Perhaps the very very best doctor in my 85 years! Smart, patient, supportive, kind, gentle and a serious healer - too too rare in my experience. And this was over 20 years ago - not seen anyone even close to her in all these years. Janice Tieken, BFA, MA, MFT read more

She's retired now. But one of the most learned and personable doctors ever to grace this earth. A conversation with Dr. Russell was the most enlightening, elevated and friendly connection a person could have. Although I never looked forward to a doctor's appointment, I really miss seeing her. And did I mention she is a brilliant doctor. You couldn't get better care than with her. I hope she is doing well. read more

Dr. Russell has been my primary care physician for the last 4 years. I chose her from a list of providers, and I'm lucky to have found her. During examination, it seems like I'm chatting with a friend about, ya know, health and medicine. She is honest and takes her time to explain your concerns and issues; she's never rushed, like some of the doctors I've either worked for or have seen. She also has an excellent support team. I once tweaked my back, and the slightest movement would shoot excruciating pain directly to the L5-S1 area. I couldn't even laugh, it hurt that much. I called Dr. Russell's office, and they were able to squeeze me in within two hours. They saved me a couple of bucks too, since I didn't have to go to urgent care. There's a map of your GI system in every exam room. Enjoy learning about your colon, small, and large intestines, as you wait for your turn to see Dr. Russell! read more

Apparently she will diabetes, just not thyroid disease. As an update for those that are suffering from thyroid disease, you can go a website called www.Stopthethyroidmadness.com and there is a lot of very useful information there that may help you and your suffering. I have been contacted by many people also disappointed with their doctor and/or this doctor because their refusal to treat their thyroid. read more

Russell is a very kind, intelligent woman and became my primary physician at a time when everyone else in the group was full. The problem with the Cedars group is that the primary physicians are maxed out, and those who double as specialists like Russell (endocrinology) are maxed to the power of ten. Getting an appointment was always near impossible. Also the office was handling several doctors, and any patient request was usually lost in a black hole somewhere. It was a battle of perseverance. The male nurse there, Brian, was very responsive though. I finally switched to another primary doctor after awhile because of all the above. I didn't find Russell very open to my concerns about hypothyroidism and wanting to return to a low-dose regimen of that and my questioning the usual reliance on tests. But she did respond the best she could on other requests. For me, I just decided I needed a less-harrassed primary physician and didn't want to wage a battle with a doctor's office each and every instance. read more

My fiancé received very poor care under Russell. It was a shameful experience ! She went for a few appointments and did not recieve the care one would expect from a endocrinologist in today's world. read more

Dr. Russell has been my doctor for a few years, and I'm so glad I found her! After years and years of trying to figure out what was wrong with me and some thinking it might be a thyroid issue only to have test results show it was not, she was the one that figured out it was PCOS and helped me get all sorted out with it. Because of family history the traditional route of treatment was not ideal for me, but with time we were able to find a great solution that has worked better than I would have ever expected. She is not easy to get an appointment with, but very much worth the wait. Office visits are never short, but you have her full attention when she's with you, which is more than I can say about past doctors. Her assistant is also quick to follow up with you regarding test results or information. As for staff, they're all always very friendly, but Marie's name also stands out in my memory as being particularly helpful when I've called. read more

Dr. Russell is a very kind woman with an extensive knowledge of her field. I am very happy with the care I have received from her.

Dr. Russell has been my doctor for close to a year now. I was referred to her by a friend after being diagnosed with diabetes earlier this year. I have always found her to be attentive, informative, and very easy to deal with. She has made me comfortable with going to the doctor on a regular basis (which I have never been comfortable with). Her office staff has been extremely helpful, and her nursing staff does a great job as well. I have already recommended her to several friends because it's rare to find a doctor who not only takes the time to make you feel comfortable and truly listen to your concerns, but also takes the time to make sure that you understand exactly what is wrong with you and why a certain course of treatment is recommended. She does not rush patients during appointments, which means you may have to wait longer for her to make it to your exam room. But once she is there, you will have her full attention and not be rushed out. Her office is also conveniently located down the hall from the Cedars Sinai Urgent Care. So if she isn't able to do a procedure in her office, she has offered to go with me to Urgent Care and supervise the P.A.'s as they perform the procedure (which I appreciated as I don't always feel comfortable when it's not a physician performing a procedure). She's never tried to push a medication or procedure on me in dealing with my various health problems. She always works with me so I can have what I need but am also comfortable with. I highly recommend her. And in dealing with her front office, I recommend working with Marie. She's thorough and compassionate which is so important when you're feeling terrible and/or in pain. read more

Dr. Russell is amazing! She is personable and knowledgable. Upon my first visit she did not leave any stone unturned. She ordered exams that would provide clarity in regards to my thyroid. She saved me from unnecessary surgery. read more

I stumbled upon Dr. Russell while randomly searching through the list of Aetna providers. I am so happy that I chose her because she has a wonderful bedside manner and provided me with excellent patient care. In addition, her office staff was very professional & efficient. I highly recommend her & her office :) read more

Dr Russell has been my Diabetes doctor for more than 12 years. She is the ultimate professional. Very caring, always giving her best to the patient. Last time my husband was brought by the ambulance to another hospital. It was an emergency, she did not stop until she had my husband transferred to Cedars to have an MRI done. She send the ambulance to pick us up at ER and have him admitted to Cedars just to make sure my husband did not have a stroke. Thank you Dr. Russell. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Russell's for five years. She also treats my wife and son, so I have considerable history and experience with her. Dr. Russell is extremely thorough, knowledgeable and highly professional. She treats the entire patient. She listens well, attending to the smallest detail. She asks questions and she answers the questions that she is asked. She educates. Most importantly, she genuinely cares about her patients. Does she sometimes run late? Yes, but would you rather have her cut you off mid-question and say, "Your time is up. I'm going to my next patient." Not me. Can it be hard to get an appointment? Yes, but the best doctors are usually pretty booked up and her staff will work hard to fit you in if they can. Endocrinology is a specialty. Endo patients see their physicians multiple times per year, so they're always scheduling their next appointment in advance, which probably explains why she's booked. No one is perfect. She and I once had an issue. She telephoned me, we discussed it and we resolved it. That just shows about her caring and that's just another reason why I believe she's a great doctor! read more

DONT USE THIS DOCTOR if you ever expect to get copies of your records. I have been trying for 3 months to get some labs from her office. I have faxed, emailed, mailed and overnighted the "request form". I have personally driven to the office (and told they don't keep records). This is a joke - Dr. Russel should not have her patients held hostage as she wont release records. I wont even discuss why I am no longer seeing her read more

It is nice that Dr. Russell will spend time with when you are seeing her in the office. Unfortunately it takes months to get an appt. Additionally, she does not respond to emails and it has taken forever for her to address a referral I need. I got better responses from the on call doctor than from Dr. Russell. It seems if you're not in her office in front of her she forgets or does not care about her patients needs. read more

Dr. Russell is best doctor that I have ever had! I have been a patient for about 7 years and I am always satisfied with her services. The whole office is super friendly and always follows up with you on any questions. She even calls you back which is so rare to find in LA...I highly recommend her! read more

I drove from Palm Springs to this doctor's office. I made certain I was over an hour early just in case I needed to complete any paper work. When I arrived the receptionist asked my name, couldn't locate me in the computer, then proceeded to asked my phone number. I provided my phone number 3 times and she couldn't hear me so I wrote it down. The office was small and everyone could hear anything anyone said. There was no privacy at all in this office. They actually have chairs that sit right at the window so the person sitting there can hear everything you say while you are standing there talking. Talk about disclosure. UNBELIEVABLE. I was told by the receptionist that I cancelled my appointment the same day that I drove in from Palm Springs, which took 3 hours to Beverly Hills. I told the receptionist that I didn't call the office nor did I cancel my appointment. I told her the exact dates that their office called to confirm my appt. She argued that I had cancelled it. She then walked away into the back without saying anything else. I sat down. She finally came back with another employee who just starred at me. The receptionist yelled to me to asked if I still have ---- insurance so everyone could hear it. I said yes. She said nothing else. I finally got up and walked to the window to asked her what happened with my appt. She said since no one has filled the spot that I would be squeezed in. I sat there for a total of 35 minutes dealing with all of this from the time I arrived. I was called in and placed in a room down a lonely hallway. I chatted with the nurse who assured me tgat this was a great doctor and that she was thorough. There I sat for an hour and 15 minutes. I overheard the nurses chatting and one asked had the doctor come in to see me yet. The nurse finally came back in and moved me to another room in the regular hallway. There I sat another 20 minutes. The nurse reassured me that the doctor would see me.....SHE NEVER DID. DO NOT SCHEDULE WITH THIS DOCTOR'S OFFICE. THIS IS THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER AT ANY MEDICAL OFFICE. read more

At the time I was looking for a female endocrinologist and got all the way to the R's before seeing Virginia Ruth Russell. How lucky I was! She has been my doctor for about 15+ years and I couldn't have made a better choice. She is friendly, informative, listens and offers alternative solutions. You will have to wait when you see her as she spends more than 5 minutes with her patients. She gives you the time you need. read more

I found a rare jewel when I found Dr. Russell a few years ago. She never rushes through our visit. She listens and responds. She has always been on target in assessing my needs and addressing them. And she is assisted by a staff supportive to her and to patients. She is the Best! read more

While I think Dr Russell may be a very good doctor, the way her office is run is simply unacceptable and thus a reflection of her. I appreciated the time she took to spend with me in my first appointment, and I felt very encouraged when I left. However, i COULD NOT get someone to give me my test results. I called, left voicemails, left emails. It took me almost 2 months to get someone to respond to me, and finally give me the appropriate prescription. It took me several phone calls to the office to get a follow up appointment, which I had to wait 3 months for. I sat in the waiting room for over 30 minutes past my appointment time, and when I asked the receptionist how much longer she thought I would be waiting, she said "at least another 45 minutes to an hour". When I told her I was shocked and that I wasn't able to stay that long in order to pick my daughter up from daycare on time she replied, "that actually isn't that bad for her, she is usually running at least 2 hours behind". I asked them to refund my copay that I had already paid for the appointment and left. Between the time it takes to simply get someone on the phone to make appointments, the months you have to wait to see her again, and the hours spent in the waiting room, I just can't do it. I really don't understand how anyone can run their business like this. read more

dr. russel lacks all bedside manner, she ran an hour late and i will not return to her office under any circumstance. i also plan to report her poor professionalism to cedar's directly. read more