Dr. Donald Dean Graham, MD

During my first visit to Dr. Donald Graham’s office at Appalachian Regional Pulmonary System, he took an X-ray of my lungs. I told him that the Veteran’s Administration diagnosed me with histoplasmosis when they found calcified granulomas in my lungs. I explained that my sister and two of my aunts also have histoplasmosis. Dr. Graham said this is unlikely unless you lived in the Ohio River Valley. I explained that I grew up two roads up from the river, and he said, “Well, that would do it.” Then, Dr. Graham ordered three tests regarding my breathing issues and other symptoms. After the first test was completed, he ordered an oxygen concentrator to be delivered to my home. The first test indicated that my oxygen levels dropped when I slept. I finished the pulmonary imaging with contrast and sleep study that he ordered. Then, he called in another sleep study to determine what level to set the CPAP machine, which he planned to order as a replacement for the oxygen concentrator. On my… return appointment, he said all my tests were normal. I said, then why did you order the oxygen concentrator? Graham said he did not order the machine. I said, yes, you did. I said, also the pulmonary imaging was not normal, nor was the sleep study. That is why you ordered the other sleep study tests to set the CPAP. He did not remember ordering two of the four tests or the oxygen machine, or the CPAP. I said I had proof, and I showed him the hospital printout with his name. I said I have the test results in my purse if you want to see them. I told him that I just discussed the other sleep study with your nurse, and she remembers. She found tests and showed them to him. Graham had formed a medical opinion without viewing all the tests, which he did not remember ordering. He was not planning to treat me for my breathing issues, and he did remember that he had already started treatment. At the end of this visit Dr. Graham said, I only forgot one test. He actually for two, which half of the tests that he ordered. These tests are expensive and important for forming medical determination. Even if he had only forgotten one test, when is that acceptable treatment protocol. As an insult to injury, during my first appointment, Dr. Graham stated that my husband wanted a remote to control. My husband had not said two words to this doctor. Graham’s statement is what I would expect from the domestic violence perpetrators that I counseled at my former job. My husband is a kind and gentle man. Sam is an old-school British citizen of Northern Ireland, and he would never seek to lord over me. Graham does not know anything about us or our marriage, so he was projecting his own desires to control women. Graham needs counseling for control issues. He also needs to learn how to read his patient's charts so he can make informed medical decisions.

An absolutely outstanding physician whotakes time with his patients to the extent of calling them at home to check on their progress. would recommend him to anyone looking for a true professional

Having never seen this doctor before, he knew nothing of my circumstances in life nor I his. A student was shadowing him so perhaps he had to impress her being macho - he did not impress me. I asked about a sample of my med and was given one only it was the wrong dosage. Dr. Wolfe had seen me since his arrival in Boone so all records were up to date. There is no alternative in area.

Very dismissive...poor communication....spent ten minutes with me as a new patient..never going back...