The Women’s Wellness Clinic and How I Wound Up in Jail

As much as we had already been through with the Woman’s Wellness Clinic, the story just kept getting weirder. Solange had one more visit with the Woman’s Wellness Clinic for her post natal examination. The date was set shortly after we left the hospital. A week before the scheduled date, we received a phone call to delay the examination for one week. Then, another call to cancel the examination all together. I asked to reschedule and they informed me that someone else would be calling to reschedule. A couple of weeks go by, and no one called, and Solange was getting a little upset.

I took matters in my own hands, and called the clinic. The clinic had two offices. I called the first office, and the line was disconnected. The second office had a message that they were out to lunch. That was strange, because it was 4 pm. I called the next day, many times, and same result. They were out to lunch.

At this point, I was a little miffed with them. This clinic had been paid in full. Blue Cross Blue Shield informed me that they paid over $2000 for the birth of our baby BEFORE the baby was born. Additionally, I paid close to $600 before the first examination was performed. I paid numerous copays for office visits which I later learned should have never been charged. And now, I can’t even schedule an appointment for Solange’s last postpartum exam.

I wasn’t sure what to do, so I decided to bring Solange to my doctor. She said the best person to perform the post natal would be the on-call obgyn that performed the birth at the hospital – Dr. Forbes. More weirdness. My doctor was unable to contact Dr. Forbes, and I tried also. I left a message and after a week, he still had not called back. Some more research showed that before working at the hospital, Dr. Forbes worked where? At the Women’s Wellness Clinic, of course.

So my doctor’s office decided to schedule us with a different OBGYN, but we needed to get Solange’s records from Women’s Wellness Clinic. They also informed me that there wasn’t much time, because the clinic was about to close its doors for good in four days. After hanging up the phone, I jumped in the car, and drove straight there. The office was closed at 2pm in the afternoon. I go back, and my doctor’s office explained that it was best to try and get them in the morning. So the next day, I drove there again, and they were indeed open. Unfortunately, they would not give me Solange’s records because Solange wasn’t present. I was miffed but I relented. If we can just get the records, then we can just put these shady doctors behind us.

The next day (one day before the clinic closes), Solange, Teddy, and I go to the clinic. I was very happy to find that the clinic was still open and we entered. We talk to the doctor, and she refused to give us a copy of the records. These “doctors” did not show up for the birth, did not do the postpartum, did not do the proper tests, were paid in full, and padded my bill. I felt the least they could do was give us a copy of Solange’s medical records. Unfortunately, the doctor disagreed. Plus, there was only one day left until the office closed.

I was carrying Teddy, and I slowly gave Teddy to Solange, and as quickly as I could, I tried to grab the records from her hand. Damn! It was a complete whiff. She’s a doctor with quick reflexes. She was holding the documents in air almost taunting me with them. But I did nothing more. She ran to her office, threw the documents in her office, locked the door, and ran out of the clinic.

We were both pretty shaken, but we both left the clinic, and we saw over the balcony that the doctor and her assistant were downstairs calling the police. “Good idea!”, I thought. The police would come, and I would explain everything, and they would help me get copies of my wife’s documents. In fact, when the police had arrived, I was actually on the line with 911 myself.

But of course, I was wrong. Three police cars come screaming to the clinic, lights blinking, and sirens blazing. 6 policemen came running in. At least, they did not have their guns drawn. They approached and hand cuffed me. So much for my little fantasy. They talked to the building security and the doctor and then took me away.

I spent 26 hours in the county jail, and I certainly have learned a lot about life and our justice system. 24 hours into my visit, I talked to the arraignment judge. I finally found someone who would listen. I was out in less than an hour without bail. On September 12, I must defend myself on the charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery. I have also learned that the Woman’s Wellness Clinic has permanently closed their doors, probably right at the time I was leaving the prison.