Natalie Karishev has been my doctor for over ten years and has taken me through many illnesses and has improved my overall health through her infinite knowledge. She is an amazing doctor and sometimes knows more than the specialist does. She is very kind and patient and deals with all of your medical concerns at each visit, always prescribing needed medications. She is a five star doctor and I owe her my excellent health as an older woman alone. read more

Excellent doctor, great training, broad expertise, meticulously attentive with clients, and a genuinely kind person. My husband and I stay with her for more than 15 years, drive specially to see her from our new home away from Berkeley. read more

I Like Dr Karishev, she's amazing but still I have problems with her receptionist, today the one who worked in the back office. She is rude, unfriendly and unprofessional!!! Does not belong in a patient care environment at all. Dr Karishev asked her if she could write for me a light duty note instead she wrote a be off for work note. When I brought it to her attention she snapped at me and stated : "it will have to be in a while because I have lots to do, go have a seat. " She acted like as if it was my fault. The other lady working there went and did it for me instead ( probably felt bad how I was talked to) and it took a short minute. I didn't say anything because I was in so much pain. read more

Dr. Karishev sent me to a cardiologist after doing 2 ekg tests to make sure she had an accurate diagnosis. I had AFIB and probably would be dead by now if she hadn't been thorough with her analysis. She weas a great choice for me after my regular doctor retired. And about the the receptionist. I never had any issues with Alice who was very knowledgeable and kind to me. Thank you Doctor. read more

The dr is ok but the receptionist is so rude. I complained that the dr doesn't work on Mondays after a weekend when you could be sick and waiting to be seen. She told me I was rude (when I the one who is sick...geez!). Anyway, I have had it with this doctor. Please recommend a good doctor or clinic in berkekey or Oakland that has plenty of NP's so you are not just dependent on one doctor's schedule. The last time I had an eye infection, it just got worse and worse because each time I called I was told that Dr Karishev is so busy with her move that i should go to urgent care instead. Oh, and dr Karishev hasn't even changed or updated her new phone or address so it's impossible to reach her. Anyway, I had inconsistent care going to urgent care...point is-- stay away from Dr Karishev and her office staff. read more

This is just a review for Dr. Karishev's receptionist. I always wonder why reviewers of doctors' offices bother to rate the receptionist, but now I understand. I've never talked to such a rude receptionist at any office or business. All I did was ask if I could make an appointment, as my healthnet info says Dr Karishev is my doctor (the answer is no, in case anyone else needs to know this--I'll spare you the phone call.) I heard good things about Dr Karishev when I had her former partner, Dr Rothman, as my physician--they had a great receptionist then--but I will be looking elsewhere for a new doctor. read more

The receptionist refused to let a blood pressure medication prescription be refilled, because I hadn't seen Dr. Karishev since she moved offices. I didn't find this out until the pharmacy had twice faxed in a refill request with no response from Dr Karishev and I had to call her office directly. I've already been a week without medication that's required daily and this dingus of a receptionist is requiring that I schedule an appointment for a refill? read more

In the past Dr. Karishev has been a really competent doctor. However, she recently changed the location of her practice and is now having to take care of a large number of patients from her previous partner. This means she is very rushed, very busy, and there are very long wait times. It is very sad, because this is compromising her ability to treat her patients. In addition most of the information on the Internet is incorrect now. The best information is found under Brown and Toland. I look forward to amending this review when things even out in this practice. read more

I discovered and booked an appointment with Dr. Karishev via the website zocdoc, which is not only an intuitive and beautiful website, but is great because it lets you filter doctors by health insurances accepted. Being a doctor myself, I love doctors who are up on technology and use online scheduling systems and downloadable documents that can be filled out before the visit (even better if it can be filled out online and automatically populated into the EMR). It makes life so much easier for everyone involved! It was a tad hard to find her office at first since it's shared with another doctor and driving by it was hard to see her name. I had to drive by twice and you know Berkeley streets are not very conducive to turning around... There is a parking lot in the back (drive slowly on the ramp, it's a bit ghetto), which is convenient and great for Berkeley. The building itself is typical Berkeley. Check-in was quick and painless, and there was hardly a wait. I barely finished reading one article in a magazine before I was called in. I had to use the restroom before my appointment, and the nurse was cognizant enough to catch me before I went in so I could give a urine sample since it's routine for all wellness/preventive exams. She also made sure that the temperature was comfortable inside the exam room. As for my appointment and exam with Dr. Karishev, it was pretty comfortable (other than the, um, typically uncomfortable parts, heh) and she was very thorough. She addressed all my chief complaints and went through my history forms very thoroughly. She mentioned the Gardasil vaccine and said something along the lines of if I was her daughter, she'd highly recommend that I get it. Again, as a doctor, I know that's a very persuasive line to use and I like the confidence it inspires. I'd highly recommend this practice to anyone looking for a primary care doctor! read more

I love seeing Dr. Karishev. She has been my primary doctor for 7 years now. She is practical and even when the smallest concern worries me, she responds in a calm and kind way. There have been a few emergencies where I was not able to come into the office and we used the EHR to communicate & come up with a plan. Alex at the front also has been extremely helpful & even recognizes my voice (do I call that often?). Dr. Karishev's office is moving a few blocks away and I will continue being her patient! read more

After one visit, I just love Dr. Karishev. I am so glad she has relocated to Berkeley! I am sure she would have 45+ Yelp reviews were she not brand new to the area. Why? What more could one want in a doctor: * She is experienced and has hard core know how * She listens and takes a lot of time * She has a very holistic approach! Meds are not her first answer. She even gave me a family beet salad recipe to help cure my constipation. And she really probed into my psychological health (questionable most of the time! Ha!). * She is INCREDIBLY thorough and detail oriented * She has that very direct Russian attitude---which I personally found reassuring and confident. She is not all frilly and sugary. But, I got the sense I was with a sort of Russian expert, and that meant more to me than just "sweet bedside manner." * She just seems cool! read more

I had a physical by Dr Karishev this week, and was pleased that she is both personable in conversation and assertive with her suggestions. One of the few MDs who discussed nutrition! She has a website with secure email, and she encourages you to communicate with her that way. Within hours of my appointment, she had written some instructions for me on that email system. And her office staff is good with the phones, so communication (which was lacking with a former large medical office that I visited) was excellent. Note that Dana Street is on different sides of Telegraph, depending if you are closer to the campus or to the Oakland border. I got a little confused finding the office. (Hint: They are a block west of Alta Bates.) read more

I did not feel like my time was respected by Dr. Karishev. The appointment felt rushed. When I had questions for her she would cut me off and not allow me to ask more questions. I came to this appointment to get clear answers to things that were on my mind. Her answers were quick and sometimes dismissive. Scheduling an appointment was stressful as well. Her receptionist is rude over the phone. read more

Medical spaces need to appear easy to clean and not have a bunch of notes and shit taped on the walls. Dr. Karishev called my breast reconstruction (I had cancer) "disfigured." I found that kind of insanely rude and I see another doctor now. read more

I switched to Dr. Karishev, who was very highly recommended, about ten years ago after my primary care physician retired. She is extremely thorough, asks the right questions, listens to you, and talks to you like an adult. She is knowledgeable and has been able to handle a variety of issues. Her manner is more direct, so she may not be as warm and fuzzy as you might like, but I think she is excellent. read more

Do not go to this doctor's office. I made an appointment for a preventative check-up exam online at zocdoc, pleased with the seamless scheduling experience. When I arrived, the office told me that they actually no longer used Zocdoc and therefore could not see me for my check up. BUT THEN THEY BILLED ME FOR AN ILLNESS OFFICE VISIT. When I called in to dispute the bill, the office administrator actually hung up on me. I am in disbelief. Dr. Karishev, I apologize if you're a great doctor but your staff is incredibly negligent and unethical! read more

Both times booking an appointment through ZocDoc, the appointment was cancelled and rescheduled after a call from the office staff for the same day at a different time. This has not bothered me as the personal call from the office after the fact both times had led to a more convenient appointment time. The online health information provided after visiting Dr Karishev or having blood tests is extremely convenient. Check-ins have always been fast. The office staff, nursing aide and Dr Karishev are all professional and I feel very comfortable and cared for in their hands. Dr Karishev listens to everything I have to say, and I never feel judged, even when I'm waffling about non-issues. Any real issues are discussed thoroughly and I feel I'm provided with holistic solutions to any ailments. The other positive reviews here are like listing my own experiences. I trust Dr Karishev to look after me, and highly recommend this practice for primary care. read more

I had a horrible experience with Dr. Karishev that made me NOT want to go to the doctor ever again! Her bedside manner was cold and judgmental. I am in great health and do not deserve to feel ashamed for exercising less than I should, or being sexually active. She answered questions by reading from a pamphlet, and could not answer follow up questions to clarify what I had already learned from the internet! Coming to a doctor in person should not create more confusion. The worst was yet to come. Dr. Karishev urged me to get a pap smear along with some STD tests and told me that if there was anything wrong with the results, she would contact me, and if they were normal I would get a letter in the mail. A few weeks later I had a missed call from Dr. Karishev who had left a message (in a grave tone) claiming that she needed to talk to me about the test results immediately. I had missed the call by five minutes and the office shouldn't have been closed for another thirty minutes, but no one answered the phone the fifty times I called. Naturally, I begin to panic, thinking that I had an STD, or worse, cancer! This day was incidentally my boyfriends birthday, and the day before I had a final (not Dr. Karishev's fault I realize, but particularly bad timing). When I called back the next morning, Dr. Karishev told me she was very glad that I called because SHE didn't take enough sample for my pap smear, I would have to come in for another test, and I would have to talk to my insurance about covering it. My other test results are fine. She messes up, terrifies me, makes me feel like a bad person, and I have to pay twice? I don't think so After this incident I immediately switched my primary care and sincerely hope that nothing like this happens again (to anyone!). read more

Dr. Karishev agreed to take my son-in-law as a patient at a very late stage of his life. He was very sick and died within a month. She did everything possible to care for him, through emergency room visits and hospital stays. After, during home hospice, she continued to do everything possible. We are most grateful that we found this wonderful doctor at a time when we desperately needed the compassion she showed him. He was a very late stage cancer patient, only 51 years old. We are so grateful. read more

I normally don't review doctors on Yelp, but I feel that Dr. Karishev doesn't have enough good reviews. I found on her yelp, but wasn't sold based on the reviews. After looking on ZocDoc (amazing site as another reviewer below mentioned), I decided I would give her office a try. The practice is in a former residence, so it has a nice warm vibe not a clinical feel. I was seen by Dr. Karishev pretty immediately. There was no long wait. She spent a long time with me, I think it was at least 35 minutes, so I really felt that she listened to my concerns. I have recommended her to my friends who also need new pcps and highly recommend her to anyone else. read more

Dr. Karishev is very kind and compassionate. The office staff is friendly and she is very thorough. I feel as if she actually cares, and she has spent over an hour with me on multiple occasions. I highly recommend Dr. Karishev. The office can be a bit tricky to find-its in a house with a brown sign, and you can park behind the building. read more

Amazing doctor! Knowledgeable, informative and kind. Always makes me feel like we have all the time in the world, addresses my questions and concerns and is very gentle/patient during uncomfortable pelvic exams. Thank you, Karishev! read more

With our old doctor closing down her practice, we had to find a new one, and our old doctor recommended Dr. Karishev. Went for a physical today (and also had a recently wounded leg that was mending). She was intelligent, informative (I appreciate it when doctors offer information proactively that they think might be relevant), caring, pleasant without being warm/fuzzy, and engaged. She shed new light on some of my medical issues, and provided some needed services for me immediately, which I really appreciated. She also scheduled some needed tests, and recommended other exams that I probably should be having at this point. I am quite happy to have her as my new doctor, and feel lucky to have found her! While waiting to be called, a patient walked in complaining of an infection and asking if he could see her. The receptionist was able to fit him in after my exam, which indicates she is flexible and accessible, another plus. She is also computer literate, and gave me a way to communicate online with her at a medical site if I had nonurgent issues to discuss with her (and, of course, told me to call her office for an urgent ones). This is important to me, because I travel overseas fairly often, and having that availability is valuable. Yes, the waiting area is a bit small, which can be a bit of a concern during flu season (altho she was big on flu shots), as is the exam room, but I'd rather have a great doctor in a mediocre office than the reverse. Extra bonus: she has parking behind her building - no need to hunt for a space in that busy area! read more

My long-time family physician retired a couple of years ago, and Dr. Karishev was one of the replacement physicians he recommended. I really like the small, family feeling of her office. The staff are friendly and efficient. Dr. Karishev is thorough and I've never felt rushed during an appointment. She knows her stuff and has done good job referring me to specialists when needed. Her office is in a house-like building about a block away from Alta Bates Hospital. The location is convenient though the building can be hard to spot initially. Another positive for me is that she offers patients the opportunity to communicate with her electronically for test results and scheduling. I've had a positive experience switching to her for my primary care. read more

I try avoiding doctors as much as possible and barely make it to my annual checkups. Therefore I was glad to find a female doctor, who could take care of my physical and OBGYN on the same appointment. Dr. Karishev isn't the warm and fuzzy type, but I like that she is straight-forward and trust her opinion. My only complaint is the office ambiance. The whole place feels cramped and not well cared for. No big deal. Though being slightly claustrophobic, I feel my chest tightening already when I picture myself waiting around in her closet-size treatment room. read more

This review is very long overdue. Dr. Natalie Karishev is one of the most compassionate and thorough Doctors I've had the pleasure of meeting. I've been to her office on numerous occasions for an array of ailments, and I always leave with a sense of relief. As a busy woman I appreciate when you have questions you can reach her by phone, and when I visit the office the longest I've waited to see her has been 10 minutes or so. This compared to my Husband 1.5 hour wait at his doctors. Dr. Natalie genuinely cares about your health and will do all she can to ensure you are well cared for. I highly recommend Dr. Natalie Karishev read more

From my experience from my last appointment I feel Natalie is insensitive to culture and ethnicity she automatically assumed that I was African American and started rambling about some genetic defect African Americans without even asking me and my heritage after she told me I needed to redo my lab results I was highly offended I am thinking about possibly looking for another doctor read more

I'd been a patient of this office for . . . gosh, I guess about nine years now. Originally I mostly saw Arlyss, the nurse practitioner, since she was the most available for appointments, then Dr. Rothmann a few times, both of whom are also good at what they do. With the advent of Obamacare, my insurance switched, and with the new one Dr. Karishev was the only one that accepted it. So that was how I ended up seeing her. I think a few of the early reviews here had left me wary of her -- but it turns out she's good. She is very communicative, practical, not rushed, and knowledgeable. I would not hesitate to recommend her to others. She's good with the computers; she keeps electronic records. When she was writing me a prescription, she had a program that could show its prices at every pharmacy in town (Target was cheapest). The office staff -- especially Alex, who usually staffs the front desk -- are more friendly and competent than average. read more

I also find Dr. Karishev to be very thorough, compassionate and caring in ways that really count. She's all business but that means that she keeps her appts timely and focuses on the issue you're there for. She has given me some excellent referrals to specialists and she is not at all hesitant to tell you if something is beyond her scope of practice. She always calls me back promptly and will discuss things by phone or email. And they have plenty of parking in the back...what more could you ask! read more

I signed up for Yelp just to write this review. I have been a patient of Dr. Karishev's for almost 2 years now and finally have had enough. From answering her phone during a gyn exam...uncomfortable...to taking pictures of a serious rash she could not identify but not referring me to a skin doctor only to have the cream she prescribed not work and finally a month later get me on antibiotics that cleared it up...Not writing down and then forgetting what she prescribed to me a month previously...Not understanding the process of referral and causing my husband and I to wait 6 more months trying to visit a fertility clinic, during that time she did not return my phone calls..(I waited 2 weeks then called back-that was the last straw) only to be denied (now, a few days after I switched I have a new, responsive, doctor, and already a referral correctly in place). She seems to always be rushed, going in and out of the doctor's office with no real time to sit and talk with you. She does not remember what she does even though I see her quite regularly. It was such a different experience seeing a new doctor that seems to actually care about my well being and wants to hear what I have to say and then responds in a well thought out manner with real advice. She is a nice person, but I would never recommend her for a Primary Care Provider. read more