I wish I had seen these reviews. I have been looking for a new doctor since my first physical last year with Dr. Mary E. Callsen. I came prepared with questions and concerns. She didn't answer any of my questions or provide expertise on potential solutions or options. I didn't understand the need for her young male scribe as I pre-answered all of the questions both prior my visit/appointment and also the day of the appointment prior the exam. Note, apparently I'm only allowed to bring up a few inquires. I was rudely charged for 2 visits even though my time with her was less than 15 minutes. The young office manager stood their ground and would not budge. Rude, rude, rude...and privileged.

Submitted May 2, 2018

I read the negative well-written detailed comments about Dr. Callens because I went to her too. These negative comments also reflect people who have serious questions about Dr. Callsen's credibility. She is no longer my physician either for the same reasons.

I have experienced similar concerns and frustrations with Dr. Callsen. She likes turning obvious physical problems into mental issues.

For instance, neither her PA nor she understands that people are concerned and emotionally friendly when they come to her with their physical issues. I always had to reiterate that I was only upset about my problem not depressed about life.

When, I was uncomfortable with two young men acting as her scribes during a recent visit, she became defensive. This was new to me. (How do I talk directly to her, with my back to them for a correct transcription of my visit?)

I had to take my lab results to other doctors because she avoided me and could not explain them.

I have been coming to her for over a year with the same problem. Finally, on 12/25/2016, I went to Fairfax Emergency because of its severity.

Good News for Me.

On 12/26/2016, the Fairfax Inova hospital doctor determined my problem (within an hour) from my description of symptoms and the results of 12/26/2016 blood test, which he said, resulted in my year long "ataxia." I had never heard this word before.

He is in the same medical swim lane as Dr. Callsen.

12/30/2016. I reviewed my JH Health chart and found that she had diagnosed me with Ataxia" 9 months ago but never told me or looked for its cause. She never tried to stop its symptoms.

The absolute arrogance.

Submitted Jan. 13, 2017

Really, this woman should not be allowed to practice medicine. She is all that the reviews below state and much less. Late, check; cold, check; knowledgeable, check; judgmental, check; poor listener, check;
To this I would add that she actually seems to feel that she can judge a patient's integrity (yes, integrity), completely without meritorious data and do so blatantly. She seems to think that no one will object, or if they do, she cares not.

Submitted June 14, 2016

This physician seems unhappy and frustrated with her work and responsibilities, and as a consequence takes her problems out on her patients. This, as well as her dismissal of patient concerns, her indifference and disinterest in patient concerns and questions, and her constant interruptions of a patient's attempted replies to her brusquely asked questions (prompted so she could just fill in the blanks of the electronic form before her) underlines what others have said about her rude , cold or brusque manner that suggests she doesn't care about patients. (Some commenters here have commented about Dr. C's knowledge. I wouldn't know about that b/c she seldom lets me complete a sentence to answer a question put to me.) And that waits for her to come in the exam room were each over an hour, and even then she made no apology for her extreme lateness or my lost time, indicate that Dr. C lacks respect for her patients, who even then admit to putting up with behavior that disturbs or annoys them. . If a physician is incapable of respecting her patients and the very important fact that they are persons, not to mention CLIENTS, in need of and seeking skilled, caring medical help that will LISTEN to them, than that sort of doctor is in the WRONG PROFESSION. That Dr. C has come back to the Bethesda office shows either how desperate it is for doctors (having lost so many) and/or it or suggests that whoever makes Bethesda's hiring decisions must care as little for patients as does Dr. Callsen. Given the large number and recurrence of complaints about Dr. Callsen by PATIENT CLIENTS and the sad and discouraging reality that "Sheee's back" speak volumes: those who still go to the Johns Hopkins Bethesda facility have been told, essentially, that you enter our office at your own peril.

Submitted May 14, 2016

I saw Dr Mary Callsen a little over a month ago. Not only was she about an hour late coming into the examination room, but she really was not that sympathetic or apologetic to the fact that I then had to rush off to work because my appointment started an HOUR late. To add insult to injury, most doctors communicate via MyChart, due to their busy schedules. I have YET to hear from Dr. Callsen and will never see her again. I'm calling immediately to switch doctors. Dr. Callsen, if you read this, my name is Shari Ray and I think you have a lot of room for improvement as it relates to your promptness, friendliness, and follow up. Thank you.

Submitted Sept. 15, 2015

the woman is ignorant and does not practice good judgement in rendering her indeed judgemental verdicts about the patient's health and health care .She comes across as useless. If you're not serious about medicine you shouldn't be a doctor; and if you don't know how to behave like a human being you should be in therapy - that's my recommendation about doctor Callsen.

Submitted June 18, 2015

Every negative comment that other Callsen patients have specified are right on target. She is cold, brusque, and very quick to interrupt a patient's answers to her pointed questions. She showed no tolerance for details, learning some critical particulars about the patient's previous medical history; earlier test results and surgical outcomes; and the assessments or diagnoses of past doctors. She was very quick to dismiss, doubt, or criticize this professional knowledge that might give her a picture of one's general health. I soon decided to answer her questions, which were merely prompts given in order her to fill out for the visit summary that is requisite to hand the patient before departing the office. It quickly became apparent that Dr. Callsen had no interest in departing from the prompts, preferring to get through the appointment as quickly as possible. My attempts at being attentive, involved, and just simply congenial were totally wasted on her. Realizing that I was going to be treated in her robotic, clipped, disinterested manner, that, at times was just rude, I saw there was no way she wanted to or would take the effort to engage me such that she would gain the smallest amount of insight to my physical state and existing concerns. Adding to my patient and personal upset at this first appointment was that I was made to feel as if I were a nonentity. She avoided eye contact most of the entire visit, unless she wanted to drive home a not well thought out or well reasoned, very bluntly stated criticism
regarding the drug regimen my internist and my oncologist of several years had recommended. In sum, despite remaining polite throughtout the 17 minute ordeal (i.e., appointment), I felt forced into a defensive position and was made to undergo a dehumanizing situation.
One might think that with Dr. Callsen's riveted attention to running through the most cursory of assessments, at least she would get the facts right. That was not the case. When she brusquely asked which breast had been cancerous (assuming, I suppose, that it couldn't be both), I indicated which one. After reading Dr. Callsen's visit summary, I discovered her entry was "unspecified." The absurdity of such an entry might be laughable, but it was proof of how inattentive she had been. Whichever breast, so what, it was irrelevant to her. Irrelevant, insignicant, defeated, miserable, and totally discouraged--these feelings were the direct result of my short appointment with Dr. Callsen. It is beyond me how, despite its awareness of this doctor's professional failings and the number of patients who see her one time only, Johns Hopkins, with its apparent commitment to the best in patient care, continues to allow her to oversee the health and well being of its patients/clients.

Submitted Feb. 20, 2015

The lab is terrible. I did a blood work there, and three weeks later the lab staff called me to schedule another blood draw because my blood work was lost.

Submitted Dec. 2, 2014

I saw Dr. Callsen for the first time and I was very unhappy by her cold manner and attitude. She ordered blood works for me which I got it done a few days later but she never called me to discuss the results. After TWO months I decided to call and find out what is going on. After leaving a message they finally called me back to ask me to schedule another appointment "because the doctor is concerned about my condition." When I complained about the delay, they simply said "it's because you did not use our lab." On the day of my appointment, I arrived 10 minutes late and I was told the doctor could not see me and I needed to reschedule. I asked for a print out of my labs and I noticed that some of the results were still pending. I asked the tech why after TWO MONTHS it was still pending and how come nobody had followed up with the lab to find out and she had no idea what was going on. She finally said "we don't knoe because you didn't get your labs done in our lab." This is when I left the office and I will never go back there. But I wonder how could Dr. Callsen be so concerned about my condition if she had not reviewed the lab results completely and had not requested the final results???

Submitted Sept. 23, 2014

Dr. Callsen is low key but caring and thoughtful. She took time to answer my questions and then addressed each of my concerns. I would recommend her.

Submitted May 30, 2014