Re: In search of great family physician
My partner and I are with Blue Cross and we both see (and adore) Dr. Lori Beltran, D.O. with Family Practice Medical Group of Oakland (near Summit Hospital). Honestly, I've been looking for an excuse to get her name on the BPN boards! Ayurvedic medicine is my primary medicine, allopathy is where I go if I want diagnostics, and she is completely comfortable with this.

She has respect for and refers to other disciplines, from acupuncture to physical therapy, and is available by email, a great listener, and I feel wholly supported by her as well as the office staff. (Bonus: She's also a family medicine doc, so when our baby is born next month, she'll see her, too!) Kate S.

Re: Looking 4 General Practitioner-Berk Oak
Kathryn Malone, MD, youngish African-American family practitioner (mostly adult medicine) in Oakland on ''Pill Hill''
Happy Patient

Re: African-American Family doctors
It's been almost 2 years since we moved to Sonoma County and we tried to keep Dr. Careen Whitley as our family doc...but it was just too much of a haul over the Richmond Bridge etc...but we still miss her so much. She was my primary doctor for 5 years before I got pregnant with my son. She delivered him 2.5 years ago and was his doctor for his first year and a half. Even my husband misses her and he usually isn't a fan of female docs. for himself! HIGHLY recommend her and miss her. Very calm, knowledgable, sweet, practical and open minded to YOUR ideas and preferences. Good Luck! moniz