To start off with, I don't even see Dr. Garber. The care I receive is from her daughter, Dr. Forbess, who shares the office with her. I'm sure after I write this, I will not be welcomed back. Which is a shame... Because Dr. Forbess was kind and accommodating, and tried to help me with my EDS. Without hesitation, I would get Dr. Forbess five stars. During my last visit, the receptionist told me I had an outstanding balance due. I responded quite pleasantly by saying that I thought that was impossible because I had really good insurance. Which is true, as I've never had to pay out-of-pocket for anything. It turns out there were three or four small charges that totaled $3.69. When the receptionist went to check the balance, Dr. Garber came out of nowhere and said that she wanted to see the bill. She looked at it and stated that it was correct. My comment to her was that I was very surprised because I've never had to pay out-of-pocket. She scoffed at me and literally belittled me by saying it's only $3.69. You're actually making a fuss over $3.69? I looked at her and thought I could say the same about you, but I didn't. I told her I wasn't making a fuss about it, that I was only surprised. All I could think was, I travel two hours to get to the office and pay an extreme amount of money for parking and have to travel two hours back. and you want to charge me $3.69? I insisted on being the better person and continued to be polite. But as she left and walked away, she let out a big huff and rolled her eyes. The people around her, including the staff, laughed. Never in my life have I been laughed at or belittled by a doctor. Shame on you, Dr. Garber. I thought only children knew how to be bullies. read more

Terrible customer service by their receptionists. Both times I've called in, the woman picking up the phone has been gossiping with someone nearby while she leaves me on the line to just listen to her conversation. Then, once she finally acknowledges you and you get to speak to her, she's dismissive and not really listening. I was referred here by another physician but opted to go somewhere else based on other similar reviews. read more

Do not go to dr Garber. She's fine as a doctor but the office and her schedule isn't ran well at all. It's not worth it. Clear your schedule for the day because you'll never know how long you'll have to wait. Average wait time is at least an hour. Longest I had to wait was 2.5 HOURS and all the dr said was thanks for waiting. I immediately changed my doctor after I was seen. read more

Dr. Garber is fine. It's the admin. I called and asked if they took my insurance, gave them my ID. They said yes. I saw them for months and inquired about billings etc. I then got a MASS bill at the end of the year, despite my inquires, showing that they were out of network. Never once did they inform me of this or bill me per visit. I filed a complaint. So get EVERYTHING in writing with them. read more

I left there in tears...stay away from this uncaring, rude, dismissive and completely money - hungry doctor! I'm too upset to write more. What a horrible doctor, and disgustingly disorganized and also rude front office! You 'did harm' Dr Garber! You should. Be ashamed read more

Dr. Garber is very knowledgeable about her field. However: 1. Her front desk staff made a dozen HIPAA violations as I sat waiting 45 minutes for her. (This has happened very time I go in.) Other patients in the waiting room look horrified. 2. Callers are on speakerphone sharing their personal medical information as well as social security numbers, phone numbers, and insurance information with the front desk, which is broadcasting the call throughout the office. 2. On a recent phone call I made about test results, her front desk told me that the doctor could not come to the phone, so she gave me her own medical advice instead. When I asked her if she was another MD in the office, she said no, but that the advice was "commonsense." 3. At my last visit, I had to leave as I was late for another appointment. I asked the front desk to have Dr. Garber call me. Just then, Dr. Garber walked into the exam room. When she asked why I was leaving, I told her that I had waited too long. She told me that she is a very busy doctor and has worked too long and helped too many patients to apologize. She explained that because she takes insurance, she is busy. "So I just won't apologize," she ended, refusing to look at me. No one deserves to be treated disrespectfully by a doctor. Patients are vulnerable and the power differential is unquantifiable. Because she works in rheumatology, I would guess she has quite a few elderly patients. It's sad that she feels she has the right to denigrate others and not take their time or rights or feelings seriously. Earning an MD is not a license to be an unapologetic jerk; nor does taking health insurance put you on the moral high ground. Without kindness and human decency, doctors are running businesses not practicing medicine. Shameful. read more

Dr. Garber was thorough, efficient and friendly. She immediately ordered a bunch of blood tests to get to the bottom of the terrible pain I just recently started having in my hands. I feel confident that with her over 35 year of experience, she will indeed help me to feel less pain and to nip any arthritis in the bud, to the highest degree possible. As for negative reviews of her staff, I found all of the office people to be courteous and helpful. I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Dr. Garber and her office staff. read more

Dr. Garber is an excellent doctor and I found her to be knowledgeable and caring with me and other patients I have referred to her personally. She takes her time and sits with you and hears you. unfortunately not many doctors these days are able to spend time with their patients and she does that. I find her staff to be kind and approachable. read more

If you don't mind waiting a long time at the doctor's office, then this is the place for you! Dr. Garber is an excellent doctor, but the wait time of over an hour without any acknowledgment or consideration for our time is something to consider. It may be worth looking for a doctor and staff who are more mindful of people's time. read more

The doctor is good. Knows her stuff about Gout. However, the nurses who has an accent cannot draw blood for crying out loud. One literally left my arm with a cotton ball and said "hold it". Then left w/out being able to find the vein. She caused a huge bruise that later another pro nurse from Cedar said my vein was damaged. It's a bit concerning that they simply won't update the staff to higher standards. At least those who has to invade someone's veins to collect blood... to bad, because the doctor is good read more

Best in her field. Actually figured out some answers regarding my health. Is very efficient and does not skip steps. She's a great listener and wants to find a solution. I have been through 3 other specialists before finding one like her who actually spent the time to figure out the symptoms and solution. Her office does get busy because she's that great! But my waits have never been over the top and the office staff is good about communicating the wait time if there is any. read more

I suppose if you have a very clear, textbook case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dr. Garber could be a great doctor and give you quality care. I was not that case. I started going to her when I was experiencing strange, new pain and weakness in my legs. A friend with RA recommended her to me. She gave me a physical examination and was immediately dismissive and condescending, telling me that there was no way I had an autoimmune disease. Then my blood came back with a positive ANA and that got her attention. She seemed to look at me with fresh eyes - she said that I did have an autoimmune disease and needed to be closely monitored, coming in every 3 weeks. I went in every 3 weeks for many months, waiting at least an hour and a half in the waiting room every time. I'd then spend 10 minutes with her during which she would often dismiss my complaints. As my fatigue, nerve pain and muscle weakness got considerably worse, I would update her: "I can't even lift a glass of water without getting a tremor in my arm." She told me perhaps I needed to get a personal trainer. "I can no longer make it through a whole shower standing, I have to sit." She told me that sounded like anxiety. I took the drugs she prescribed and kept seeing her because I didn't know what else to do. My health was rapidly deteriorating. At one point I asked her if it could possibly be Lyme disease because I'd heard about it and it was the only diagnosis that could possibly explain the vast array of symptoms I had, including bone crushing fatigue and neurological problems. She told me there was literally no way that I had Lyme disease because I would have a bullseye rash (which I now know is a popular misconception). After seeing her for about 7 months, I very suddenly hit a new low. I was so weak that I could barely move, I was so dizzy it looked like ceiling fans were migrating into different rooms, I was barely able to chew my food or form full sentences. I felt like if I got any weaker my heart would stop. I felt like I was dying. I made an emergency appointment with her thinking that I must be having an extreme autoimmune flare. I remember waiting in the lobby of Cedars for the elevator to come, leaning into my boyfriend, sobbing, shaking, clinging to him because I didn't have the strength to stand for another second. When the elevator came, people cleared a path for me. "Let her go, let her go," I heard them say. I waited the hour and a half in the waiting room, laying down across two chairs. My boyfriend helped me into the exam room and up onto the table when my name was called. I laid down on the table. She came in, looked at me, and said, "What's this?" And I told her, with the little energy I had to form coherent thoughts and speak, "I am so weak, I feel like I'm dying." This next part is burned into my memory, verbatim. She rolled her eyes and said, "No, you're not dying. Sit up." I struggled and she pulled me by my arm, forcing my body into a seated position. She made a few routine physical examinations, and checked my vitals. "You're perfectly healthy," she said. "There's nothing wrong with you." Terror rose through my spine. "This is psychiatric. I don't go near that stuff, so you need to call your psychiatrist, call your therapist, call whoever, you need to get a handle on this. You need inpatient psychiatric treatment." It was one of the most chilling moments of my life. She turned to my boyfriend and said, "You need to check her in somewhere. We don't do that here anymore otherwise I'd send you right now." She smirked. I remember thinking, "If no one believes me, I'm going to die." I asked if there was any way I could use a wheelchair to help me get back to the car, and she looked at me like I was insane. She said, "No, we don't just have wheelchairs here." At Cedars Sinai. I look back and shudder at the gaslighting I suffered. For a brief and disturbing time I thought maybe I actually was losing my mind. But one thing Dr. Garber never gave me credit for was the fact that I was an intelligent and reasonable woman who had spent 35 years in this body. I knew that something new and terrible was happening inside of me. She often talked to me like I was a fool, and it is that disregard that contributed to my sharp decline while in her care. My psychiatrist firmly disagreed with her evaluation of me and confirmed that I was of sound mind and sick body. I eventually found a doctor that diagnosed me with Lyme disease, but the diagnosis came so late that it has been brutal and taken years from me. I thought about going back to her office, waiting an hour and half, and then telling her to her face: You not only failed me, you broke your oath, you inflicted harm. It was beyond lacking empathy. It was gaslighting, neglect, cruelty bordering on abuse. My speech would fall on dismissive ears, so I'm writing this to warn others. Trust yourself. You are an authority on your body. Doctors are just people. And some of them are sicker than us. read more

The first day I met Dr. Garber I felt hopeless, I had been to 5 different doctors in the last two years...some only met with me for a couple of minutes and only to tell me to change my diet and exercise more. Dr. Garber takes her time with you, listens and then plans a course of action. I'll never forget what she said to me at the end of my first visit "I won't give up, we're going to figure this out" I started to cry because for the first time I felt not only seen, but heard. Dr. Garber gave me my life back, I will forever be grateful for her. THANK YOU Dr. Garber to you and your amazing caring staff. I feel like I'm now waking up from a bad dream, I am pain free...feeling better than I have in a long time. Thank you, thank you Dr. Garber, thank you for giving me my life back. read more

I really tried to give this doctor a chance, but her front office staff is the absolute worst. They call you and ask if you're coming in the next day for your appointment and there is actually no appointments even scheduled and they push you to come in every two months to come in, even though it's not required. I do not understand why she keeps the one woman that has a very strong accent her name is Yolanda. She's absolutely the worst. But Dr Garber defends her... So she has lost a customer. Skip this doctor because anybody that is this an unorganized means my health is at risk. And to the lady who said she saved her mothers life... She misdiagnosed my wife's lupus condition. Also be prepared to sit for hours if you made an appointment. When you ask, why do I have to wait so long she says "I'm very busy taking care of my patients". Then why don't you spread out your patients appointments? read more

One of the best Dr's I've ever been to. I've seen multiple doctors and she was the ONLY one who figured out what was wrong with me. I've had an autoimmune condition for many years bc no one else could figure it out. She could've easily dismissed my symptoms bc I'm younger than most rheumatology patients. She listened patiently, examined and asked questions and she was able to diagnose me after the first visit. She's been treating me ever since and I feel like a totally new person. I'm shocked by a few of the negative feedback bc my experience has only been stellar. The staff, nurses and everyone in that office from billing to the front desk have always been kind, polite and on top of it. No place is perfect but she highly sought after bc she's one of the best in her field so I can understand that she gets very busy. I've been to her regularly for almost 7 months and I can't thank her enough for what she's done for me. She always calm, kind, attentive and patient. read more

After reading everyone's reviews, I'm sorry to say that this doctor misdiagnosed me as well. She diagnosed me with Lupus even though the tests came back negative for that. Dr Garber kept me on medications and had me come to the office every month for a checkup, and took blood each time (very unnessesary). The first thing she did before every checkup and blood test was collect the co-pay. This women was very money hungry. I needed a simple refill on my medication but she wouldn't give me a refill. In order to get a refill she said that I needed to see her in for a checkup and another blood test. I moved out of state 1.5 years ago. I found a new doctor here and she took one look at me and said "there's no way you have lupus". She then took 17+ blood tests for me (being a new patient and all) She diagnosed me with celiac disease. That made so much better sense then lupus. I'm a girl in my early 20s. All these checkups and Dr Garber making be believe that I was really sick made me really weak and depressed. I went through so much heartache by this doctor telling me I have this and I have that. Now that I know I was misdiagnosed, I'm telling everyone reading this, please stay far far FAR away from her. (Oh and she refuses to send my records to my new doctor, and is telling me to pay her for them) read more

I felt dismissed after visiting Dr. Garber. She told me I tested high for inflammation and there was a problem with my urine. 10 months later, here I am now with blood tests that are still off and a host of problems that have only gotten worse. She told me at the end of the second or third visit that something was for sure wrong with me, but she made no effort to schedule more tests or another appointment. Now I am looking for a new doctor to help find out what is wrong. After my experience with Dr. Garber, I gave up for a few months thinking that I was just imagining things, and now I'm worse off than when I began trying to figure this out. read more

I found Dr. Garber extremely kind, nice, patient and indulgent of my ups and downs. Yolanda in her office is exceptional. I truly hope she goes into psychiatry or at least psychology some day because she empathic and just wonderful. My problem, like so many others here, is that the rheumatoid situation is long term, painful, tiring, and you can't wait to blame someone for it. Often, there is no cure. Sometimes as with my situation (polymyalgia rheumatica) the arthritis goes away all by itself, but it takes its time. I highly recommend Dr. Garber. I think you'll find her more than competent. People in any profession can't hit the ball out of the park every time. Give her a chance and you'll be pleased. read more

She is one of the best Doctor in town. She is really good. Kind, gentle and showing tender loving care. I've been taking my patient to her for almost 2 years now, and she is fantastic. She is one of my favorite. The staff working at her office are organized and knows exactly what they're doing. I love Dr Garber. She is the best! read more

Update: Garber cost me $250 unnecessary. Insurance would not cover lab testing as I never needed them in the first place. I exhibited NO symptoms requiring the testing she requested. Or she never submitted the correct diagnosis codes after multiple requests to correct. read more

Fantastic doctor!! My 19 yr old daughter hadn't walked in 2 years due to pain in her ankle. She saw doctor after doctor... one even did a surgery that didn't address her issue! Finally, we got a referral to Dr Garber, which I was skeptical about. I mean, what 19 year old needs to see a Rheumatologist? Aren't those for old people? Nope! She did some blood tests and found out immediately what her problem is! Turns out that she has a genetic disorder that predisposes her to achilles problems, and can be treated with medication! Well, fast forward two months. My daughter is now walking perfectly, running, jumping, and doing everything a 19 yr old active girl should be doing!! Doctor Garber was able to finally give us an accurate diagnosis where many previous doctors had failed!! She is truly amazing!!! We can't thank her enough! read more

Mother of GOD!!! Stay away from this Dr. Her staff is amazing, especially Nazi... Sweet, kind... All if the above, but the Dr..... Ummm yeah.... NO WAY! Stay far far away... All she cares is the turn over !! She's rude, very rude... No empathy at all... She needs to get out if the business, obviously has lost all sense if human interaction , I was disgusted with her initial encounter and will NEVER GO TO GER AGAIN NOR SEND ANYONE I LIVE TO HER. Heck, I wouldn't send her my enemies... She's brash, rude, no bedside manner, just worried about how quick she can get enough patients in as possible.... Get out lady if u don't care about the REFERRALS ur getting! Disgusted by her... Feel sorry for her great staff... read more

Horrible - excessive wait 1 hour and 30 minutes) even with a confirmed appointment. did unnecessary blood tests and then sent to Cedars where they charge twenty times what an independent lab would charge - try $1300!! Final straw, while having x-rays all over my body that didn't make sense (again bill insurance) in the middle of the exam while I was on the table in a gown half dressed the receptionist barged in and wanted payment because she was going home for the day. Avoid for the sake of your health and mental well being. She has no regard for her patients only her eminent retirement fund!!!! read more

This doctor and her staff are incompetent, rude, and have their priorities mixed up. They care about the money before they care about the the patient. This doctor is trying to utilize every inch of this cramped office space and it's just not working. The room they take your blood is the same room they take x-Rays and what's worse is that the whole office specifically the room they take the blood in is incredibly filthy and unsanitary. On top of all of that there is no parking. If you want to park in the building it costs 20 dollars and they don't validate, and good luck finding street parking. This was a horrible experience . The first time I visited this doctor I thought I found a good doctor, some things seemed strange to me on that first visit, like the fact that they took my blood before I even saw the doctor but I let it go I thought it's ok, but the second and third visits I started realizing they are rudely after the money, they don't care about the patient. If you want to visit this doctor be prepared to pay a lot for everything. You will be getting a surprise bill in the mail. read more

Outstanding rheumatologist. I'm shocked by some previous negative reviews here because she was absolutely WONDERFUL with me. She took over 45 minutes with me, thoroughly went over my medical history, was so kind and considerate as I often meandered a bit, answered every question I had, connected so many different points in my history to help me understand my condition, and made remarkable discoveries re. previous incorrect treatment. She is a wealth of knowledge and keeps her diagnoses rooted in science while making sure they're accessible. She was incredibly kind and caring throughout my visit. Her nurse was also delightful. Others have mentioned her staff, and I found Yolanda to be absolutely wonderful. She took care of all of my insurance questions and returned my many many phone calls. I entered so scared and left feeling like the weight of my diagnosis was finally manageable and solvable. Finally. Dr. Garber was a true miracle doctor for me. read more

Wonderful docor. The wait is long , the staff is nice, dr garber is well educated and will get to the root of the problem.

First of all, when we write any review of another human we look to save us from our illnesses, it's a sticky business. We are already stressed and very much under-educated. We are desperate. We came to them; they did not come to us. This said, we, too, came to see Dr. Garber. She was thorough. She was interested. She was timely. She squeezed an hour out of fifteen minutes and our visit still literally was well over an hour. So, for us, it was a four hour consult and a very intimate visit. My dear friend was most likely misdiagnosed with temporal arteritis. We flew from Las Vegas for help! Though presenting with near identical symptoms...Dr. Garber made immediate phone calls to get us scheduled with a dear woman who is an ENT Physician. Why? She felt it "could" be more or even something else. (also a hero) Both of her thoughts were spot on. It was more and it was something else. Yes, her lovely daughter does work with her. She was as engaging and interested in our welfare as her mother. This is a mother-daughter team in whom we put our trust. They didn't hunt us down, we needed a fine rheumatologist and got way more than we hoped for. Negativity is for those who cannot be pleased. If one has been treated poorly, move on. Or, look in the mirror. Doctors generally are overbooked. It's because they are good. Do your homework, take notes and be your own advocate. Like any love affair, not everyone is meant to be paired with another. But, we exit with grace and try not to belittle. For, in this case, the life saved may be your own. Kudos to Northwestern's alumni! read more

Dr. Garber is outstanding! I've had a chronic autoimmune illness for fourteen years, and before coming to see her twelve years ago, I saw doctors at the three leading medical institutions back east. Without question, she is light years better than any doctor I saw during those first two years. I would say she is one of the best doctors in the United States. Why you may ask: Dr. Garber is clinically incomparable, on the cutting edge of medicine; she extremely intelligent, has great judgment, and is always thinking about you as a patient. She always follows up with you very quickly, calling in the early evening to make sure she reaches you. There's really no better doctor, and on top of that, she's a really nice and caring person. Her staff is also excellent and caring. Bottom line: I wouldn't be sitting here writing this review without her outstanding care because she saved my life. read more

I was hospitalized on and off at Cedars for almost a year suffering from kidney failure. My nephrologist had condemned me to remain such as for the rest of my life. Then doctor Suzuki (also at Cedars) referred me to doctor Garber then things start to change she cared for me like no other doctor ever has. She put me right away on the proper medication and to make a long story short SHE SAVED MY LIFE. I AM NOW OFF DIALYSIS, MY HEALTH HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER. SO I WOULD RECOMMEND DOCTOR GARBER WITHOUT ANY HESITATION. read more

Dr. Garber has both - the knowledge and the skills to reduce arthritic pain and its unpleasant symptoms dramatically. As evidence, her rooms are always occupied. I now understand her reluctance to practice concierge medicine since her persistent engagement with a mixed group of patients extends her feel for solutions. Remarkably, she provides current records to keep her clients informed and to enhance the exchange. If you need to reduce pain and increase your physical flexibility, I would unhesitatingly urge you to visit this very skillful professional read more

I would suggest you look elsewhere for a rheumatologist. I saw her for a few months but the appointments were rushed, she misdiagnosed me (and wanted to treat me for that, thankfully I went for a second opinion), and her office staff is unhelpful. She called me one night to cancel my appointment because her daughter (who practices with her) was out sick and tried to reschedule me for one month later. Very strange, unprofessional (yes, cancellations happen but they should be handled properly) and inconsiderate. The office itself is very cramped as well. There are too many other good rheumatologists in Los Angeles to waste any time seeing this one. read more

I can't believe the negative responses here. Dr Garber sees me, my mother, my mother-in-law and we have all had extremely positive encounters. I think she saved my mothers life after she was misdiagnosed with arthritis and it was really rheumatoid arthritis. After seeing Dr. Garber for 6 months she is 99% symptom free and has a new outlook on life. The wait can be long but she is very accommodating. It's a busy office for a reason. She and Dr. Forbes are the best! read more

Between 2-3 stars. Other review websites such as healthgrades currently have her as 2.5 stars and that seems to be accurate. She has horrible bedside manners. Does not like to consult with or apprise family members of their loved ones situation with approval from the patient. She mistakenly takes questions or requests as demands and lashes out. I am reviewing as an observer of a loved one. This doctor seems to lack care for the patient and is money-driven. Yes 2.5 stars seems to be accurate for this monstrous, horrible person. read more

Sadly, she had an attitude with my ill Mom, impatient, disrespectful and didn't really help her. We found another rheumatologist and he seems to have time, compassion and desire to get to the bottom of the issue. read more

Avoid. She couldn't for the life of her figure out what was wrong with me, even though a physical therapist did, later, in about five minutes. She has her own x-ray machine which she is all too happy to use, and will x-ray every part of your body and charge your insurance for, and, oddly, will miss the one part of your body where the problem is actually located. She will always insist on your returning to see her, even when it is clear she cannot help you, or even diagnose you. She will make you wait over an hour to see her, in her tiny cramped office that is stacked to the ceiling with old records and periodicals. She will run countless tests on you without you ever knowing what they are. When you ask how you can get relief she'll sigh heavily and complain "i'm not a pain management doctor". If you don't want to park in her building, which costs 20 bucks, takes only cash, and is staffed by surly people (for which her office does not validate), you have to park at the Beverly Center and walk sevetal blocks to her office, something that might just be a little difficult and painful for many of the patients who suffer from the ailments in which she specializes. Her staff seems unhappy and borderline competent. Yet somehow other doctors are under the impression that she's quite good, which leads me to believe she has quite the PR machine in place, since she knows her business relies not on happy patients but on referrals from other physicians who never actually use her services. In short i would recommend avoiding her at all costs. She never once recommended that i get an MRI even though when i finally got an MRI of my neck it showed a herniated disc, something her crappy xray machine somehow didnt notice. She is, honestly, a terrible doctor as far as my experience with her is concerned. read more

If you need a rheumatoligist- she is the best. I have heard some of her patients complain about the long wait is but it is worth it. She takes her patients seriously, and if she has to, she takes her time with each one. Like any good doctor she will take in an emergency. She is very professional, and caring, and when she needs to make a reference, she knows all the good doctors. She is a bundle of energy and her staff is helpful. Christina, her Administrative Assistant, calls you 24 hours before your appointment to remind you, as ALL Dr.'s offices should. I have been going there for at least ten years and have fibromyalgia (Dr. Garber was the only doctor to diagnose me- she took my complaints seriously and knowledgeable enough to do a point test) and arthritis among other conditions. I get synvisc shots in my knees, and they work! If it weren't for her I would be using a walker right now. She isn't a big fanatic for surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. She advised against one surgery I had for a torn meniscus. I wish I had listened to her . Just be considerate and give at least a 24 hour notice if you have to cancel. She charges a fee if you don't do that. Who can blame her? I don't know how much the fee is. Did I say she was the best? read more

Absolutely outstanding. I flew in from out of state because of a debilitating condition which suddenly developed and was referred to her by my family physician. She expertly treated me and got me back to normal. She is an extremely intelligent thorough physician who leaves no stone unturned to properly diagnose and treat those under her care. I highly recommend her. read more

Dr Garber is really helpful and thorough. I was referred to her by another doctor and was very impressed by Dr Garber's bedside manner and how she takes the time to explain everything. She was a way that puts you at ease. read more