Dr. Alex Allwein, MD

After living in Ridgecrest for over 25 years, I can honestly say that Dr. Allwein was the worst ER doctor I’ve ever encountered. He was rude, dismissive and didn’t listen to a word I said. I’m wondering if he is like that to all patients or just women. I’m in good health usually, but when chest pains, dizziness and shortness of breath prompted me to go to the ER, the only thing he said to me was “You’re not dying today and I’m here to save lives.” When I attempted to speak, he interrupted me telling me that he wasn’t there to diagnose me, and to go to my primary for that. Thankfully, my primary care physician and a specialist are taking care of the issues.

Dr. Allwein told me I can't possibly be experiencing kidney pain because we don't feel pain in our organs. So apparently visceral pain isn't real. He talks down to patients, gaslights them, and rushes them out the door. Not my first encounter with him but it will be my last. He's dangerously uninformed.

Dr. Allwein was dismissive of my concerns, never even touched my injured hand or offered to x-ray. I was told there was nothing to be done and if it still hurt in 3 weeks (which it did) to go to an orthopedic doctor. When I commented on his nonchalance over my concerns, he denied it. Empathy and Compassion are in the eye of the beholder and this beholder did not witness either in Dr. Allwein.