Esther Lee, OD

I had a deeply unsettling and discriminatory experience at Hudson Eye Physicians & Surgeons during my appointment with Dr. Lee on Thursday, 10/10/2024, at 1:10 PM. I arrived early, hoping for a smooth visit, but was immediately met with hostility at the reception desk. The receptionist didn’t acknowledge my greeting, and before I could even finish explaining that I had an appointment, she abruptly and rudely cut me off, saying, “Just put your name down, and when it’s your turn, we’ll call you.” The lack of basic courtesy was jarring.

After waiting for some time, I thought I’d be proactive and asked, politely, if I could fill out any paperwork while waiting, thinking it might save time. Her response, however, was just as dismissive. She repeated, “Sir, when it’s your turn, we’ll call you,” in a tone that was not only unhelpful but also condescending. When I gently asked how long the wait might be, her behavior became increasingly rude and confrontational.

In an effort to de-escalate the situation, I calmly asked her to speak to me with more respect. Instead of correcting her behavior, she responded with a dismissive, almost mocking tone, saying she was pointing at the computer, not at me. Then, in what felt like a deliberate act of discrimination, she added, “I don’t understand your accent.” This comment was deeply offensive. I had been speaking clearly, and it became apparent that this was not just about rudeness, but about something more troubling—an attempt to undermine and belittle me because of my background.

At that point, I knew I couldn’t tolerate such disrespect any longer. I told her, firmly but politely, that I wouldn’t stand for such behavior and asked her to cancel my appointment. Her response was to loudly and sarcastically say, “Have a good day,” in a manner that only intensified the disrespect I had already felt.

This experience left me deeply disappointed, not only because of the lack of professionalism but also because of the discriminatory undertones in the way I was treated. No patient should have to endure such behavior, especially in a healthcare setting where respect and empathy should be the foundation of every interaction. While I didn’t want to cause a scene, I feel it’s important to voice my concerns so that this kind of treatment doesn’t happen to others.