I want to start by saying that the majority of the staff at this office were extremely kind and pleasant. Every front desk employee and nurse I encountered was very nice, and the office manager, Angie, was especially helpful and professional. Unfortunately, my negative experience was specifically with the nurse practitioner, LaTundra Davis, and it ultimately led me to leave the practice.
As a first-time mother, my experience with this provider was extremely disappointing.
From the very beginning, I felt pressured during every visit regarding vaccinating my newborn. I made it abundantly clear that I was still researching and had not yet decided whether that was the route I wanted to take for my child. I have no problem receiving factual information about vaccinations and having a respectful conversation about the benefits. However, what I experienced was not informative discussion—it was pressure and intimidation.
At multiple appointments, the nurse practitioner made my partner and me feel as though we were young, ignorant parents simply for asking questions and wanting to take time before making medical decisions for our child.
I gave the office one more opportunity because my mother encouraged me to do so. I agreed to attend the next visit only if she came with me because I knew the upcoming appointment would include the two-month vaccinations.
When the nurse practitioner entered the room, she immediately began discussing the vaccines my baby would be receiving, even though I had already informed the staff that I was declining them for the time being. When I calmly restated that I was not comfortable proceeding with vaccinations yet, her response was simply “Why?” delivered with extremely negative body language and tone.
I explained that I wanted more time to research and make an informed decision. Instead of respecting that, she went on a rant about how misinformation from TikTok and the internet is wrong, stating that vaccines are not linked to autism and do not contain metals. The problem is that I never mentioned TikTok or any online research at all. I simply stated that I was uncomfortable at the time and wanted more time to research.
She then proceeded to ask whether I was vaccinated and whether my mother was vaccinated even though my mother has nothing to do with my child’s medical decisions. The implication was that we would vaccinate ourselves but refuse it for the baby. She continued speaking in a way that suggested I was endangering my child and others by not agreeing to vaccinate immediately.
Before the visit, I was also given a vaccine refusal form that I was told I HAD to sign. The form essentially forces parents to acknowledge that they are endangering their child and others by declining vaccines. While I understand that offices may require documentation, the way it was presented felt coercive and accusatory.
What bothered me most was not that the provider supports vaccination. That is her professional opinion, and she is entitled to explain it. The problem was her tone, body language, and complete lack of respect for a parent who simply wanted time to make an informed decision. The moment I said I was declining vaccines for now, her demeanor completely changed. She became rude and dismissive especially toward my mother who had accompanied me. Both my mother and I were honestly shocked by the level of unprofessionalism.
Parents should never be made to feel like bad or negligent parents simply for asking questions or wanting to research medical decisions for their child. I was under the impression that this was a vaccine-friendly office where parents could make their own choices. Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case.
I am sharing this experience so that other parents are aware. No parent should feel bullied, disrespected, or belittled in a medical setting when trying to advocate for their child. Choosing what is best for your child is a parent’s responsibility, and that choice should be respected even when a provider disagrees.