No stars would be best!
When I arrived for my appointment, I walked up to the front desk; a standard setup with a glass enclosure. The receptionist was seated at her computer, facing the entrance. Despite clearly seeing me, she waited several seconds before sliding the glass open and saying, “Yes?” No greeting. I told her I was there for my appointment. Her first response was to ask, “How are you paying?” I gave her my insurance information, and she handed me the forms without further comment.
After completing them, I returned to the window with clipboard in hand. Again, no acknowledgment. I had to tap on the glass. She opened it without saying a word, took the forms when I asked if she needed them, and closed the glass again. Her entire demeanor suggested I was a bother.
About 20 minutes later, a new patient arrived. The receptionist immediately opened the glass, greeted her warmly, and told her she was all checked in. Within minutes, that patient, who had arrived after me, was called back. Then another person came in and received the same kind of friendly, prompt welcome. Meanwhile, I continued to sit and wait.
Standing behind the second patient, I waited to ask a question. Once she was checked in, the receptionist saw me standing there and still closed the glass without a word. I finally said, “Ma’am, you can cancel my appointment.” She opened the glass just long enough to say “OK,” then shut it again.
I was stunned! I took a step back and asked, “Is there a reason the woman who arrived after me was seen first?” The receptionist scowled and replied, “Eye emergency,” before closing the glass once more. That was the only explanation or acknowledgment I received.
I’ve never been treated this way in any healthcare setting. While I try not to assume the worst or make assumptions on how I am treated based on visible differences, whether race, age, or something else, however, as a Black woman and the only person of color in this scenario, the contrast in how I was treated compared to others was hard to ignore.
It wasn’t until I sat down to write this review that I noticed another review from seven months ago, stating:
"Dr. Tart brought up politics, unsolicited, and degraded certain politicians and groups of people. Very disappointed and will not support someone like this."
I wonder which groups of people? That reviewer also mentioned they had meant to write it earlier, but only did so when their next annual visit came around.
Had I seen that sooner, I might’ve made a different choice. But now that I’ve had my own experience, I want to make sure others have more information than I did. Everyone deserves to be treated with basic courtesy and respect; especially when seeking care. I can’t recommend this practice to anyone who values that.
