Loma Linda University Medical Center — Local services in Loma Linda

I recently visited the ER in a state of significant discomfort, hoping to find some relief and empathy from the medical staff. Unfortunately, I was attended to by a Physician Assistant named Sarah, and the experience was nothing short of distressing. As a healthcare professional myself, I have certain expectations for how fellow providers should behave toward patients in need. Yet Sarah’s attitude and actions left me stunned and deeply disappointed.

From the moment she walked into the examination room, it was evident that she had no genuine interest in my condition. Rather than taking the time to listen or even appear concerned about my pain, she rushed through her questions with a tone that bordered on outright impatience. When I attempted to provide context and explain the severity of my discomfort, she sighed audibly, as if my existence was an inconvenience to her.

Throughout the interaction, Sarah maintained a cold, distant demeanor that only heightened my anxiety. Her bedside manner was virtually non-existent; no reassuring words, no thoughtful explanations, not even a shred of acknowledgement that I was scared and vulnerable. Instead, I was met with an unyielding wall of disinterest. At one point, I wondered whether she was even absorbing the details I was sharing or merely waiting for me to finish talking so she could leave.

What made this encounter especially appalling was that it ended up feeling more traumatic than my original reason for seeking care. The pain I experienced brought me to the ER, but Sarah’s utter lack of empathy and compassion far eclipsed the physical agony. It is one thing to be in pain; it is another thing entirely to be met with an indifferent gaze and brusque, borderline dismissive responses.

It became abundantly clear to me that Sarah is simply not happy doing her job. It’s a tragedy because patients who come to the ER—frightened, hurting, and uncertain—deserve better. We deserve a provider who is at least willing to acknowledge our distress and make some effort to ease it. If she finds caring for patients so distasteful, perhaps it’s time for Sarah to pursue a different position that would bring her a bit of fulfillment and, more importantly, prevent her from making the very people she’s supposed to help feel even more miserable.

In the end, I left feeling not only physically unwell, but emotionally rattled by her conduct. I can only hope that, in the future, Sarah either realizes the impact of her actions or decides to move on to a role more suited to her apparent preferences—one where human beings in pain aren’t treated as burdens.

In sharp contrast to my deeply disappointing interaction with Sarah, the general surgery team I encountered that evening proved to be a shining example of how healthcare professionals should treat their patients. The team consisted of three residents who embodied the qualities that every patient hopes to find in their caregivers. They were humble, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable, taking the time to explain every detail of their assessment with clarity and kindness. Despite being residents, they carried themselves with the expertise of seasoned professionals while maintaining a warmth that immediately put me at ease.

What stood out most was their genuine sympathy, as if they were treating a member of their own family. They acknowledged my pain, reassured me, and made me feel cared for in a way that reminded me of why I chose to work in healthcare in the first place. Sadly, I didn’t catch their names due to my condition at the time, but I distinctly remember it was on 12/18 around 8 p.m. Their compassion and professionalism are a credit to the institution they represent, and they restored some of the trust I had lost earlier...

Avoid this hospital & ob care if at all possible. It’s long but you need to read.

A year ago, I was there to get induced. From Saturday alll the way to Monday evening nothing was happening. My new nurse came in for her shift and said we’re getting this baby out.

I had told her that the previous female OBs (who ever worked that weekend) had me take the induction pill orally. She noted that was very odd and saw my patocin was extremely low.

She turned up my drip and within hours I was fully dilated & my water broke & boom push time. But then it gets worse.

One thing they checked was baby position. Alll that they looked for was head position. I had said he was chilling sideways and never came forward.

5.5 hours of pushing later his “head got stuck”. Not the case he was sideways and his shoulders got stuck.

Why a year later for this review? Because it ok this long to get a diagnosis of peri pardum cardiomyopathy. In short, heart failure.

During my initial recovery it was a struggle to get assistance, diapers, straight answers on showering. Like can I with all these stitches.

My legs and feet were super swollen and only one nurse briefly mentioned them. But we went home and I got home and began to have breathing issues. I thought it was allergies but when I couldn’t get a deep breath in the shower, I went back in.

Oddly I weighed more than what i weighed pre delivery but that was “normal” WRONG. I was getting checked out and my blood pressure spiked to 185/100 and boom, they went into treatment mode. Cool.

Did the tests my google symptom and chat got symptom diagnosed me with PPCM. I brought that up to nurses and doctors and they said nope. It was just good ole post pardum preeclampsia.

I asked for a follow up referral to the cardiologist to monitor my symptoms … told me nope that’s for you pcp. (Who I also have issues with at the Loma Linda VA.)

Fast forward to about a month ago I FINALLY got my cardiac MRI. My cardiologist & new pcp reviewed my situation & results and diagnosed me with PPCM.

My new PCP said, yes some of your tests would indicate normal function but you have to look at the whole picture. The biggest being fluid buildup in my longs and a certain blood test. As a whole yes, you have cardiomyopathy & I was fortunate to have gone back in to reduce symptoms.

You would think that a labor and delivery would be able to properly diagnose. They deliver 100s of babies. Monitoring women post birth needs to be done and drawing out my induction because you wanted to… also not ok. My aunt is the director of midwifery in another state and i confirmed with her that is EXACTLY what they did.

So don’t go here. If you do have your own midwife/dula/birthing expert because all this place is good for is making sure you don’t die after you had plenty of preventative care that could have stoped any negative outcomes.

Education for mothers needs to happen. My SIL died 10 days PPM (23 birthday), at a different hospital, because she thought her symptoms were normal, her on said it was normal. But she passed.

Now birth planning for another baby is paused. My heart isn’t as bad as some new mothers & my symptoms have reduced. But if I had waited, I’d most likely not be writing this review.

Mothers, support people educate yourself. Learn to monitor yourself. If you have to go here crash course in all possible complications because they won’t do it here until it’s almost too late.

3 stars for the anesthesiologist, the female Philippina nurse who got things moving, and the 3 post pardum nurses who definitely cared more about me then their management. Last for the actual ob who performed my CSection. My scar is...

Terrible. Worst experience EVER! This used to be THE BEST HOSPITAL money could buy but boy do things change in 20 years. The only reason I came here is because this surgery was FOR MY DAUGHTER and this USED to be the BEST. First of all the hospital is now outdated, there is NO PARKING.....zero!!, i finally decided to 'valet' the car and was told i had to come back and get my car before 6pm or else it would be towed. I told them, ..." but my daughter is getting her tonsils removed I'm spending the night". Sorry sir but the place we are parking the cars; your car will more than likely get towed. Wow....strike 1.

Surgery went fine....they made us stay overnight 'for observation' (milking my insurance company)......ok....in this economy that's fine.

Doctor never came to talk to us after the surgery....was paged 5 times and we waited 1.5 hrs and nothing.

No restrooms in the room.....3 PATIENTS TO A ROOM!! Bathrooms were far far away....closest bathroom was for 'the staff'.....farthest restroom by elevators is for the parents. Strike 2.

Last and finally straw, i was yelled at by one of the Nursing staff after i ate my daughters egg in the morning. She asked me did she eat? I said no....nothing. I tried to feed her and she didn't eat anything but she did drink the Apple juice. Well the egg is all gone.....i said yes I ate it. Well that is NOT FOR YOU! Now we have to order ANOTHER FOOD TRAY! You have to let us know if she doesn't eat. Well NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SHE EATS BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE! .....(lady...you just billed my insurance company $10,000-$12,000 and you're making a big deal over a 15 cent egg?!) Strike 3. I couldn't take it anymore.

I just blew up.....I'm telling you!! .....SHE DID NOT EAT ANYTHING!!. ORDER ANOTHER TRAY AND YOU FEED HER! SEE HOW MUCH SHE EATS....NOBODY EVER TOLD ME I WASN'T ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE FOOD THAT SHE IS GOING TO GO TO WASTE....SHE DIDN'T TOUCH ANYTHING! SHE DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING! I WON'T EVEN EAT THIS FOOD!....she just wanted apple juice....I really tried to get her to eat something!! She stormed off.....my baby fell asleep.....4 hours later they deliver another tray of food....LUNCH. Lasagna with fake meat, side of corn, salad with Ranch dressing, chocolate pudding, a fruit cocktail and a roll with butter?? My baby is 2 years old....she doesnt eat any of these things. oh yes.....these are adult portions....everyone in the room got the same thing. My daughter had her tonsils removed.....where's the ice cream? the jello?

FYI....it's a Seventh Day Adventist Hospital every other channel on TV was a Jesus Channel....they do NOT serve any meat, chicken, pork, nothing. Not for the patients or for you to buy in the cafeteria. You can't even buy a chicken sandwich. Heaven forbid. I'm a Man of Faith just don't SHOVE YOUR BELIEFS down my throat.

On a positive note, the other nurses were great.....but the surgeons and that one nurse have no compassion and their bed side manners are non-existent. If I were a nurse or a student here, I would just do 'the required' training/residency and find another GOOD HOSPITAL. My two daughters were born in Redlands Community Hospital (because that is where I was born) and the difference is NIGHT AND DAY. Just my two cents.

I will NEVER come back. Thank you for making me feel very uncomfortable after eating a 15 cent egg. I will make sure i tell everyone not to come to this 'unfriendly, outdated, no-parking Hospital, you won't be getting any of my business in the...