WENDIE & STEVEN
Husband & Wife
In appreciation of Dr. Edison de Mello and the Akasha Center
WENDIE: For many years we have used an HMO but found that, especially in the last few years, the environment and care had taken a serious dive causing us to become disgruntled and lack confidence in the ‘care’ (or lack of it) that we were receiving. About a year and a half ago I had casually mentioned this to one of our non-HMO medical professionals who suggested the Akasha Center.
I was aware of a medical issue for which I was getting no follow-through from my HMO, so I made an appointment with Dr. Edison de Mello. At my first meeting Dr. de Mello reviewed my complete medical history, as well as discussed elements of my life to get ‘the whole picture’ of my physical and mental state. He performed a complete physical, ordered lab tests, then addressed the initial issue that had caused me to make the appointment and prescribed medication. He also inquired about other medical professionals I was seeing so that he could effectively coordinate my care. When I walked out of his office, my immediate response was 1) that it had been many years since I had a ‘real physical’ (not a cursory 5 minute exam labeled a physical), and 2) that I had found a family physician who was willing and qualified to act as ‘quarterback’ in guiding my health on the right path and who truly cares about his patients as unique individuals. Dr. de Mello treats the whole person, not just readily evident symptoms. I am grateful for his professional medical expertise and for his show of compassion and caring toward me as a patient and private person.
Following my ultra positive experience, I made an appointment for my husband to meet Dr. de Mello. Prior to our connection with Dr. de Mello, if my husband did not feel well, he was reluctant to call the HMO for an appointment because he could rarely make an appointment at a time convenient for him and even then he could rarely meet with his own physician. Following are his comments regarding Dr. de Mello of the Akasha Center.
STEVEN: An appointment with Dr. de Mello is not your typical doctor visit where you are rushed in and out as quickly as possible. Dr. de Mello is an unusual human being. He welcomes you into his office and wants you to feel relaxed and comfortable. As he reviews your file, he asks questions about your family, work, how you feel, etc., in a professional way to cull the information he needs to provide treatment appropriate for you as a special individual. He examines you, not just for the complaint at hand, but for all vitals, querying all the while to also get a handle on your mental state as he explains that this may impact physical symptoms. Once the exam is completed, he invites you back into his office to review his findings, prescribe medications if necessary and provide guidance for your physical and mental well-being. This treatment establishes a comfort level so that you feel free to contact him before ailments get out of hand. He also closes his visits with the request that you phone in a couple of weeks to let him know how [you are] doing.
Dr. de Mello’s skills are particularly keen. During his examination on a visit for a simple ailment, he picked up on a potentially life-threatening medical problem. He immediately made referrals to a specialist to confirm his findings. Due to his follow through and quick action the medical issue is being treated and appears to now be under control.
Dr. de Mello continues to be there to liaison with the specialist and monitor how treatment is progressing. Since this was a serious medical issue, he calls me on a regular basis to see how I am. He continues to offer support with a personal touch. I wanted to write this letter to let him and others know how much I appreciate his giving me a second chance for living.
In closing, we would both describe Dr. Edison de Mello as the epitome of an excellent family physician, a rare find in today’s medical world. He makes the effort to get to know his patients and shows his true concern for their total well being. He looks at the whole picture, not just medical elements in isolation. We feel fortunate that we were guided to his practice at the Akasha Center.
Thank you Dr. Edison de Mello.