UMD Health Center, Bldg 140 — Attraction in College Park

I stopped going here over a year ago after a terrible experience with Dr. Joy Howard. I had already had a visit for an ear infection as was told by a different doctor to come in if my fever increased. Sharing this information, Dr. Howard made a joke about how I got the ear infection and essentially laughed at me coming for a follow up. On my way out I heard her and the other doctors laughing at me… the patient. My experience was so bad I asked how I can submit a formal report which I did.

Today I was having an allergic reaction and this was the only place that had walk ins. I had just received an important call as Dr. Howard walked in. I greeted her and planned to say I’ll wrap this up and she was like “well you’re gonna have to get off the phone now”. I then said well I’d like a new doctor. Dr. Maysam came in and I asked him her name to confirm and explained how nasty she was in the past. After him essentially telling me they can do nothing about my hives he proceeded to ask if I would be comfortable with Dr. Howard taking a look for a second opinion. I said I guess. He ended up bringing a different doctor which I was happy because at that point I was unsure of what wasn’t clicking.

UMD students pay a lot for tuition and it’s unfortunate the health center is inadequate. I have seen two OBs here who also misdiagnosed me. The water is contaminated. If you need proper support and care I’d suggest anywhere else. If you see Dr. Joy Howard’s name proceed with caution. I see she has a lot of complaints so clearly these aren’t...

Went here for a cut to my finger and informed the staff I also could not move said finger they bandaged me up for the cut and told me I was just hesitant to move my finger but definitely could even though I was literally there trying and couldn't move it. Come to find out no, that tendon is broken and had they actually evaluated it correctly I likely would have known sooner and would not be in the situation I am in. Furthermore when I went to a follow up for my cut he was an hour and a half late "because his meeting went long" thats excessively long something should have been done sooner. Then he said what you didn't go to an orthopedic???? Like no I didn't you implied I was being dramatic and should be fine and furthermore Im not a doctor so no I did not. Now I am finally getting the surgery done almost three weeks after the initial injury but had my concerns been appropriately addressed when I first went in this could've been resolved...

Joy Howard is lacking empathy and proper listening skills. I visited the health center with a laundry list of health concerns and was told that because one of my symptoms matched one common health issue, that my issue was clear and I should take pepto bismol and I would magically be better. SHOCKER that I was still violently ill days later and received a proper diagnosis from another doctor. Joy Howard states in her profile on the UMD health center website: "My role is to take care of sick people to the best of my ability, period." Miss m'am, the lie detector test determined that this was a lie.

Going to patient first on a Saturday afternoon with a lobby full of COVID patients wearing no masks would be more helpful to your health than visiting the individuals working here that care more about carrying on their conversation with their peers than treating the students that are FORCED to have health insurance to attend...