The Hope Center for Cancer Care - Warren

"I was happy NOT to have markers for cancer and I understand that specialized doctors are VERY limited in understanding much outside their specialty, but just know that if you schedule with Dr Roger Hakimian, M.D., that he is very dismissive and biased towards overweight people, and will not be in the room more than 9 minutes (I timed it). I don't know if I HAD had cancer that he would have acted differently, but he was curt and rushed through everything, even on the first day. He even had to repeat the physical lymph exam because it took him the time for me to say 3 words to "feel" my entire throat the first visit. I have a metabolic issue, chronic pain, swollen lymph nodes that are painful, and have serious concerns from multiple doctors that lead me to be at the Hope Center due to my blood tests and symptoms. I didn't appreciate the smirk when I went over my diet as of it was a lie. It was churlish, especially for a professional. l didn't appreciate being dismissed when I asked questions to understand why my doctors were concerned due to the blood tests (which he generalized and didn't answer...I felt he didn't know, mostly because he didn't have my tests on him and couldn't be specific as to what tests were abnormal)...you are a hematologist, you should know these things....or having to hold him in the room to talk. He literally was mostly outside the room while I was asking my last questions, until just his head was sticking into the room (again...9 minutes). I understand that he's a busy man, but when multiple doctors suggest you going to a CANCER CENTER.... I think it's appropriate to be kind and help shed more light on your problematic results rather than blanket statements like "weight issues and bad teeth can cause inflammation" (my teeth are crooked... Not bad, and how does inflammation put me in a cancer center?) no matter what you personally think about their body. People who are overweight are the most likely people to have a cancer misdiagnosis due to weight bias, and he really highlighted why that is. He made really bad assumptions, and that never speaks well to a doctor's education that people can have disorders that effect their weight, have natural teeth, and actually be ill. My issues have been life long, metabolic, and lead to the removal of my thyroid. And if a doctor tells you to have less doctors like he did today.... It's a good indication that they don't understand chronic illness very well... Which leads to having quite a few doctors over years of trying to get diagnosed. If you are like me.... Ask for someone else. They might be better. But considering all he did was take blood, see that I didn't have cancer, and try to evade answering questions while he moved towards the door... He could at least not be rude. He actually REFUSED to answer one question because "it would take too long". There are no indicators, other than his bias, that any of the things he made assumptions about were true... Which makes his remarks all the worse. My doctors are doing the best they can, and if specialists were more cooperative, they wouldn't be so frustrated...neither would we patients... And I wouldn't have to see so many doctors to get those answers. The staff is amazing.... Maybe because they actually work with the patients and see them as people. They get 5 stars. To Hope Center: Maybe it's time for a talk with your doctors. News flash, fat people ARE people too."

"I just love this place! I’m treated with such compassion and I feel they really advocate for me. All the employees are very friendly and seem to actually like working there. I feel like I’m in great hands here, my oncologist is very caring and is keeping me well informed about my cancer and my treatment plan."

"It will be 5 years for me this May and Dr Hemrock and the staff are the best. If not for them I would not be writing this. They are the best!!! Thank - you!"

"Honestly this place and the staff are absolutely incredible, they were so kind and caring when I was going through my chemo with them. Outstanding work by the nursing staff and my doctor is amazing as well. I feel like they took care of me and still do when I come in for follow ups or port cleanings."

"My wife received outstanding care from Dr Hemrock and the entire staff of the Hope Center. She survived for three and a half years after a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. She was treated with great respect, and as a friend, from the staff and doctor. Everyone there was very empathetic and kind, not only to her , but our entire family. Everyone there gets my thanks, and the five stars."