Jasmin Laureano
I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the conduct of Dr. Vikas Agrawal during my mother’s appointment today. While we were waiting to be seen, a medical assistant contacted my mother to ask a few preliminary questions. Shortly after, Dr. Agrawal called the assistant, and the conversation took place openly, within earshot of patients, including myself and my mother. During this exchange, his tone was extremely unprofessional—he was rude, dismissive, and spoke to the assistant in a demeaning and disrespectful manner. He continued on at length, stating that she needed to “clean up this mess” and that he “could not work like this,” speaking to her in a way that lacked basic human decency. As someone who works in healthcare, I have unfortunately witnessed toxic and abusive workplace dynamics before. Hearing this interaction was deeply triggering and upsetting, not only for me but also for my mother. Despite being spoken to in such a manner, the medical assistant remained calm, respectful, and professional, even attempting to redirect the situation by explaining that she would address the issue but that there was a patient waiting. It is important to note that my mother, who is ill, was present during this entire interaction and was forced to wait even longer as a result. This raises serious concerns about patient care and professionalism. What happened to compassion? What happened to treating both patients and staff with dignity and respect? When we were finally seen by Dr. Agrawal, the interaction continued to be dismissive. I advocated for my mother, as I always do, because her ongoing health concerns have repeatedly been minimized to lifestyle and dietary changes. My mother is 56 years old, bed-bound, requires 24/7 assistance, and already maintains a healthy diet. These realities have not been adequately acknowledged. During this conversation, I remained calm and respectful. However, Dr. Agrawal accused me of “screaming” at him, which is completely untrue and not reflective of my character or how I conduct myself—especially as a healthcare professional. This accusation was both inappropriate and concerning, as my intention was solely to advocate for my mother’s care. Ultimately, we were dismissed and told to seek a second opinion. While I agree that another opinion is necessary at this point, the manner in which this entire experience unfolded was unacceptable. This situation reflects not only a lack of professionalism but also a troubling disregard for both patient care and respectful workplace behavior. I sincerely hope this matter is taken seriously and addressed appropriately.