Dr. Henry Kuper Upchurch, DO

Dr. Henry Upchurch Jr., DO is an emergency medicine physician. I have had multiple encounters with him in the Boonville, Arkansas Emergency Room, and my most recent visit was particularly concerning due to communication issues and the manner in which parental concerns were handled. During this visit, my daughter was being evaluated for Flu A and had been experiencing persistent symptoms that appeared to be worsening rather than improving. These included fevers reaching as high as 103.7°F for approximately five days, significant throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and general discomfort. Given the duration and progression of her symptoms, I was concerned about the possibility of a secondary infection and wanted to ensure that this had been adequately considered. While Dr. Upchurch was kind toward my child, his communication with me as her parent was dismissive and confrontational. I made a conscious effort to remain calm, respectful, and cooperative throughout the visit. Despite this, I… was repeatedly interrupted and not allowed to fully explain my daughter’s symptoms, history, or my specific concerns. I did not feel that my role as a parent advocating for my child was respected. When I attempted to ask questions related to her ongoing symptoms and potential next steps, Dr. Upchurch raised his voice and responded in an angry manner rather than engaging in a calm and informative discussion. This made it difficult to understand his clinical reasoning or feel reassured about the care plan. Clear communication is especially important in emergency medicine, where families are often under significant stress. I was also surprised by his reaction when I explained that I had declined Oseltamivir after researching potential side effects. I expected a discussion of the risks and benefits so that I could make an informed decision, but instead the response felt hostile and dismissive rather than educational. A strep test was performed by nursing staff during the visit. However, when I later asked about the result, I was informed that the test had been discarded because my daughter had tested negative the previous day at a clinic, despite the fact that her symptoms had worsened since that time. This was concerning to me, as I was seeking reassurance that her condition had been appropriately reevaluated based on her current presentation. The overall interaction was distressing for both me and my daughter. She left the emergency room frightened and in tears, not only because she was still feeling unwell, but also because of the tension and tone of the encounter. Emergency room visits are already difficult for children and parents alike, and compassionate communication can make a significant difference in how those experiences are perceived. I share this review in hopes that it encourages greater attention to respectful communication, parental concerns, and collaborative discussion when treating pediatric patients. While clinical decisions may not always align with parental expectations, taking the time to listen, explain decisions calmly, and affirm parents who are seeking care out of genuine concern for their child’s well-being is essential to building trust and delivering quality care.

I am writing this review based on multiple personal encounters with Dr. Henry Upchurch in the ER, including visits with two of my children. While Dr. Upchurch was kind directly to my child, his behavior toward me as a parent was unprofessional, dismissive, and verbally aggressive. Despite being calm, respectful, and simply trying to advocate for my child, I was repeatedly interrupted, ignored, and spoken to in a raised voice in front of my daughter. We came to the ER because my child was on day five of Flu A and was progressively worsening. She had experienced fevers up to 103.7, severe throat pain described as “razor blades,” difficulty swallowing, itching on the roof of her mouth, swollen glands, and thick dark yellow to green phlegm with streaks of blood. These symptoms were concerning for a possible secondary bacterial infection, which I respectfully asked about. Dr. Upchurch refused to listen to the symptom history, did not adequately examine her throat, and declined to repeat… strep or COVID testing—even though the previous day’s strep swab at another clinic was barely performed and my child’s condition had worsened. An ER swab was taken but then discarded at his direction, solely because she had been tested the day before. Throughout the encounter, he repeatedly yelled that he would not prescribe antibiotics or narcotic pain medication—despite the fact that I never asked for narcotics and was simply asking questions. I was not allowed to finish a sentence or explain concerns, including that both my other daughter and I had recently had Flu A with strep and improved rapidly after treatment. He also aggressively questioned why I declined Tamiflu. When I calmly stated I was concerned about potential side effects but couldn’t recall them verbatim in the moment, his tone became even more hostile. At no point was respectful discussion or shared decision-making offered. Additionally, Dr. Upchurch appeared visibly shaky during the exam, which made it difficult for him to assess my child and was unsettling as a parent. Emergency rooms are stressful environments—I understand that. However, stress does not excuse yelling at parents, refusing to listen, or dismissing legitimate concerns. No parent should feel afraid to ask questions or advocate for their child’s health. This experience left me deeply concerned—not just for my child, but for any patient or family who may be treated similarly. Compassion, communication, and careful assessment are essential in emergency medicine, and unfortunately, those were lacking during our visit.

Went to the ER in Van Buren AR the other night. Only one other patient in the ER. Coughing, wheezing, having issues that felt like broke ribs. Mr. Upchurch was the ER doctor, told them as best I could what was going on. I have been asmatic my entire life, and have been fortunate enough to have some positively awesome doctors. Due to the virus I had been trying my best not to go to the ER. Once he came, I got lectured on overusing puffer, which if you can't breath will happen, I let that go at the time, I am expecting an IV, at the very least steroids, but hopefully some magnesium, and a chest X Ray. Instead, got another lecture about puffer, I am still no better, a nerve pill and go home. If you do not care about people anymore than that sir, stay home, I spent 5 hours gasping and struggling until my doctor's office managed to work me in, on top of that about 5 or 6 people just sitting around playing on their phones gripping about being there. Would complain about the ER staff, but… seemed they were just following their leader. Will never return to that ER