Patient First

I went to PF in Laurel for a physical. I believe that I was profiled or treated with bias because I am a black woman. My husband (white male) was at the same location for a physical and was treated much differently.

Elliott was scrutinizing the form that I needed to have for a Boy Scout camping event. My BP was 104/66, P 75. I have NO medical history, take no meds except seasonal OTC allergy meds and carry an epi-pen for bee stings. Elliott asked if he as supposed to take my word that I was not a diabetic or that I did not have other health issues. He wanted to do blood work and when I informed him that I had had a physical for the fire dept (no I couldn't use that physical for this form), he asked if I thought that it mattered or if there was a correlation between the fire dpt an being fit for a hike. They did not check hearing (which they did on my husband), checked 1 eye for light reaction, checked my hieight with my 1.5 in shoes on-yes this matters because there is a ht/wt ration that the form requires you use and an extra inch allows you to be 10 lbs heavier. The main issue was the extreme accusatory line of questions form Elliot and the suggestion that I was lying about my medical issues or lack thereof. My husband who is carrying 20 extra pounds, has hypertension and high cholesterol and is on meds, got NONE of this line of questioning. I believe 100% that I was profiled. Yes, many blacks suffer from diabetes, HBP and other cardiac issues. I however, DO NOT and I should not have been treated as though I was hiding important medical info. I am a medical care provider and I know how to question patients and this was not the way. Elliot was accusatory, not questioning. I have good medical knowledge and many years of experience and yet I was treated with disrespect and inconsideration. How are other patients being treated?/ I feel like I need to reach out to the community around PF to find out who else is being harmed by this poor care. The treatment here will scare away the people that need them the most. Shame, shame, shame on you. This is NOT what quality care looks like.