I initially sought treatment from Dr. Gualtieri for persistent right-sided uterine pain while…read moreplanning to proceed with IVF. I had previously been a patient of Dr. Maxson and had known many of the staff at this practice for nearly twenty years, so I trusted the care I would receive.
During my initial consultation, Dr. Gualtieri assured me he would help determine the cause of my pain and, if necessary, perform a laparoscopy. After my first endometrial biopsy, I was diagnosed with endometritis, which I appreciated because no previous physician had considered that diagnosis. However, when I asked how we could confirm the infection had resolved after antibiotics, Dr. Gualtieri told me a culture would be sufficient. Because this conflicted with what I had read, I contacted another fertility clinic. After consulting with Dr. Chamoun, their nurse explained that a biopsy--not a culture--is required to confirm endometritis. I ultimately underwent three additional biopsies, yet my pain never improved.
Dr. Gualtieri also told me that my HSG showed my fallopian tubes were patent. This conflicted with what Dr. Maxson had documented after my prior laparoscopy, when he informed me my tubes were severely damaged and could not be repaired. After I shared this history, Dr. Gualtieri suggested my tubes had "healed" because I had been eating well. My current fertility specialist advised that this is not medically possible and that the HSG images were too blurry to interpret reliably. As a result, I underwent unnecessary radiation exposure and paid for a diagnostic test that ultimately could not be used.
At one point during my care, Dr. Gualtieri called and attempted to refer me to another surgeon. He did not explain why he no longer intended to perform the laparoscopy he had originally agreed to if it became necessary. I was left confused because his recommendation conflicted with the assurances he had given me at my initial consultation.
During my last physical, which included a pelvic examination, I felt body-shamed by Dr. Gualtieri's conduct. While examining me, he shook his head. I interpreted this gesture as disapproving or judgmental. He then asked whether I had given birth to two children, even though my medical history reflected that I had two prior vaginal deliveries. I found this interaction upsetting and felt it lacked sensitivity and professionalism during a vulnerable medical examination. My nurse, Courtney, was present during the examination.
Before my final consultation, I repeatedly requested another appointment through the patient portal, but my messages went unanswered for approximately two months. Distressed by the lack of communication, I called the office and requested to speak with a manager. At my subsequent appointment, Dr. Gualtieri appeared distant, maintained little meaningful communication, and stated he did not feel proficient performing laparoscopies and therefore could not help me. As I was leaving, he remarked, "I'm not just going to kick you to the curb." Combined with his earlier comment describing me as "matronly," these interactions left me feeling uncomfortable, diminished, and uncertain about continuing my care.
After that visit, I sent Dr. Gualtieri a certified letter asking whether he still wanted me as a patient. Approximately one month later, he called and told me, "We want to help you." Although I later had to cancel several appointments because of my declining health, I cancelled each one in advance in accordance with office policy. When I attempted to reschedule my final cancelled appointment, I was first told I could not be rescheduled and was later informed that I had been dismissed from the practice for multiple missed appointments. This explanation was inconsistent with my records documenting that I had cancelled in advance.
After approximately two and a half years as Dr. Gualtieri's patient, I was deeply disappointed to be dismissed under circumstances that I believe did not accurately reflect my attendance record. During this time, Dr. Gualtieri was aware that I had developed significant health problems that affected my ability to travel to appointments, yet no one from the practice contacted me to discuss my situation or explore whether another provider within the practice could continue my care. Instead, I felt excluded from a practice where I had placed my trust for many years, leaving me with the impression that compassion and continuity of care had been replaced by indifference.
