Endocrinologist Update

We went back to the Dr. today for Jack's 6 month check up.

So are y'all ready for the BIG news?????

Drum roll please.............................

He has grown 2 inches since November!! Horray. At this age they usually grow that in one year so he's trying to catch up.

He's still a tiny 31 lbs- but she's not too worried about that. We go back in 6 months for a check up.

Although the results of the appointment were exciting, the actual trip to the Dr. was excruciating. I will explain to you by cutting/pasting the actual letter I just sent to their office manager.

Unbelievable!


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 15, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

Six months ago we were referred by our pediatrician to see Dr. Houchin with the Pediatric Endocrinology Specialists group at their practice on Providence Road. Our son, Jack, is a slow grower and we were sent to see her to check his growth hormone. Our experience was wonderful. Dr. Houchin and her staff were extremely pleasant and overall I was pleased. I would recommend her in a heartbeat. We scheduled our 6 month check-up and were on our way.

Today, May 15, 2008, was our six month check-up and our experience was quite different from our first visit.

We arrived for our 9:30 appointment at 9:15 a.m. My daughter Riley, who turns two in June, was with us. As soon as we entered the lobby Riley began to cry. She gets a bit scared at doctor’s offices but this was a full-blown tantrum from the moment we walked in the door. I was thankful that no one else was in the lobby or waiting room. I was mortified but had to move along and sign in.

While I signed in at the window I overhead Dr. Parker comment, “What’s that noise?” I replied, “That would be us. My daughter is scared. Just throw some ear plugs in.” I apologized for her screaming and signed for my co-pay.

I watched Dr. Parker to see if he had any reaction to my comment, which he did. He looked around and then promptly said – with attitude I might add-, “Well- she needs to be quiet.”

I was floored. I walked away saying, “Sorry we ruined your day.” Here I am with an almost two year old having a full-blown tantrum and a professional doctor telling me that my daughter needs to be quiet. Something’s wrong. I became upset and tried to calm my daughter down. Meanwhile, my son noticed that I was upset and tried to calm me down. This should never have happened.

I continued to try and calm Riley down and decided to take her outside so we didn’t bother anyone else. One of the ladies on staff, Portia (forgive me if I misspelled her name) came outside and was an unbelievable help. She first apologized and reminded me that I was in an office for children and it happens frequently, which made me feel better immediately. She offered Riley juice and stickers, both of which she refused, but the offer was nice. Riley even began to throw up and Portia walked away with her because I was so upset. I will forever be thankful for Portia because I might have left if it wasn’t for her. She should be commended.

We made it into Dr. Houchin’s room and after Portia made sure we were settled Randy Brantley came in to ask me a few questions about what happened with Dr. Parker. He was very apologetic and was very nice to myself and my children. I appreciated his kindness.

In writing this letter it is my hope that Dr. Parker never be allowed to talk to other patients the way he spoke to me today. He was rude, disrespectful and extremely unprofessional. I hope this was an isolated incident and never happens again. I understand he is a Doctor, but that makes him no better than the rest of us. I am an educated (Masters degree) woman who was handling the situation to the best of my ability. I wonder how he would have handled the situation if the roles were reversed.

I have filed a complaint with Carolinas HealthCare System and hope that Dr. Parker realizes that he must act professional around all patients. Until then I will make sure to not recommend him to anyone and pass the word along to my friends here in Charlotte.

I have never in my life written a letter of this nature and hope I never have to do so again.


Fondly,

Alison Milligan