This is my very first post on Yelp, and it's so unfortunate that it's about a very bad review. However, this reflects on just how horrible an experience I had at Dr. Mazer's office, and I really hope it will help unsuspecting patients (like me) before going there. ***Spoiler alert and a disclaimer: I did not even get to see Dr. Mazer, so the generous 1-star was NOT reflecting his care for his patients, but rather the incompetence of one of his staff member.***
I made an appointment two weeks ago to see Dr. Mazer for this pain from a growth spurt of some sort from my lower ankle that radiates down to my heels. Now, I am not a doctor of any kind, nor do I want to pretend I'm one, so I looked up the definition of podiatry to make sure my condition warrants a visit to a podiatrist. As per apma.org (American Podiatric Medical Association, I only go for the legit sites), a podiatrist "is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), also known as a podiatric physician or surgeon. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg." So, seeing that last sentence, I went ahead and called for an appointment. A very nice girl took my appointment, and I actually couldn't wait to see Dr. Mazer (from the great reviews) and finally put an end to whatever this is on my ankle. She told me since I'm a new patient, I could print out a new patient form online to save some time and bring it with me when I come for my visit.
I did. I was feeling all responsible and what not. But what a waste of time.
When I finally arrived for my appointment last Thursday, there were two ladies behind the window. I proceeded to let them know I was a bit early for my appointment, but that I have the new patient forms all filled out if they would like to take it. First, they were looking in their appointment book for my appointment like they were looking for the meaning of life. That got me worried. But the older woman just took my papers anyway and told me to have a seat. While reviewing the paperwork, the older woman says to me, "Wait, this is for your ankle?" I said, "Well, yea like the lower ankle", and she said "Well, you're at the wrong place. That's an orthopedic issue". Now, remember the definition I provided up there? Yea, I quoted that for her, and I told her that I'm not going to play doctor and pretend to know what this condition is. Then she questioned, "well, is it on your ankle?" I replied, "well, anatomically, it is. But I really don't know what it is--" and before I finished my sentence she says "ok then it's an orthopedic issue". Just like that, brushed me away with words like I was some fly buzzing by. I didn't realize I had a glorified medical clerk assisting me, how lucky of me. She then had the audacity to ask me if I want a number to an orthopedic doctor. I said, "You know, if I may, you guys really need to ask patients these things before booking an appointment and making them come all the way to the office just to turn them away. The average citizen does not know the difference between an orthopedic and a podiatrist. Nor should they pretend to know." She had nothing to say other then, "Do you still want that orthopedic number?" UN-FRICKEN-BELIEVABLE. I said, "No, but I'd REALLY appreciate it if you could take my advice as a patient, and NOT waste patients' time by not asking them your screening questions and making them come all the way here just to turn them away. You would REALLY be helping patients out", and I just took back my papers and left without ANY care provided to me. In hindsight, I should've just told her I'll wait for the doctor himself to tell me what my condition really is, but I was just so frustrated with how I was being treated by this older woman. Mind you, there was NO ONE else in the waiting room and they lost the only patient that was waiting for Dr. Mazer. I REALLLYYYYY hope Dr. Mazer gets to see this review (and I plan to contact him directly), because if I was a doctor running my own practice, I would definitely love to know how my staff are treating MY patients and my customers, and the reason they will NOT be returning. This lady should NOT be in healthcare or any medical establishments whatsoever, because she has 0 compassion for patients and was essentially useless. She didn't even possess an OUNCE of people skills.
So, remember, if you want to see Dr. Mazer, make sure you tell them your whole life story over the phone BEFORE making an appointment, get their approval, type it up as a novel, publish it and bring it with you so that MAYBE you'll be able to bypass the grumpy warden that is driving Dr. Mazer's business to the ground. read more