Comparisons of Bay Area Kaisers
The Parents Network >
Reviews >
Health & Medical >
Kaiser Doctors >
Comparisons of Bay Area Kaisers
Jan 2008
I'm seeking general advice about switching to Kaiser Walnut
Creek or Richmond. I've had a number of extremely frustrating experiences
with Kaiser Oakland, in several different departments (Prenatal,
Neurology, Podiatry), that generally relate to administrative
incompetence and ineptitude. Today's incident drives me to ask
whether anybody had made such a switch from Oakland to Walnut
Creek or Richmond, and whether they've found administrative competence to
be
any better there. I have no problem with the doctors in Oakland,
but their good work is constantly undermined by lost
appointments, incorrectly booked appointments, misplaced
paperwork, unreturned phone calls, and other annoyances that are
costing me hours of unremunerated time. A recent visit to Kaiser
Sacramento was very eye opening (friendly! clean! competent!) and
I'm wondering if I might find the same level of service closer to
home at Richmond or Walnut Creek.
Patient With No More Patience
A number of years ago I got fed up with Kaiser Oakland too and started
looking around at other campuses. I went to Richmond for awhile and like
its small town feel, found a great GYN, but couldn't find a primary there
I was happy with.
What I've ended up doing is choosing doctors I like at different local
facilities- I have a couple of doctors in San Rafael, I followed my GYN
from Richmond to Petaluma, I have one doctor in SF, and one at Oakland
(who is threatening to leave Kaiser because they overbook her so
severely). I fill my prescriptions and do my lab work at Richmond, which
is the quickest for me to get to.
I like it this way and find no disadvantages at all over staying with just
one facility, but if I were to choose my favorite facility it would be San
Rafael- friendliest people, easiest system to deal with, excellent
doctors, pleasant environment. It's a very easy drive for me from N.
Berkeley, and a much nicer drive than into Oakland.
anon
Feb 2007
I am just wondering if I should switch my GP to Kaiser Richmond
instead of Oakland. Currently I don't have a very good GP in
Oakland but I would like to keep my other Doctors. What are
actually the pros and cons between Richmond and Oakland Kaiser ?
It seems to be less busy in Richmond and it's closer to my home.
I went to Oakland because my husband thinks it's better because
it has more resources. Since I am not happy with my GP right now
I am thinking to switch just my GP to Richmond. Also, can
somebody recommend a good GP in Richmond ? I like to have
somebody who doesn't rush me and actually listens instead of
telling me after 5 minutes it's all in your head. My current
Doctor also hates to give out referals and it would be nice to
have a Doctor who is more willing to give a referal.
anon
Kaiser Richmond is smaller and WAY LESS CROWDED than Oakland.
Parking is free. I have never had to wait more than maybe 10
minutes or so...even in emergency. If you need treatment that
they don't have there they will send you to Oakland, San
Raphael, Vallejo, etc.
We've been going there for over 16 years (since I became
pregnant with my 16 yo.
They have a great women's health unit, breast care unit, ob
dept. with some of the greatest, kindest MD's and NP's.
As far as their general medical dept. I have looked/asked around
for a more wholistic minded MD...the ones that are recommended
usually are not taking new patients.
I see a NP, Marianna Philippek. She's somewhat wholistic minded,
will listen to me, return my calls, give me whatever tests I ask
for and discuss things with me....still she leans more toward
western med. than I like but it's Kaiser....!!! Like any Kaiser
you have to learn how to ''work the system'' sometimes to get what
you want. The pediatrics dept. is FABULOUS.
I have an eye condition that requires twice a year check ups. I
go to Oakland for this because I like the opthalmologists there
better than Richmond.
Otherwise I think Richmond Kaiser is really good.
anon
I had most of my childhood doctor care at Richmond Kaiser and
I've had my past few years of care mostly at Oakland. Richmond
Kaiser is nicer and less busy than Oakland. The only drawback I
found was the sketchy neighborhood you drive through to get
there. You can always go to Oakland if you need something they
specialize in even if you get your primary care at Richmond.
I really like going to Richmond K. It's way less busy than
Oakland. The pediatricians are great and it's relatively easy to
get an appt., even same-day. I like my primary MD (Dr. Edson).
The one time I went to Oakland's ER it was a zoo, with guerneys
in the hall, etc. (I realize it was just one time...). Richmond
ER usually is not so busy. Plus, it's less than 10 minutes from
my home - main reason I go there. My wife recenly switched from O
to R also.
Michael
November 2001
Does anyone have advice about pediatricians and gynecologists at Kaiser
Walnut Creek? Does anyone have advice about whether Kaiser Walnut Creek
is better than Kaiser Oakland? Are waiting times different? Sarah
Hi! I just want to say that I think Kaiser
Oakland is terrific! My first son (who is 6) was
born at the hospital there and I had a good
experience. We have a terrific pediatrician there
named Dr. Swati Mukerji. She is a senior member
of the staff there and my boys like her alot.
I used to work in Walnut Creek and had some
limited experience with going there. It is a very
nice facility, but I would not recommend it over
Oakland... especially if you live in the East bay
area. I think you will find that the staff at
Kaiser Oakland is just great and you will have a
good experience there.
Linda
I do not have experience with Kaiser Oakland, but I have had a great
experience with Kaiser Walnut Creek in Pediatrics (Dr. Hassler is great) and
OBGYN (Lanka, Tucker and Probst are all great female MD's). The women's
health clinic has some fabulous MD's and specialists. I used their health
ed classes during my pregnancy and learned about the other unknowns Kaiser
offers, like nurse midwives, lactation consultants and fabulous maternity
ward nurses. In Pediatrics, I have never been given "stall tactics" and
been seen quickly for unscheduled appointments by on-call Pediatricians
(sick baby). I've heard the WC facility and patient care is better than
Oakland. Like any healthcare provider, you have to be assertive in your
requests for treatment or specialist referrals and learn to work the system.
Allow at least 2 weeks to get in for non urgent appointments. They also
have a good website that allows you to request appointments from primary
care MD's.
NancyD
I have gone to Kaiser Oakland for urgent care with my kids. The
doctors and staff also seemed great, although it doesn't seem as warm to
me as Walnut Creek.
I live in El Cerrito and have gone to Kaiser Richmond, Oakland, and
Walnut Creek. I didn't like the Richmond ob/gyn clinic (but love the
pediatric clinic). I found the Oakland clinic was OK, but overwhelming
(didn't like the parking, etc.) I started going to Walnut Creek when
I was pregnant because I heard they had a progressive maternity ward.
I delivered two children there and had surgery there. The wait is good,
and the staff is polite. I see Dr. Tucker. She is friendly and smart
and answers all my questions in a respectful manner. She did my surgery
taking a conservative approach that turned out to be warranted. Also,
I saw on Frontline a couple months ago that Kaiser was rated top notch
as far as speedy diagnosis and outcome and felt much better about it.
It is nonprofit and I've never felt shortchanged.
gerry
this page was last updated: Jun 20, 2009
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network