I took my teenage daughter to Dr. O'Hanlon for what should have been a routine visit for two ingrown toenails and a small plantar wart. Instead, it became the most upsetting medical appointment my daughter and I have ever experienced.
Within minutes, he was recommending three procedures that same day: surgery on both ingrown toenails and surgical removal of the small plantar wart. There was no discussion of conservative treatment, no meaningful explanation of alternatives, and relentless pressure to consent to surgery immediately.
When I asked whether the ingrown toenails and plantar wart could resolve on their own with less invasive treatment, explaining that mine had in the past, he simply kept insisting on immediate surgery. Every conversation led right back to surgery.
I also asked how painful these procedures would be and was told he "can't say." When I asked again seeing how upset my daughter was becoming, he said "everyone's pain tolerance is different." I found that especially concerning given that he was recommending immediate surgery on a child without being able to meaningfully discuss a baseline of what she could reasonably expect.
He warned that she could spread HPV "all over the place" and that the plantar wart could multiply into several more if we didn't proceed immediately, which felt like another fear-mongering tactic designed to shame my daughter and pressure us into consenting to surgery that day. When I said I would need to get another opinion because this is not at all what we expected, he told me I was making "a big mistake."
We sought two additional medical opinions immediately. Our pediatrician recommended conservative treatment with Epsom salt soaks and antibiotics rather than immediate surgery. She noted that one toe was healing and the other one is in no way something that looks at risk for turning into sepsis nor was it something that needed immediate surgical intervention. She also thought that was not a valid concern for a young healthy child at this point and was startled by Dr. O'Hanlon's offering. My daughter's dermatologist told us she NEVER surgically removes plantar warts on the bottom of the foot because they can leave painful scars that may last a very long time and are better treated with conservative methods. She also said the assertion having one means she'd have multiple warts eventually is incorrect and one often does not become more. She also couldn't believe he was recommending three "painful" procedures the same day for a child. Both physicians felt these invasive procedures were completely unnecessary.
What disturbed me most was how my daughter was treated. She became increasingly upset throughout the appointment, and rather than acknowledging her fear or trying to reassure her, Dr. O'Hanlon simply continued pushing for three same-day procedures. He did absolutely nothing to address her distress. There was no compassion, no patience, and no reassurance. His bedside manner is absolutely terrible. My daughter left the appointment in tears.
His inappropriate discussion about reimbursement was another red flag. He explained he would only be paid about a quarter as much if the procedures were performed the same day. Bringing up his own compensation while aggressively recommending three same-day procedures was not something I've ever experienced in what is supposed to be a professional medical environment.
The office itself left a poor impression. It appeared somewhat rundown, and there were dirty bottles containing some type of solution sitting on the exam room countertop.
After reading other reviews, I noticed one reviewer described Dr. O'Hanlon as "a butcher." After our visit, I can absolutely understand what that reviewer was saying.
I shudder to think how many patients have felt the same pressure we did and agreed to invasive procedures they otherwise may have questioned. I really cannot understand how this doctor has any patients at all.
What should have been a straightforward office visit turned into a frightening and completely unnecessary ordeal. We were absolutely steamrolled toward three invasive procedures that two other physicians later advised were inappropriate given my daughter's condition. In fact, they were both quite shocked.
I have never taken one of my children to a specialist without first going through our pediatrician. Lesson learned. I will never make that mistake again. Coincidentally, the pediatrician's nurse recounted a very similar situation she had with Dr. O'Hanlon two years prior regarding her grandmother's care. She said he got into a "screaming match" with her. I'm sure there are many other stories like these based on what we both experienced.
Dr. O'Hanlon has the worst bedside manner of any doctor I have ever encountered. I would never trust him with one of my children again, and I strongly encourage parents or anyone to seek a second opinion before agreeing to any invasive procedure he recommends. read more
