Rachel D. Tobias, PA-C

This appointment was intended to be my annual cardiology follow-up. I have been a patient of Dr. Sarris since at least 2019, and over the years, I have developed a level of trust and familiarity with the care provided by his office. Because he was unavailable, my appointment was rescheduled with Rachel Tobias, PA-C. Although I would have preferred to see my regular cardiologist, I understood the scheduling constraints and approached the appointment with an open mind, expecting the same level of attention and consideration I had come to appreciate over the years. I came to the appointment with several issues I wanted to discuss, including increased cholesterol levels, blood pressure fluctuations, changes in heart rate, palpitations, and unexplained weight gain. Rather than feeling heard and evaluated, I left feeling dismissed, unheard, and significantly more anxious than when I arrived. Throughout the visit, I questioned whether my medical history and current concerns were being fully… considered. When I asked about my cholesterol results and other symptoms, I did not receive the explanations or meaningful discussion I had hoped for. I also shared that I had independently increased my blood pressure medication because my readings remained elevated, yet this did not seem to prompt further discussion or guidance. To the best of my recollection, the visit consisted primarily of reviewing information collected during intake and discussing my concerns. I do not recall a physical examination during the provider portion of the appointment, including anyone listening to my heart or lungs. Given the symptoms I reported, I expected a more thorough assessment and explanation of my care. One of the most concerning aspects of the visit involved an EKG. During intake, the staff member who took my vital signs told me that I would not need an EKG because I had previously worn a Zio monitor. Since she was not my provider, I assumed the need for testing would be addressed during the appointment. This surprised me because I had been a patient of Dr. Sarris for many years, and an EKG had routinely been part of my annual follow-up visits. As the appointment was ending and Rachel Tobias was preparing to leave, I mentioned that I usually received an EKG at my annual visits. I also brought up my documented right bundle branch block (RBBB). She appeared surprised, reviewed my chart, and then stated that an EKG could be performed if I wanted one. Because my RBBB had been part of my cardiac history for years, this interaction left me questioning how thoroughly my medical history had been considered earlier in the visit. When the same staff member returned to perform the EKG, her first comment was that I "should have just said I wanted an EKG." Given our earlier conversation, I found the remark dismissive and unprofessional. During the test, one of the leads repeatedly detached, yet I did not observe an attempt to improve its adhesion, reposition it, or repeat the reading. Instead, I was asked whether I was wearing lotion. After the EKG, Rachel Tobias returned briefly and stated, "Yep, you still have it," referring to my RBBB, before leaving. I do not recall receiving any further explanation of the findings or discussion of how they related to the symptoms that brought me to the appointment. What disappointed me most was the lack of meaningful communication, empathy, and reassurance. I understand that not every symptom has an immediate explanation and that not every appointment requires extensive testing. However, I do expect my concerns to be taken seriously, my medical history to be considered, and decisions about my care to be explained. I did not decide to share this review lightly. After reflecting on the experience, I felt it was important to speak about it because healthcare depends on trust, communication, and patients feeling comfortable raising concerns about their health. I hope this experience was unique to my appointment and not refl