Dr. Kjell Thomas Jorgenson, MD

I received assistance twice from Mr. Jorgenson's team at Sutter Health CPMC on Van Ness. I have a regular pain management specialist, and she has provided clear instructions to administer only specific IV pain medications, as others are ineffective due to my high tolerance and ongoing pain management regimen at home. During my initial hospitalization, Dr. Jorgenson promptly discontinued my pain medications and left me unattended for hours, which compelled me to plead for relief. His attitude was reminiscent of treating me as a street drug addict. I am highly responsible regarding my pain management and communicate explicitly with my pain specialist, Dr. Meredith Adamo, of the Tom Waddell Clinic. My subsequent hospitalization, immediately following the first, was markedly worse. Once again, I was treated as if I were a drug addict. Despite the explicit instructions documented in my chart, I was left without pain medication for five hours, during which my pain exceeded a level of… ten. One aspect that Mr. Jorgenson handled well was delegating communication to his team's resident physicians and having them come with comments. However, they were unable to approve my medications. When I requested to speak directly with him, he declined to meet with me, and I was never able to speak with him after the first meeting. It was exceedingly frustrating to be treated as nothing more than a number. After five hours without medication, a resident doctor from Dr. Jorgenson's team approached me to inquire if I wished to transfer to the Davis campus. I consented but emphasized the urgent need for pain medication, having endured a prolonged period without relief. Although he refused to administer the medication, he provided the necessary paperwork for the transfer. I had to assertively state my intention not to sign the documentation to secure the medication, and even then, he offered the minimal possible dose, which caused me considerable distress. I again threatened to withhold my signature to obtain an appropriate dose that would facilitate ambulance transfer with manageable pain. It is profoundly disheartening to have to plead for pain medication that has been approved by my pain specialist, as if I were a drug addict. Healthcare professionals like Mr. Jorgenson undermine trust in the medical system. I only seek medical care when I am critically ill, driven by the fear of enduring unalleviated pain and being regarded as a mere number rather than a human being. Such treatment is unjust. I speak not only on my own behalf but also for others facing similar neglect. While many physicians are commendable, a small percentage, including Dr. Jorgenson, tarnish the reputation of the medical profession. I received assistance in October and November of 2025.