Dr. Melissa Marie Asuncion, MD

After 5+ years of having Dr. Asuncion as my primary care doctor, I have decided to move on and find another doctor. Dr. Asuncion appears to be extremely burned out and/or does not want to give me the time and attention I need as her patient. After my most recent visit, I realized how little she really knows about me as a person and it's clear to me that she does not bother to review my chart before walking into the room. Once she walks into the room, she seems almost irritated and annoyed that I've come to see her for my care (several chronic conditions). She talks AT me, is very dismissive when I begin to explain something, has zero interest in my personal life, and seems to have a very difficult time or does not care to connect the dots, if I have a new health issue. Empathy is nonexistent with her. However, she is very good at ordering tests, shoving lab orders into my hands, and sending me out the door. It's funny- I feel worse after seeing her and I don't think this is… healthy for me or for anyone. Medical care in the U.S. is expensive and we do have choices. I am not one to write bad reviews but I feel I need to say something. The below is an excerpt from an article that I feel is applicable in this situation: "Many physicians use higher workloads, fewer resources, and increased pressure from insurance and drug companies as excuses for providing poor customer service. The fact is, there is no excuse. It doesn't cost a thing to be respectful, and it will probably prove to be more efficient in the long run."

Dr. Melissa Asuncion is the best primary care physician I have ever had. I started out with her brother Joe, who is also an M.D., but he moved to Hagerstown. So it seemed natural to switch to his sister at FMH Crestwood (I also see her brother Fred as a dentist, and he is fantastic too). Wow. Melissa is kind, caring, and explains medical issues on the level of the patient's understanding. In my case, I am a Ph.D. in biophysics and biochemistry, so she speaks to me at my level. She makes me feel comfortable and I really feel like she genuinely cares about my health, and that of my son, who still sees her even though he now lives in Arlington, VA. That certainly says something in her favor. I would rate Dr. Asuncion as Excellent plus!