Sarah Alles, CRNP

Patient Grievance Regarding Sarah Alles, NP Penn Primary Care 700 Walnut Street This complaint regarding the unacceptable care I received from Sarah Alles, NP. I have never left a medical appointment feeling so dismissed, disrespected, and unheard. I first want to recognize that the front desk staff and medical assistant were professional, courteous, and compassionate throughout my visit. My complaint is solely regarding the conduct and professionalism of Sarah Alles. From the beginning of the appointment, Ms. Alles displayed a dismissive and unprofessional demeanor. As I attempted to explain information I had received from Labcorp regarding how to place a standing order for my thyroid bloodwork after previously being told she was unfamiliar with the process she interrupted me before I could finish and stated that she “didn’t have time” because there was too much to cover during the appointment. Rather than listening to a legitimate concern about my ongoing medical care, she… abruptly cut me off. I also attempted to discuss the significant delays I have experienced in receiving responses to my portal messages while I have been trying to manage my health and understand why I have not been feeling well. Instead of addressing those concerns professionally, she commented about the number of portal messages I had sent, which made me feel as though I was being criticized for advocating for my own health and attempting to communicate with my provider. When I questioned why she was being so dismissive toward me, she only then apologized. However, she immediately attempted to justify her behavior by blaming the nurse, stating that the appointment was running behind because the nurse had spent too much time with me. I found it completely inappropriate and unprofessional to shift responsibility onto another member of the staff or suggest that I was somehow responsible for the delay. Patients should never be made to feel guilty for the amount of time their medical team spends providing care. Respectful communication and active listening are fundamental expectations of any healthcare provider. Unfortunately, I experienced neither. I left the appointment feeling that my concerns were an inconvenience rather than an important part of my medical care. This experience was not an isolated frustration. It occurred against the backdrop of ongoing communication difficulties with this provider, including delayed responses when I was seeking guidance about my health. The cumulative effect has resulted in a complete loss of confidence in Sarah Alles as my healthcare provider. As a result, I will be transferring my care to another practice. I am requesting that Office Manager Ben contact me as soon as possible regarding this grievance. I expect this complaint to be reviewed seriously and addressed appropriately. If I do not receive a timely response, I will pursue this matter through the appropriate patient relations and administrative channels. No patient should leave a medical appointment feeling dismissed, interrupted, blamed, or discouraged from asking questions about their own healthcare. I sincerely hope my experience prompts meaningful review so that other patients are not treated in the same manner.