Referred by a colleague I scheduled an appointment for my mother to see Dr. Alley for a pea size lump on her right breast. My mother, being 90, was not keen on surgery. After a hurried consultation with Dr. Alley she convinced us that surgery/lumpectomy would be necessary since cancer was present. We went ahead with her advice. From beginning to end of this "Outpatient" process I got more & more disturbed by not only the surgeon but the manor in which Suburban outpatient surgery behaved. At 90 she was sent home Immediately. A lead was left in my mother's breast, which I was told I would have to clean daily! I never had any experience with such things & found it to be overwhelming at best. The pain meds prescribed were of little help for the pain & created panic in mother's behavior. At the procedure/follow up visits I did not find Dr. Alley to be in any way kind, sensitive, patience, understanding or what I would consider humane, but cold. Serious nerve damage. NEVER AGAIN!!!

Submitted April 14, 2014

She is extremely knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful. My GP recommended her and I am grateful she did. She has been a lifesaver (literally) with my breast cancer. The ONLY downside is that her office staff is neither efficient nor friendly.

Submitted Nov. 1, 2012

Besides being a great surgeon, she is a delightful human being--warm and caring, not too busy to speak about the impact of illness, to offer support, and to be the model of a compassionate physician.I was fortunate to have her as my surgeon.

Submitted Dec. 17, 2011

Dr. Alley is my guardian angel. when I received the diagnosis of breast cancer I was new to DC. I contacted 5 doctors for recommendations from NYC and the rest of the eastern seaboard-they all recommended Dr. Alley. I was warned that her "bedside manner' was not award wining but she has been patient, nurturing and compassionate. Most importantly-her prognosis that I would beat this diseases and live a long life so far has rung true. After 9 years the only time I really remember i had this disease is at my yearly mammograms. she is beyond comparison!!

Submitted Aug. 30, 2011

Dr Alley is fantastic. Her staff, however, is not at all helpful by phone and often forget to give her messages. But Dr. Alley is the best and always on time, caring and brilliant.

Submitted Aug. 14, 2011

My experience with Dr. Alley was unbelievable. She is prompt, efficient and caring. I would not go anywhere else because I feel like she has my best interest at heart. I travel more than 50 miles to see her each year and would go further if I needed to do so. She is clear and very easy to understand. She means business and takes her job very seriously. She is a dedicated physician and caring human being.

Submitted March 31, 2011

Dr. Alley's name was given to me by a neighbor when I expressed my desire to visit a breast specialist because I have fibrocystic disease and have had abnormal mammograms. I love Dr. Alley. I cannot relate to those patients who found her cold or insensitive. She is always professional, friendly, and knowledgeable about my situation. The visits to Dr. Alley are always reassuring and pleasant. I tremendously respect and like her and know that she is one of the best in her field.

Submitted March 6, 2011

Competent but cold to the point of rudeness. She is very impatient about answering questions. One of the worst bedside manners I've ever encountered.

Submitted Feb. 14, 2011

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and Dr. Alley handled my surgery. It has been four years now and I got back for my checkups once a year. Living in the Washington area there are many great doctors to choose from however, Dr. Alley is one of the best doctors I have ever had. She is kind and very knowledgeable. As far as the” warm and fuzzy feeling” I would rather have a doctor who is the best in his or her field. She is there to provide medical care not to be your best friend.

Submitted Jan. 13, 2011

Of all the practices I have been involved with regarding cancer surgery and follow-up treatment, Dr. Alley is the best. Yes, follow-up has to be scheduled well in advance. But when the time came to schedule surgery, it was performed the very next day, and yet there was ample time for discussing procedures and setting expectations. I wanted my husband present for the exam and follow-up and there was never a question as to his being fully included. While some question her bedside manner, I have always found her focused, and fully attentive to me as a patient -- never brusque or uncaring. Her staff is generally very good, but does not always set appropriate expectations.

Submitted Nov. 29, 2010