Where is Dr. Fran Day?
With legal charges pending, Eureka doc skips town and leaves patients in the lurch
(March 18, 2010) Dr. Fran Day, a general practice medical doctor based in Eureka who specializes in pain medicine and psychiatry, appears to have vanished. Her office/home on 4th Street, in a funky little cream-colored house with brown trim, looks vacated. Gone is her business shingle. Gone is the cheerful flower banner that had waved in front of her place. Gone the quirky sign that hung from her small wire fence — a “Beware of Dog” sign that had been altered with a pen to read “Beware of Doc.”
Gone, too, apparently, are her patients’ medical records. Day left, according to a patient of hers who contacted the Journal, without written notice — at least to this patient, whom we’ll call “Bertha” — and without leaving instructions behind as to how patients could obtain their medical records, seek a new medical provider or get their prescriptions filled.
Bertha, who suffers from chronic depression and had been seeing Day for two years, said she discovered her doctor had left without trace when she tried to get her prescription for Zoloft refilled.
“I realized I was out of my prescription, so I called Costco and they said, ‘Well, actually, we can’t seem to find Dr. Day.’ They said there were many of Day’s patients in the same boat. So I said, well, OK, and I drove over there to Dr. Day’s office. I remember it was pouring buckets. And her office is closed, and I am livid.”
Costco Pharmacist Mike Cent confirmed on Tuesday that the pharmacy had not been able to reach Day, and that it had received calls from a couple of her patients.
Bertha said she has long suffered from abandonment issues, and that she had even discussed this with Day recently, and rather pointedly. “Just the week before, I said to her, ‘I have all this fear of abandonment, and I’m worried you’re going to leave me.’ And she said, ‘Oh, you know I wouldn’t leave. I love Humboldt.’”
Bertha tried calling Day’s office, and the number was disconnected. When the Journal tried phoning Tuesday afternoon, it went immediately to a rapid busy signal.
Bertha said she called the Medical Board of California and was told she could file a complaint. She said she hasn’t filed it yet, because she wants to “give Day a chance.”
→ post a comment
seven-o-heaven
Old Town Arcata
Will Plaza Point put the kibosh on Arcata whippersnapper shenanigans?
Recent news story
Feb. 2
Samba to the rescue
Troupes offer to help control Arcata Plaza holicrazies
Jan. 26
On the Waterfront
Fish everywhere at Eureka’s new Fisherman's Terminal -- but not a bite to eat
Jan. 26
A Crab’s Life
Today
Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
More →
12 Comments
Comment / By Fred Mangels / March 18, 7:39 a.m.
I wonder if this might have anything to do with another Eureka based “pain doctor” who abruptly stopped treating pain patients and moved his business?
I was thinking this other doctor might have been threatened with some sort of trouble by the powers- that- be, but that’s just a feeling. He’s still practicing but doesn’t take pain patients anymore.
Comment / By One eye on Dr.Day / March 18, 6:37 p.m.
This Dr. Left town because she hurts people and destorys lifes, by over prescribing drugs to her patients!!Then when they are overdosed she stands in the way of taking one to the hospital!Acting just like the enabler she is. I wouldn’t give this Dr. anything but a complaint to the ca.medical board. I wonder how many people in our community have died because of her?? Humboldt Coroner we ask u to tell us how many of Dr. Days Patients have died? She no better than any other drug pusher on our streets!! Just like any other low life criminal she cuts and runs when caught.When was the last time you heard of any ethical Dr. pulling up stakes and leaving her patients to hang out to dry!! I pray our D.A. doesn’t stand for this type of behavior in our community!! We are watching the D.A.’s office on this case.From the group that doesn’t care how many initials you have before or after your name. That young women is lucky to be alive today!!
Comment / By Concerned / March 19, 1:51 p.m.
She’s not the only one and opiates aren’t the only drugs. Some over prescribe antibiotics for imaginary diseases. The hypochondriacs of the county are being enabled as well. Unwarranted antibiotc prescriptions are dangerous as well.
Comment / By maggie / March 20, 8:57 a.m.
My question to Dr.Day is, Where you the student that got by on D’s?? Theres always a bottom of the class, and you sound like you were there. You thought you were some sort of Guardian Angel to those that have drug problems!! I heard you testify how you were convicted of assualting an officer in our town.Opps you forgot to report that to the Ca.Medical Board didn’t you? Dr.Day couldn’t even go into our local hospitals, doesn’t that sound funny to you, community?? It does me?? I really feel bad for her patients she has left in a lurch.That in it’s self tells you what kind of compassionate Doctor she is, NOT!!!
Comment / By Sleepy / March 20, 1:44 p.m.
“That young women is lucky to be alive today!!”
And we’re all so lucky to have One-Eyed-Maggie’s hysterical opinions.
Comment / By M and A / March 22, 4:46 p.m.
We miss Dr. Day. She was one person my son trusted and loved to talk to. She was kind, compassionate, and really cared. She even offered to make house calls and gave a holistic approach to medicine. What’s wrong with you crazy people complaining about her????
Comment / By M and A / March 22, 4:46 p.m.
We miss Dr. Day. She was one person my son trusted and loved to talk to. She was kind, compassionate, and really cared. She even offered to make house calls and gave a holistic approach to medicine. What’s wrong with you crazy people complaining about her????
Comment / By Anon Friend / March 22, 7:45 p.m.
Meth was taking over and she had to choose Meth or Medicine, it was the first one.
Comment / By M and A / March 22, 10:41 p.m.
you mean she was choosing meth or she was tired of folks in this community choosing meth?
Comment / By O.E.O.D.D. / March 23, 7:57 a.m.
hummm THE METH MONSTER??? It surely make sence to me.Something she was taking was making her make some POOR choices.She acted like an enabler.The community knew she liked to take all those little samples they give a Doctor.She let her patients know that”She has tried them all”.M&A I guess you are one of the lucky ones that didn’t get hurt by her.Opps well you did, she ran off with your sons medical records. Only God knows what she will do with them?????? She has been known to be pretty creative, when she wants something.I guess you would complain if you had to id your child at the morgue?? Honey, the crazy one is Dr.Day, you just didn’t know it!!
Comment / By bubbles / April 1, 10:30 a.m.
As a former patient of hers, I am appalled that she left her other patients without any instructions on how to get a hold of her or how to get refills on their medications. I hope they (the authorities)find her and throw the book at her…you just don’t do that to people!
Comment / By one eye on Dr.Day / April 1, 5:23 p.m.
Hey Bubbles, I heard other Drs. are trying to step in and help her patients for they understand what she has done to probley hundreds of folks.Start calling Drs. and explain your situation and I belive you will recieve some help. Our Doctors in Humboldt knew she was a very bad apple, and you know the old saying one apple spoils the whole bunch, and they dont want that. Make sure you file a complaint at the Ca. medical board so she can wont set up shop somewhere other than here and start the hurting process over.I refuse to call her a Doctor anymore. This Person is very dangerous!!