Mahmoud H. Mustafa, MD, FACP

It’s a quirky office and it’s charming. More importantly, you can get an appointment the same day if you need it. And Dr Mustafa is very thorough and approachable. I can’t recommend enough.

I’ve been going to Moody for a decade. I see the doctor every 4 months on average. I am disappointed to write this review. Until recently I resisted taking medication of which i would take once a day everyday with consequences for noncompliance. I started the medication and had it refilled twice. The third time BCBS rejected it and was told to fill the med via mail order pharmacy
For a week I have been begging Moody Mustafa’s office to transfer the prescription. It’s also been a week since the new pharmacy contacted the office requesting authorization. Though aggravating I have talked to the staff several times with professionalism. The office staff are now screening my cell phone number by sending it to voice mail. I called from the office phone and I was able to talk to someone. They told me they are aware of the request and i didn’t need an appointment for this. I am disappointed in the lack of concern or willingness to provide an existing prescription to another pharmacy. I reiterated politely I am out of the meds. I’ve gotten better service from a veterinary clinic and other doctors’ office.

Personality plus! It was a Unilocal review 7 years ago that had me choose Dr. Moody as my primary care physician, and I’ve never been happier. If you don’t like/​love dogs and need a robotic know-​it-​all to feel that a doctor knows his stuff, then Dr. Moody’s not the doc for you. Dr. Moody always has golden retrievers in the office and he’s a teaching physician so he always has medical students in-​training on staff, which I see as a plus. Each exam room has a distinct personality — for example there’s a «I Love Lucy» room and a Disney-​themed room. I’ve always found it easy to make an appointment and I’m usually seen within 10 minutes of my appointment time. I’ve been able to email the doctor and get a reasonable reply regarding questions after my appointment. Dr. Moody is definitely a seasoned doctor who knows his stuff, and has a great patient manner. I have recommended him in the past and I continue to highly recommend him.

I had Doctor Moody as my general practitioner or so I thought, every time I went to see the man I would see a student instead. It is it okay if it was only once every so often but it was not once every so often it was every time. However he would stick his head in and tell the student which room to go to the next.
And I personally am not a dog lover which would be a big benefit if you are going to choose this Doctor as yours. Golden retrievers While beautiful dogs I really don’t want their hair all over me, and neither does my cat.
One the office staff members at the front desk, a male, is rude beyond belief, and acts like such a diva. He’s the type of person who acts like the world revolves around them.
After I went to this Doctor and got over the novelty of how cute his office is I decided to go to a real medical practitioner to get my needs met.
I would highly recommend that you shop around for a different medical practitioner than this one.

Dr. Mustafa has been my doctor for several years now. After having a health issue mismanaged by many doctors, Dr. Mustafa solved the problem in 1 meeting with his expertise. Has been great ever since. Great personality and easy to talk to. I am most impressed that he spends time with his patients, despite a very busy schedule. You never feel rushed and have time to ask all of your questions. The online scheduling and messaging system is new and works really well. I feel fortunate to have found such a great doctor in DC.

I have been followed by Dr Mahmoud Mustafa (Dr Moody) for about two years.
Without even mentioning the dogs and the very long and systematic waiting time, I have decided to stop seeing him when I realized that he absolutely does not care about his patients. He automatically prescribe the strongest drugs available, he barely listens, and frankly, as one of the reviews mentioned, he is really not clean (unshaven, wearing tee-​shirts). I also was puzzled when, replying to my question asking about recycling my old medicines, he told me to bring them to the office.
I then decided to see Dr Max Oshalim (same practice). I have been with Dr Oshalim for two years. Dr Oshalim is inconsistent and gave me two contradictory advices in the last four months. I had an appointment schedule at 9:15am on a Friday. He took me at 9:55am!!! How can you be so late at the start of the day?!! There is really no excuse — and of course no one apologized.
The last time I saw Dr Oshalim, I did a strep test. He told me that he will call me in a week (btw — when my child is tested for strep, we receive the results instantaneously at the doctor’s office!). Not only it took a week, but he never called me back! I had to call the office three times to obtain the results and the last person I had on the phone lied, telling me that they lost the paper (really? I thought they just started to use this online system). The three times I called, the person on the phone told me that Dr Oshalim will call me. He never called me! But I received at the very least five automatic calls from a machine asking me to connect online to access my results. …
Last but not least, they decided recently to switch their system to an online system that patients can also access remotely. WITHOUT my consent, all my medical information has been transferred to this online system. I was horrified. I did not activate my online account but I kept on receiving emails asking me to activate it. I told the doctors but nothing changed.
I kept on going there for the past years because I am healthy and just needed a check up. But frankly, if something bad happens, I realized that I would never trust neither Dr Moody nor Dr Oshalim. So I decided to change for good, and also to let the community know about these two doctors.
I also think that the positive reviews for these two doctors are fake. It is really impossible to say something positive about this practice. These two doctors purely and simply do not seem to care about their patients.

This is for the medical lab BioReference and the administrative staff. The practice is not worth it solely because of them. It’s not even about the rudeness. It’s the incompetency.

Not good experiences. I have been there twice. Everytime they kept me in a room waiting for 30 mins, then assistant (intern) interviewed me for another 30 mins. Then doc showed up for talking with me 1 min, done!
He is «super star» now, at least he feels this way.

I have since moved from DC, but after I just had an amazing experience with a new dr, I felt compelled to write a review.
I was wooed by cute dogs and excellent Unilocal reviews. For some reason the numerous calls (with no calls back) just to make an appointment didn’t deter me. I arrived and the surely receptionist annoyed me, but I was just happy to be in a place that was fully of happy, tail wagging pups that made getting blood drawn down right lovely.
My first apt I never saw the dr — just blood draw, etc as a part of an initial physical. The folks who helped out with that were all friendly and it was a decent experience. Did I mention I got to cuddle a golden while getting my blood drawn? Amazing. Then I came in for the followup and had a pretty good experience with Dr. M.
A few months later, I had an actual medical need to discuss. I had to try pretty hard to get an apt, but still, i got past the surely receptionist once again. Only, what greeted me in the exam room was truly gross. The dr. was in a sweatshirt, unshaven and possibly hadn’t brushed his teeth, or if he had, it was in coffee. All that would be fine if otherwise put together, but he simply was not. I genuinely felt like he rolled out of bed and into the exam room after a long night out on the town. I was really grossed out. I got the referral I came in for and left with no intention of ever returning. It just wasn’t what you want from a medical service. Felt dirty and gross.
To sum up: Terrible front desk service, cute dogs (one star) and decent support (students and nurses bring in another star); and a dr. who doesn’t feel it’s always necessary to show up to work clean and presentable.

I started this review a couple of years ago, and am just now posting because Unilocal reminded me. After visiting Dr. M, I learned from a neurologist that I had an environmental trigger and have been migraine-​free for about two years.
The short of it: Quick scheduling; the interns; big, friendly dog; nice atmosphere. Jimmy was Grinch-​like; same/​next day policy for sick patients is false; prescribes meds to patients without seeing them; no forewarning about the dog, which is not hypoallergenic.
The whole story:
I made an appointment with Dr. Mustafa after I began to experience a resurgence in severe, recurring migraines, the debilitating kind. I decided to see him after learning that his partner, who is a neurologist, was out of town. Dr. M is a hematologist.
I made my appointment on a Tuesday for Friday afternoon. Mind you, their office advertises a same day/​next day policy for sick patients. I told Jimmy, the receptionist who made the appointment, that I was a new patient and I was experiencing severe, recurring migraines. Later, I would learn that he had made no mention of this to anyone who might need to know.
The morning of my appointment, I woke up with an excruciating migraine, as I often do. I mustered the strength to call (a difficult feat with a migraine so bad) a half-​hour before my appointment to say that I would be late. I promised to be there a half-​hour after my scheduled time.
I arrived at the time I’d promised (miraculously), and waited 10 minutes for Jimmy to come to the desk. He gave me the new patient forms and reminded me several times that I was late.
At one point, Jimmy called me up to the desk to ask me why I was late, even though I’d told him on at least three separate occasions. He said he’d have to ask Dr. Moody if he still *wanted* to see me, walked off, and never said another word to me until it was time for him to go (more on this later).
I waited about 30 mins to see the doctor, not knowing whether Dr. M would see me. I noticed that staff frequently left the desk unattended for long periods of time, forcing patients to wait for help. During this time, the music started skipping, which aggravated my migraine when it had began to subside. There was also a woman there who complained loudly about her myriad health problems. Not their fault, but still a nuisance.
Otherwise, the ambiance is nice. A window provides natural light in the waiting room and the artificial lights are kept low. And though I find his photography skills wanting, I thought Dr. M’s show of personality (he was wearing a Caps jersey with his name on the back and jeans) and hobby made him less robot doctor, more human confidant doctor. Too bad I would not be able to verify this.
Dr. M did not see me, and an intern – Leah*– conducted my entire visit. Leah told me they would have to break my visit into three parts (a pre-​physical, bloodwork, then follow up), all billed as separate visits. I protested the ripoff and told her to try again. She left our private room four times, returning with different solutions each time.
I ended up getting the pre-​physical and blood work done that day. She gave me a single-​dose sample of an rx drug, and told me to come back in a week to discuss the results. When I pointed out how that would’ve left me without a remedy for 6 days, she gave me a week’s prescription. But she couldn’t answer critical questions about the drug (side effects, cost, doctor’s relationship to the company). Since Dr. M was not available, I had to search elsewhere.
I stayed in the office to do this, since I would have otherwise had to wait until Monday if I needed to change the prescription. While I was on the phone with my insurance company, Jimmy abruptly booted me out of the office, saying, «I hate to roll you out of here but I have to get to the gym.» It was 2:15 p.m. and they were closed, but he didn’t have to talk to me that way. I had not been difficult or fussy, and I felt disrespected.
I thought the intern did a great job since Dr. M was «busy» and Jimmy had not told anyone that I was actually sick. Though she was nervous and things kept changing, I was patient and comfortable because I felt like she was listening to me and trying to get a good solution. I don’t know if Dr. M and Jimmy the Grinch meant to teach me a lesson, but there’s no room in a doctor’s office for reality show grudges and bad attitudes.
In all, my visit took two-​and-​a-​half hours.
I have not filled the prescription because after taking the sample, I felt my throat swell and chest tighten, the latter a severe symptom that required immediate medical attention (and the doc office was closed). It did not help the migraine and is not designed to prevent future mig

Dr. Mustafa has been my doctor for years, and I wouldn’t change. In fact, a few years ago, when my insurance changed, I paid out-​of-​network expenses for a year, until I could switch to another plan that he was in. I trust him with my life.
Being a teacher myself, I respect that he is helping to train local medical students. Though sometimes it feels a bit odd to be interviewed at the start of the visit by a med student, Dr. Mustafa always comes in to follow up. I’m amazed at how much time he spends with me. In other offices I’ve been to, the doctor rushes in and out, and I feel like I barely have any time with him.
I also love the relaxed, friendly atmosphere in the office. You can’t beat an office with a dog!

This place is a joke. I was consulted by a third year medical student without supervision !!! She had just started her third year given that we are at the beginning of the school year. The doctor did come to say hello but that was all.
My second visit was better. I came for my physical. This time a resident came and took the data and the doctor spent more time with me and answered all the questions I had.
I know the dog is cute and all but is it sanitary to have a dog in a medical facility that is not there to serve any purpose?

Terrible office. I’ve only seen Dr. mustafa once, the other times I’ve seen some mediocre younger ‘doctor’ more concerned with himself than me, the patient.
I had gotten a concussion 2 days earlier in West Virginia and went in on the Monday to make sure everything was ok. At first, the doctor seemed concerned and ordered a ct scan, but when I called the next day to request additional information as requested by the hospital. The office wasn’t helpful and when i said forget it I’m not getting it, they seemed perfectly ok letting me not. Terrible doctors office. If you’re looking for people who care about you, look elsewhere.
I really implore you to look elsewhere.
I didnt even mention here how they made me wait 50 minutes past my appointment time.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Mustafa for about 3 years and don’t have any complaints. I’ve also had good experiences with seeing Dr. Oshalim.
I’m happy to see that when I call I no longer feel incompetent as it seems as though the receptionist who was usually very rude on the phone is no longer there. I’m in healthcare so I know how to talk about this stuff, I don’t need a verbal eye roll when I call for an appointment.
The nurse who did my EKG was great and knew her stuff. The phlebotomist did a great job with minimal discomfort. Everyone seems happy with their job and I like that they take on medical students and let them do the interview but don’t leave the Dr-​ing to them which from personal experience should be extremely scary to any patient.
Overall, I like this place. I think I’ll stay for a while.

This office has the worst wait times. I’ve never had an appointment and not had to wait at least 45 min to be seen.

I’m a fan of Dr. Moody. When I actually see him, I like his personality and his demeanor. He seems like a chill dude who knows his shit. I’d recommend him.
If you’re looking for an all-​around pleasant experience, however, consider these thoughts I’ve had on the practice on M St.:
1) People love the dog thing. And I freaking love dogs myself. I do find it a little unclean and unprofessional in a medical setting, however. I mean, it’s a long haired dog. It sheds. There is hair on the floor. If you’re even vaguely OCD (which is still a strong term to describe me, I think), it might be a little disconcerting.
2) Ads for botox and Vitamin B shots prominently displayed on counter. I have discussed this with friends of mine in the medical field. They say that unfortunately this is what doctors have to do to get by these days. I find this most unfortunate and a little unsettling. I don’t feel that these things are in the best interest of a patient’s health.
3) Prescription-​happy. I have gone in twice simply to get prescriptions. I saw Dr. Moody’s partner both times. He was very happy to prescribe me exactly what I asked for, including valium, sleeping pills, and beta-​blockers. Luckily, I am not a drug addict, because the doctor asks me nothing about myself, does not converse with me to even see if i’m crazy. He has no idea how sparingly (or how much) i actually use these medications.
4) I am really unimpressed with the front desk staff. They must be totally under-​staffed and over-​worked. Usually when you call you get voicemail, and usually the voicemail box is full. Especially if it is for billing. And usually you never get a call back.
Ive been trying to resolve a billing issue (where I am owed about $ 70) for almost a year now. I am so clear, so concise, so polite, and so thorough with them, but I cannot get my issue resolved.
I tried to resolve this on the telephone for a while, to no avail.
Then I received an email (from a yahoo account), so I tried to resolve by email, to no avail (whoever emailed me from her personal yahoo account never replied to my reply).
So I went back to the phone, to no avail. (voicemail box full, or the person who handles this issue isn’t there etc)
So then I tried a very clearly written letter that very clearly describes the actions that needed to be taken, and I send by mail.
What happens? They call me and leave a voicemail saying they understand I have a billing issue.
I call back — and phone tag begins again.
Finally, I think if I walk in and talk to them, that would be best.
So I walk in and am met with a woman who was very short with me. I kept my calm and patience — explained the issue in three different ways till she relented from her position and said, «Oh – I see.» After fifteen minutes of tapping at keyboards and pulling different documents… she was still unable to help me. The person who could help me, she said, was not in and would get back to me.
Needless to say, this never happened.
I was never able to recoup my $ 70.

I like Dr. Moody, his office décor is great and he never seemed hurried when he sits down with you to discuss your issues. However, I agree with some of the comments that the wait is at times ridiculous. Today, I went for a vaccine shot that took about 3 minutes… I waited for at least 30 minutes to get that shot DESPITE having an appointment. In previous visits, the wait to see him was about 40 minutes. It’s almost insulting, as if to say, «I do not value your time enough to be on time.» Is it really so hard to schedule in more accurate times?

Dr. Moody saved my life.
Got your attention, huh?
I’ve been seeing him for a few years, always love the Disney memorabilia and his dog wandering in and out.
Earlier this year, I’d been suffering from gallstones and even a trip to the emergency room wasn’t really taken seriously (by the ER doc) — and when I called the surgeon they recommended, they said they couldn’t see me for 2 weeks.
I went to see Dr. Moody and they personally called the surgeon’s office for me and got me in a few days later. Afterward, the surgeon told me what rough condition my gallbladder had been in and how it was good that we didn’t wait any longer. Which they would have, if it hadn’t been for Dr. Moody’s office.
The one complaint I do have is one of the receptionists was always super rude and snippy. Which seemed like a huge mistake, since usually people are calling in a semi-​vulnerable position if they’re sick. I’d dock a star for that, but I haven’t seen him the last couple times I’ve been in so maybe they rectified that/​realized his lack of people skills.

I’ve had some positive experiences with Dr. Mustafa, partly due to the medical students on staff, who conduct solid intake interviews at most appointments. But at a recent appointment, the medical student assigned to me first had trouble taking my blood pressure and then hurt me while drawing my blood. He ultimately decided not to record my blood pressure at all. There was no supervision for the student.
When the doctor told him to draw my blood, he clearly hesitated, but came back with the vials. The doctor had left the room. He first asked if I had any good-​looking veins. He had trouble finding a vein on my elbow — though a nurse was able to find one right away — and decided to draw from my wrist, where my veins are very close to the skin. It was abnormally painful, as I told him. When he withdrew the needle after filling one vial, blood spilled onto my jeans and I became dizzy, which is not standard for me. I’ve had a large bruise and a feeling of some tingliness in my arm since. Dr. Mustafa did not check back in with me at any point. He was strolling around the office with a Red Bull, asking others in the office who was going to such & such a show that night & making (negative) comments in the hallway about patients loud enough that I overheard without intending to.
The student is learning, of course. He was generally kind, helpful, and apologetic after the fact and during the rest of the appointment. I also felt comfortable with my overall diagnosis. But I do think that either the students may need more supervision or that there should be some disclaimer or information beforehand about what care you’ll receive from who. Drawing blood seems like it should be the nurse’s task, but if it’s not, the students need to be trained. I thought it was odd that the blood was being drawn from my wrist, and it was quite painful, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt when really I shouldn’t have. He needed a nurse or someone in there to supervise /​coach him.
So, be aware of this situation in this practice, and be prepared to advocate for yourself if a student seems unsure. Also, be prepared for club music in the waiting room.
On the up side, I appreciate that I’ve been able to get into the practice swiftly and appreciate the thorough physical and intake process. The front desk has always been responsive.

Dr. Moody is hands down the best primary care doctor I’ve ever had. I have never felt more comfortable, cared for, and listened to in a doctors office, and I am so grateful to be a patient of his.
I’ve been a patient since 2008, and it’s clear from the moment you walk into the office that this place is different. It’s bright and colorful, there is peppy music playing, and the walls are decorated in pictures and memorabilia from Dr. Moody’s personal collection. His dog is usually wandering around as well (in the early days it was Chester, but he has passed, and now it’s Carlo) which makes some patrons uncomfortable, but I happen to love it.
Aside from the lighter mood that seems to permeate this place, both Dr. Moody and his colleague, Dr. O’Shalim, give patients an extraordinary amount of time and attention. Yes, I often wait a little while before being taken into the exam room, but when I finally get in there I am always allowed to ask all of my questions (very important because I am super anxious) and I am always listened to and responded to. I’ve also always felt that Dr. Moody and Dr. O’Shalim are very thorough – they’ll suggest follow ups, testing, and treatments to ensure everything is ship shape. Because of the proximity to GW med school there are often interns in the office, but even if the initial consult is with one, the doctors are always brought in for the actual diagnosis and treatment.
A word to new patients: the receptionists can seem a bit abrupt but they are all lovely people. They have tons to do and will get you in if they need to, so just be nice to them even if they seem to cut you off. They soften up eventually!
If I have one minor complaint, it’s that I always have to call myself to inquire about test results rather than someone from the office calling me. But this is a small annoyance for the trade off of great personal attention and having a doctor that remembers me.