I went to see Dr. Asadur Miah today for a routine colonoscopy consult, but what I experienced was…read moredeeply unprofessional, offensive, and frankly disturbing.
Instead of listening carefully to the complex symptoms I've been dealing with, Dr. Miah and his assistant repeatedly interrupted my daughter--who was helping explain my history. They cut her off 6-7 times, not because she was unclear, but because they clearly couldn't follow or keep up with the medical information she was giving on my behalf. Rather than focus on me, the patient, the doctor became more interested in questioning my daughter's credentials, asking out of nowhere, "What do you do?" Not even her name--just what she does.
When she said she's a medical student, he immediately pressed on: what year, where, and as soon as he heard "Grenada," the tone shifted. He and his assistant began mocking her, questioning her worth, her chances of getting a residency, and even asked her GPA--as if any of that had anything to do with my colonoscopy or medical care.
It was deeply disrespectful, and frankly, insulting. Instead of doing his job, Dr. Miah chose to undermine and verbally attack a young medical student who was simply advocating for her father. My daughter, despite the harassment, held her ground and reminded him that her application will speak for itself--and that doctors should be more concerned about their patients than where a student goes to school.
In response, he said, "I've been practicing for 31 years--I can't speak to your 2nd year student." His assistant then called my daughter "obnoxious and too sensitive." She calmly replied that if that's what they need to call her to feel better about being called out, so be it--but this wasn't care. This was bullying.
When I tried to diffuse it and told my daughter "he's like your uncle," I quickly realized that was a mistake. These weren't elders offering wisdom--these were insecure professionals using age and status to belittle someone younger who knew what she was talking about.
I have never walked out of a clinic more disappointed in my life. A simple routine colonoscopy consult turned into a display of fragile egos, misogyny, and academic elitism--all while ignoring the patient in front of them.
But I also walked out proud--because my daughter stood tall, with intelligence, dignity, and courage. Dr. Miah and his assistant may have tried to tear her down, but they failed.
To Dr. Miah: you wasted your 31 years if this is how you treat patients and their families. Do better.