I would like to share just a couple of my experiences that I had at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. First of all, I went into the clinic because I had a rash on my face, and it was shingles. They referred me to an ENT because it was close to my ear, and they were concerned about nerve damage to my ear. I then saw a doctor. He walked into the room, didn’t introduce himself and just said, “Make a wide smile and squint.” I thought it was a joke. I did what he asked and he replied, “Nope, no nerve damage.” He then looked in my ears maybe 30 seconds in each ear. When I got my bill, he charged me $150 to clean my ears, which he never did.

Just recently, I went in for my annual exam, and this is how that went. Ten minutes with the nurse consisted of weight, height, blood pressure, pulse and some medical questions, at which time I expressed the fact that my family — mother, sister, nieces and aunts — all had breast cancer. My father and brothers have also had cancer. The next six minutes were spent with a doctor, and I timed him — it was six minutes. I expressed to him about my concern of breast cancer. I was then examined. He looked in my ears, listened to one side of my back and then stood a foot away from me and shined a light. I think he was looking in my throat. He ordered a lipid panel and left. That was it. No breast exam, no discussion about the breast cancer in my family at all. I left and later called his nurse, thinking maybe he forgot.

She told me he didn’t do an exam because I was going to have a mammogram later that month. What a joke. Anyone who’s ever had a mammogram, they all tell you that you should also do self exams and have a doctor’s exam. 

I have had 35 years of annual physicals in that clinic, and that was by far the absolute worst! I think the administrator should ask his wife and daughter how they would feel if this is what their exam consisted of. I don’t know how they can carry the well-respected name of Mayo Clinic? They should be ashamed of their care. I haven’t received a bill yet, but God help them when I do. Please don’t tell me they’re all like that. I have had some good care there, but unfortunately most of the good, caring doctors have left.

Lorraine Brackey

Albert Lea