Ob Gyn Partners for Health
365 Hawthorne Ave, Oakland CA 510 893 1700
911 Morage Rd Lafayette 925 284 3040

Re: Current OBGYN recommendations?
You asked to respond if we LOVE and Adore our OBGYN. Well I Do! Dr. T. Lee Hambrick 510-893-1700 He has a couple different offices depending on the day of the week. Summitt Pill Hill and across from Alta Bates

Dr. Hambrick is just the nicest person as well as a wonderful, knowledgeable Dr. He tells you the truth about the sistutaion and talks about all the options and what needs to be done and why. Tell him JM sent you. I honestly do not know if he is accepting new patients but call and tell him your situation and what you are looking for. Good luck and congratulations on your soon to be new infant. Love my OBGYN

Re: Fibroids- Dr Ed Blumenstock or Dr Yvette Gentry?
I have seen both Gentry and Blumenstock (Gentry was my OB and delivered my son), and after winding up with ongoing complications from my delivery (pelvic prolapse, etc.), she actually referred me to Ed Blumenstock, saying that he is who she would send her family members to if they needed gynecologic-related surgery.

His specialty is urogynecology, which I don't believe Gentry is board-certified in(?). I had my appointment with him recently, and found him extremely knowledgeable and straightforward, with a good bedside manner. He also took his time to cover my options, and didn't rush through the exam or office consult.

When I'm ready to have my prolapse repair surgery I'll definitely be going to him (and I've had 4 opinions now, including Dr. Gentry's). She also recommended Dr. Kurt Wharton (who has a website if you google him), but he didn't fall within my insurance so I never followed up with him. Good luck! C

Re: OB GYN Rec in Oakland/Berkeley Area - Alta Bates
I too did a lot of research after moving to the Bay Area on hospitals and OB-GYN groups. I wanted to avoid a second C-section. You are right on track with Alta Bates as the L&D group there really wants you to have the birth you are trying for. I got a lot of recommendations for OB docs and ended up going with OB-GYN Partners for Health in Oakland. I saw Lonnie Lin, but Christine Lee delivered my baby and she was fantastic. I have also heard Goldee Gross is good. I used a doula which I believe really helped me achieve the birth I wanted (VBAC, with low drug intervention). The L&D nurse at Alta Bates was very supportive in this as well.

One thing that helps if you want less intervention is to start labor out of the hospital and stay out until you feel your contractions are getting to the point you need to go in. That may not be easy to figure out if it is your first, but a doula can help. You are smart to do your research! Best of luck to you. - Happy Mom

Re: High risk OB delivers at Alta Bates - C section
I would head to Bill Isenberg at Ob Gyn Partners for Health. I had a very complicated second pregnancy, with isenberg as my main person and then two other docs for other issues. Wait, make that three when you throw in my endocrinologist. Care was exceptional. He was pushing for a vbac until my gestational diabetes could only be controlled by insulin, at which point the c-section was scheduled. That too was a great experience. Really cannot say enough good things about him, and his partners. Great care, great referrals, good book-keeping insurance and easy parking to boot. Good luck

Re: need a new ObGyn
Please go see Dr. T. Lee Hambrick on Pill Hill in Oakland. He is the most caring and concerned OBGyn. I have seen 1st hand how he cares for each patient as if they were family. He and my husband were watching the World Series together over my contractions... still makes me laugh just thinking about it. :)) I Love Dr. Lee JM

I am looking for recent input about Dr. Gross. I have seen her a couple of times & I have heard good things about her but just want to make sure ... Does she deliver most of her own babies? Is she precise in her diagnosis & treatment? Thanks!! Anonymous

I think in general for GYN/prenatal care, you are looking at individual doctors. For OB/labor & delivery care, you're looking at whole practices. I'm not sure if this will be relevant to you, but we chose our OB (Bill Isenberg, who no longer sees OB patients, alas) because we were VERY interested in natural childbirth, and he had a great record of supporting low-intervention birth. I (naively) assumed that the other members of his practice would share those values. Wow, was I wrong. The members of that practice are all across the spectrum in terms of genuinely supporting natural childbirth and whether or not they view the patient as a partner or whether they think it's the doctor's show and the mom is just a witness to the action. So if you are primarily concerned with who is actually going to be there on the day your baby is born, look at the whole practice, not just one doctor. Best of luck! oakland mom

Positives: She is nice, mellow, non-judgemental, easy to talk to, friendly, knowledgable, does not over-react (but does react appropriately), and very well established and respected in the profession.

Negatives: Her office is very busy, and indeed, there were often long waits. Also, as she is on-call for the hospital, there were sometimes situations where she had to respond to something in the hospital while patients were waiting. Besides this, I cannot think of anything I did not like about her.

Best of luck. Remember, she was voted one of the top OBGYN's in the area several years ago, out of hundreds of condidates. Mom the three

Re: OBGYN with sincere kind comforting bedside manner
I am so sorry about your loss and am happy to hear that you and your husband are ready to try again. I can relate as I had a late miscarriage after years of fertility treatments. Dr. Bill Isenberg 510-893-1700 is the most caring, kind and intelligent physician I know. I credit him with helping me find the courage to make it through my second (high risk) pregnancy. Best of luck to you. Diane

Re: OB GYN open to interviews
I have two OB's to recommend, Bill Isenberg and Kurt Wharton, not in the same practice. Both are very experienced and kind doctors who try to deliver their own patients, rather than doing a big group rotation. I'm sure they would be happy to sit down with you before you pick a doctor, that's pretty common. Of the two, I prefer Dr. Wharton, and his office staff are fabulous as well, which I can't always say about Dr. Isenberg's office. They both are supportive of natural childbirth and working with a doula, if that's something you want. Both also came highly recommended by the independent midwives I know. V.

Re: Pregnant and seeking OB GYN
I highly recommend Elisabeth Schleuning at OB/Gyn Partners for Health. They are in Oakland and also have an office across the street from Alta Bates so there is always a doctor at the ready. I had a long induced labor with my first child and saw almost every doctor in the practice during my time at the hospital. They were all great, I can honestly say. And Dr. Schleuning stuck it out, well past her shift, and delivered our baby herself, which I really appreciated. She is a great listener, all around great doc. She was also my gyn for about 10 years. Elizabeth

Hi, looking for new ob/gyn close to Piedmont who is good at surgeries. I have had two C-sections (first baby was breech) so would be looking at a third IF I have another baby! Do not need the dr to be my best friend, just medically solid, reliable, and punctual! anon

Re: East Bay OB Excellent surgeon
Dr. Elisabeth Schleuning in Oakland is great. Her number is 510-893-1700. She is my doctor and did a routine surgery on me with assistance from her male partner in the practice. I can't remember his name but he was great too. Dr. S has a very calm manner and is very personable. She takes the time to listen to your concerns and you don't get the feeling that you're being rushed. The front office staff is also excellent. They are very efficient & the Oakland office is very busy, but it's run very well. Check out their website at www.obgynpartners.com Diane C.

Re: Ob Gyn who is GREAT at C-sections
Bill Isenberg, OB GYN Parnters for health - office at summitt and some days of the week in Berekley. Two c-sections virtually no scar, no complications what so ever from either (first emergency with general anesthesia, second scheduled). Had two other surgeries with him previous to c-sections. A highly skilled surgeon and great doctor all around. If you, like me, really thought you'd end up with a woman doc and did not want a man - still consider him. I can't say enough good things about his bedside manor, skill, competence, empathy. Have known him for 6 yrs. good luck

Re: Alta Bates-affiliated OB-GYN
Hi there. I highly recommend OBGYN partners in health on Hawthorne accross from Summit. I too am expecting my second, and have my first appointment with them next week. Last time I was followed by Dr. Nicole Jeffrey-Starr, who unfortunately is taking time off to be with her own kiddos. She was actually at a conference when my baby was born, so the delivery was with Dr. Christine Lee who was also great and who I will see this time. Oh, and Dr. Jeffrey-Starr called me the evening he was born just to congratulate me and check in! Love that. Everyone I dealt with there, from the office staff to the NPs to the multiple MDs I saw at one point or another were responsive and helpful. I had a high risk pregnancy, so I especially appreciated how accessible they were. She was also very sensitive and helpful when I suffered from post-partum depression. It's just ridiculous that it's taken you so long just to make an appointment. I hope you find someone you're comfortable with soon.

Re: ObGyn for High-risk pregnancy
Your story is simply heart breaking. I am so sorry. I know you said perinatologist, but I think you should go meet and discuss your situation with Dr Bill Isenberg at OB/gyn partners for Health in Oakland. He got me through what could easily have been your situation (due in part to an on-call doctor who is no longer practicing) by doing an emergency c-section. I reccomend him because he is very, very compassionate in addition to being an excellent doc. I had several losses previous to my previous pregnancy and every single time I worried, he fit me in for a sonogram. Every time. And trust me, that happened alot. All my perinatology has been done through Dr Goldberg in SF (minor complications of current pregnancy requiring ultrasound monitoring), not east bay perinatal. Dr Isenberg has a great relationship with Goldberg & the whole pratice at SF Perinata. And all the doctors at OB/gyn partners are great. He also is also open to VBAC, under the right circumstances. Good luck

Re: Looking for a great East Bay OB GYN
I was very happy with Dr Hambrick. great bedside manner, remembered us between visits, compassionate with loss, excited with success. mom of 2

Re: Looking for Lesbian-Friendly OB Gyn (TTC)
I can't explicitly say he is lesbian friendly as my partner is male, but my OB when TTC was Dr. Hambrick. He is gay himself so I would guess he would be supportive of lesbians. He was very helpful while we were TTC and supportive through the first half of our successful pg (by natural means) after which I changed medical plans and had to find another doc for delivery. Anyway, we both really liked him, he remembered us from one appt to the next and listened to our WHOLE selves as we explored our procreation attempts. I recommend him to anyone. mom of two now!

Re: East Bay Ob Gyn that answers their phone?
No, you're not the only one - that was on the top of my list when I picked an OB: they must answer the phones; no phone trees. I was a patient with OB/GYN Partners for Health, and they have real live people answer their phones during regular office hours (or did through 2005). There are many wonderful doctors there. I saw Bill Isenberg through my pregnancies, and he attended the deliveries of both of my girls (that's another great thing about many of the doctors there -- they attend deliveries instead of sharing call). Of course, when you call, you do still often end up leaving a message, because it's not like the doctors answer the phones (but you knew that), but at least you're talking to a person. And my messages were always returned promptly, typically by one of the nurses. A fan of human contact

We are joyfully expecting twins in July 2007 and are new to the east bay and have heard good things about Dr. Lee. We are in desperate need of a few OB GYN recommdations. Also, any Doula recommedations Lisa

Another bonus with Dr. Lee, if you're lucky, is that you'll get to work with her nurse (I don't know her exact title) Harriet. You couldn't ask for a kinder, more understanding person to be involved with your pregnancy. The rest of the people in the office are really great too.

One note of caution: Dr. Lee is so good with her patients that she often runs late. If you call the office ahead of time, they will give you a heads up so you don't get there too early. Good luck to you and congratulations on your twins! cl

Re: Ob gyn with Hills Physicians
Dr. William Isenberg is awesome! Not only has he great bedside manners, but he is also highly knowledgeable. Check his profile at http://www.obgynpartners.com/biographies.html Cristina

Hi, I am five months pregnant with my first and am seeing Dr. Nicole Jeffrey at OB/GYN Partners for Health. Dr. Jeffrey is relatively new in this practice, and young in the profession. I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with her delivering their baby? I am ok with an epidural, if it becomes necessary, but also want a competent, caring and personal doctor who will be open to working with me and not just ''catching'' the baby. Also, anyone who ended up getting a C section from her? How did that go? I am hoping to avoid this, but I am concerned that Dr. Jeffrey's lack years of experience may influence a C section delivery in some way. Is there anyone out there who knows ofher and could offer me some information??? -Nervous and excited mom to be

Does any one have any pregnancy/child birth experience with Dr.Nicole Jeffrey of OB & Gyn Partners for Health in Oakland? I am a new patient there and had a reference to go to another doctor (Dr.Lee). Since she was not available, I was switched to Dr. Jeffrey by them. My experience during my first office visit with her was positive. She is young and cheerful and posseses great bedside manners. The wait was bad though. I am in my late 30s and planning for a second child now. I would like to hear about any pregnancy and/or child birth related experience with her. Thanks

For my last pregnancy, I briefly saw Dr. Goldee Gross (893-1700) and also really liked her. I have no information about what she is like with respect to VBACs and doulas, but she seemed to really know what she was doing and made me feel calm in a stressful situation.

I checked the posts, but the only reviews on Dr. Blumenstock are from 1998. I am 8 months pregnant and my OB is one week ahead of me so chances are she won't be able to deliver me. For my next appointment she wants me to see Dr. Blumenstock but wanted to get other people's opinion on him or possibly another recommendation for someone else in the OB/GYN Partners for Health practice. I don't have any expectations as far as having a natural birth or anything like that, would just like a good outcome for me and my baby! Amy

Everybody told me to go with Dr Goldee Gross but the wait is too long for new patient almost 6 months! I need somebody well experienced for a 40'ish pregnancy Does Anybody know dr Christine Lee, ob gyn partner for health in lafayette ? Thank you

She's young-ish, I'd say mid 30's. She just had a child herself (my guess is that her kid is around 2 although I've never asked) so I felt like she had some recent experience with what I was about to go through. She's very knowledgable, she could answer any question that I asked. If she didn't have information at her fingertips, she'd get it for me. And I never felt like I was taking up too much of her time by asking questions. She's friendly and efficient too. She returns your phone calls. Best of all, I think, she's very down to earth and practical.

All this being said, I think you should know a couple of other things. Again, my experience is in the Oakland office, so Layfette may be different. She tends to run behind, so that your office visits never really happen on time. Also, while she'll answer any question, I often felt like I needed to know what to ask. If you go in armed with information, less will fall through the cracks, but I was late in scheduling some routine pregnancy-related tests because I simply didn't know to do it. If you simply started asking, ''what do I need to do in the next month?'' I think you'd cover your bases there. Overall she's great and I'm going to miss her when my insurance plan changes soon!

As far as the Lafayette office, it is much more relaxed and less hectic as the Oakland office. It's a little further for me, but less stressful than trying to get to Oakland during rush hour!! Amy

Re: Seeking a More Personal ObGyn Practice
You don't name the practice you are with but I am a big fan of OB/GYN partners for health in Oakland. Large practice but my doc is excellent & does a pretty good job of ''remembering''. Staff (nurses, front office, surgery scheduling) are all very helpful & friendly. I think in the current healthcare situation in this country most docs are overworked - perhaps part of the reason why they don't remember patients. good luck

Does anyone have any experiences/information regarding Dr. Hon Fong at OB/GYN Partners For Health in Oakland? Thanks! sc

Re: ObGyn for High-risk pregnancy
I have a bleeding disorder which posed some possible complications during my deliveries. Dr. Goldee Gross (Oakland/Lafayette office) was amazing both during my pregnacies and during the delivery of my 1st child. She was sooo thorough and prepared for everything. My husband is a ''worrier'' and after the birth he told how Goldee keep him informed about concerns throughout the labor. She is always late for office visits but once you have her in the room she is completely attentive and focused on you and your baby. She was out of town for my 2nd child's birth and Dr. Esinberg? (spelling?) from her practice stepped in. He was great as well. Gwen

Hi, Dr. Elisabeth Groginsky at OBGYN Partners for Health has changed her last name to Schleuning. Thanks, Erica

Re: Hill Physicians Woman OB/GYN
I highly reccomend OB/GYN partners for health. there are a couple of women OB's there & two midwives. I actually love my doc there but he's the wrong gender.

I have an incredible OB - Dr. Bill Isenberg. Have not gotten to delivery yet but he has been wonderful in dealing with complicated, emotional issues and tricky procedures that not too many docs do. I cannot reccomend him highly enough. Good luck

Dr. Groginsky was my OB/GYN when I had my daughter about a year ago. My prenatal and labor/delivery experiences were very positive, and I know that had a lot to do with the care we received from Dr. Groginsky. It was evident to me throughout that she loves what she does and I appreciated how she took time to listen well and answer my questions. Our baby was born on a Sunday, and when she came in to the hospital to deliver our daughter (she was NOT on call), she said, ''I can't imagine anything else I'd rather be doing on a Sunday afternoon.'' She was warm, encouraging, and competent throughout the delivery, and after it was all said and done, my husband and I felt tremendously grateful for her care and support. We were so sad to say goodbye to her when we had to change insurance providers once I stopped working. We would definitely choose her again if we had the choice. Best of luck to you! koe

When I was pregnant with my second child, she did a preventative cerclage. At first I got more freedom, but at 20 weeks, even with the cerclage I was ''funneling.'' The perinatologist recommended strict (flat on my back) bedrest, which with a toddler was extremely daunting. Dr. Groginsky--knowing my history--told me I could do modified bedrest and the rest of my pregnancy (despite weekly ultrasounds) proceeded without problems. I delivered 3 weeks early, but after my cerclage was removed.

I have never had a better doctor than Elisabeth Groginsky. We are not planning any more children, but I will miss my close contact with Dr. Groginsky. I compare all my other doctors with her and they all come up wanting. Not every doctor can catch everything every time and since your baby is fine, I would urge you to give her another chance. Loyal Patient of Dr. Groginsky's

I'm considering having Dr. Goldee Gross for our OB/GYN (first baby). I've read the posts on the website but am wondering if anyone has feedback on experiences with her? We're considering her or a Certified Nurse Midwife. Thanks

I'm looking for recommendations / comments / feedback on Dr. Elisabeth Groginsky, at Ob Gyn Partners for Health Med. Grp. I looked at the website, and would like more recent comments / recommendations. In particular, if anyone who has used her has had fertility challenges, I would like to hear about it - and also, if any lesbians and/or single moms have seen her or others in her practice and have comments about the ''gay-friendliess'' and ''single mom-friendliness'' of the practice. Thank you!

I am interested in any current opinions of Dr. Hambrick as an OB. Tamalie

I see gyno Dr. Elizabeth Groginsky, who is part of Hill Physician's, and I like her a lot too, for about the same reasons as Dr. Dalton (amiable, professional and caring.) JBS

I am searching for a new OB/GYN in Oakland. My former Doctor, Dr. Kashkin, is now only working one day a week. I read the recommendations on the website about OB/GYN Partners for Health but am specifically interested in any feedback on Dr. Isenburg. Thanks. Julianne

There are recommendations for a lot of the doctors at OB/GYN Partners for Health, but none for Dr. Elisabeth Groginsky. Can you give me some recommendations for her, good or bad? Thanks! M

Try Dr. Bill Isenberg. In addition to being an OB/GYN, he is head of Obstetrics at Summit Hospital in Oakland. My wife has been very happy with him and we were both very happy with the way he handled the birth of our daughter 20 months ago. His approach to birthing is much more like a midwife than one would expect from an OB / GYN. He's just a fantastic Dr. and a really good guy. You can reach his Oak office at: (510) 893-1700. Adam

regarding recurrent miscarriages ...
We love or OB/GYN practice, OB/GYN Partners for Health in Oakland, and Lafayette, too. I had one miscarriage and spotting with my next pregnancy. I felt very well informed and cared for by all there, including the front desk staff! They are all reproductive endroconologists so many of their pregnancies are "high risk." We needed assistance concieveing and felt in control of the process, while being guided by highly informed doctors. We started with Dr. Blumenstock, a man, who I believe is currently on sabbatical. Then we switched to Dr. Isenburg, also a man. When my pregnancy was out of the "danger zone." We chose to work with nurse-midwife Laura Hooper who delivered our baby at Summit. Many people rave of Goldie Grosse, M.D., but she was not accepting new patients when we started there. I could not speak more highly of this practice. They are located across the street from Summit in Oakland. Their number is 510-893-1700. The woman running the front desk is named Beth and she would happily match you up with the most appropriate doctor if you explain what you are looking for. Best of Luck, Mariflo

I would like to recommend Lee Hambrick of OB/GYN Partners for Health. He is in the same practice as Ed Blumenstock. I started going to him 3 years ago, long before my husband and I started thinking about kids. When we got pregnant in December and heard that Alta Bates might be a better place to deliver than Summit, we made an appointment with Amy Huibonhoa. I would join others in saying she seemed great. However, when we approached Dr. Hambrick to tell him we were switching so we could delvier at Alta Bates he immediately agreed to remain my OB/GYN and deliver at Alta Bates. We had been very happy with him up until then and were thrilled that he would do that. He also told us in our first meeting that he personally delivers 75 percent of his patients.

I should add I had experienced some early signs of miscarriage and that Dr Hambrick responded to that crisis very well. He was not an alarmist, but made sure we came in every week and then every two weeks for the first trimester for ultrasounds. He answered our questions honestly, and made both me and my husband feel comfortable. His assistant Diane is amazaingly warm as well. I'll never forget her squeezing my hand and expression of delight when, after another bout of spotting, the ultrasound still showed a viable fetus. Finally, in our childbirth prepapration classes, we heard other parents lamenting that their visits always went so quickly that they always forgot their questions. Dr. Hambrick always comes into the room and sits down and chats with us before doing anything. We always feel like we could take an hour if we needed it and we never feel like he is rushing to see the next patient no matter what time of day we are there. I cannot yet comment on the delivery, as I am due tomorrow, but I have been very happy these past 3 years and especially these past nine months. Mary

I highly recommend Dr. Ed Blumenstock (365 Hawthorne Avenue, Oakland, 510-893-1700) for pregnancy-problem matters.

While "individual results may vary," were it not for Dr. Blumenstock's sensitivity, humility and skill, my husband and I would not know the joy that today is our 2.5 yr. old daughter (literally).

Because of his gentle, inclusive manner, we decided to take one final step on the painful road of infertility treatments, and that was the one that worked. Glory Hallelujah!