I informed Dr. Hamdallah that due to my seizure disorder I would like take a medical leave.  I am a special education teacher. I teach students with autism. Some of my students have violent tendencies. I have been physically injured by some of them.  My stress level has increased my seizure activity.  I have had more seizures in the last 4 months than I have had in 2 years.  I shared this information with doctors Ali, Manaparambil and Hamdallah.    I brought the medical forms to my appointment with Dr. Hamdallah on 1/4/24 for the doctor to sign. My school district requires that the doctors signature be on the medical leave application.  Dr. Hamdallah would not sign my forms. He refused and didn't provide an explanation for why he wouldn't sign them. Dr. Hamdallah wrote a letter on my behalf to my employer,  Chicago Public Schools.  My request for a medical leave has been denied by my school district because I didn't have the required paperwork with doctors signature.   Prior to seeing Dr. Hamdallah I reached out to Dr. Abid Ali which is the neuro that has treated me since before the pandemic.  On 12/13/24 I forwarded the forms to Dr. Ali for him to sign. When I reached out to his staff for an update I was told that Dr. Ali wouldn't sign my forms and he was putting under me under the care of Dr. Hamdallah effective immediately.   Because I need a provider signature, I took my forms to Dr. Sheela Manaparambil,  my primary physician on 12/18/23. I had an appointment with her on 11/20/23. After I didn't receive any status on my medical leave paperwork I reached out to Dr. Manaparambil via message in the live well app on 1/1/24. She called me back on 1/2/24. Dr. Manaparambil told me that she would not sign my forms. She stated that she is not my neurologist so she would not sign the forms for a 90 day leave.   I explained I needed this time to recover. I explained how being attacked by my special needs students has increased stress which increases my seizure activity. She stated I needed to seek a psychiatrist for care.  I am extremely disappointed with Advocate Healthcare. I have met 3 doctors that have denied me their medical care. Without a signature from a physician my leave request has been denied. I am returning to work on 1/8/24 unwell. My medical leave would allow me time to rest and make appointments for MRI an EEG and lab work as requested by all 3 providers.  This is highly unacceptable.  It makes me question the care of these physicians and the overall care of advocate.  I have also reached out to parties outside of Advocate for suggestions.  At this time I do not recommend the care of these physicians or Advocate Healthcare.  
Palos Heights 11824 SW Neuro