My friend was seen by Lee Woonsick , PA-C, around 12ish noon, we waited over 40 minutes to be seen and when inside the actual room, my good friend asked if I can be with her and was told that's fine by a nurse.
During the appointment, Woonsick came in already very upset. He did not ask my friend any identifying questions, didn't even refer to her by her name or asked for it or even asked questions relating to why she was there. He walked in and quickly grabbed her arm ( which was very inflamed by her condition and was the point of injury ) and when she yelped in pain and out of being startled, he said in a snappy tone that he's doing his job. He did not loosen his grip when she did say it hurt, and when she voiced her pain, he finally started to explain he needed to feel the inflammation and take a look. Finally, he went to explain what he thinks she has and what treatment is best and was possible but also stating that he doesn't understand why she's there if it is cause she has a chronic condition in the first place. When she tried to explain that she has HS and she has a) been to this clinic before b) been properly diagnosed and was told if there is major inflammation to go to urgent care and c) her history of treatment during this and asking simple questions- he cut her off mid speak and told her to stop talking. He said he's trying to explain what is wrong instead. I noticed my friend becoming very distressed because his mannerisms were not only rude, but he continued to raise his voice until he was yelling and roll his eyes at her. She was silent this entire time and just waiting for the ability to respond. I then asked instead if he can clarify if his diagnosis is due to her condition or not and he looked up quickly and asked me what is my relation to "her" motioning towards my friend and being extremely defensive and abrupt. After we answered he then came very close to my face, where I was sitting and made me look straight up at him as he stood over me and I was extremely uncomfortable and felt very much like this was escalating in an unprofessional manner. We both stayed calm and while he explained in very confusing terms how her and I don't know her condition and why she shouldn't be there, and then going on to say that even if they did do the required treatment which they have the ability to do, the place is "dirty" and she should leave. we asked if we can think for a moment and he said fine but he has " a lot of patients so we can't stay there long" and need to decide to have treatment or not.
We ended up leaving and thanking the nurses for their help, the front desk was extremely kind and the assisting nurse too was as well - I wish I asked for their names but the entire air was very tense.
This PA was extremely rude, unprofessional, and did not follow any correct protocol for inquiring medical history or explain properly what treatment options were available. Never have I even seen a PA grab the area of injury without any question of proper assessment and then hear a clear yelp of pain and not even loosen his grip or explain what is happening like he did. I have never witnessed the medical professional get clearly annoyed and very clearly get upset that she even reacted in pain by voicing out like he did. When he did let go of her, her arm was still up and he told her she can put it down, when she said it hurts and that's why she's keeping it up , he clearly sighed and rolled his eyes and didn't ask any follow up. I am so shaken at seeing a doctor yell, hurt and ignore their patient the way he did. I have never experienced a medical person walk in without asking the patient's name and establishing any repertoire and then without any assessment, try to diagnose and treat while still assessing he does not know how to do the treatment "correctly" but can do it if she wants it - not need though this is a real injury that is meant to be treated at a urgent care if it gets worse - and then get angry when that patient asks a question for clarification like he did. He even showed clear doubt at her formal diagnosis without asking or reviewing prior records, instead asking her if it's that condition then why doesn't she have a specialist (though she answered and he then told her to stop talking)
I do want to make a note as well, my friend is a black young woman. I personally, have never in my life experienced this with a medical professional. I'm white, studying now to be in the field, and have had my share of negative and positive experiences during any appointment as well as multiple friends and colleagues in it as well on all levels, but not like this. Witnessing this unprovoked, quick-to-aggression treatment of her, I have to also conclude that this was also a clear instance of medical racism, which clouded patient care and assessment. Definitely reporting him. read more