My Opinion of My Primary Care Doctor, Dr. Nusrat Rahman in Westland, Michigan

People are always complaining about medical care: They can't get an appointment when they want., their insurance won't cover such-and-such, or they can't get as many refills as they want. Sure, health care in this country is crazy, but I've found a silver lining to this dark cloud: My doctor, Nusrat Rahman, M.D. She is located at 945 S. Merriman in Westland, Michigan.

In an age where doctors are taking trips to Tahiti just for prescribing 1,000 of certain medication per month, my doctor takes no special favors. She prescribes what she thinks is best regardless of whether or not it will earn her a new car, computer, or smartphone.

She is fearless. When it comes to referrals, many doctors would rather cut off their right arm than grant one, as the insurance companies push hard for doctors to try to treat things they have little or no experience with. She grants referrals freely and with encouragement.

I have heard my doctor on the phone yelling at insurance companies for trying to get her to prescribe a cheap alternative to what she wanted for her patient. She doesn't take anything from anybody. She's a real fireball, and she fights hard for the best interests of her patients.

She is blunt("you need to lose some weight") yet caring(she once gave me a hug when I came to her regarding depression), and knowledgeable. If you are fortunate enough to live in Westland, Michigan or its nearby cities, you can visit my doctor.

She works, along with her husband, who is an excellent doctor himself, out of an unassuming office that looks as though it was probably once a house. Nusrat is in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and her husband is in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The friendly office staff treats you like family and will try to work you in the same day for urgent appointments. I cannot recommend this tremendous physician highly enough. In a country in which health care frequently makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, finding a good doctor who will put your needs first is not an easy task.

The city of Westland is known for many things: Its mall, the Mike Modano ice arena, and its nearly innumerable apartment complexes, but perhaps the most important thing in the city to those who have health care needs is a kindly doctor who won't give in to greedy insurance providers or pushy drug companies.