I came here years ago for counseling the counselor instructed me while speak and said this is my last day here I just took you in last minute. before I could ask why did you take me in she said "sorry if this gives you issues of abandonment" read more

I had a really great experience meeting Karina at the job fair. She was incredibly welcoming and inviting to both me and my partner, which made the whole interaction feel comfortable right away. It's always nice when someone takes the time to genuinely engage with people instead of just rushing through conversations. I also really appreciate the work that Roots is doing for the community. You can tell there is real care behind what they do and the opportunities they create for people. After learning more, I'm honestly so convinced that I might even want to volunteer. Thank you, Karina, for making such a positive impression! read more

Avoid this place at all costs. I was referred to physician, Donald L. Golden, M.D. for a medical consultation today as I attempted to make an appointment today. In doing so, I was instructed from a rude telephone call receptionist from Dr. Golden's office to come in person to sign into a kiosk in order to become a new patient. When I arrived, there was a small desk located outdoors at the front entrance to the building.The intake process here at Roots located at 9925 International Blvd suite 5 was an absolute disaster. The help desk which is located outdoors at the front entrance to the building is odd to say the least. A rude gentleman with Locs asked me do you have an appointment? He proceeded to say, If not you're instructed to fill out a form. On this form I was asked for my Social Security number, which is completely outdated and unnecessary. When I questioned it, I was given an ultimatum: fill out the form or leave by a black male supervisor , name unknown who was very rude and aggressive towards me. At that point I decided to leave. When I asked for my paperwork back, they refused and a female Latina instead asked me to proceed to an area inside their cubicle area by this rude black male, where my forms were located. I asked for my forms to be shredded in front of me at my request. I have no trust that my personal info was actually deleted from their computer database system. If my information is breached it's from this facility. My further query regarding my personal information led me to ask the black male supervisor's name. He refused to provide me with his name. This black male supervisor was again rude and refused to identify himself to me when I asked him his name. His reply, you shouldn't be back here in the first place anyway, besides you don't need to know my name anyway for what! While Dr. Golden may be a good physician, the staff here is completely incompetent , power hungry, ghetto, totally unprofessional and doesn't value patient privacy or respect, and lack any professional decorum. I will never come back here, and I highly recommend you look elsewhere for patient care. What was I even thinking to even attempt going here for medical care! It's clearly apparent with the type of patients they treat here in this area. Please avoid this facility!!! I would give this review zero stars in lieu of the one I placed below to confirm my opinion regarding my experience I encountered here today 12-22-2025 at 10:05 a.m. located at 9925 International Boulevard Oakland, CA. Roots Community Health Center. read more

Roots Community Health Center has been so good to me over the course of just a few short months that I've been a patient here. I currently see Dr. Golden and I know that Roots Community Health Center takes Medi-Cal (or Santa Clara Family Health Plan). Most recently the wonderful staff at Roots Community Health Center were able to help me in my time if need during last minute emergency situation regarding my medication... Previously the team here helped me regain control of my life with a fantastic weight loss regime and wonderful advice regarding my weight loss plan. One thing that I especially appreciate about Roots Community Health Center is how super knowledgeable, understanding, and truly caring they are! I truly believe that the team here genuinely cares for their patients and that is something that is difficult to find these days! read more

This has been the WORST experience I've ever had in my life. When I got there they put me in basically a utility room instead of a normal room. I told the nurse I was in EXCRUCIATING pain and she said she can get me antibiotics and it's going on the 5th day and I still haven't gotten treated. After I get my results and referrals I'm changing my provider. read more

I called in today for help because Im having a really bad chest congestion and Lisa was so nasty in her attitude it was unbelievable. I would never want to come here just based her rudeness and nasty attitude. read more

Came here today for a "walk-up" COVID test. I got there at 10am and waited about 2.5 hours in line, which was fine. It's a good deal that you don't need an appointment, although they do recommend you register online first The test itself went fine. I'd suggest wearing sunscreen if it's a sunny day. There's no shade and I got pretty burnt after standing in the sun on International Blvd. One of the workers said if you get there at 7am you can be first in line. They don't start testing until 9:30am, so you'd still have a wait, but at least you'd have a good idea of when you'll be done. I'm really grateful community centers like this are offering such easy testing. read more

Fast test but don't come here if you need documentation of pending results. They don't provide you proof at all, nor do they answer their emails or phone. Also, the test here is extremely painful. I've taken covid tests at 2 other places and they weren't as painful. I recommend going to places that have online portals, unlike Roots. read more

Roots offer more than medical services,they' assist with housing resources,transportation ,prepare meals on site ,training resources for jobs/school and more read more

I am writing this on behalf of Cecilia Polk Dr. Amsal Gugsa she is an amazing doctor, after seeing her for apx. 2 years, she went away for apx 3 months. During that that time I had no doctor, I was assisgned to another doctor shortly after, was unable to make an appointment before she went on maternity leave. Kim my case manager from Roots, she informed me that she was no longer my case manager, I was supposed to be assigned to another case manager,that never happened. To this day I don't have a case manager. During the time I did not have a case manager I began to see Cecil the physiatrist. I maintained appointments with Cecil for 6-8 months then once again out of the blue I was informed that he no longer worked for them. They have amazing programs but I feel like they are letting letting theirs clients fall through the cracks due to Covid-19, including myself. I qualified to receive the Covid-19 Booster shot and have been trying to schedule it, and have been unable to do so. Overall they are a good clinic, but I feel like because of Covid they are letting a lot of people fall through the cracks. I feel like they are not doing enough communication outreach. They are apart of my everyday life and I feel as though they want to Circum to my community read more

Have to agree with other reviews. Raven is abrupt, rude, condescending, cuts you off, and tries to bully you into hearing things her way. Hope they fire her and get someone with actual communication skills read more

very good program , reliable and helpful if your willing to meet them half way Keisha is a great worker and always gets the job done when it comes to helping her clients ! I would highly recommend them and her for anyone in need . read more

They have the best staff very sweet kind and the place is just wonderful the doctor is very sweet and kind as well I felt very comfortable I love Ruth's clinic they are truly for the peoples first visit was very pleasant I am very happy and pleased with roots clinic I do recommend anyone that's looking for a place to go this is the place read more

Roots Community Health - I love this place I'm glad I have them for my clinic pleasant personality very sweet - Family Practice Near Me - Oakland, California

Muhammad is a very rude man. Made me feel unwanted and had a complete disregard for my feelings.

I got to meet and worked with Kim for the past several months through the program Roots. We are a furniture store and Kim would bring her clients in to pick out the items that they needed. I was very impressed at how caring and wonderful she is with the clients. She went out of her way to make sure her clients have all the necessities that they needed. I think Roots offers a great program and Kim is one of the best program coordinators that I know. read more

The CEO contacted me, and let me say I did not say it was ghetto because the workers are African American, but they way they talk to the patients (who are also african American) is not right. For people doing immigration work, theres more clinics in the bay area that can help, and its cheaper. I did it here because it was close by, but I was not impressed. I have lived in this area for more than 30 years, and just because we the patients are ghetto doesn't mean the employees have to be like that. After all they are healthcare "professionals" Just not impressed, never going back, and advising my latino community, aqui no nos quieren. No les den su dinero. read more

Terrible. I gave two tries -- the benefit of the doubt the first time that scheduling and a long day may have contributed to the practitioners treatment toward me. But nope. I'm actually shocked by what just happened and managing to put up some words to help others avoid terrible treatment by this staff. The simplest way to put it is 'bullying'. It didn't matter what I brought forward -- there was always a reaction as though I was in opposition to her. It didn't matter what I said--i received a sigh, scoff, the tone of "whatever", a long winded and topsy turvy talking to about her reason to be. There was maybe 2 seconds that actually addressed my questions or none showed that she understood on my terms what I was saying. She could twist and turn it and make it fit whatever narrative she had. It was like being 'railroaded' even when I expressly said "I'm confused and would like to review to make sure I understand everything you're saying" -- then bam! it's one thing and then another and then another going on and on and ending somewhere that was NOT my question or helped clarify the confusion. At another point when I asked to return to something she just said (because we had not discussed it), I got a bunch of defensiveness -- "we did discuss it.... in my notes it... well let me look at my notes... well we always get the...." Ummm, what? I calmly stated that I'm glad to discuss the topic but you now need to defend yourself and then realize that you're wrong part way through and then just keep going. Take a breath. And when i say I'm confused and want to clarify, that's me taking ownership of being confused! Why turn it into anything other than learning about me and what I'll need as a client -- which I even explicitly state. Nope. It must be me saying something about you needing to defend yourself. There was even a "well you said this and guess if that's how you are" with that dismissive tone -- what? I'm not your ex, i'm not your friend, i'm not trying to get anything by you. I am a client in need of medical services. I recognize you have limitations. Do you recognize that I'm a human being and not punching bag for whatever ish you got going on in you? What is going on with this place? Stay away. They want to do it their way, the way they see it and that does not include seeing who you are and what your needs are. I'm a client who seeks a partnership with the staff. I don't walk in just thinking they can solve everything. But I certainly did walk in thinking I'd be given a modicum of respect and listening skills. I'll add more specific play by play detail about what happened but I'm legit just floored right now. read more

[update] The owner contacted me, was very nice and helpful, sorted it out and I finally got the certificate. [original review] If you're thinking of using this place to get any certificate for immigration purposes, don't. They're awful. It's been almost two months since I first contacted them, and I still don't have mine. All the exams have been performed (including a vaccination they almost gave me twice, since they're so disorganized), and I still don't have it. Every time I call, they either tell me to call again next week, or give me some excuse. Not only that, they won't even take medical insurance. I imagine they don't want the scrutiny in case they start accepting insurance. As it is, they can just keep charging a lot for a terrible service. read more

My navigator Ms.Kim is the absolute best, she is very personable and you can tell she cares. Her presence is healing, she is easy to talk to and she has helped me beyond measure. If you go to Roots your best bet in my eyes is ask for Ms.KimS if she cannot help you she will do her very best to get you connected to the help you need. Life saver, loving, more than helpful Roots needs more of people just like Ms.Kim S read more

I've been here twice and its been great both times. Dr. Alexander is genuinely concerned with both the medical well being of his patients, and finding a way to accommodate for their financial situation, whatever it may be. I was recently laid off and have been without health insurance for about 3 months. He took it upon himself to personally look into how I could get some very important tests done at the hospital without breaking the bank. I now have affordable health insurance pending and the peace of mind in knowing that I'll be ok medically and financially. He's even gone so far as to follow up with me on the phone to make sure everything went smoothly, which is an experience I've never had with any other doctor. This place truly exists to serve the people. Whether you have insurance or not, this is a great place to go, and I'd recommend it to anybody. read more

I love this place. The staff is very professional and friendly. Wish I could give a higher rating.

I went to the clinic to discuss hypertension with Dr. McAfee. The support staff was courteous, pleasant and helpful on the phone, and especially when I got there. They were short-staffed that day, and despite the constantly ringing phone and line of patients, the young woman at the front desk remained warm and patient. She kept me posted about when she could take my "vitals," and when I'd see the doctor They ran a little late (15 min) because of being short-staffed, but truly, with all the the staff person had to juggle, getting me in in 15 minutes was a real feat. Dr. McAfee was great in every way - she listened to me, answered all my questions, and explained when I need to be concerned about blood pressure, and how best to track it. She is articulate and clear, no-nonsense, and at the same time, very warm with a good sense of humor. This clinic provides for a wide range of people, many of whom I suspect do not often find a place like Roots. This clinic is one of Oakland's gems. read more

very very bad experience, i went there for a immigration exam ! first of all they have the wrong address online, so i went to the wrong place , had to called them to get the right one , i got there late cause of that , the nurses don't have an idea of what they are doing ,i was poked 5 times ,none of the nurses couldn't find my veins , so they sent me to the quest lab close to my house , where the lab technical found it at first time . three days later i received a call from the clinic telling me that that the urine sample wasn't enough when i left the whole container full so i had to go again to the lab just to find out that they never received an order from them , i am very unplease with their service , don't go there they'll just make you loss time ! read more

Pretty solid experience with Roots so far. Switched to Alameda Alliance Medi-Cal after graduating and getting booted off school insurance. AA is horrible, but Roots has made it so much better. Scheduled my first appointment, and was seen within minutes after arriving. Dr. McAfee was attentive and warm. The staff is also very helpful. The only thing is you have to follow up with them about some things like securing insurance approval or scheduling follow up appointments because they can fall through the cracks. But overall- a clinic that seems to truly want to serve the community. read more

horrible i agree with the rest of the reviewers these people do not care and just in it for the money but do not help as they say they do also never answer the phone and when they finally answer they put you on hold until you give up and hang up read more

I was so disappointed from the visit at 'roots' clinic in Oakland so I'll feel better if I'll know that people who intended go there- won't do same mistake like me... I found that clinic at the official list, as one of the places to do checks for green-card process. I made an appointment there because they were the only that could schedule for the next day and they were the cheapest. And it was a big mistake!!!! I come specially with my little baby just to find out that the blood lab don't work that day and they spouse to call me but no one did. It's looks like a old storage and not like a clinic and the woman at the front desk was Absolutely antipathetic person... And even more- They insisted not except my vaccine records from abroad and want me to do all the immunization again!!!! Although I know for sure this is not true!!! Of course I didn't do it and thank god for that. Instead I went to a little more expensive clinic, but much more dissent. If you have other oppositions- prefer anywhere else. Sorry. read more

Read the response of the director below. I went to this place a year ago for much-needed health care. Of all the referrals they were supposed to make, only one was completed. And that took 5 months for me to get. A year later, only one thing followed up on. Then their director posts lies about you and puts your business on blast. That's very unethical for a so-called medical professional. I found the directors phone number on their web site - apparently she didn't realize her resume was on their web site. I've since switched to Lifelong Medical, and they are awesome. I've had several appointments in the first month alone, and appointments have already been made for several other issues. By contrast, Roots took 5 months to get me one appointment, and that was even with me calling repeatedly leaving messages, only to blamed for their lack of follow through. Is it any wonder patients get upset? Run the other way people. read more

I'm a former Health care provider, IE, AA III, I've Worked for the 2nd Biggest Hospital in the NATION, that would be the U C REGENTS!, and they TRAINED me well, I know HIPPA, backwards and forwards. If your not in MEDICAL,RECORDS, BILLING, or a DOCTOR, NURSE,P A,MA, you should NEVER have access to ANY patient Medical Records! In my last visit, A navigator not only came into MEDICAL CLINIC, and walked BEHIND the desk, where PATIENTS I formation was VISIBLE, he was LISTING TO EVERY WORD me n my doctor was discussing about my HEALTH, which was a BIG NO NO!. Then a MA, started arguing with me, when I told her I was displeased, and uncomfortable with a non medical person listing to my health issues!. I. Gluing to notify the ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND POSSIBLY A LAWYER goot breach of contract n HIPPA! the STAFF is VERY UNPROFESSIONAL, GHERTO, RUDE!, IFit wS not for My UCSF Doctor, I would be out! read more

Great clinic, great people! It's a family atmosphere with great doctors and lots of resources.

I found Roots to be a very upstanding and prominent Health care provider. This especially since they are located in a neighborhood where there are few if any clinics that serves that community at 99th and E14th, (some call it International Blvd.). The staff is friendly, helpful but most of all very professional. They were this way with "all" of the Patients who were there the same time that I was, from the Senior Lady, to the College student, even with the homeless man who came in. Thank you for being here. We need more clinics like Roots Clinic. read more

Based on my experiences at different medical clinics I love the service provided and the staff. They made me feel very comfortable and welcomed not just another patient who they have to get in and out. Genuine care and concern is something I have never experienced before at any medical clinic. I left feeling amazing and better educated in regards to my health and for that reason I give Roots Community Health Center five star. I read more

For the first time since I have been coming here since 2015, yesterday the new doctor or whatever messed up my prescription, causing more then 2 days of confusion on both ends, pharmacist refusing to fill prescription because the doctor had written my prescription on the wrong pad having a different location on it and not the 9925 address. I live ALL the way in Stockton and travel to this location monthly by all the amtrak, bart and buses in between. For them to mess up this bad, gave me false information while standing in front of the pharmacist, lying and so on and so forth. I am a very well, known and respected patient there since 2015 and this is uncalled for. Let's see if this becomes fixed tomorrow maximum 1hour time because this location and the pharmacy both open at the same time. read more

This is really a great place. Don't be bothered by the neighborhood. The doctors here are great as well as the staff. The two ladies at the front desk are sooooo helpful and sweet. Honestly the staff here are so much better than when I was a patient at Kaiser. read more

I have to say, I was not exactly looking forward to my appt. at Roots, simply because I've had such a hard time with Alameda Alliance in finding a doctor--it really felt like the only doctors available to me were either horrible or I had to wait for months to see them. I was getting pretty depressed and frustrated about the situation, but I took a chance on Roots, and I am SO happy that I found them. Not only was it very easy to book an appt. but the staff was very friendly over the phone and easy to reach, as in I wasn't on hold for 10 minutes (NOT my usual experience with the other health centers I've tried). My wait time once I got to the center was literally 5 minutes. Every single person in there was extremely kind, courteous and professional, and my doctor, Dr. McAfee, was exactly what I needed. She talked to me extensively about my concerns and thoroughly discussed my options, and she made it very easy to access the help that I needed. Plus, she has a really wonderful personality. I'm so happy to have found my primary care facility, I highly recommend it! read more