Dr. Julie Marie Surhigh, MD

Not compassionate, cold.

This doctor does not have the time, apparently to follow the standard of care in the treatment of newborns with congenital hypothyroidism which requires monthly bloodwork and reviews of med dosage for the first year of life. Apparently taking a patient on as a patient does not in this doctor's mind (or at least in the minds of her office staff) translate to a sense of duty of care. Was told to call the office for a follow up appt 4 weeks from the last bloodwork but was told when I called (3 weeks from that recommended date) that the doctor was booked out for the next 3 MONTHs, and that in addition to not being able to see my daughter for that period, the doctor also does not discuss lab results over the phone (we have to come in, and we need to monthly, but can't be seen for months). Let me be clear about something: the consequences for an infant of poor management of thyroid treatment and poor monitoring of blood levels is IRREVERSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE and severe mental retardation. The… standard of care is monthly monitoring until age 1. I was never told I needed to book multiple appointments at once in order to be able to have this standard of care followed. The doctor herself told me at our last appointment to call for a follow up in 4 wks, and when I call as instructed I'm told it'll be months before I can see OR speak to the doctor, regardless of what she told me, or what the treatment of her disorder requires, or the profound HARM she might suffer as a result of her levels being off. So. If your child has a serious disorder that requires regular visits and routine follow up DO NOT see this doctor. You child's health and possibly life depends on it.

Unable to make next appointment right after current appointment as date book only goes six months out. Difficult to make next appointment.