helped Dr Michaels hone in on how to treat me with results that were measurable. It's a good feeling when you risk trusting and it pays off. Part of it is that she seems to feel good in her own skin, so it doesn't seem like she is fake. I know a lot about the pills I take and Dr. Michaelson knew about them right down to the various dosages a pill comes in. I like that she is open to my opinion about my health and my body. It seems important to her and that makes me feel good. I believe she is a little younger than I but we relate well. I always feel that she tells me the truth, even if it's not really what I want to hear. While she is tactful, you might not like her directness if you want your doc to pussy foot around. Who has time for that? The staff has always been friendly and professional. If we play phone tag, they always call me back! For me, that's almost unheard of in my experience with doctors and their crews. My insurance forms are always correct and submitted in a timely way without a hassle, so I only have to pay the co-pay. Some offices charge you for that. The office in the new location is easy to access and I've always found a place to park. It's in the medical area of the northwest, very close to Good Sam Hospital. Over time I have recommended Dr. Michaelson to others and still will. I gave her five stars. read more