My parents moved to Deland (from Winter Park) FL abt 7 years ago & have had Dr. Aziz as their PCP ever since. My dad was diagnosed with a brain disease & Parkinsons during COVID & has gone from fully functional to housebound. I've been flying to FL from CA for abt 3 yrs+ & every 1.5 mos due to his rapidly declining condition.
There are lots of issues regarding Dr. Aziz & her office & this latest one, again, demonstrates that she's operating out of a "Cover Your Ass (CYA)" mode with her mantra "Don't sign anything; be a hindrance, not a help". Her staff is rude, unprofessional, insulting and pretty much illogical & could stand to be overhauled. In Dec '22 Dr. Aziz signed an FMLA med cert for my dad's condition & need for care. On 2/1/23 I arrived in FL to caregive for my dad & help my parents get ready to move to CA.
On 2/7 (mid PM) I called Dr. Aziz's office to request a doctor's note from Dr. Aziz stating that I was here in FL caring for my dad from 2/1 - 2/11. I had objective evidence (flight itineraries/receipts, statements from my parents, etc.) that I am/will be here during that time. No return call.
On 2/8/23 (late AM) I called Dr. Aziz's office again. No answer. I called again, and selected the option to "schedule an appointment". An agent from the main Advent Health center answered. I explained that I called Dr. Aziz's office 2x to no avail & that I needed a Dr's note. The agent sent a message to Dr. Aziz' office & Ass1 (Liz, I believe) called back a few hours later. I explained what I needed & Ass1 immediately said that Dr. Aziz hadn't seen my dad in a while & would need to see him. I said it made no sense to see my dad (he's housebound) as Dr. Aziz already provided an FMLA med cert stating my dad needed care. Ass1 further stated that they couldn't "verify" that I was actually in FL helping my dad, despite the fat that I had objective evidence & my parents could validate that through testimony/statements (i.e essentially calling me a liar). No amount of logic moved her. She talked over me, repeating that nothing would be signed & (incorrectly) even said Dr. Aziz never signed FMLA paperwork for me. The "Don't Sign Anything; Be a Hindrance Than Help" (basic mantra prescribed by Dr. Aziz) is a great way to deter patients & families that care for them from getting what they need. I requested to speak to the supervisor, manager or Dr. Aziz & Ass1 hung up on me.
I called back again, no answer. I called again; Ass2 (Rhonda) answered. She was just as bad as Ass1 & had the audacity to tell me Dr. Aziz didn't have to sign my FMLA forms, insinuating that I should feel lucky that Dr. Aziz certified my dad's med condition. What?! It's a Dr.'s obligation to correctly certify one's med condition. I requested to speak to her supervisor, manager or Dr. Aziz. Ass2 also hung up on me.
I called the central office of Advent Health & spoke to a helpful, sympathetic agent abt the rude, unprofessional, unhelpful manner of Dr. Aziz's staff. She sent an email to Dr. Aziz's practioner staff manager, Liz Abolia (sp, Ass1) & explained that when such an email sent all Avdent Health Senior Leadership also is sent the same email. I sure hope the Sr. Leadership team reads the email! Not unexpectedly, Liz never called.
On 2/10/23 (mid AM), I physically showed up to Dr. Aziz's office, stated my name, why I was here, that I had called multiple times this week and was hung up on twice. Liz, who was polite this morn, continued the mantra of "don't sign anything; be a hindrance rather than a help" & apologized for my treatment by her staff (and I think herself) and stated Dr. Aziz doesn't sign anything that they can't validate (i.e. my presence in FL) or may jeopardize her med license. If I'm in the office physically & they can see me, and I provide objective evidence, 1) my presence has/can be validated & 2) her med license isn't in jeopardy.
Thinking of being a patient here? Do yourself a favor & be afraid - be very afraid! Just say "NO". read more
