While I was a patient of Dr. Sari for years and was relatively happy with her care, I unfortunately…read morecannot recommend her after a negligent and extremely inappropriate experience that I am still struggling with today.
I reached out because I feared I may have contracted a very scary life-threatening medical issue- something that with better warning and follow up care on the part of her and a specialist, likely could have been prevented. When I got the diagnosis from Dr. Sari for the very thing I feared, I became understandably terrified, sad, and couldn't help but cry. I apologized for being upset and despite my own emotions, I felt it was important for me to give some feedback about why this diagnosis was extra upsetting to receive. I respectfully expressed that I felt I had been let down by her and the specialist for not being warned or given proper instruction to take a common OTC supplement that would've prevented this. While I was in tears because of the diagnosis, she quite literally scolded me over the phone because of this feedback. She deflected all responsibility onto the specialist, despite me reaching out to her to confirm the specialist's treatment plan was safe and well-informed for my situation- something I thought was a standard thing to expect of your primary care physician who has a more complete picture of your health history.
She proceeded to have a complete emotional outburst and said some really nasty things to me, singling me out as a patient, and yelling over me as I tried to speak. I was completely stunned.
Feeling very overwhelmed and upset by her argumentative confrontation in response to reasonable feedback, I tried to diffuse the situation by pleading with her, saying I didn't feel this was an appropriate time to do this, she had just given me a serious diagnosis. I had to get my tears together to reason with her and said "Dr. Sari, please I'm not trying to argue with you" - her exact words were "GOOD! THEN DONT!"
Not to mention before the testing she said I could take an OTC med that, if I had the thing I was asking about, could've killed me. I'm glad I didn't take it, since my test was positive.
While Dr. Sari is generally pleasant, it seems in times where it matters most, she lacks real compassion for people who are reasonably concerned about their health. I gave the same feedback to the specialist & he calmly and professionally heard my concern and agreed he should have mentioned the OTC supplement to prevent that diagnosis. Dr. Eitches' inability to remain compassionate and professional when giving someone a very scary diagnosis ensures I never want to receive bad news from her again. She made an already bad day so much worse, and I initially thought there must be something major going on in her personal life, surely she'll realize how inappropriate that was later, but she never reached out to apologize for how she handled that day. That says the most of all to me.
I debated writing this review because she was so immediately reactionary I expect she might write a response implying (as she did while scolding me over the phone that day) that I was a difficult patient, in order to deflect from her completely inappropriate behavior. Before our call she already seemed to be annoyed that I emailed after hours when I became violently ill suddenly, despite me being told by her it's fine to call with questions and concerns during office hours and to email after hours- something I only did when I was genuinely concerned about my health & I very rightly was in this case. I said I was happy to make an appointment- my after hours email was just to get an initial read on whether my situation was life-threatening & get tested before a long holiday weekend where things would be closed. Maybe that makes me a difficult patient to a doctor like Dr. Eitches.
But I'm writing this review ultimately because this has deeply affected me emotionally & made me avoidant of seeking out care. I will also be at higher risk of getting this issue again for the rest of my life. I don't want another potential patient to be the emotional punching bag for Dr. Sari, and be spoken to as if you're a bother, and a nuisance for being concerned about severe and sudden symptoms. It cost me $350 for the 15 minute phone call where I was dismissed, shamed and screamed at that day. A doctor is not just there to order tests or write prescriptions- especially one who doesn't accept insurance for "better care". How doctors listen to us and speak to us matters. Nothing will outweigh the bottom line- A doctor should never EVER talk to a patient the way she talked to me, let alone while in tears during a scary diagnosis. I had many good years with her like many reviews reflect but this is a real possibility of what you might get with her, as I did, completely unexpectedly. I recommend if you're on the fence, you seek out someone without any history of brazenly scolding a scared patient, with seemingly no remorse.
