Whitney Kennedy, MD – Highlands Health For Life

I have been trying to find a good doctor in this area, but was very disappointed with this visit. The front desk woman is very unkind and rude (both on the phone and in person). I got to the office at my appointment time (instead of 20 minutes early like they recommended). However, I had all 10 pages of the paperwork filled out ahead of time and my cards on hand. The woman told me that they might have to cut my appointment short or may not be able to see me at all… She proceeded to talk to me in a condescending tone and laugh at things I said/​at me inexplicably.
Since I made an appointment to be seen by Dr. Kennedy and this was my first appointment, I expected to be seen by her. However, I was not, I was seen by a PA instead. She was cold and seemed uninterested. She also made a comment that they were running behind, so hopefully they got past my family history and to the actual reason I went to the appointment. She was reading directly off of the paperwork I had filled out, so it’s not like they entered anything into the system to ‘put them behind’.
Going to a doctor for your health is a personal thing. You share all sorts of information with them and expect to be treated with respect, kindness, and for them to have an interest in your health. I did not get any of this from them… Very disappointed.

I have never had a Doctor, PA or NP be so thorough and spend so much time. Even when going in for a specific issue they check in with you in other things (follow from last appt or we’ll check, follow up on medications, etc). Very good!

I was referred to Dr. Kennedy by another doctor of mine. I recently moved here and needed a good primary care doctor. I went in for my FIRST appointment to get a physical, and start a relationship with a new dr. They thought I was there for a well-​woman exam, which I was not, and had just had one at my ob-​gyn. I ended up ONLY seeing a PA, and didn’t even meet Dr. Kennedy. I have had many health issues in the past, and she didn’t even want my medical records sent over. She took a few notes, and that was that. No tests. No follow ups. No intro to the doctor. VERY DISAPPOINTED. I would NOT recommend this place to anyone.

This review is long over due and well deserved by the HHFL team. I love it here. All of the staff are super nice, helpful and knowledgeable. I’ve seen Dr. Kennedy herself twice and she was great. Took the time to talk to me, ask and answer questions, and had a great bedside manner.
After those initial visits I’ve seen Allison and Jennifer and they’re also excellent. Just like Dr. Kennedy, they take the time to talk to me and listen. I also love the Patient Portal. I use it to communicate with the team there and someone is always quick to respond.
Beyond the medical perks, I love that it’s close to downtown, parking is easy, and I never wait more than 10 minutes to be seen. The décor is also nice. It’s definitely meant to feel more homey and less like a doctor’s office.

Wish I could write a good review – honestly first time I’ve had a bad experience at a doctors office and I hardly ever write crappy Unilocal reviews. Long story short, I went there for blood work twice. Second time I didn’t get results for 2.5 weeks so I called and asked what was going on. They called me back right away and gave some excuse that Dr. Kennedy was out of the office, but then said they would tell me my results (which made me feel like they just forgot to let me know). I then ended up having to talk to 3 different people there (MD assistants and front desk person) and they all gave me different reports of what the results were. Whaaaat? None of them had the correct information in front of them – it was like my file had been switched with someone else – that’s how weird it was. I was pretty confused and upset, especially because at this point they weren’t calling me back. Basically, they didn’t write down adequate notes, they were all confused, and I had to learn I was taking the wrong dose of my medication for 8 weeks! Good location in Highlands, but the service and actual medical education there doesn’t seem right. Also, it doesn’t seem like this is a fluke based on numerous other reviews.

I was so excited to try this clinic since it’s close to my house. It is very convenient for me, clean, intimate (small office) and the staff and doctors are all very nice. The client portal is a great feature as well. HOWEVER, the client portal from my understanding is supposed to make it easier to communicate with your doctor about test results, health concerns that were discussed during your appointment, etc. and I have not been able to get a response from anyone there… for months. They say they will get back to you within 2 business days but that has never once been the case. I went in for a standard, annual physical, which insurance covers 100%, and while I was there they ran 3 or so tests that I did not know they were doing. I also did not know that what they were doing was not part of a regular physical and was later considered extra testing by my insurance company. I was shocked to receive a bill in the mail a month later for all of the tests they ran — all of which were completely unnecessary. if they has asked me or talked to me about their concerns I could have told them otherwise. She later told me that they always run those tests on everyone just as a precaution, which is fine, but I would have liked to know about it BEFORE they were done, not after, especially since physicians are required to tell you what tests their doing. Bottom line, the PA had poor communication, which she did apologize for later, which I appreciate, but in the meantime I’m still making payments towards that surprise bill for tests I didn’t need or want.

I went to Dr. Kennedy as a new patient and was amazed and delighted at the personalized care I received. She took her time carefully going over my medical history forms and listened to my concerns. I felt like an actual person and not just another patient in her day. All of the staff was very friendly. I was one of the last appointments of the day and I never felt rushed. Highly recommend this office to those looking for a primary care doctor.

I have been going to Dr. Kennedy for years. Today I had an 830 apt. and called to say I was going to be five min behind. The front desk lady, Shannon, who is always unfriendly when I call, said if I can get there in 3 min they will hold my apt. I had to turn around and lose my apt. This is not the type of services anyone should have from a doctor’s office. There should be a level of customer service, and this office does not have it. I have decided to find another doctor and ensure that if I call and am running a few min behind, they will not treat me rude and tell me I need to turn back around. I mean lets be honest, if I held them to the same standard of, they need to see me in 3 min, they would never have customers.

I tried to like this office and tried to work with them. Very disorganized and rude personnel, I unfortunately don’t live close and when the receptionist messed up my appointment and I drove there for no reason to go over labs that had not arrived yet I was a little upset. Then when I finally got my Rx renewed they only renewed it for 1 month instead of the standard 6 months Rx. I called the office and asked the nurse practitioner to please call the pharmacist and have this taken care of she was extremely rude and abrasive. I then asked to speak with the office manager and again she was just as rude and told me I should have planned better for the delay that probably would never have happened if they would have communicated to me they were only renewing it for 30 days. I would not recommend this office to anyone.

First time patient here. Questions were answered immediately about payment and insurance. Clean office. Friendly staff. Definitely in the running for my primary care physician office.

I’ve been going to this Dr. for a couple of years now. She’s funny, supportive and professional. And the nurses and PAs are courteous and kind. I can’t recommend Dr. Kennedy to enough people. She treated my symptoms like a mystery to solve, instead of treating me like a sick person to fix.

Let me start off by saying, I really like Dr Kennedy. I like the location of this office and I liked the online portal.
My experience begins with me meeting with Dr Kennedy 3 months postpartum as I was looking for a primary care physician. She does a meet and greet physical and questionnaire with new patients. I had a good experience meeting with her; she asked relevant questions, we talked about breastfeeding and post pregnancy weight loss and she was very supportive in our conversation. She and I developed a good relationship, she was easy to talk to and I was glad I finally found a Dr!
My problem was post our initial meeting. 3 times now I have called the office, wanting to see Dr Kennedy when I was sick. All times she was not available for over a week and ½. Last time I decided to just see a PA. It was really impersonal, which is what I have been trying to avoid. When you are sick you want to see someone you know and trust. The PA typed a lot on her computer. I had a number of different symptoms, and just didn’t feel right. The PA typed and typed and typed… Finally just kind of asking if I wanted them to run tests and what I wanted for treatment. I left feeling like it was a big waste of time and again, very impersonal. So, with that being said, I’m off again to find another provider.
I know many offices are utilizing PAs and if you need to get in urgently, perhaps this is the way to go. But I wanted to develop a relationship with a Dr, and see a Dr, and that isn’t what happened in my experience here. I really wonder what is up with healthcare, when I pay a co-​pay for ‘Dr’ visits to only see PAs.
My search for a Dr continues…

The Dr was easy to talk to, she was patient and listened to what I had to say, didn’t go into trying to dig up what treatment plans I already had in place, but DID offer some of her insight and suggestions on them without being invasive or conceited or a know-​it-​all, as some Drs will do. She quickly and easily moved all of my scripts over electronically and my blood work and was uploaded into an online portal, which was nice. The place is a bit of a surprise when you walk in, but very nicely redone and a very comfortable atmosphere. I really like this place so far and am very pleased :)

I am disappointed to be writing a not-​so-​great review… I really, really wanted to like Dr. Kennedy and Highlands Health for Life. I love that they have an online patient portal, they are near my house, the facility is nice and the staff was pretty nice. I got there about 5 min. early for my exam and waited for almost 20 min. to see the doctor, which is standard for some of the doctors I’ve seen before, even though it was one of the first appointments of the day.
The nurse I spoke with initially was nice and went through my paperwork with me. Dr. Kennedy was nice too and also went through my paperwork with me. We talked about the primary reason I was there and that I was switching doctors, so they ran some tests and I was told I would get the results in 2 – 7 days. I got the results back quickly via the portal, but thought they would follow up on the primary reason I had gone in– when I called a week and a half after the results had come back, the nurse said it was in the Dr.‘s backlog and that she was dealing with more important cases, but that she would call me back within a day or two. The call never came. She finally uploaded her analysis of the test 17 days after the results had come back– considering my last doctor did this in 3 days, I have no idea why it would have taken so long.
Sounds like others have not had my bad luck, so maybe it was a fluke, but it was disappointing for me and I will not be returning.

So glad I found Dr. Kennedy’s office. I always see Allison, a PA, there at the office, and she has been great! Professional and knowledgable but still friendly and personal enough that I feel I can have honest discussions with her. They can also do well woman exams, and I find it is not nice to have to have a seperate ob-​gyn.
Love that this practice is is a relatively small neighborhood place. Have no complaints so far!

I love this neighborhood practice. I’ve seen both Dr. Kennedy and her PA, Allison Hamburger, and both are wonderful. I’m so happy to have found a healthcare home; I don’t feel rushed here, I feel that both practitioners *listen* to me, and I feel calm and at ease here. Thank you, Dr. Kennedy, Allison, and everyone at Highlands Health for Life!

I’ve seen Dr. Kennedy now for both spa services and general physician services. Not only is she down to earth and caring, she is quite knowledgeable than most doctors and went above and beyond to explain concerns that I had. I am looking forward to seeing her for any future needs I may have and recommend you do the same!

I am reducing this to one star! A couple of weeks after my appointment I received a bill for $ 150…for a checkup… with full coverage health insurance!!! Apparently when I asked how much the appointment would cost over the phone, when the receptionist said that it would be no cost, they really meant $ 250 before my insurance kicked in. Yeah, good luck receiving that check, people.

Kate G recommended Dr Kennedy to me since my previous primary care physician was at a walk-​in clinic. Not that it’s a bad thing, but if I can get slightly better care for no additional cost that’s not at a place where the walk-​in folk are sprawled across the waiting room, sick with Spanish influeza, I may as well.
What I found noteworthy was the thorough intake paperwork you fill out before your first appointment. None of this «has anyone in your family died of heart disease» or «what medications are you on» mumbo jumbo (well, some of that, that stuff is obviously important) but a lot of questions focusing on your personal health and symptoms that might be a precursor for a certain condition or indicative of a bigger problem.
Dr Kennedy then literally goes down the list and asks you questions based on your answers: «I see your eyes are bugging you. What’s up with that?» or «tell me more about how you feel tired in the afternoon» but then wasn’t pushy if it wasn’t too nagging of a problem. She was very easy to talk to and my appointment ended up lasting more than an hour (and hardly any of the time was waiting).
My appointment was easy to make, but appointments for new patients are about 2 – 3 months out, so plan accordingly. I also nearly missed mine. They have a policy that you’ll need to reschedule if you’re ten minutes late (I was nearly 20) but when I called it sounded like Dr Kennedy was running a bit behind, so it worked out.
Parking is easy street parking (maybe they have a lot, I tend to overlook those things) and the office itself is in a cozy north Denver building.
While I have only been here once (thus only four stars) I look forward to having Dr Kennedy as my doctor.
Thanks for the recommendation, Kate G!

My husband and I had just moved into the Highlands area and I was in need of doctor. I sorely miss my last doctor in Loveland, but the hour drive to see them wasn’t exactly safe or convenient. I was very hesitant to start a new relationship with another due to past experiences with poor doctors. I don’t know anyone else in the area to recommend a new doctor, so I started using review websites to seek out someone I could trust.
I had read good reviews about Dr. Kennedy, so I decided she would be a good option. I was pleasantly surprised with Highlands Health for Life! The office is welcoming and Dr. Kennedy has a great personality that makes you feel like you made the right choice in coming to see her. I have only been once so far, but if there is anyone else out there that is in the same predicament I was, I recommend Dr. Kennedy. She is a thorough general practitioner who can meet the needs of a family.