Dr. Jonathan Sam Rapp, MD

At an appt with Dr Rapp in 2014, I mentioned that I had been feeling mildly depressed. He stopped everything, made me put my right hand up and repeat after him that I "solemnly swear to not commit suicide." Sorry, that's not how mental health (nor suicide prevention) works.... Beyond that, he refused my requests for a referral based on persistent symptoms suggestive of an autoimmune disorder (another doctor referred me to the Sjogren's clinic, where the specialist was alarmed enough by my test results to do biopsies and refer me out to another specialist). When I said I was not on hormonal contraceptives (maternal history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer, though I used other reliable contraception) and would likely not opt for an abortion were I to end up pregnant, he sternly ordered me to take folic acid every day. I didn't mention it at the time, but even modest amount of folic acid have been implicated in an increased risk of myriad cancers; folate ought to be used instead.… Further, I requested a few fairly standard tests and he refused to order anything beyond a basic blood panel. I have thought about Dr Rapp from time to time over the past few years and how he not only fell short in providing me with adequate healthcare, but how condescending and belittling I was. I saw him at a clinic largely frequented by low-income folks (a group I belong to), but Dr. Rapp made me feel like my status meant I wasn't worthy of respect or capable of engaging in marginally intelligent discourse. I ended up switching from SFGH to the UCSF network shortly after and have received mind-blowingly fantastic care -- even though I am still poor as dirt. Three years after my appt with Dr Rapp, I was diagnosed with a form of cancer that typically strikes people twice my age. I hate to think of where I'd be in that regard if I'd had to try to convince him to refer me to someone for my symptoms. If I saw Dr. Rapp again, I would tell him that people, regardless of their socioeconomic situation or what you may perceive as ignorance, have the same capacity to feel pain and are as deserving of respect as your wife or children or parents. Also, "promise you won't" is not an effective deterrent to suicide.