ColumbiaDoctors – Midtown

I am writing to formally report a deeply troubling and unacceptable experience at ColumbiaDoctors Midtown that involved excessive delays, unprofessional conduct, and a serious security failure that resulted in theft of my personal property.

I arrived at the facility at 2:58 pm for my scheduled 4:00 pm appointment. Despite arriving early and checking in properly, I waited over two hours to be seen. There was no communication, explanation, or acknowledgment of the delay. The front desk and reference staff should have recognized that such a prolonged wait was inappropriate. I was not the only patient waiting for an unreasonable amount of time.

Each patient was assigned a room to place personal belongings. I was directed to put my bag in the assigned room. Inside my bag was my wallet, which contained cash and my debit card. I was not provided a lock for my belongings, only a locker, leaving my personal property unsecured while I remained in the facility.

When I returned home, I discovered that my debit card and the cash from my wallet were missing. The wallet itself had been placed back into my bag, indicating that someone deliberately accessed my belongings and removed the contents. I immediately contacted my bank to report the incident. The bank confirmed that fraudulent transactions had already occurred using my debit card. These transactions took place in Brooklyn and the Bronx, locations I was never near that day.

This theft occurred while I was inside a ColumbiaDoctors facility, after being instructed to place my belongings in a designated room under your clinic’s control. This represents a serious failure to protect patient property and raises significant concerns about security, oversight, and staff access.

In addition, my pre appointment questionnaire was ignored. Staff did not review my medical records and asked questions that were already documented, demonstrating a lack of preparation and professionalism. I also had to personally remind staff about my appointment. Had I not done so, it appears my visit would have been forgotten entirely.

This experience caused distress, financial harm, and a complete loss of trust. Columbia University and ColumbiaDoctors are expected to uphold high standards of care, organization, and patient safety. My experience fell far below those standards.

Please be advised that if this matter is not addressed promptly and appropriately, including a formal investigation and accountability regarding the theft and operational failures, I am prepared to pursue legal action. This includes seeking compensation for financial loss, emotional distress, and negligence related to the handling of patient property and clinic operations.

I expect a written response and confirmation that this incident is under review.

Arnold Advincula MD.

I think my doctor is the best doctor in the world.
I visited Columbia Doctor Midtown Hospital again yesterday to get my breasts CT and I was touched when I saw his name in the lobby entrance.

I had my uterine fibroids removed by him on May 16th at Columbia Westchester Hospital.

I am Korean and I usually get treated for major illnesses in Korea (I have the best insurance in Korea that covers all hospital expenses), but no doctor wanted to do my uterine fibroids surgery. I met with the eminent doctors in Korea but they all said hysterectomy – the best – and let’s schedule the robotic surgery right away.

But I wanted to keep my uterus as a woman, a wife, a mother, a teacher, so I prepared all the materials including the doctor’s opinion + MRI and came to the US to meet him.

It took six whole months (he was already known as a great doctor, so there were many patients waiting)

He and his team of top surgeons did a great job of removing my fibroids, keeping my uterus in place, and I’m healthy, running around Central Park, and preparing for my second baby. The day after my surgery, he said to me,
“ Marie, you can have another baby!”

It was a major surgery that left me hospitalized for two days, and I’m still recovering, but I’m not a young mom anymore, and having a second baby might be difficult, but I’ll do my best. Just like he helped me the best he could.
Oh, I was billed the most expensive Columbia University Hospital bill of over 100,000 dollars, and I had to pay a lot of hospital bills with my insurance, but I didn’t regret the money at all.
I’m really satisfied.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. my dear Dr. Arnold.
I will always be grateful to you for the rest of my life.

Sending you my sincere love, respect and the most delicious coffee.

You make me a better person.