Associated Internal Medicine

This review pertains to Stanfords Palliative care division and one particular physician there Grant Smith. I would like to inform you of the content of a video appointment I had with Grant Smith after I requested a referral to palliative care to discuss the problematic symptoms I have following a diagnoses then treatment for prostate cancer in early to mid 2021.

As a sideline, I am acutely aware of the way authentic and high quality physicians handle patient interactions from experience over 70 years. My father was a beloved physician, public health officer and founded Redwood Medical in Redwood City in the mid 50s. As a young adult trained under and worked with patients in psychotherapy settings here in Palo Alto then went thru a 3 year training program under a psychiatrist and game changing researcher then went on to got an MD degree.

Grant Smith did not bother to ask what my symptoms were, how or when they started, how they impair life, how they are from the current illness or how my life would be different if they were ameliorated. He wasn't interested, apparently, in those questions. In a display of spectacular ignorance and arrogance he "told me" to stop the treatment that is enableing me to have a great life as long as it is continued.

Grant Smith posted video online on expressing his high minded ideas about palliative medicine and how much palliative medicine physicians want to improve the life of patients whose lives are impaired by illness. Actually speaking with him, as a real patient with real medical challenges and 5 decades more experience than he has in medical patient care shows he is a hypocrite.

He showed no interest whatso ever in the good ideas he talked about on the video. He showed zero intent to aquire any of the usual pertinent information from me about my clinical picture that make a physician a physician. This is called Stanford Palliative care center for excellence. Okey dokey.

I am new to stanford and its my worst decision I have ever made. For a regular blood work they charge me 3000 and a online chate with doctor cost me 400 and a tdap vaccine charge me 800. Even with insurance i need to pay for a 1800 are you kidding me. How could a routine check up cost that much. They are just a big scam. I will ask everyone to stay away from this crazy company.

I was planning to come here, but so many negative reviews. Never mind. I will be sticking with the Va for free.

ANNA LEDERMAN IS A TOTAL NIGHTMARE! She misdiagnosed me with Syphilis. Extremely traumatic experience thinking I had Syphillis for two weeks until I went to another clinic that informed me that her diagnosis was incorrect and based off a test that is NOT confirmatory. I also had to pay out of pocket to visit this clinic which was awful. When I spoke to Anna Lederman following this and told her about her diagnosis being wrong and based off a test that's not confirmatory. she apologized and offered to PAY ME. BEYOND UNPROFESSIONAL. UNUSUAL. STRANGE!

Once I finally took the correct test, the results came back NEGATIVE (meaning I do NOT have Syphillis). Although I was grateful to hear that, I was far beyond emotionally drained from all the worry and stress i felt for TWO WEEKS! 14 DAYS OF HELL! crying. Worrying for my health. Feeling gross. Arguing with my partner. Thinking he gave me something and him also being afraid for his health. absolute nightmare.

I will definitely be reporting this to the medical board. I HIGHLY SUGGEST to anyone reading this to be seen by someone else and definitely not her. This whole situation will make it difficult for me to ever trust a doctor or health care professional ever again.

I have been going here for years and rotated a few different doctors, always great experience. Anna Lederman is exceptional and by far the best doctor I have worked with. Highly recommend.

This is regarding Stanford clinics in Redwood, Palo Alto, and Los Altos. Poor diagnosis. Doctors don't listen to concerns. Most of my health issues were not diagnosed or treated correctly. Eventually found better treatment elsewhere.

Waited 6 weeks for my appointment with dr. mark liang--not my choice of provider just the soonest that was available and dude cancelled my appointment day-of. Called to reschedule and they said next available (with any doctor) was some time in March next year. I'm glad I'm switching back to Kaiser with open enrollment coming up. I actually haven't even seen a doctor at Stanford other than the one from 4 or 5 years ago and he was very, very subpar.like I could've googled that subpar. Don't be fooled by the prestigious name.on second thought maybe Stanford will be synonymous with turd care soon.

Lots of mistakes. Poor staffing and communication. I've had 2 experiences with rude staff in low demand situations. Equipment failures, implanted device fell out in shower months later. Unreturned phone calls, overcharging.

I used to be a patient at stanford when I was a child until my late teens. I hoped one day to work for stanford because the patient care then was amazing, now its all about finances and the EHR system that run everything. I also worked for stanford /contract position and could not believe the things I seen and the way coworkers behaved and treated patients which is why I left the organization. I was able to see both worlds and hope one day things will get better in patient care.

If I die of cancer, the primary care doctors who saw me are liable! At my annual physical, I complained about discomfort at a certain spot. The doctor, as usual, laughs it off, and says, nothing to worry about. A few months passed, and she went on maternity leave (AGAIN). Meanwhile, my condition worsens. I asked to see another doctor. Instead of the common sense thing to refer me to the specialist/department that anyone with common sense would think of, this other doctor ordered some blood tests.

When the results came back normal, she insisted on referring me for an endoscopy of another part of my body that obviously is not the right place. I googled my symptoms, and all reputable sites point to a need to see a specialist in the "XX" department. Meanwhile, I continue to plead with the primary care department to stop referring me to all sorts of "A, " "B, " "C" and "Y" and "Z" departments. (Basically, it's like you have a pain in your leg, and the primary care doctors simply refer you to go for a brain scan.) This group really needs to hire some more intelligent and responsible primary care doctors.

The medical professional who assisted us did not have much knowledge about my son's illness. However, she ordered some labs. The bill arrived a week ago. Huge bill. Doesn't make any sense. We do have insurance. Be aware!

First of all, I love my doctor and hence I stay with SHC for soooo long. However, the billing is RIDICULOUS! I almost fall off out the chair. $700+ billing rate (after ins is $400ish) for a 30 mins video chat on follow up meeting. Please keep in mind. it is not like i broke a leg, coughing blood or dying. It was a routine lab follow up w a dr. I didn't even get a temperature or weight check. This is outrageous. With this rate, my wallet is going talk some sense to emotional side. (give up your dr. give her up.). I really need to find another care.

Dr in Stanford love video cheats, visit but if you wish to see specialist or demand test they are dragging it They will request you to have additional meaning. When they finally have ok to you go to stomach, therapy specialist you are not able to make appointments. They have a a new Stanford medical center San Jose, Redwood City, Menlo Park. They are new building with great expensive design but if you looking for excellent treatments and care of patients you will realize that is not top priority.

The session with dr is time for 15 minutes and you can only present two issue - I believe charge) for 15 minutes rush visits ) to insurance is about around $500. In my opinion the care in Stanford Care degraded. Today they told me that dr doesn't work on Friday on my day offs. I believe I will have to seek new hospital or care facilities which will care of patient their priority.

Recently had experiences with the Positive Care Clinic, Endocrine Clinic, and the Sleep Disorders Clinic, and my experience with all three is not that good. In the case of the Positive Care Clinic, the physician Dr. Grant lied about submitting a preauthorization request to insurance so that I could avoid a medication that has a carcinogenic agent in it.

In the case of the Endocrine clinic, the clinic refused to see me even though they didn't have most the records needed to make a review. And in the case of the Sleep Disorders Clinic, the clinic wants to schedule a sleep study that I don't need as a condition of writing a prescription for a broken machine that has a problem with the on/off button.

In summary, I have had way more bad experiences with STanford Clinics that good ones, and have nothing good to say about the place. Best not to waist your time and go elsewhere.

FRAUD OR NEGLIGENCE IN STANFORD HOSPITAL BILL? You decide. I was admitted for spine surgery on January 6 and discharged on January 7. Stanford claims it is "clinically appropriate" for me "to be in an Outpatient status post procedure" and converted to outpatient "at 1227 this afternoon" Post procedure at 12:27pm? WTF? I wasn't even in the operating room at 12:27.

The Anesthesia Record shows a Start Time of 1325 and a Stop Time of 1637! Can someone offer a rational explanation for how I can be under general anesthesia; unconscious for 3+ hours; stay overnight; and be an coded as an outpatient? If you have bill from Stanford that should be investigated please check out: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/22/upshot/hospital-prices.html?referringSource=articleShare and https://khn.org/send-us-your-medical-bills/

I had a c section on June 11. I had my own room n my mother in law stay with to help me with the baby ect (remember we are in a pandemic) I was there for 3 days they only clean the room once and whatever they use to clean the room was way to strong n there was my 3 days baby in there. When I got discharge my mother in law was cleaning up and putting my stuff away and on a corner we found a bag of clothes n I told her that wasn't mine so with that said before they put me in that room they didn't deep cleaning it other wise they wouldn't be a bag of clothes if someone else! THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE Of CLEANING DONT DO A GOOD JOB! That's was my second c section! I had my 1st c section at UC DAVIDS HOSPITAL they did a way better job!

I've been waiting for one (full (1!) hour on the phone to talk to the primacy care physician clinic, and I'm still on hold. The doctors are wonderful, and obviously this is not their fault. But this is unacceptable. Particularly since, in a year of crisis, Stanford's net assets increased $2.0 billion, in 2020, to $47.2 billion. This includes the university, Stanford Health Care and LP Children's Hospital. https://news.stanford.edu/2020/12/08/stanford-university-reports-fy-2020-financial-results/#:~:text=Stanford%20University%20reported%20its%20financial, year%202020%20at%20%2447.2%20billion.

The Care in healthcare doesn't exist at Stanford. Doctors and nurse staff delay scheduled appointments by an hour, prescribe wrong diagnostic imaging, don't apologize for those mistakes. I had terrible experience with them. Worse than Kaiser or at least as poor patient treatment as Kaiser. Their diagnosis and patient handling has such a poor reputation that my gynecologist also advised me not to visit doctors at Stanford for gynecologist matters.

The doctors and service are good, but billing department are criminals. They do not do their work properly, send some bills for the service that was not provided and keep billing me even I am now with Kaiser. We send them all payments print outs 3 times, 2 mails to LA box office and 1 to Palo Alto billing. Still send me another bill and I found print out that I paid already. Why Stanford cannot hire competent people?

I don't usually write reviews. But out of good conscience I really feel like I have to this time. Let me start off by saying I really like my doctors. They're intelligent, decisive, and really great in general. Hats off. It's unfortunate they have to work within such a dysfunctional system. Stanford is a money hungry machine. They are totally shameless about the amount they charge.

Yet with all that funding they can't seem to get their ducks in order. Scheduling is a nightmare. Especially if you need a referral to see a specialist. I don't understand why they have three different departments to handle two documents (my referral and medical records). It was a mess. Six weeks to get everything squared away just to be able to SCHEDULE an appointment.

And that was with incessant calling to make sure they didn't mess it up. And the icing on top: after finally getting in to see a specialist and having my first appointment I had to schedule a follow-up. Only then did they decide to tell me that I was actually out of network! So now I'm left scrambling to change my insurance so that I can keep and afford my doctors.

Being out of network for the time being, my doctors were very understanding and said they could order some labs to quest diagnostics which is in network until I get my health insurance squared away. Well guess what? Stanford wouldn't even let my doctor order the tests to somewhere else. It HAS to be done at Stanford. I looked up the tests myself and they are on quests diagnostics testing menu.

There is no reason it can't be done somewhere more affordable. Money hungry Stanford strikes again! My health problems are complicated and I really need good doctors which are tough to find. So that's my silver lining. But God I hate this place.

I feel absolutely safe going to see my doctor at this practice. They cover al COVID precautions and I feel very safe there. I have been going to this practice for 7 years and they delivered 2 of my babies. My go to doctor is Dr. Prabakar who is so amazing and caring and really takes the time to address all of my needs. She has a great bedside manner, is very responsive when I message her and is also very knowledgeable. I think all of the doctors there are great. Don't put off your healthcare, it is absolutely safe and these doctors and top notch!

Charged me a $400 "new patient" fee because I was HEALTHY FOR TWO YEARS. What did I get done? A video visit to have the doctor read my previous Covid test results and write a note saying "Yep, he had Covid" $400 for doing NOTHING. Total scam. Prepare to be ripped off.

I've been going to this practice for 5+ years now and have never been disappointed. The staff is caring, and the doctors take their time to answer your questions. My own ob/gyn, Dr. Prabakar, is stellar. Even though she was on vacation when I had my baby, she called both myself and the doctor on duty at the hospital to make sure everything was going well. You are treated as a person, not just a patient! Highly recommend.

I am a living liver donor and donated on 2/16/21 to a family member. The nurses who took care of me were so kind. My favorite 7pm-7am nurse was Nikita. She was so sweet, kind, patient and concerned about my comfort. Karl was my 7am-7pm nurse and she was just the same as Nikita. I'm glad these ladies ladies were there to care for me. Thank you Karly and Nikita.

I work here since 2011 it's been nothing but a blessing for me ty for everything that Stanford has brought to my life tytyty

I'm seen by the midwife (CNM) Anna Lederman and I ADORE her. First, I was so pleasantly surprised that I could receive my well-woman care from a midwife at all! They can be hard to find. Then when I met her I fell in love. I know so many care providers are hard-pressed to find enough time for their patients, but Anna was completely present for our appointment and made me feel at ease and not at all rushed.

She easily checks the boxes of knowing her stuff and providing good medical care, but beyond that she also just made me feel heard & understood, and like she was coming alongside me to help take care of me instead of me being just another patient. Anna feels like a good friend and a professional at the same time. Especially when it comes to needing your yoni & womb cared for, or planning future pregnancies or birth control, it makes all the difference to have someone who you fully trust taking care of you.

She made me laugh, gave me all the information I asked for, and I left her office feeling both empowered and well taken care of. During my procedure she even showed me my cervix when I asked if I could see it! Truly can't recommend her highly enough.

Dr Lee Christianson was absolutely outstanding. Explained everything I needed to know about transitioning to menopause and options for supporting that process. Also was very thorough in talking about the problem I was there to see her about. I was concerned about finding an OB/GYN who would give just as much focus to women not having babies but was really happy with the level of care and attention provided at my visit and the offer of follow up.

I just had my first visit here and my experience was phenomenal, as was my care from Anna Lederman who did my pap smear. I realized I needed an annual visit and scheduled this appointment in the same week. It was fast, professional, and I have never felt as in control of my bodily autonomy in a clinical space as I have today. I have another appointment next week to get my birth control implant replaced and I am confident that I am in good hands here Edited to include the best part! Forgot to mention that Anna offered to take a picture of my cervix with my phone and then proceeded to explain so much about how the female reproductive system works. Did I understand what a cervix was before today? Debatable. Do I do now? Absolutely!

Such blatant disregard and dismissal of all my symptoms and pain. Not only did the doctor ignore everything I came in for, they tested me for stuff I didn't need and said I was "too young" to be dealing with female problems. After this horrible experience, including denying my request of an ultrasound, I went to a different doctor. This other doctor I went to (not at Stanford Health) was very helpful, did an ultrasound on me, and found the cause of my pain. Good thing I went to another doctor because Stanford Health just ignored all my problems.

Reviews as a part of the medical record department, located 300 Pasteur Dr., palo alto CA, pavilion E, room #E11 the gentleman- Oscar was very very professional, understanding and friendly too, great jobs, gave you two thumbs up. thank you!

I had an annual female exam yesterday with Anna Lederman, CNM and it was nothing short of a great experience. She is certainly an asset to the team at OB/GYN Partners for Health in Oakland. She is kind, personable, knowledgeable, and articulate. As long as I'm living in the bay I will be seeing her for all of my Gyn appointments and needs.

I had to update that the provider I met with here just sent a letter to let patients know she is leaving the practice.

I called them several times for an appt. Each time I was told that a Dr would get back to me. After just starting my 2nd trimester I thought it was pretty important to switch Dr's ASAP. I kept getting the pushback for over 3 weeks and now its been about 5 weeks. They could have at least been up front to tell me that they were not able to take me in. That was really rude and a waste of my time

Doctor was applying assumptions to diagnose me even after I told her I have never had those experiences or symptoms. Not very good at listening and just seem to want to get you out of there. Reminded me of Mr. Porter from "13 Reasons Why". One extra star for speedy service although it was bad service.

I have had great experiences with all of the staff for almost 3 years now. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. The Dr.'s are great and the staff is very friendly. This is a great place to go for all you obgyn needs.

This is by far the worst DR office I have ever been too. We always arrive early but called back late. Never see doctor till 45 min after appointment time. Bathrooms are not cleaned daily seems like. They charge you when they shouldn't. Dr is very unconcerning of needs. Staff is rude. They close at 12 for lunch for no voicemail or anything stating they are closed and they lied about being rude to staff so Dr wouldn't have to deal with patients that actually are concerned. If you want proper care avoid this place at all cost. Happy this situation has forced my lady to seek care elsewhere.

I read the yelp reviews to this place after being referred here by my PCD and I wasn't to excited to come here. After my appointment Thursday with Dr. Fong, I'm giving them 5 STARS! Here's why: I'm a new patient, here for a different reason than a regular OBGYN appointment. Their front office staff was nice, I was called in within 10 minutes from checking in.

The medical assistant was also nice and attentive. Overall, happy with that part of the experience. When Dr. Fong came in he wanted to go through my chart before any exam and ask questions and let me ask questions. Then he did the exam, then after making his own evaluation on his own findings, he then reviewed my previous test and whatnot. I liked that because he didn't get influence by another doctors opinion.

And to me that mattered. Then we went over my options and how to move forward and after all was said and done, I felt good, confident & comfortable with what we decided and on his evaluation. It took me a LONG time to a GOOD OBGYN I felt this comfortable with. The last GREAT OBGYN I had was Dr. Goldsmith out of Hayward, who is no longer practicing. So, to Dr. Fong!

The receptionists are the best part of this place. Unlike other people, I actually had an easy time making appointments and communicating with these ladies. Thank you, one star for them. Once you pass the reception desk is where things get scary. This is my first prenatal visit and my first time being pregnant, so naturally I'm nervous and excited and overwhelmed.

The nurse comes in and hands me a bunch of papers, and starts blurrting out a bunch of dates and deadlines for tests, at the same time she's typing in the computer and asking me questions about my health. Fast forward a couple weeks and I did my blood tests as instructed. She didn't tell me anything about a NT scan. I completely missed the window for the genetic testing.

When i return for my second prenatal appointment the nurse asks if i got scanned and i was confused, what scan? She shrugs her shoulder like it's my fault I missed the genetic testing, but I swear she was totally unclear about what I was supposed to do. Now I'm stressed out about it. On to the doctor. I'm afraid to name her. so at the time of the appointment I was unemployed (not currently the case), she was questioning if I truly wanted to go through the pregnancy.

She belittled me for not having a job, but truth be told I didn't want to work at the time, I was traveling and enjoying my life. I asked her if she would be delivering my baby she said "yes, I'm a surgeon, it's what I do".but i dont want surgery, then she starts talking about forceps and using a vacuum to take out the baby. At this point I'm terrified.

Prior to visiting this doctor I was feeling excited, ready, happy, empowered. Then she tells me labor is too painful and I will need an epidural when im 4 centimeters dilated. I told her I've been working out to prepare for labor and (I kid you not) my doctor and nurse both look at me confused and start cracking up, laughing in my face. She says you won't have to do any work, that's what we are for.

She also wanted to take a biopsy of my cervix because there were weird cells. I started crying and begged her not to. I read many articles online that said I can wait until after the birth of my child to do the biopsy and most cases it goes away after birth. Plus why even suggest messing with the body part that's keeping the baby inside? She even admitted after my freak out that it wasn't necessary right now. Plus!

She never listened to the heart beat. I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and haven't heard my babies heart beat because of this witch. These women are crazy! All this in the first two appointments. I went looking for a midwife after but they are so expensive.well Needless to say, I have since changed insurance ( thanks to my new job) and doctors. Avoid obgyn partners like the plague. They will experiment on you like a guinea pig.

I did my well women exam here. During the exam everything was ok, except they seemed to be behind the schedule and I waited for extra 40 minutes before the exam started. When the PA did the pep smear test for me, she asked "do you know you have hemorrhoids?" I'm not a native English speaker and I'm not familiar with the medical terms so I asked what that is. That's it, nothing more.

But when the bill came, they were charging me extra $280+ dollars only because I asked what is hemorrhoids. I tried call the office saying I was only there for a well women exam, which is 100% covered by my insurance. But the lady answering the phone was very rude and ask me "so do you have hemorrhoid or not?!" and refuse to further review my bill. I definitely not recommend this place.

This review is in regards to Dr. Blumenstock. I had my laparoscopic surgery done by him on 3/31 and on 4/13 I went in to find out the details of how it went. He spent 45 minutes telling me about the surgery of a different(and much worse off) patient! Then he gave me part of her medical files. All the while I was thinking these were the horrid details of my own surgery.

It wasnt until several cries and a day later that I looked more closely at the pictures and realized they had someone elses name on them. He had operated on me AND had my file and yet somehow still mistook me for someone else. It is now 3 weeks since my $43,000 surgery and I have no idea what they found due to his carelessness and lack of note-taking.

I have reported this to the surgery staff and medical board of california but am now searching for a new gynecologist. I have yet to receive an apology from the doctor. For expecting mothers: His mistake is the equivalent of looking at the wrong sonogram and telling you that your child has a deformity when its in fact relatively healthy. We rarely question what our doctors say and it influences our future choices. What if you hadnt been as lucky as me to realize his error before actions were taken?

Dr. Blumenstock is an exceptonal MD. I tend to find any possible excuse to not see a doctor and knowing how paranoid I am Dr. Blumenstock performs his procedures so seemless that it takes a person with true talent to impress me. I am simply amazed at his process and the expertise he brings to his patients. Hats off to this amazng doctor. I love how the office has an a reminder call for my appointsments two days prior.

The staff customer service is very good, as soon as I walked in the assistant came looking for me. I was made very comfortable and felt like I was arround old friends A very compassionate crew. The MD was advised that I was a bit uncomfortable and he immediately walked in and helped me understand everything I needed to know. From the time I entered the office to the time I left, staff were very nice and helpul.