For someone who hears the words " you have cancer" world starts spinning in different way. It's very important to have a doctor who is on your side. Who is supportive and ready to answer your questions to their best knowledge. My initial doctor was brilliant Dt. Tang, REALLY BRILLIANT, who I had to mention, (he works with Leavey Cancer Center) but after my cancer went into remission my insurance company decided that I need to be with different oncologist (I'll never understand how this insurance bureaucrats work) The Oncology Institute in Northridge (which is across the Leavey Cancer Center by the way lol) is specializing in, yes- oncology. The office has 4 doctors, they all have impressive backgrounds. Dr. Paul La Porte, is my doctor, who is very knowledgeable and caring, although sometimes can comes across as little cocky like some doctors are lol, but overall knowledgeable and caring, in my experience. It is very crucial to have a good relationship and great level of comfort with your oncologist, and I believe with your doctors in general. I was very nervous when I had to (well more like forced to) change my oncologist. But after meeting Dr. La Porte, I felt that I can rest assure that I am still in good hands. The office is clean and nice. The staff is polite. You come in, sign in and wait. Chairs now are comfortably set up so people are not in each other's face, which is very important when you are already vulnerable and more susceptible to COVID virus, fu and cold, since you are immunocompromised. Check up rooms are clean and cozy, with nice art work hanging on the walls, which is a nice destruction, not letting you focus only on medical information, and trust me you have lots of that, comes with the condition. Also, what I like about Dr. La Porte is he is friendly, easy to talk to, does answer his texts and emails, if I have any questions or concerns. He does provide me with my test results ahead of my appointment time when applicable, so If I have questions I'll have time to prepare and ask. My own experience here is good, but the waiting time is what makes me give them 3 stars. I do not wish upon anyone to hear those words ever, and may you stay Blessed. But if you ever hear that, please do not loose hope, do not stop fighting, believe, stay strong and positive and with the help of great oncologists, their team, your friends and family, you are a winner. Blessings to all. read more

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THE ONCOLOGY INSTITUTE OF HOPE AND INNOVATION is a very misleading name: they crushed every bit of hope I had and they couldn't innovate well enough to determine whether or not I was their actual patient. At 8:30 AM the office officially opened and I was already caller number 26. I made two calls over two days, both with 20-minute+ on hold times -- after which I had to hang up to return to work -- and one 45 minute hold time on the third day that ended in someone answering the phone to tell me the schedulers had gone to lunch. Call back later. He was unmoved by my outrage. A friend noticed that the institute's website had a link for setting up appointments. I followed the directions, uploaded my insurance card, downloaded the app, and was given a confirmation including a date, a time, an oncologist's name (Dr. Bala Ganesh Gopurala) and even his photograph with APPOINTMENT BOOKED! in bold capital letters. A week later, I arrived for my appointment and was told (by a very indifferent receptionist who barely looked up from her computer) that I was not in the system. No appointment. Nothing. Dr. Gopurala had been at their Riverside office for months, she said. My name, my phone number, and my request for an appointment were logged into the system from my text request only, but when I asked why no one had contacted me after a week, she shrugged her shoulders. That's not an exaggeration -- she shrugged! Finally, the fuss we raised brought a compassionate doctor to the waiting room and she agreed to see me. She got the ball rolling by calling the breast cancer surgeon and reassured me that the website, the app download, and the IT department were not up to par. Ya think? After that, everything seemed to fall into place... until the institute called a couple of weeks later to say they needed to reschedule my appointment. I asked, "What appointment?" They had sent neither an email nor a text, and had not broached the subject of a follow up appointment at that point. I agreed to the reschedule, but once again I never received one email, text, nor voicemail confirmation for it. Near the end of December, City of Hope contacted me to ask why they had not been sent a referral for the radiation treatments that the oncologist had recommended. I gave the scheduler the institute's proper name, address, and the name of the oncologist who'd taken pity on me that day. City of Hope called right back to inform me that the Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation said I was not in their system! I immediately called my primary care physician and requested another oncology referral. On January 9, 2026, OIHI called again to confirm my January 12 appointment. Fascinating! An appointment with a clinic that has twice insisted I was not in their system? I told them to delete me. I was moving on. I understand that there are a lot of people in Los Angeles. I understand that clinics are understaffed and overworked. I understand that I am NOT the only person with cancer in the San Fernando Valley community. But a modicum of professional demeanor, efficiency and competency is the least any patient deserves. The very least one can ask is for a website that has up-to-date doctors and staff on its scheduling app and an IT department that checks its website for accuracy; that assures that there's a direct connection to the scheduling department. The very least one deserves is a return call within 24 to 48 business hours. The very least one deserves is an iota of compassion from the people who schedule the appointments. After a cancer diagnosis, you are already panicked. Often terrified. One cannot help but feel that every single minute is of the essence. All this to say that if you are referred to the Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation, BEWARE. Their behavior seems to indicate that they HOPE you'll catch on that your diagnosis is not their problem. Perhaps your poor man's health insurance makes them INNOVATE ways to get you to give up and go away. Or perhaps they simply don't give a crap -- I don't know which, but enter at your own risk. Becoming a patient at their clinic is nothing short of a crapshoot. And you might end up losing your dice. read more

I probably would have put zero if I can. My dad has been assigned to go to one of the doctors in this office and this is his first time. As you can imagine I'm writing this because they have already messed up. My dad has cancer and he could barely walk and is so weak. It is a challenge to get him dressed and get him to the car but we did it because of the appointment. Only for the office to tell my brother that my dad's appointment is cancelled. They said they called someone, but they could not even tell my brother who they called!!!!! AND IF they called either of my brothers (since their names are on my dad's file), you would think a message was left, but both did not get any call or a message. Where is the empathy to someone who is going through cancer????!!!! You are supposed to be caring people, but where is the care in this situation???!!! My dad has cancer and is trying to battle it but it doesn't appear right from the start that you are the right people who would help him. I am hoping with this review, your office would visit your process when handling appointments and to make sure that another family do not go through the same situation. A little empathy to your patients can help them with their battle. read more

There is false information for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment. The website states the following "Parking Information Our Northridge clinic location is near the Northridge Hospital Medical Center (NHMC), so you can easily navigate to our facility. You and your support system can park in our free parking lot and expect personalized, empathetic care from the moment you enter our center." Cancer patients undergoing treatment are expected to pay for parking, the website states FREE PARKING and that is not the case. The oncology institute needs to validate for patients who receive treatment at this location. read more

I made an appointment for my mom at 10:30. We arrived at 10:15 and it is currently 11:20 and we are still waiting. Their website states that there's free parking but it's not and they don't validate. I talked to their manager who told me there's nothing to be done. The staff were fairly dismissive of my concerns and considering this is a facility that provides care for cancer patients I am incredibly disappointed. I've worked in healthcare for nearly 20 years and understand that delays happen but for an appointment this seems egregious. After I pointed out that their website stated they had free parking they updated to the website within 10 minutes. That's one thing they're efficient with. read more

All I know is I never plan to step foot back in there again. I left a review years ago I guess under Google or something. I don't even remember but because of my drop in insurance, my primary doctor randomly ...(he wasn't aware of this) chose me to go here well I gotta go back to him and tell him to find an oncologist center outside of my network, but he has to approve it. I'm not going there And I need to see an oncologist ASAP not because anything is life-threatening. It's just that I haven't had my regular checkups for about five months now, but I know I'm OK but if I have to wait a few more weeks for this process or another month, I will. I just can't go to this place. It's just not ran properly and the Doctor was a nightmare I believe Christina Costello Something like that I forgot her name she went back to Florida to work. She was awful and it's just ran poorly no matter which one you go to .I can't take it. I do not recommend this place. I mean look at the reviews. read more

I've been here to accompany a patient for two visits now. 1. Long wait times - 2 hours with an appointment. These are potential or current cancer patients and it's incredibly frustrating. At one visit, we had waited so long that by the time we saw the doctor, the pathology office had already closed so the doctor couldn't get more information to interpret the results and deliver the news to the patient. 2. Lack of coordination, communication, and inefficient operations. Several times the appointment was canceled or reschedule only a couple hours before. Patients typically are expected to cancel with 24 hrs warning, but here, they'll cancel or reschedule 1 hour before and think that's acceptable. Also, since there are two offices - Northridge and Mission Hills - they're often misaligned on updates, lab orders, processing results, etc. The entire office operations needs a complete overhaul. 3. No enforcement of COVID-19 protocols for the staff. One person behind the counter consistently had their mask off. Not just to drink water or make calls, but actively walking around the office. Took it on and off. And when it was on, sometimes it was under their nose. Again these are potential or current CANCER PATIENTS, those who arguably have the MOST COMPROMISED immune systems. I let the doctor know and she acknowledged that she had talked to the office staff (or this particular staffer) already. Didn't seem like she could do anything about it. Do not come here and get the care you need and deserve. read more

Starling Oncology - Mask on and off. Not just to make calls or eat/drink. Just off for no reason. - Oncologist Near Me - Northridge, California

Everything went well with this group. They have in house lab and transfusion abilities, great doctors and staff. Convenient hours and location. (Don't like having to pay for parking, tho). read more

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and we heard this oncologist was the best to take over her care. The first initial appointment we waited 1 mo to be seen. Her new patient appt was at 8am but we waited almost 2 hours to spend less that 15 minutes with the oncologist. The referral to the oncologist and breast surgeon was a total mess! I received and email with the order and referrals but no information where she needed to go and who to call. I find out after that she needed blood work which they never informed through email . My mother received 2 authorizations for a breast surgeon. There was one the doctor recommended and one her group plan sent her. I called the office 3 times and never got a call back. I sent an email and was advised to call the office. I called and my mother called and was told 2 different things. It was extremely confusing!! I finally was able to speak to the referral coordinator explained that the one dr. La porte recommended was not contracted with her insurance. I informed her I received and authorization stating it was approved but found out he was not contracted. It delayed her to schedule with the breast surgeon. Had to reschedule her follow up appointment since all her other appointments where pushed back! The staff that support Dr. La porte are a mess. They don't know what they are doing! They don't communicate and never call the patients back. To try to get someone in the office is impossible! When you call back one staff member tells you one thing and then you call again and the other tells you another. Make sure you get the staff names so you can find out who tells you what because there is never documentation of what was told!! They are not clear with instructions and state they call to confirm the patients appointments but I never have missed calls! Today my mothers follow up 11/10/22 from her surgery received a call at 8:26am from the office. They called and was unable to answer but they left a voicemail stating to call the office back. We pulled into the parking lot to be told by the parking enforcer Dr. La porte office moved and no longer in that location. He states it was 2 weeks ago and. I longer in that location!! That is just ridiculous and unprofessional!! I never received a call informing the new location! It's ridiculous because I called the office and was placed on hold for 17 mins!!! I googled the address myself to find out where we needs to go!! I found his office which was down the street but if my mother would of came alone she would of been in hold for possibly 1 hour! I walked into the office and was still on hold!! I informed them we never received a call to inform us of the new address and they stated they called! I checked my mom phone and myself and didn't have missed call! The only missed call my mother received was on 11/10 at 8:24am when her appt was at 8:45am! I don't understand how unorganized this group is! The last 2 appointments I was told she needed blood work every time she came in and then called again to say they didn't didn't need labs. Especially for cancer patients who are worse than my mother! I work in the medical field and these oncologist patients dont deserve this care! It saddens be that nobody advocate's for these patients. They don't choose this insurance it's just the one they can afford! Kindness and empathy is lacking in this medical group! There is so many patients in the lobby waiting to see the doctor and are waiting for hours! I understand these appointments take time. Every appointment my mothers has been an issue and it's to the point that we will need to switch her provider. I wanted this group to work but if I'm being honest will not refer patients to this medical group and will seek where a different oncology group. read more

If I could rate this doctor no starts, I would. This was by far one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a doctors office. Brought my mother here as a first time patient, we saw Paul La Porte who's approach was very black and white, unfriendly & insensitive. To top it off he was rude and disrespectful to the staff, it made me feel uncomfortable for them. I was shocked with how we were treated as new patients especially given the specialty. We had talked about a scan and additional bloodwork and upon checking out I requested to please follow up with another doctor and he yelled from his office well I'll just cancel the orders needed, I responded saying we don't need to cancel the order, he said well if you're not following up with me I will cancel the orders. It was overall just a bad experience. This doctor has no compassion and is insensitive. Don't bring your love ones here. read more

For calling, while putting on hold, you will be tortured with their continuous advertisements. For telehealth appointments, if your appointment is at 9 A.M., you will be called by a nurse by 4 P.M. to ask you a few questions and to ask you to wait for the doctor's call later. That "later" is always never. You must call back the next day to know why the doctor didn't call. For an office visit with an appointment, you will have to wait for at least 2 hours, then you will be led to a patient's room to answer a few questions and wait for another 20 minutes before you can see the doctor for 5 minutes to answer the same questions. Then you must wait for a staff member to prepare your lab test request for 10 more minutes.You then will be asked to go home and call back to make a follow-up appointment. read more

The worst office I've ever!!!! considering that they should be comforting in times of new cancer diagnosis but nooo they are so incompetent and unorganized!!! Do not go there read more