A viral video that has been circulating social media has many outraged after a Northern California emergency room doctor was caught on camera mocking a teen who was suffering from an anxiety attack.
The video was posted by Donald Bardwell, which features his son, Samuel, laying in a hospital bed in the emergency room of El Camino Hospital in Los Gatos, California. Samuel, 20, was suffering from a severe anxiety attack and collapsed during basketball practice on June 11th, according to ABC News. He is currently enrolled at West Valley College in Saratoga, where he plays for their basketball team.
Donald Bardwell told “Good Morning America” that his son has a history of anxiety attacks and takes Klonopin for them. His anxiety attack that happened during the basketball practice was brought on because he had run out of his prescription and had not refilled it yet. According to the boy’s father, the two waited in the emergency room for over three hours before being seen by a doctor and when they did finally have a doctor look at them–it was less than professional.
Donald caught Dr. Beth Keegstra, 57, mocking, ridiculing, and making fun of his son for his anxiety, saying things such as:
“I’m sorry, sir, you were the least sick of all the people who are here, who are dying. There, so you picked your head up. Now don’t try to tell me you can’t move. C’mon, sit up.”
This is how they treat black people in Los Gatos emergency room. SMH Everyone share this video. For the record this is my son.
Posted by Donald Bardwell on Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The video has been viewed over 6 million times on Facebook and many who have seen the video share in the outrage of Donald. Many left comments saying that the doctor was unprofessional and “racist.” Others said that she should be fired immediately.
The CEO of El Camino Hospital, Dan Wood, has since issued a statement about Dr. Keegstra, claiming she has been suspended from “all facilities associated with the hospital. Additionally, he added that her “demeanor was unprofessional and not the standard we require of all who provide care through El Camino Hospital.”
“We have expressed our sincere apologies and are working directly with the patient on this matter. Please know that we take this matter very seriously and the contracted physician involved has been removed from the work schedule, pending further investigation.”
However, Donald Bardwell and his son are working with a lawyer and considering pressing charges against the hospital for the unfair treatment they received in the ER.