I have been coming to IU Health's Dr. Christiane Machado in Carmel well over a year now since moving back from Phoenix, AZ. Although I was given subpar treatment (it's extremely hard to find a dermatologist that doesn't have a six month wait. I'm not sure if this is just the Indianapolis area or not), I persisted because I knew acne treatment was a long process that took time.
When I arrived today at 3:25 p.m. for a 3:20 p.m. appointment an elderly couple was in front of me and the receptionist was trying to get them taken care of as fast as possible. When I finally had my turn with another receptionist next to her, it was probably 3:30p. Check-in went smoothly.
I sat down to wait, and another elderly white woman walks in. At which point, she is also checked in smoothly. She was early for a 4:15 p.m. appointment with Dr. Machado. Less than two minutes later, she is being escorted back. I hear one of the receptionists say to another receptionist that I had been waiting and my appointment had been at 3:20 p.m. Then (of course) whispering ensued, and about 5 minutes later I was called back.
The nurse who took me back was frank when I asked "why did the other woman go before me?" I expected her to say something along the lines of "it was urgent," or something of the sort -- something completely understandable. But, no. She said "you were late." I said, "So, someone who had an appointment about 50 minutes after mine was able to be seen because of something out of my control, when there is a ten minute leeway, and I was only five minutes late?" In her frankness, the nurse says "yup."
I think they could sense how upset I was, so Dr. Machado magically appeared about five minutes later -- with a different nurse.
In the meantime, Dr. Machado ensues in the most hurried and disrespectful appointments I have yet to have with her (and each of the four I have had with her are about the same). I correct her on the pronunciation of my name every time, I have to tell her I'm in a same-sex relationship, so I don't need contraceptive, every time, I have to tell her what face wash I am using every time (what are they scribbling if not these small facts?), and, the worst of all I have to tell her what problem areas I do and do not have EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
This is the last time I will be coming here. Because although it's a long wait for other dermatologists in the area, clearly they are worth every bit of dignity they are probably giving to their patients.
Oh, and shout to the receptionist who noticed I was being treated unfairly and tried to speak up.
- SHAKKIRA Harris read more
