Mary Ellen Prevost

I submitted a list of respectful, evidence-based questions through the patient portal a week before my visit — based on my own lab results and health concerns. When I followed up, Mary told me the questions “didn’t make sense.” A week later, I received a certified letter terminating care, stating the practice “could not meet my expectations.” As someone who takes no prescriptions, uses minimal health care, and seeks to be proactive and informed, this response felt abrupt, hostile, and dismissive. Patients in North Carolina have the right to participate in their care, ask questions, and receive answers under the NC Patient Bill of Rights (§ 131E-144.3). I exercised that right respectfully — and was removed as a patient for doing so. Very disappointing. I expected collaborative care and was met with gatekeeping.