Charles River Medical Associates

A CT Scan should be painless but not when the technician is condescending and sadistic.
I had an appointment with the Charles River Medical Radiology Department in Framingham on Nov 3^rd, 2015. This is my second Chest CT Scan since May of 2015. Both times I had the displeasure of getting the same tech. His name is Heldar Chaisson. It starts out professional. How are you? He asks my name and date of birth to assure that I am the right person. When you lie down on the platform, he gives you more instructions. Everything feels OK.
When the scans are completed, he sat me up. Here is my problem with this guy. I am a 250 pound man in his 60’s and he is lifting me up with one finger pressed against my spine at the base of my neck. Can you imagine how painful it was? Needless to say, it hurt. I still feel that pressure as I write this.
It reminds me of the barber when I was growing up. I grew up in a small town. His name in town was «Vince the butcher.» I don’t remember the butcher part but I do remember that he would bear down on my scalp with his middle finger while he was cutting my hair. It hurt during and after the haircut. I can tell you, I dreaded going to this barber and shunned barbers when I was old enough to drive for fear that his method was the norm.
Anyway, I digress. When I was up and off the platform, he says to me … atta-​boy!
Well, I could have completely ignored his condescending demeanor when he said «atta-​boy» to a grown man that is if I wasn’t still feeling the pressure of his finger against my spine at the base of my neck when he «helped» me to sit-​up.
This was the same process when I was there in May. I let it go in May as an aberration.
I could not let it go this time and I spoke up. He apologized but is that enough for a technician that does this about 50 times a day? I don’t think that I was the target of his condescension and sadism. I think this is who he is and is unconsciously lashing out. Perhaps this is his way to feel better about himself by subtly inflicting pain in the name of doing his job. He probably doesn’t expect anyone to speak out. Unfortunately, most do not out of fear, shyness or whatever. Well, to be frank, I didn’t react the first time.
This is my testimonial to anyone reading this to stay away from the Charles River Medical Radiology Dept. It is bad enough that you are going for a possible health problem so why let this guy ruin your day? He is definitely not a people person which is OK if he does his job but don’t hurt me.

I see Dr. Bean at this facility and it is the best experience I’ve had with a doctor and doctor’s office. The office staff is friendly, responsive and thorough. While Dr. Bean always runs on time (give or take maybe 10 minutes), they do have free Wi-​Fi in the waiting room.
Dr. Bean himself is awesome. He is very thorough, actually listens, is never condescending and is so funny.
They have an urgent care center for the weekend on the same street which is pretty great as well. For people like me who hate using the phone, they have a web-​based system that allows you to request referrals, prescriptions/​refills, reminds you of appointments and shows you your test results.
I’d highly recommend them!