Everything about this practice is absolutely charming, except for one condescending, unpleasant provider who clearly should have stopped practicing years ago, whose name is Mary Pat. I can handle providers lacking in a bedside manner, but Mary Pat is just plain rude and carries an arrogance she hasn't earned. The first time I met her, she made a snide remark about how nice it was that I had "made an appearance" at my child's appointment (for the record, I work full-time and so if I couldn't make it, I have always sent my son with his other parent for his appointments; what, only a mom can take her kid to a doctor's appointment?) and continued to make several through out the appointment. By the end, I'm surprised steam wasn't coming out of my ears.
Trying to have a conversation about my child's health wasn't much more productive. She talked over me constantly, at one point, even arguing with me in front of my child when I said I wasn't interested in getting a totally unnecessary and optional immunization. And I lost track of the number of times I stated a decision I had made, indicating a subject was not up for discussion, only to have her respond, "Well, we're going to talk about it anyway." I understand she's the medical professional, but I'm the parent and I clearly laid out my reasons for why I wanted to hold off. It's fine if she doesn't agree with them, but questioning my reasons and then undermining me in front of my child? Totally not acceptable, and just more of the same with her total lack of people skills. And that was just the first time I met her!
Since then, I've gone out of my way NOT to schedule with Mary Pat unless my kid absolutely needs to be seen, because each subsequent appointment has been more of the same. By coincidence, I found out a good friend of mine goes to the same office, and she reported that while Mary Pat is OK with her son, she lacks any interpersonal skills with the parents. I've thought about switching insurances because while I think most of the other providers are OK and the office staff is wonderful, it's never worth the irritation of dealing with Mary Pat. I don't understand why an office that has so much going for it would allow such a downer to be employed there!
The bottom line is, I would give this place zero stars, but I really can't say enough wonderful things about the front office staff. I've never been kept waiting for more than eight or nine minutes, and they always seem to remember our names. Maybe it's just because they're unusual? Either way, they're what keep me going back, but I'll be a much more satisfied client if Mary Pat isn't wearing a white coat with their moniker someday. read more
