This guy is AWFUL! I have never been spoken to this way by a doctor before, and he is an embarrassment to his profession. I shudder to think that other peoples livelihoods depend on his competence. I was hesitant for a moment to write this review, because I have had a good experience with others in that office (Dr. Davis, PA Seth, PA Jacko), and I didn't want this review to affect them negatively. That being said nobody should be treated this way, and I'm not going to reward bad behavior with silence.
I went to see him for a suspected tear in my left ulnar collateral ligament. I was referred to his office by my PCP, and he was the only one available to see me without waiting until Friday (it was Tuesday and my PCP said it could be urgent). After a brief exam, he told me that I needed surgery and they would schedule me for Friday,. When I asked if an MRI was necessary to confirm the diagnosis he seemed annoyed and said it wasn't. He said he's never been wrong about this situation… being a tear and not just a sprain. Rodgers then proceeded to tell me in a rather sarcastic manner that since I play the guitar, which requires delicate motor skills, that I should probably quit martial arts training (how the injury occurred) at this point of my life, because they didn’t seem to go together. Granted I’m only 49, not 80.
Rodgers then left me with the PA Jacko, who actually works for another doctor in the office. Jacko fitted me for a splint and was very helpful in answering my questions. I left there still uncomfortable about Rodgers response to my questions, and the lack of any effort to spend some time explaining my options, so I called a retired friend with over 35 years of military and ER medical experience, and spoke with an out of state ortho expert just trying to feel comfortable that surgery was the right move with no other options. It was suggested that I ask for an MRI to confirm, as my thumb didn't present to be extreme but more of a middle of the line case that could go either way, and an MRI would likely clear that up. I called the office and requested the MRI on Wednesday, then rushed to the imaging center that same day, so that I could stay within the schedule for a Friday surgery, if it was needed. I also called the surgery scheduler to preemptively let her know what was going on. I left the imaging center with the disc of images and the MRI report was ready first thing Thursday morning. I called the office and left a message for Jacko to let him know that I had the MRI and that the images were there to view, and that the report should already be in their hands. I didn’t hear back, but I was sure that they were busy. After bothering back by the end of the day I assumed that I either didn’t require surgery, or at the very least that I wasn’t having it on Friday. Friday came and went and I received a call from Seth around 2pm stating that they had not received the MRI and report, but they would likely call me next week. I called back within a few minutes and was informed that Rodgers and Seth had left around noon. I emailed the MRI report to the receptionists Linda, who was very helpful, and asked her to forward it on, since they hadn’t received it. I then left Seth a message letting him know that I sent it.
At 8:22 on Monday morning I received a call from Rodgers. He was very short and said I reviewed your MRI and like I said you need surgery. I am going to give you the number to Nam Lee, a hand specialist in Allen, to call. I then asked him if there was some concern after seeing the MRI that required me to be referred to a hand specialist. Rodgers response was “No, but you obviously don’t trust me since you made me order imaging that I didn’t need, and then tried to tie me to a schedule, and at this point you are more of a pain to me than your are worth.” I was pretty taken back by this response. I have seen my share of doctors, but even with 10 years of AD military service I have never been spoken to this way by a supposed medical professional. I politely declined the referral, and Rodgers hung up. I felt like not having surgery on Friday, performed by this man, was a blessing in disguise. Why would I trust him when he made zero effort to earn my trust. Does he assume that because he has Dr. as a title that he should be treated as omniscient and he shouldn’t be questioned about the procedure? I’m sorry but I’ve had one surgery my entire life, an appendectomy 31 years ago, so I’d like to feel a little comfortable before going under the knife, and know that it’s my best option for recovery. Now I did call the office later that morning and made a complaint. I was told that the regional coordinator would contact me, but apparently they didn’t see the need, which is another reason I went forward with this review.
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