There are many medical clinics and healthcare organizations in the greater Portland area, and based…read moreon my experience, I recommend seeking care elsewhere. The staff at Sellwood Medical Clinic showed a lack of empathy and professionalism.
Here is a summary of three interactions I had with this clinic. In November 2025, I arrived about 30 minutes early for an appointment and was told to wait until my scheduled time. Once I was taken to the exam room, I waited another hour for the clinician to arrive. At the time, I did not mind because she was thorough and friendly. She recommended that I return for a well-person visit.
I had to wait 5 months for a well-person visit appointment. Then, shortly before the appt, it was cancelled. I received an email and voicemail saying the provider had to leave early and that I needed to call to reschedule. When I called back to reschedule, the next available appointment was another month away.
My most recent experience, two weeks ago, is the reason I am writing this review. The appointment I had been waiting five months for finally arrived. I completed the online pre-check-in hours in advance, which took more than 20 minutes, and I paid my copay. Because of rain and traffic, I arrived shortly after my scheduled appointment time. The clinic said staff told me I was nine minutes late. I had also paused outside to let an elderly couple enter first, which delayed my check-in by a few minutes.
I was refused care and told I would need to reschedule. I explained that I urgently needed the visit and calmly asked whether they could reconsider. I also noted that my previous appointment had been cancelled and that this was the rescheduled date. Attending these appointments requires time away from work. The front desk employee went back again to relay my request. By that point, I was in tears. During this time, two women behind the reception desk were giggling and laughing. I do not know what they were laughing about, but I was visibly upset while they looked my way, talked, and laughed. It felt unsettling and deeply unprofessional.
Ultimately, I was not seen. Neither clinic management nor the clinician came out to speak with me. The front desk employee apologized again and said I would have to reschedule. Afterward, I emailed the clinic to ask for more information about their "9-minute policy." I was told in writing that no such formal policy exists. Their response stated: "The 9 minute grace time for being late to an appointment is not a clinic policy, it is the most amount of time we can give for a patient to arrive for the appointment and still be seen." I then had to request they refund my copayment 3 days after this incident.
Overall, this experience was highly unprofessional. The clinic delayed my care by cancelling and postponing my appointment, then denied services because I was allegedly nine minutes late. I will not continue trying to receive care at Sellwood. A medical clinic and its staff should treat patients with compassion and empathy, and I experienced neither. I left feeling embarrassed and unsupported. Although it may take time to see another provider, the wait will be worth it. I encourage patients to choose a clinic where they feel heard and supported.
