*I've also reported Spokane OBGYN to the Department of Health and WA State Board of Nursing for…read morepatient abandonment*
Spokane OBGYN abruptly ended care by canceling the appointment I waited 6 months for, saying they would no longer see me or sign off on the workplace accommodations forms they'd had since April, while failing to provide me without further support options.
I was diagnosed with endometriosis at 24y by Dr. Spaniol after an elective surgery in October 2025, and was scheduled for a hysterectomy in January 2026; I shortly provided Spokane OBGYN with my application for medical leave through WA Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). They charged me for the application forms and never filled them out, returned them, or even informed me about their status; I had to request a refund at my pre-op appointment because my psychiatrist had agreed to help me and I'd already been on leave for over a month.
When I returned to work in March 2026, I discussed workplace accommodations for a reduced schedule with my HR department & forwarded the request form to Spokane OBGYN in April 2026 for signature. Weeks passed, and my follow-up messages were ignored. Eventually, I was informed that it was sent to their FMLA department (even though I'm asking for schedule accommodations through my workplace, not applying for FMLA leave a 2nd time through the state) so they didn't know where my form was at.
After about 2 months, they finally told me that Dr. Spaniol will not sign the request form because she's not an endometriosis specialist, even though she's the one who diagnosed me and the only OBGYN I've seen-- essentially, I waited all that time just for them to say they did
absolutely. nothing.
I was referred to schedule with Dr. Newell, and told that I could get her signature on my request form. Reception said she was booked out until October 5th (it was now July), and I took the appointment because I had no other options.
On 10/1, I received a call from the same receptionist; she explained that she "wasn't aware" of my financial history in July, so the appointment would need to be cancelled and I could no longer schedule with them. Immensely confused and heartbroken because I've been barely scraping by while waiting for this appointment since March, I asked, "What does my financial history have to do with anything?" and all she said was, "I don't know, I just heard from billing." I was not given ANY explanation, payment options, alternatives, or referrals.
It has now been 1 year since I received my endometriosis diagnosis, and I still have no relief in place for my symptoms. While I understand that private practices are not subject to all financial anti-discrimination protections, Spokane OBGYN is still subject to the ethical requirements of the WA State Board of Nursing. In the time that I waited to hear from Spokane OBGYN, I could have met with a different provider to sign my forms, like I had to last year, instead of suffering through all of 2026 just to be kicked to the curb.
Spokane OBGYN's failure to reasonably communicate, especially when no action was taken, or provide advance notice or follow-up referrals has put me through indescribable stress, pain, and anguish. I run out of PTO ~3 months early every year since it all goes to medical care & obligations; I often have to work 9-hour days without breaks when returning from a flare-up just to make up my time. I feel abandoned by the providers who cut into my body & gave me the devastating news of my diagnosis, then slammed the door in my face because my insurance was paying for my medical costs.
