Simovitch, Harvey

Had the worst experience I've ever had with a doctor here today--Dr. Judith Lederhandler. My husband and I recently moved to Miami and had been to this practice a couple times and generally had okay experiences with various doctors. We had a well child visit today for our 18 month old son and 3 year old daughter.



I've organized our experience into four categories:



1. Condescension



Dr. Lederhandler is amazingly arrogant and condescending. Seemed to be looking for something to lecture us about from the start and wasn't interested in listening to the patient before forming an opinion.



Cut me off multiple times when I said something while she was talking to my 3 year old (who was obviously a little flummoxed) -- "mom, I'm talking to the child, I don't really care if what she's saying is accurate or not." Then told us she seemed to have some speech issues because she used "uh" a couple times before she spoke -- after talking to her for all of 10 seconds. Was immediately very dismissive when we mentioned we were considering home schooling -- um, not a medical issue, didn't ask your opinion, and you know nothing about our situation.



2. Lack of Preparation



Clearly hadn't even looked at our records before she walked in the door and kept having to look at her file throughout the appointment. Re-hashed things that we talked about in previous appointments that she would have known if she'd prepared.



3. Misinformation



Saw my daughter drinking Gatorade and had a very hostile reaction -- said that it was "horrible" and caused kidney damage. I mean honestly, you'd have thought the kid lit up a cigarette. After being pressed for details as to the how and why she told us that actually it doesn't cause kidney damage but it's not good for kids to drink anything but water and milk (duh, I'm not an idiot -- but I'm sorry, all things in moderation and the kid doesn't drink enough water -- which we essentially told her but she would not accept.) The appointment went down hill from there when she wouldn't let the issue go. (She really didn't like being challenged or having to admit that she had initially overstated her case). I finally told her that I was uncomfortable with her and wanted to continue the appointment (including vaccines that were needed) with another doctor (there are 7 other doctors in the practice).



4. Failure to Treat the Patient in Front of Her



After I asked to finish the visit with someone else (I was primarily interested in getting my child's scheduled vaccine), she returned with her office manager and told us that her practice would not treat my children, nor would they provide the necessary vaccines.



Unbelievably unprofessional and frankly borderline unethical to not provide medical care to a child because we asked to see another doctor.

They take their time, and truly care for their patients. Just a fantastic practice.