I cannot recommend Dr. Akers enough. From the very first appointment, it was clear that she is not…read moreonly extremely knowledgeable but also deeply compassionate. She takes the time to listen carefully, explains everything in a way that's easy to understand, and never makes you feel rushed. What impressed me most is how thorough she is--she looks at the whole picture rather than just one symptom. Her approach made me feel confident that I was in the best possible hands. She balances professionalism with warmth, which is rare and so appreciated, especially when dealing with something as important as neurological health. I also want to mention Nurse Chris, who is absolutely amazing--kind, attentive, and always quick to follow up. Together, Dr. Akers and Nurse Chris make such a caring and supportive team that you know you are truly in good hands. It's not easy to find a doctor who combines intelligence, patience, and genuine care for their patients, but Dr. Akers truly does. If you're looking for a neurologist who will treat you like a person, not just a chart, she is absolutely the right choice.

Dr. Akers is an amazing neurologist.i have been seeing her for over 10 years. Recently, my brain…read moreissues escalated to seizure. I have an appointment booked with her for a treatment plan, and I know she will find answers. In the past 5 years I have been abused by physicians. Most made me sicker. Most were too concerned with themselves to help me. Dr.Akers couldn't be more different. She is empathetic, smart and flexible. She is worth waiting to get an appointment with. It could change your life. Keep fighting the fight , Dr. Akers!

I have a rare disease and found Dr. M. Bhanushali knowledgeable as well as through with in my…read moretreatment. When it was an uncertainty, she recommended another hierologist from Stanford for a 2nd opinion. She is a very caring medical professional and I am very pleased to have her as my neurologist doctor. I am OK now, but still have a follow up appointments with her to check out the recovery progress.

Dr. Bhanushali is exemplary in every way -- knowledgeable, unhurried, has excellent bedside manner,…read moreand is collaborative in deciding on diagnostics and treatment. I wish medical students could observe her to learn how it should be done. (I'm a physician.)

I was referred to Dr. Crozier for numbness in my left leg and foot and she spent an hour carefully…read moreevaluating me. She referred me for a brain MRI and called me an hour after that test was done to discuss next steps and helped set up my surgery appointment. She listened well, expedited my medical services and was instrumental in the medical breakthrough I am now experiencing. Thank you!

I went to Dr. Crozier in February and March of this year because I was having some bad…read morepseudoparkinsonism as a side effect of one of my medications. And also might have been having absence seizures (?) She spent a long time interviewing me, longer than the 15 minutes that the appointment was supposed to last. She took a complete history, asking thoughtful questions. She was sensitive and considerate of my other medical conditions. She did an extensive physical examination. She told me to get an EEG, and after I had that done I went back to see her again, at which point she made recommendations as to how I could solve the problem. I saw her a few times, but now I won't be going back anymore because, thanks to her, my pseudoparkinsonism is all gone.

Dr. Spiegel is very professional and a good listener. She explains what she will be doing and very…read moregood about following up to hear about your progress. I was a patient for many years at Stanford Neurology and I wish I made the move sooner. The Staff is very helpful and kind. Dr Spiegel is very personable and very professional. She has a very light touch and I feel I can ask and discuss my health with her with ease. I was a patient at Stanford and never knew which doctor I was going to have at my next visit. They had quite the turn over of Doctors since they move on. Thank you Dr Spiegel

Dr Ngo seemed uninterested in my concerns and brushed off important symptoms without much…read moreexplanation. There was a clear lack of empathy and communication, and I left feeling dismissed and frustrated. Gave off the impression that I wasted his time.

I feel lucky to have found Dr. Von Koch. She is a skillful…read moreneurosurgeon who loves her work. Dr. Von Koch is meticulous, careful and will not be rushed to finish your operation. This is a surgeon you can trust with a scalpel near your spinal cord! Dr. Von Koch was referred to me by the head of the UCSF spine center because I was a member of Kaiser health plan. I didn't know at the time she was part of a neurosurgical specialty hospital which serves the S.F. Bay area. Everyone at this center was friendly, supportive and competent. All the nurses told me Dr. Von Koch was the best surgeon. At 80 years my back had many issues but the most urgent one was stenosis at L2-3 and L4-5. It has been 3 months since my operation and my back is far more flexible. Before the operation for the "bridge pose" I couldn't get my butt more than one inch off the ground. Now I can do a full bridge pose even supported by one leg. I am so very grateful for Dr. Von Koch's skillful surgery.

This is my story of how I came to know, trust and revere Dr. Cornelia Von Koch, M.D., as one of the…read morebest neurosurgeons at Kaiser. It has been eight months since I visited the primary care doctor for my neck pain and left leg pain. My journey to Dr. Von Koch began about 3 months ago, I started having tingling and burning sensations down my left side of the body down from the chest. I described my symptoms to my primary care doctor, and initially, he said that my condition was common and referred me to a physical therapist who would teach me to strengthen core muscles in order to improve my posture. After a couple of months since my symptoms didn't go away, he referred me to a rehabilitation specialist, who in turn has referred me to a neurosurgeon at Kaiser. I did a lot of research, explored all the alternatives, and visited Dr. Von Koch of my own choosing and decided to put my faith in her. So glad I did. I checked out Dr. Von Koch's credentials at https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/providers/corneliavon_koch and was favorably impressed. My first appointment with Dr. Von Koch was very encouraging. She's a happy person who enjoys the respect of her staff and is a pleasure to be around. She performed some strength tests on my hands and legs. She looked at my MRI and said that my condition was caused by C6-7 stenosis. She explained what spinal stenosis is and initially offered c6/7 arthroplasty vs ACDF. She asked me a lot of questions and suggested I get all the prior images of my cervical spine to further investigate, none of my earlier doctors cared about those prior images at all. On the next visit, Dr. Von Koch showed me the bone spurs in the MRI that were threatening my nerves. Given the extent of disc osteophyte at c6/7 and congenital narrow canal, disc arthroplasty is less of an option and recommended ACDF c6/7 instead. She also encouraged me to get a second opinion if that makes me comfortable and gives me peace of mind. It was a hassle to catch hold imaging department at Kaiser to upload my prior images, Dr. Von Koch is very compassionate about her patients and made things easy for me by asking to drop prior images at her office and she took care of the rest. After my prior images are scanned in, Dr. Von Koch sent a message explaining that there is a slow progression in my condition over the years. Meantime I went to see an orthopedic surgeon at the UCSF Spine Center for a second opinion. Not only Dr. Von Koch reviewed other doctor notes of my visit, but also explained to me that he proposed a potentially bigger surgery 'corpectomy' depending on the amount of calcifications at the disc level. She explained to me that it would be good to avoid the corpectomy but if the calcified disc is too high then the whole vertebral body may need to come out. Dr. Von Koch encouraged me to confirm again with the UCSF doctor about his surgical plan so that I can make an informed decision. While I am still going through the pain and confused about the next steps, I feel fortunate to have Dr. Von Koch as my doctor who is always kind and compassionate about her patients. If you are looking for a neurosurgeon at Kaiser, look no further. You found one. She is a true gem of a person and an awesome neurosurgeon!

Dr. Sakamoto is a true professional. He is kind and caring. He looks at every aspect to help heal…read moremy neck. I highly recommend him. You will be happy to experience his services. Thank you!

I understand why Dr Sakamoto has such mixed reviews, because he is truly a case of Dr Jekyll and Mr…read moreHyde. I have been seeing him for some time now, and at my last visit, I got the Mr Hyde version, and it was truly awful. I was there for a critical follow up visit and had many concerns, all of which Dr Sakamoto dismissed. It wasn't just that he dismissed my concerns, it was the manner in which he dismissed them - he was extremely curt and cold. Given that he never followed up with me after my initial hospitalization and then ended back in the hospital with a much more severe condition later, I would have thought that he would take my concerns more seriously. That day, he clearly did not care to alleviate my concerns or that I left distressed.

From Dizzy to (Mostly) Functional -- Thanks, NorCal Brain!…read more After an injury left my balance and focus feeling like a Jenga tower during a minor earthquake, I came to NorCal Brain Center hoping for help. What I got was part science experiment, part carnival ride -- and somehow, it worked. They spun me, shook me, tilted me, flashed lights at me, and had me chase dots around like a cat with a laser pointer full of fresh batteries and catnip. I half-expected someone to hand me a treat at the end for good behavior. But instead, I got something even better -- results. The team here is incredible: professional, patient, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They somehow manage to make complex neuro rehab both fascinating and fun -- even when you're wearing strange goggles and trying not to fall off a balance board. What surprised me most was how quickly I started to improve. My dizziness, focus, and coordination all made noticeable progress in just a short time. These folks know their stuff, and they care deeply about getting people back to feeling human again. If your brain's been through the spin cycle and you want it recalibrated by people who actually get it -- this is the place. Five stars, two steady feet, and one happily retrained nervous system.

NorCal Brain Center quite literally gave me light at the end of the tunnel when I thought I'd be…read morestuck in the darkness forever. I'm not usually someone who leaves reviews, but after such a healing and supportive experience, I felt it was important to share. I came in extremely anxious, dealing with major dizziness and vertigo. From my first visit, I felt comfortable, validated, and truly cared for. Everything, from the clean, calming space and kind, empathetic staff to the serene location, was thoughtfully designed for patient comfort. The Space The environment feels almost like a spa: quiet, not overstimulating, and perfect for someone sensitive to light and sound. After appointments, I could relax in their red light therapy room with two comfortable beds, so calming I often felt ready to fall asleep. They have a few plants, water stations that hydrogenate your water, and covered lights to soften harsh fluorescent glare. Their equipment is modern and well-maintained. The Location NorCal Brain Center is located in a quiet, tree-covered business plaza (not a busy retail strip), which keeps things peaceful both outside and in. They have a main suite and an adjacent one offering PEMF and oxygen tank therapy, which I found a great addition to my healing plan. The Staff & Care Over the phone, by email, and in person, the staff have always been warm and accommodating. Dr. Minh is one of the most empathetic, knowledgeable, and well-spoken doctors I've ever met. I never felt doubted or dismissed about my symptoms. I especially want to mention Ayessa (receptionist), Marissa (formerly there, now expanding her knowledge through further education), and Santiago (still there!), each of them played a huge role in my healing journey with compassion, understanding, and professionalism. Treatment & Testing Dr. Minh and his team offer various tests; I did the DUTCH and OAT tests, which were incredibly insightful. I'm not sure if they offer bloodwork, best to ask, but I highly recommend their approach. Unlike my primary care visits, where I was only offered prescription Dramamine (which eventually stopped working), NorCal Brain Center created a personalized plan with targeted supplements that made a real difference for me. They also offer chiropractic services but start with the least invasive methods. Pricing & Scheduling The treatments are on the pricier side, but for me, they were worth every penny. They combined one-on-one therapy with PEMF therapy and saw major improvements. They allow split payments, so you don't need to pay the full treatment plan upfront. I paid per visit. They do have a late cancellation fee (less than 24 hours), so if you're not feeling well, especially with migraines, call a day ahead to reschedule and they'll gladly help. Final Thoughts Overall, this place felt like a Michelin-star restaurant in medical form--from the aesthetics and hospitality to the thorough explanations, validation, and advanced equipment. I'm deeply grateful for the care and hope NorCal Brain Center provided me. If you're feeling hopeless in your health journey, this may be the place that changes everything.

Sadly, Dr Greenwald retired this year. I hope he taught a lot of doctors how to be as excellent as…read morehe was. Here is the original review from 2012! Dr. Greenwald has been my neurologist for 20 years. When I first started visiting him we both had hair now neither of us has much left. Dr. Greenwald is professional and very knowledgeable. I've never had a visit with him where I felt rushed, hurried or anything less than cared for as a patient and as a person. It's really a shame that every doctor is not like him in manner. Dr. Greenwald has always been "on the money" between being authoritative, practical and honest all in one and I much appreciate that. He will talk with me in as deep and technical language as I can follow or as simple as I would like. He is careful to be sure I understand. He has never been dismissive or condescending. He also has a great sense of humor. In a recent visit he was trying to remember the name of a place I was asking him about and he said "I think I need a neurologist". If you need a neurologist, I really don't think you could do better than Dr. G. Lastly, another reviewer commented how they had to wait for an hour. I've never had to wait more than about 15 minutes for my appointments with him, so it may have been an anomaly.

Dr. Greenwald may have recently retired (happily for him). He has delivered cautious, comprehensive…read more and thoughtful care to me for many years. He is funny, clearly very sharp, and will do everything he can to support healing and with what are often complicated neurological conditions. He really does care so much about his patients and brings a welcome wry wit to treatments too. Dr Greenwald has a great staff surrounding him ( *Carla, moving heaven & earth to get patients what they need) at PAMF. If he does retire, the team at the neurology department at Mountain View PAMF are strong too.

My dad was recommended to see Dr. Cassini when he wanted an evaluation related to his ability to…read moredrive. My mom joined the appointment and was stunned that the doctor did not perform any evaluation. He talked about trucks for 30 mins and how men need to be able to drive. Rather than perform an objective test, he looked at my father and told him "you seem fine to drive" and insisted that he go get his license. Insisted. I assume this was because he knew that's what my dad wanted and it was an easy $500. I wouldn't go here if you need a true and honest evaluation.

My partner and I saw upwards of ten medical professionals before getting him a diagnosis, but the…read moreonly one that leaves a sour taste in my mouth is Dr. Cassini. We were under his care for several months, and probably saw him for 5 appointments. When we came to Dr. Cassini, we had a neurospych analysis that showed that something was really wrong, and he made clear that he was going to use that as his basis - not what we were seeing or experiencing. He also did not perform basic neurological tests. Instead, he said that he wanted to get imaging done. At the time, while that seemed reasonable, Dr. Cassini thought everything on the imaging looked "normal" after 2 MRIs and 2 EEGs. We just found out from UCSF that his imaging was not normal, and that in fact it showed some significant shrinkage in the region consistent with Alzheimer's. Our doctor at UCSF made clear that he would never use the imaging alone to make a diagnosis, but it is what he would expect to see with Alzheimer's, given all the other evidence we had provided. Since all Dr. Cassini thought he needed was imaging, he never had the other evidence present, and therefore... could not provide a diagnosis. Except he didn't really ever tell us that. He just kept stringing us along, lethargically (though personably) suggesting a next step. I am really glad that other patients think that Dr. Cassini is a more attentive doctor than I did, but I do want to document what I think were severe weaknesses on the part of this doctor. He did not listen to us, and he did not take the time to put together a picture of what was happening, and even though he wasn't sure what was happening, he never suggested anyone (like the Stanford memory clinic or UCSF) might have a better idea than he did. If they had, we would have had answers months sooner than we did.