Dr. Ishna Poojary-Hohman, MD

I rarely leave negative reviews, especially for physicians, but I feel a responsibility to share our experience with Dr. Poojari so that other families are aware. My mother, who was in critical need of a lung transplant, was evaluated by Dr. Poojari. Unfortunately, our experience was deeply disheartening and, in my opinion, dangerous. Dr. Poojari entered the room for no more than 10 minutes, never introduced herself properly, never sat down, and stood against the wall with her arms crossed, a posture that matched her cold and dismissive demeanor. Without compassion or conversation, she told my mother, “You won’t survive the surgery,” and sent her home with instructions to get the necessary transplant workup done as an outpatient, despite my mom being critically ill and quickly running out of time. This lack of empathy and refusal to recognize the urgency of her case could have cost my mother her life. Thankfully, we sought a second opinion at the Miami Transplant Institute, where her… team took one look at her declining condition and immediately admitted her inpatient to begin the full evaluation. They didn’t send her home to fend for herself. They understood the situation, acted swiftly, and ultimately saved her life. I understand that not every patient is a transplant candidate, but what patients and their families deserve, especially in moments this serious, is honesty delivered with compassion, clinical discernment grounded in urgency, and above all, respect. Sadly, Dr. Poojari offered none of that. We are forever grateful to the Miami team, but extremely disappointed in how Tampa handled my mother’s case.