So my wife has been going there because one of the nurses there is her personal friend. To date, things have been okay and she has had a few things removed that were "questionable" according to the pathology report. Recently, she had a toenail removed that was damaged and not healing well. Today, she went for a follow-up appointment for the toenail and was promptly escorted to the surgical room. When the nurse came into the room, she made sure my wife was there to get a mole removed from her shoulder. My wife said no and that she was there for toenail follow-up. Then it starts. Dr. Ketchem comes in and berates my wife for not getting this mole removed because she has done some research and gotten a second opinion. Now, he no longer wishes to see her for anything. Keep in mind that she was there for TOENAIL FOLLOWUP. He accuses my wife of second-guessing his opinion and says he cannot deal with that type of patient, then proceeds to give half-baked feedback about the toenail. What happened to doctors that appreciate a well-informed patient who takes an interest in her own care? Seems this guy is fine as long as you don't question his judgement. He also seems very unwilling to discuss a patient's condition if it requires too much of his time. I realize things may be hectic due to the holidays, but patients deserve to be treated better than this ALL the time. My wife will not be going back to this facility because of the way she was treated and I cannot recommend this place to anyone who is active in their own healthcare.
Sorry to hear about your experience,I hope that your wife is ok! Sounds like when I had a pulled muscle in my upper leg and the Orthopedic Doctor I saw near the hospital in Smithfield suggested I needed a hip replacement :lol:needless to say I still have my original hip! I did some research online and at my next appt. told him that I was not going have a hip replacement,he wasn't to thrilled.Of course I never went back! Had a similar experience with another Doctor shortly after being diagnosed with cancer,also in Smithfield,never went back there either! I once had a dark spot removed at Azelea,it eventually came back,even with Insurance it was expensive. Hope you'll be able to find a good Dermatologist soon!
I wouldn't take my dog to Azalea. Also pitiful poor treatment from Dr. Ketchum. Highly recommend Dr. Tomar in Clayton. Very, very pleased with him. He was recommended to me by some others here.
I don't like Azalea either... I won't go into graphic details, because its gross. But, to say the least, I don't feel that DH's Grandmother got suitable follow-up treatment there for a spot that was removed from her back. I also think they're more interested in selling you a line of products they carry that are non-prescription (and expensive) vs. giving you an Rx because they can make a profit on those products. I second Dr. Tomar also, he took time to listen and was thorough. I hadn't needed a dermatologist in years, but just saw him a month ago and really liked him.
The treatment today was just unreal. My wife spent so much time researching the type of mole on her shoulder, even had Azalea fax her the pathological report, and then had the report evaluated by a third party. The report even says that cancer cannot be confirmed. So why get it cut out? I would think that if something was cancerous for sure, the lab would know. Otherwise, why not suggest the keeping an eye on it and act if it changes shape, color, etc? Keep in mind that she was there for a TOENAIL REMOVAL FOLLOWUP.
Wow that's a pretty crummy doctor. I wouldnt recommend them either. I was there years and years ago.. probably around 2005 and i waited, and waited, and waited... which i understand things can happen and they get backed up, but I saw numerous people who came in AFTER me leave BEFORE me. Not just one.. but quite a few. When asked about the wait, the nurse said they were behind because the Dr was "currently up to his elbows in blood." Did not make me feel very comfortable. It was ridiculous. I left. Went to Raleigh Dermatology instead and besides the receptionist not being able to correctly put a phone number in the computer (which caused me to go all the way out there to find they had cancelled my appointment) the Dr is very nice.
Me too! Like the others above I will never return to Azalea. I think he gets off on removing things for the hell of it not because it's needed. Although I need a new dermatologist and will give Dr. Tomar a try. Amy
Dr. Tomar! My whole family has seen him over the last year and he is really good. Whatever you do, do NOT go to Polley in Smithfield. Hope all gets better soon!
That Dr. is a 'friggin jacka$$. I am 37 years old and have been employed with the same company for over 10 years, If I want a letter excusing me from work for a day, That is what I should get. He launched into some tirade about how it was not medically necessary and that I was trying to scam my employer. Sure,that's why I have a month worth of sick time built up. I only wanted it because I have to drive alot and the removal was right on my back. He also tried to convince me that the Staph Blister was "hereditary". Will never go back.
I went to Azalea many times as long as 11 years ago but I will no longer go back for various reasons. I also like Dr Tomar in Clayton.
