Dr. Membreno: "Well, Arabs/Middle Easterners tend to have low Vitamin D levels so..."…read more me: "that's interesting Dr. Membreno but I'm not Arab/Middle Eastern" Dr. Membreno made a lot of assumptions when attempting to address my concerns but that might have been okay if her bed side manner was compassionate and caring. Unfortunately, it was quite the contrary. Dr. Membreno talked to me in a condescending manner, including eye rolls and head shakes when I tried to give her my medical history. She scolded me for not having medical insurance during a time when my non-profit job did not offer health insurance and my non-profit wages did not allow me to purchase medical coverage on my own. When I called to change doctors, a nurse told me that Dr. Membreno not only treats patients with disdain but her staff as well. Unless you have a really tough shell and have an equally aggressive personality to match Dr. Membrenos, you might want to find another doctor.

Zero stars for this doctor…read more If I would've stuck with Dr. Membreno, I would've been dead by now. I'm a Hashi's patient, I was diagnosed last August when I came to see Dr. Membreno for the first time. I brought her my lab results from another clinic. To that point, I had not taken anything for my hypothyroidism, I just knew my TSH was through the roof and so were my antibodies. Dr. Membreno prescribed me Synthroid 75. A month later, my TSH had gone way down but still not around the range so she bumped the dose to 88. Six weeks or so later, I felt like a "paranoid walking vibrator" (that's the best I can describe this crazy condition), my heart was beating so fast and I had these crazy anxiety attacks, that I immediately told Dr., but she wouldn't budge! A couple of weeks later, I couldn't take it anymore so I called her back and this time she *reluctantly* lowered the dose back to 75. Fast forward six weeks later, here I am again, except now I now felt like a walking timebomb. I ended up in the ER. She wouldn't reduce my dose any more because my TSH was "fine" (yes, she's a by-the-numbers person), or even offer T3. And she still had the gall to say that my heart problems were not due to overdosing! AND she would always advise me to "double up" on pills whenever I skipped a day! Way to suggest suicide! I had to be out of work for six weeks, lay around doped up on lorazepam while I switched doctors, go on NDT and adjust to it. The symptoms were THAT bad! My life was on hold! If I could sue for malpractice, I would! Needless to say, I am seeing another doctor now who does PAY ATTENTION to my symptoms. Who wants a doctor with a cold, condescending bedside manner who wears cocktail dresses, deliberately ignores your symptoms, and literally tries to kill you? Crazy lady!

This review is for office staff! I called last year to…read moreinquire about cost..I spoke with physician and my questions were answered at the time. I called back with an additional question and requested a return call..I NEVER received a return call. I again spoke with physician a couple months ago and was ready to sign up. I requested some paperwork and it was to have been sent to me. AGAIN I left several messages..When I FINALLY after several weeks called again and that call was returned with excuses, I was told paperwork would be sent out ASAP...NOPE NEVER CAME. I WILL TAKE MY 4K SOMEWHERE ELSE!!! Terrible SERVICE from office staff!

The review is for office response. Had an initial conversation to schedule a meeting with Dr…read more Lindsay to learn more about the services and pricing and got ghosted after that. Three messages later ...nothing. If its a reflection of the overall business than I guess its good to know early on :(

After my previous general practitioner stopped being contracted with our insurance, I went on a…read moresearch for a new doctor. My baby's pediatrician recommended Dr. Caroline Stratz, an internist who only treats adults. She is located on South Drive near El Camino Hospital, at the very end of the street. Dr. Stratz also is not contracted with my insurance. In fact, she is not contracted with *any* insurance companies. However, I am still going to stay with her. I will detail my first visit to her office and my impressions: -Walked into the office: It is a rather small office with about 2-3 examination rooms. The reception room is smallish but very comfortable. The front desk scheduling coordinator, Gay, is extremely personable and friendly. They did not mind that I had to bring my baby girl. In fact, Gay said they "love babies", and that Dr. Stratz has 3 children of her own. Gay asked me to make myself comfortable and fill out my paperwork. She explained to me that they do not bill out to insurance companies for the patients. Instead, they print out a superbill, give a copy to the patient, and the patient has to submit a claim to the insurance company for reimbursement. Full payment to Dr. Stratz is due at the time of service. -Interview with Dr. Stratz: After I filled out my paperwork, I only waited for about 5 minutes. Dr. Stratz called me into her private office and we talked about any concerns I have regarding my health. She asked me many questions and wrote them all down in my chart. She then asked me if I have any questions for her. I found her to be extremely easy to talk to. Totally nice. -Weight, BP, preliminaries: Dr. Stratz herself took my weight and blood pressure reading. She did everything- checked my breathing, reflexes, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc. Everything. She was very thorough and gentle. -Final chat: After doing her examination, Dr. Stratz stepped out of the room so I could get changed. She came back in and did a summary of her findings. Throughout the entire appointment, I felt very comfortable. She does not wear a white coat- just her regular clothes, so those of you who have that "white coat phobia" may feel more comfortable with her. All in all, I like her a lot. As I mentioned, you as the patient would have to submit your own insurance claim to get reimbursed, but I don't have much of a problem with that.

I have been a patient of Dr. Stratz for over 12 years. Based on previous track record, I have…read morechosen to follow her into her new concierge practice. Over the years I have found her to be kind, empathetic, practical, and most importantly she asks my opinion on treatment plans. My health care is a collaborative and she is always open to alternatives. With this new practice, I have been so pleased to see the extra steps she can take. There was a question about my thyroid in a blood test, so instead of immediately sending me to an endocrinologist, she called one and discussed my blood work with him, making a game plan and saving me a step. I recently had some issues that I was concerned about, of course landing on a Sunday. I texted her with symptoms, she called me immediately and sent me to the ER. During the ER visit, she monitored the results of the lab work and regularly texted me. I was so much more relaxed knowing that I had MY doctor following my experience. I would highly recommend Dr. Stratz to anyone, and have sent people to her who have been pleased. She is not only a great doctor, but a very amazing person as well.

Relentless robocalls. Evidently Sutter outsourced to a company which does phone call for surveys…read more The program which implements these calls somehow cannot be blocked. The result, seemingly endless phone calls. There no numbers which can be called, and Sutters many listed phone numbers are not answered by humans, its all phone trees. What a pity to have to write this, but after weeks of sometimes hourly calls I had to turn off the volume on my phone!! So viewers know how I responded to the "response" from sutter. "I've already detailed the problem. Yeah I get your doing the PR spin of a company that wants to "do better". Honestly I have had enough and your outsourced company is horrible and should be sued for invasion of privacy and mental torture. Just STOP IT!!"

Dr Ermakova was my primary care physician at Sutter. When I and my wife became sick with COVID, she…read moredid not even care to respond to our emails / phone calls.

Dr. Thomas is an outstanding doctor. I'm afraid she is the last among a dying breed - the doctor…read morewith an independent office, who does a full systems review whenever you come in, and inquires about your health and life even unrelated to endocrinology. Some have argued she has the time to do these things because she doesn't take insurance and charges you for time spent. This is true. However, it's worth it to me to have at least one doctor who understands the full me, and I don't mind paying for it. She has done a wonderful job of tracking my nutritional deficiencies and helping me rectify them, and helping me manage my hypothyroidism. Today I am feeling better than I ever have before in both of those departments. What I love about her most is that she will discuss any problem I am having and doesn't stick to her endocrinology "silo." She keeps in contact with my doctors, too, so they know what is happening with me. I appreciate that I don't need to make a separate appointment to ask my primary care doctor about say, a question with my ear. During the pandemic, she has been doing a lot of phone visits, which is great. I hope she continues this into the future so I don't have to trek from San Jose to Los Altos to see her and discuss lab results.

I've been with Dr. Thomas several years - through 3 or 4 moves of her office. Initially I was…read morethankful for the time she'd spend getting to the bottom of my fatigue. She also sent me to a specialist for fibromyalgia in 2009. My biggest complaint is when you know you're going to need a thyroid panel, you have to make a $250 appointment to get the lab order, understandable because she doesn't want to miss anything, but then you also have to make another appointment to get the results, even when all is well. I wish they'd tell you when you're lab numbers are off and what the concern is, rather than making you wait another two or three months for an appointment to get the lab results! I've gone through months of worry wondering what was wrong, only to finally get in there and be told all looks fine (then pay another $250! She doesn't bill insurance and wants payment in full on each visit). As a patient you have to be proactive here and call and call to get appointments, lab results, etc. The office will not call you, even to let you know they have your lab results. For as many years as I've gone to see Dr. Thomas each time she behaves as though we're meeting for the first time wanting all my history again and again! "Who diagnosed your fibromyalgia?" "You did Doctor, 6 years ago" Even "Who diagnosed Hashimotos?" when she's been treating me for it for years!! Scary! She seems very preoccupied. She's very old school in terms of treating Hashimoto's and auto-immune disease. She doesn't like prescribing NDTs, doesn't believe in or know how to treat other complications of having an autoimmune disease, like the fatigue, tissue damage or joint pain or how to keep inflammation in check. Never talked about the benefits or problems with certain foods, etc. Sad to say but I would not recommend this office.

I'm extremely impressed by the efficient, diligent, and caring manner of Dr V and his team. He and…read morehis staff work so smoothly and mindfully together. I don't know that I've ever before experienced a medical professional office that functioned this well -- and I've needed a lot of attention in the several months since I've been a patient of this practice. It took a little bit of time for the doctor and I to get to know each other and adjust to each other's styles, but it seems well worth it to me. Dr. V is extremely thorough, is willing to take the time to explain, to discuss when needed, and to listen when you as the patient have something you especially want to get across. He's super responsive, including many times outside of regular office hours and typical weekdays. I feel the benefits to me of this practice have already gone well beyond that price I'm paying for it. I highly recommend Los Gatos Doc.

Stay away from this Dr. As a one time new patient I felt…read moreuncomfortable with the staff as well as this creepy dr who records your entire visit. Very abrupt cold as ice that my figure skates would need to be sharpend. No warmth or personality I told him my meds that I was on and he rudely without hesitation said I do not prescribed these medication go see a psychiatrist. I think he is the one who needs a shrink . I canceled any future appointments and when I said I was not coming back they called me again. He must be looking for patients .How Pathetic. I will stay with my concierge physician who treats me as a whole patient and is worth every penny I spend. Shame on you Dr.V work on your bedside manner if you can. He is in it for the money not your health concerns. You should see his over sized Instagram page it's full of baloney of, Dr high and mighty!!

Great doctor for listening but did not do a hands on exam for gym injury (2 months on crutches and…read morea year later still problems). Seemed to dismiss it as significant and that I was too concerned? H did give me ideas of what would help and it did. Not so good with older/midlfe women but made definite gestures of listening by turning chair dropping everything and making eye contact - so unusual in this day and age - kind of charming old way of being "seen". 1 star off mostly because of OM where he has set up shop - totally a bad gig (bureaucratic bottom feed clinic) and do you want all your info to be collected into the large Am data cntrs?

My rating is based on my following, personal experience. I found Dr. Fell by searching on the…read moreInternet and joined One Medical just for him. Called O.M. after joining and made appointment for today, Monday, Dec. 8. On Friday, Dec. 5 late afternoon, just ONE business day before the appt., I get a call from O.M. telling me Dr. Fell's office cancelled my appt. because they do not accept new patients anymore. 1. Why was appt. available and booked if Dr. Fell does not accept new patients anymore? 2. Why notify me end of day on Friday, one business day before the actual appt? 3. Why not having the decency/courtesy to call me directly to let me know? Perhaps Dr. Fell is indeed a good doctor (I did not get a chance to experience), however, given the way HIS office/people handled this matter, makes him a terrible leader. And as we all know, the buck stops with the boss. Disappointing, to say the least.

Dr. Johansen goes above and beyond the level of service offered by other concierge doctors. Like…read morethe others, she offers same-day appointments and an easy way to reach her during the workday and outside of working hours. Dr. Johansen also listens attentively; explains your medical issues clearly; offers treatment alternatives; promptly orders tests and makes referrals; finds good specialists to evaluate and treat your condition, when necessary; and does additional research on your medical issues if needed. She respects your right to make the final decision regarding your treatment. Every time you see her, she seeks to connect with you on a personal level as well as a professional one. In 2023, I moved to a community 65 miles from Palo Alto. I kept Dr. Johansen as my primary care physician, knowing that I could reach her by phone or messaging and that I could drive over to see her when needed. I recently moved back to the Palo Alto area and I am so glad to have easy access to her clinic once again.

My experience with Dr. Johansen has always exceeded my expectations. She is perceptive, thorough,…read moreand diligent with follow-up. Best of all, she listens closely, takes the time needed to gather important information, and is compassionate. I'm so fortunate to have her as an advocate and partner in my journey to health!