Anna Niemela

Review of Exempla Lutheran Medical Cente...

I was in the ER for the 3rd time in 9 days due to ...

I was in the ER for the 3rd time in 9 days due to severe abdominal pain. Every time I went to the doctor, they immediately sent me to the ER. I saw Dr. Rutherford and was told that this could be chronic pain that may never go away or figured out. I was also told that the ER is not the place to come for answers and that I needed to go to a doctor (who wouldn't treat me because of the severity of my symptoms). He was extremely condescending and dismissive. He diagnosed me with unexplained stomach pain and anxiety. I was later diagnosed with a ruptured cyst and endometriosis, which would have been fairly obvious if he took the time to listen and test instead of dismissing me because I am young and a woman. I am used to being treated unfairly in the medical field because of my gender, but never to the point where I am told not to come in to a facility when my pain is at a 9. I truly hope no woman has to go through what I did with this doctor.