Anesthesiologist who are Physicians - Lincolnton, NC

"To receive a prescription for pain relief, I am forced to take a lab test that is out of network. Therefore I am stuck with a $493 charge for every visit, along with the copay. Meanwhile, I'm not getting satisfactory pain relief, in the name of "conservative treatment." "

"He doesn’t care one bit about patients. If he’s on call, don’t bother trying to get his help. He doesn’t even have the decency to call you back and find out what’s going on. He just has the answering service call you back and tell you to go wait in the emergency room for 8 hours…..for something he could fix in 5 minutes. He’s heartless and I wouldn’t take my dog to him."

"Please I ask that you read this review before seeking treatment from this doctor. I am writing this letter with a heavy heart, burdened by the pain and distress I have endured due to the actions of Dr. Cunningham and his team of registered nurses. Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the two receptionists who consistently grace the front desk with their kindness and welcoming demeanor. Their compassion has been a beacon of light in an otherwise challenging experience. However, my encounters with the rest of the staff, including Office Manager Cynthia, Karen (RN), and Dr. Cunningham, have been deeply troubling. The distress and pain I have suffered as a result of their actions have not only exacerbated my existing conditions of depression and PTSD but also brought me to the brink of life itself. Due to my current injuries, I rely on various tools such as note-taking and recording devices, including phone call recordings, to aid my memory. Despite explaining the necessity of these tools to Cynthia, she reacted negatively, leading to a feeling of discrimination. This reaction, coupled with their refusal to fulfill their duties, left me in a state of pain and isolation. This incident seemed to result in Dr. Cunningham's reluctance to communicate with me, despite my numerous attempts to reach out. My calls were left unanswered, and it was only through my surgeon's office (unaffiliated with Atrium) that I learned of my dismissal from the practice. This news was delivered without any prior communication from Dr. Cunningham's office, leaving me in a state of confusion and disbelief. The severity of my situation escalated to the point where I ended up in the emergency room. This was a direct result of Dr. Cunningham and his team refusing to assist me, simply because I expressed frustration over their refusal to prepare a preapproval letter for Optum. With the help of Optum's pharmaceutical team and my primary and secondary care doctors from Atrium, I finally received a call from Nancy, a kind and understanding RN from Dr. Cunningham's office. She was unaware that I had not been informed of my discharge and could not provide a reason for it. At this point, I am struggling to cope with the pain from the epidural procedure and the uncertainty of my situation. It is disheartening to see medical professionals, who have sworn an oath to prioritize and preserve life, turn their backs on a patient in need. I understand that this is a review, and I have tried to keep it concise for the readers. However, I urge anyone considering this practice to be mindful of my experiences and the potential consequences of their actions. Please remember, their actions almost cost me my life. "