Press Release | Dr. Fulop-Goodling and Dr. Stuart Balaban
Personal Statement Regarding Dr. Stuart Balaban
There has recently been a lot of confusion in my Woodbury, Long Island office location. As promised to my patients, Woodbury office team, family and friends, I wish to state the following in order to set the record straight and clear up any confusion and falsehoods concerning the nature of my relationship with Dr. Stuart Balaban.
I am NOT, and have NEVER BEEN, Dr. Balaban’s partner. I am NOT a “successor in interest” to Dr. Balaban’s practice. I have NOT purchased the whole or ANY part of Dr. Balaban’s practice.
The nature of my relationship with Dr. Stuart Balaban is that I was previously interested in purchasing his practice and establishing a professional relationship with him. However, during a rather lengthy negotiation process and while performing my due diligence in assessing Dr. Balaban’s practice, certain issues and concerns were discovered, which prompted me to make the business decision NOT to purchase or enter in ANY agreement with Dr. Balaban, other than to give him a facility to provide necessary treatment and care to his patients!
Unfortunately, I have unfairly come under attack by a number of Dr. Balaban’s patients arising out of the acts of Dr. Balaban. I erred in judgment for allowing Dr. Balaban to treat his patients and operate out of my Woodbury, Long Island office location without full knowledge of Dr. Balaban’s actions and promises to his patients. Before and during the time Dr. Balaban used my office facility, Dr. Balaban apparently made discounted financial arrangements with many of his patients and collected fees for work not yet performed. Whether or not Dr. Balaban intended to perform this work for which he had been paid, only Dr. Balaban knows.
Dr. Balaban made written and verbal representations to many of you who had paid him in full that I would provide his promised future orthodontic treatment. Simply put, I NEVER made such an agreement with Dr. Balaban, and the first knowledge that I had of Dr. Balaban’s promises concerning future treatment by me was when his patients told me about such agreements or showed me letters on Dr. Balaban’s letterhead, signed by Dr. Balaban.
I am deeply saddened that a trusted colleague and Harvard graduate so brazenly and disgracefully took advantage of so many patients and so many people, including me. I am truly disappointed that Dr. Balaban so exploited his patients and me. Like you, I was blind-sided. I was NOT privy to Dr. Balaban’s business dealings with his patients during the short time he was using my office. Dr. Balaban was the only one who discussed finances with his patients and, from what I have been told by many of his patients and his former employees, these discussions took place after office hours and not in my presence. Any feelings of enmity toward me, concerning Dr. Balaban, is very misplaced.
To those who received false promises from Dr. Balaban
Please accept my sincerest apologies for the nightmare in which you and your family are entangled. If you contact my office, we will try to do everything we can to allay your concerns and reduce your anxiety regarding the many outright lies and distortions of the truth surrounding this matter and my involvement with Dr. Balaban, that have been unjustly disseminated on the internet and the rumor mill.
Over the last few weeks, I have met with many wonderful patients and families, and have heard some truly amazing and heartfelt stories of how some parents have worked second jobs, sold jewelry, sold items on EBay and even cashed in 401K and retirement plans in order to help pay for their child’s or children’s orthodontic care.
In no way, shape or form are you required to, nor am I telling you to, continue your orthodontic care in my Woodbury location. However, if you choose to do so, my team and I will work together with you.
Regarding the orthodontic records of Dr. Balaban’s patients, I simply do not have them! We were told by Dr. Balaban’s former employees that your orthodontic study molds were left behind in his Melville office location. We have NO access to any of your digital photos or x-rays. We only have access to Dr. Balaban’s treatment cards, which he brought over to my office.
To my existing patients
Thank you for your patience, understanding and courtesy while we sort out this mess. I assure you that your treatment will not suffer. Be assured that you will continue to receive the highest level of excellence in your orthodontic care. To my fellow orthodontic and dental colleagues: Thank you for your support and for your “Stu stories”. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at: (516) 921-6010. Dr. Jacqueline I. Fulop-Goodling
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All I have to say is very simple. Dr. Jacquie changed my entire life by fixing up my teeth. People used to say my smile was the most distinguishing characteristic I had, but after my teeth started to grow crookedly, I was ashamed of my smile. That smile disappeared for a long time, but Dr. Jacquie fixed it for a good price. Her orthodontic practice made me feel at home and she always took care of her patients. Orthodontic practices have been known to be quite terrifying, but her practice was built for children my age and was meant to help us. I now am a confident, well-rounded person but most importantly, I can smile because of her. I feel in this case, Dr. Balaban seems no more trustworthy than Madoff and it is important for the former patients of Balaban to understand that Dr. Jacquie is hurt just as much as they, themselves are. Taking responsibility for Balaban is a major effort and can be a strain on her practice as well. Don’t blame her for something she wasn’t responsible for. She tried to do a good deed and she was paid in coal. Have faith Dr. Jacquie! Everything will turn out for the best.
My daughter has been receiving care under Dr. Jackie for almost a year now. My daughter tends to be shy in new situations and Dr. Jackie made her feel completely comfortable. Dr. Josh has also treated her and again – no problems! The office staff exudes professionalism and friendliness. We have nothing but good things to say about our experience!
DR.JACQUIE IS THE BEST!!!!!! This is the craziest thing I have heard Dr.Jacquie is an amazing person. I met her 10yrs Ago when I got my braces she was the most caring person you could ever meet. The one thing I can remember was her big smile walking threw the door I wont ever forget it then she said Hi Im Dr.Jacquie and you just fall in love w/ her. She even offered me a job at my first visit. I liked her so much much I ended up working for her for like 6yrs my whole family ended up coming to her office and she is part of our family and always will be. I moved to Florida and I really miss working for her and being part of her team in Woodbury and in the Manhattan office she always cared about her patients and they all love her!!!!So what people need to know is that they are in the best hand w/ Dr.Jacquie I should know she did my braces and I love my smile
xoxox Love you and miss all the patients
We met Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling almost 10 years ago in our building and in our line of work, we are exposed to many different types of individuals and influential people from all over the world. We truly know and understand that the personality of a human being can have many different faces, as in this case where Dr. Fulop-Goodling trusted and tried to help a colleague in need.
Since we have met Dr. Fulop-Goodling, she has been and continues to be a diligent worker, always leaving early in the morning with a cheery smile on her face to only return late in the evening with the same smile, courteousness and friendliness.
Dr. Fulop-Goodling stood up for us, which could have been detrimental to her as a board member in our building. She took a moral stance in support of both of us in a certain situation that was occurring in our building. She took a leadership position, which was not the way our building’s old boy’s network of conventional thinking was at that time. Dr. Fulop-Goodling was able to get the unanimous support from our building. She could not gain a personal benefit by supporting us and if anything, it could have harmed her and her position in the building. Dr. Fulop-Goodling was one of the first owners to rise to our occasion with high moral ethics and stood against a group of politically powerful group of people because she believes in what is right and not what is popular. These are characteristics of a leader and a free thinker.
We are impressed by her importance of integrity, ethics and morals and we understand that this is how she conducts her life and her stances in her life.
Zvi and Eli Boyum
Dr. Jackie has been a wonderful doctor and a caring person to our children. Not only is she a great professional but also a wonderful human being with a “sunshine smile” always. She has been very straight forward and upfront about any charges for her services. Her team including Jennifer have been wonderful to us. I have no hesitation in stating that she is a great orthodontist who I would not hesitate to recommend anytime and hope that this sad episode tides over.
I have known Dr. Jacquie Fulop both personally and professionally for many years. And in that duration I have never once seen her act in either a nonprofessional or unethical manner. Her integrity and work ethic are beyond reproach. As an orthodontist, I must say she is very skilled, professional, personable and a caring doctor. Everything I have read indicates that she was unfortunately the victim of someone who lacks these same qualities she has. And truly the biggest shame is now Dr Fulop unfortunately has to cope with Dr. Balaban’s actions
l cant put into words how well l was treated buy Dr Jackie and everyone in her office your made to feel like family l’m so glad to have found her .. sad to hear that bad things happen to such good people
I met Dr. Jacquie Fulop at our postgradute study at Boston University. She was a very bright student, a good tutor and a very caring person. She loved working on patients but also liked teaching a lot. She would definitely never do unethical or unprofessional things and would always seek for the best treatment for her patients. It is a shame that she became a victim of Dr. Balaban`s unexcusable behavior.
Our family has known Dr. Jackie and her staff for over 8 years. She came highly recommended by our dentist for our oldest child who had a primary tooth that was inverted.
After our initial consultation we researched Dr. Jackie’s orthodontic recommendation versus other orthodontists. After careful analysis our conclusion was that Dr. Jackie was using state of the art equipment and procedures for far less cost than many of her counterparts. We were well aware of the fact that her technicians would perform certain procedures under the direction and instructions of Dr. Jackie. We also knew that this would keep the costs down.
When we had concerns, Dr. Jackie respectfully addressed them and we worked in partnership with her and her staff to attend to them.
Dr. Jackie’s professional integrity goes beyond doing the right thing. It comes with compassion and empathy. These personal qualities and Dr. Jackie’s desire to help those in need are exactly what led her to be taken advantage of. It is unfortunate.
We can attest to the wonderful qualities we have found in Dr. Jackie and her staff. We now have another child who is a patient under Dr. Jackie’s care. In the 8 years we have known Dr. Jackie and her staff we have developed a strong professional and personal relationship.
We consider her a part of our extended family.
We wish her all the best –The Watt Family
I known Dr. Jacquie for 14 years, and my husband became a patient of hers many years ago. I can’t emphasize enough how decent and professional she is – this is a person who really cares about her patients, her business and her reputation and would never do anything to jeopardize any of these. She is top of her field and couldn’t have reached that goal by being deceiptful or unethical, probably her only fault has been to trust this unscrupulous dentist Balaban (not even giving him the title of Dr.). He will get his……. karma will prevail!!!
I have known Dr Jacqueline Fulop-Gooding for many years. She is an exceptional lady who is loyal, caring and honest to the core. To think that a despicable person such as Dr Balaban would try to sully the reputation of a fantastic orthodontist is unthinkable. Shame on you Dr Balaban.
dr jacqueline fulop-goodling has changed my family completely in many ways. my brother had braces from a previous doctor for almost 5 years until dr jacque came into the picture and now my brother can actually smile without being so self conscience. i am now 20 years old and i have known dr jacque for about 10 years now. she isnt considered part of the family, she is part of our family. when you are a child growing up and having to go to the dentist every year for a checkup or cleaning is not fun for us. growing up we hate going to any doctor or dentist or orthodontist. now that the years are passing by kids are still the same and she knows what kids want she knows how to make kids adults anyone feel comfortable and reassured that everything will come out okay. i love her to death and for someone to come into her life and try to crush it is pathetic on his part. i know she will get through this because she is a very independent woman who can get passed anything with the support of her patients. as for dr balaban, i know he thought he can ruin dr jacque but he failed terribly and he deserves whatever he gets.
-stephanie hernandez
I was a patients of Dr. Balaban’s and i definitely lost out of my retainers!! Dr. Jackie told me about the situation and actually helped me out with my vivera retainers and actually polished and shaved down my teeth and took care of me!! I cant complain with Dr .Jackie at all she was very upfront with me and honest and held her word. For Dr.Balaban’s patients as myself, our gripe and issues should be with him!!
!!
I am totally happy with Dr. Jackie,, she is nice, understanding and did the best she could!!
Thanks a bunch doc
We met Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling almost 10 years ago in our building and in our line of work, we are exposed to many different types of individuals and influential people from all over the world. We truly know and understand that the personality of a human being can have many different faces, as in this case where Dr. Fulop-Goodling trusted and tried to help a colleague in need.Since we have met Dr. Fulop-Goodling, she has been and continues to be a diligent worker, always leaving early in the morning with a cheery smile on her face to only return late in the evening with the same smile, courteousness and friendliness.Dr. Fulop-Goodling stood up for us, which could have been detrimental to her as a board member in our building. She took a moral stance in support of both of us in a certain situation that was occurring in our building. She took a leadership position, which was not the way our building’s old boy’s network of conventional thinking was at that time. Dr. Fulop-Goodling was able to get the unanimous support from our building. She could not gain a personal benefit by supporting us and if anything, it could have harmed her and her position in the building. Dr. Fulop-Goodling was one of the first owners to rise to our occasion with high moral ethics and stood against a group of politically powerful group of people because she believes in what is right and not what is popular. These are characteristics of a leader and a free thinker.We are impressed by her importance of integrity, ethics and morals and we understand that this is how she conducts her life and her stances in her life.
+1
I am very happy with my new smile. Going to Dr. Jaquie’s office was a great decision for me. Her and her staff were extremely nice. I am happy I got invisilign, but the only regret I had was that I had not done it sooner!
I was a patient of Dr. Balaban from the age of 9 and I am turning 17 this July, and when he moved into Dr. Jackie’s Woodbury, Long Island office location, Dr. Jackie observed my teeth and jaw, there were many problems with my teeth, and my face was becomming more asymmetrical. Dr. Jackie, kind as she is, took over my case and completely removed my brackets and started all over, she is dedicated in treating me, and has promised to make my smile perfect, I believe this because, during the last few months I have seen great improvements in my midline and I can finally look at myself in the mirror without feeling self-conscience about my asymmetry. My family and I are greatful for her dedication and attention. I would recommend anyone to Dr. Jackie because she is truly trustworthy and she has the gift of, not only making people smile, but making them happy to smile.
I am very happy to have met Dr. Jackie. Not only was she considerate, caring and funny when my daughter went in for her consultation, but she was also very informative and made my daughter and I feel very excited about getting braces. My daughter already had the braces attached, and it has been an all-around positive experience; it is amazing that after one month, there are already visible results. My daughter is feeling much more confident about herself, and has also learned how great it really is to have good oral hygene! Dr. Jackie’s staff is very proffesional and polite and have always been very helpful and informative. I will always recommend Dr. Jackie whenever possible.