Welcome along
@DJhumvee
I understand now why you struggled to find a real plasterer

If that job was in the UK I dont think you would have had the same problem but I am taking a punt that NY plasterers dont skim a great deal so would not have exactly a great deal of experience in that part... (just a guess)
If it was my house I would rip it down or overboard it again... replaster and then go for a pint