I am a former employee of Dr. Clemons' office, and I want to share my experience. In my opinion,…read morethe procedure rooms were not consistently cleaned or sanitized properly, which was extremely concerning to witness in a medical setting. I also observed that the instruments used for in-office colonoscopy procedures did not appear to be properly sanitized, which raised serious safety concerns.
The work environment felt hostile and toxic, and the way staff were treated in front of patients was unprofessional and humiliating. It did not feel like a place where employees--or patients--were treated with respect.
There is also a very high turnover rate, and the office was consistently understaffed during my time there. We were repeatedly told that hiring was coming, but in my experience, it never happened--patients even commented on how often employees were leaving.
On top of being short-staffed, the manager repeatedly emphasized that the office had quotas to meet, which put extreme pressure on a team of only four staff members. The phones rang constantly, yet the manager would say things like, "that's not my job, I will not be answering phones." HR also made comments such as, "I'm very confused as to why it's a heavy workflow," which, in my experience, showed no empathy and no understanding of what the team was actually facing.
In the procedure room, there often did not seem to be enough staff to safely support the workflow. There was no nurse present to start IVs, and I was concerned that some staff did not appear to have the proper licenses for the tasks they were performing. I also personally witnessed situations where patients seemed overly medicated and at times were unsteady or appeared at risk of falling--these moments were alarming to me.
In my experience, HR and the doctor's wife were not present in the office, so they did not see the reality of what was happening day-to-day. Decisions seemed to be based only on what the manager said, not what was actually occurring. The doctor himself works extremely hard and truly cares about his patients, but in my opinion, he is being overworked and unsupported by the people around him.
Many of the colleagues who are still there are struggling in silence. Just like me, they need their jobs, so they stay quiet--but that doesn't mean the problems don't exist. I finally spoke up about serious concerns, and in my experience, it completely backfired. I was laid off, and the excuse given was my "time," even though patients and coworkers knew I always did my job to the best of my ability.
From what I witnessed, the focus seemed to be money and metrics, not patient care. I also saw test results sit for long periods with no follow-up, leaving patients waiting without communication.
I am truly thankful for the patients I was able to help during my time there. Supporting them was the only positive part of my experience, and I am grateful for every person who trusted me.
Patients should know they have a voice. If you believe you have observed unsafe or unprofessional practices, you have the right to report concerns. You can file a complaint with the Texas Medical Board. You may also report concerns to local health authorities in Houston if you feel patient safety is at risk.
As a community, we deserve better. Speaking up is how we protect one another and push for change--no one should feel ignored or unsafe in a medical office.
Based on what I experienced, I would not recommend this office. To anyone reading this: do not stay silent. Protect yourself, trust your instincts, and take action. Your health and safety come first--choose a provider who treats it that way.
