Pee Dee clinic leaves patients in a tough spot

When the Pee Dee Clinic in Ogden shut its doors, behind them were hundreds of patient’s medical records. The clinic’s owner, Dr. Robert Perry, surrendered his medical license this week, amid suspicion of illegally prescribing medicine.

Dr. Perry closed the clinic without warning, leaving a note on the door for patients, with a number to call to get their records. The problem is one patient said she can not get anyone to answer the phone, let alone get her kid’s files.

“Doctor Perry is a wonderful doctor, I love him. I’m really hurt that his business closed down like this it’s unexpected and it’s like what do we do now, where do we go from here,” said Laura Nyawetor. Laura two children, Alexis and Alexander were patients of Dr. Perry’s.

“He was the only doctor I knew. I’ve been seeing him since I was eight years old,” said Alexis Mott.

Since the Pee Dee Clinic closed earlier this week, Nyawetor has called the number posted on the door, but she has not been able to get her kids records.

“It’s really frustrating because my daughter needs her medication, and my son, he also needs his medication and in order to go to a new doctor and in order to go to a new doctor, I need to get their medical records,” added Nyawetor.

Perry surrendered his medical license Tuesday, one day before he was scheduled to appear in a Gaston County court on four charges of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count of prescribing medication without medical purpose.

The state medical board says getting records from doctors who have shut down their businesses is every patient’s right and there are ways to get them back.

Each complaint, and the thirty day grace period, is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In certain circumstances, doctors are allowed longer, but most of the time, after that thirty days doctors are considered in violation of patients rights.

For Nyawetor, it is a waiting game she does not want to play. “Its like are you ever going to get your records? Its just frustrating.”

Finding a new doctor is also a challenge. Local medical societies can help with that. Once you have one in mind, you can check their license and history on the state medical board’s website.

We have tried to reach Dr. Perry for comment, but his voice mail is no longer accepting messages and he was not home when we stopped by.