This incident happened several years ago. After reading the reviews for Dr. Nichols and the consistent pattern of the complaints I decided to post this. My elderly father was a patient of Dr. Nichols. My father suffered from dementia and at the time, had a heart problem. I accompanied him to Dr. Nichols for an office visit and signed all the HIPPA paperwork to be able to be advised of his treatment. I did not live in the area, but would visit frequently. On one of my visits, my father, who went by himself to see Dr. Nichols, told me that Nichols had recommended he have an MRI. I asked why, and my father could not remember. I called the office to speak to Dr. Nichols to find out the reason for an MRI and I was told by the person who answered the phone he was busy and would have to call me back. For a week, I never heard back and called again.....again leaving a message. This weekly ritual went on for a month. In my final call, the person answering the phone was rude and informed me that "Dr. Nichols does not return phone calls." I said that I had been calling for a month and that no one ever told me that. I indicated I was trying to find out why my Dad was told he needed an MRI. She was not helpful. Exasperated, I said, "Do I need to consult a lawyer on this?". She lost it and said, "Are you threatening to sue?" I said, "No, I am trying to find out my rights, having signed all the HIPPA paperwork with you." The phone conversation ended. The next day, I had a voice mail from Dr. Nichols, telling me never to come back to his office and that no one in my family was welcome back at his office, that he did not allow people who threatened to sue him in his office! Further, he said "I do not make any money returning phone calls!" I learned 2 things: 1) Dr. Nichols will return a phone call if he thinks you will sue him and 2) He's all about the money. I wrote him a long letter, documenting my phone calls and what I had been told, that the lawyer comment was to find out what legal right I had to my Dad's health information. Turns out, after talking to lawyer, I had a legal right to know what my Dad's medical situation was and the only responsibility of the doctor's office was to verify my identity. The staff there is either rude or unhelpful. I can't help but think there is racial compenent in their behavior. This all goes back to Dr. Nichols. He is the boss and sets the tone of his office. On top of that, he is not a very good doctor. None of my family goes there anymore and I would rather see a doctor in Mexico than this guy! read more
