Ok, this is the story.
I heard about Dr Madej's reputation of being the nicest doctor on the Peninsula so I called in and made a reservation to come in and see him for a 7th opinion on my condition because I had been going to various doctors and getting no definitive answers to my situation that is very, very serious.
So just before I was to go in to see him, I called in around 8:30 to double check and was expecting to get the voice mail or to talk to his scheduler. To my surprise, he answered the phone from his cell phone.
Apparently, he picks up his own office calls when the office is closed. He was in his car driving to work and insisted on calling me back personally when he got in. WHO DOES THAT?
When I finally met him, he exceeded every review here on yelp. His office is really small, his family works with him and it is really a personal operation. No assembly-line mega push you through as quickly as possible.
I really understand now what people are talking about because he does things that no other doctor would think of.
For example, he took an EKG of my heart and instead of just running it for 2 seconds to save paper, he let it run for 4 minutes to really get a good reading. WHAT?
He also told me that the current medication I am on might be dangerous and wanted me to see a friend of his to get a more specific opinion. Dr Madej is not afraid to give you his opinion straight out.
Not only that but he saw me special on a Sunday afternoon and then said he would drive up to UCSF with me personally during his vacation to talk with a doctor that he is referring me too. Yes, you read that right, he wanted to get in the car while on vacation and drive 40 miles to SF just to make sure I was asking the right questions. Now that is amazing.
Now I also understand that he also offers a more personal service if you want that. Normally, I am TOTALLY against that but in Dr, Madej's case, I signed up for it.
Why?
Because I feel that he is doing this for a time issue, not a money issue. I have seen 11 doctors for my situation and Dr. Madej spent way over my alloted time to see me and didn't rush me or pressure me to leave.
He offers what I feel is concerge service for free NOW as he practices with each patient and his office is full. It is not money with him, but it gives him the opportunity to give a closer relationship with his patients and therefore a better opportunity to find out what is wrong with them and what they need.
The bottom line is Dr Madej is not content with sending you on your way with a pill or a shot to make you feel better, he wants to find out what is wrong with you so you can get the help you need and make it change. I always thought that was the goal of every doctor when i didn't need them but now that I do, I have come to find out that you are just a number on a chart, a 15 minute space in the day to 95% of the doctors out there.
They listen to you, make a quick evaluation, type you in on the computer, prescibe a pill and if you die later on, they file your chart somewhere else. If you live and come back, they fumble and stumble along. I know that sounds harsh and cold but I have been dealing with a situation that has been going on for 7 years with no solution. And in every case, I have basically been give the same treatment until I found Dr. Madej.
He wants to find the answer, not just mask the situation over with a pill.
He really is the best doctor I have ever been to in my life.
Dec 2013: By the way, if you are looking for a new doctor, Dr Madej is now only taking new patients on a case by case basis. His practice is now full. Apparently, all these 5 star YELP reviews flooded his office with requests. And as far as that ONE STAR review, please look at her other reviews before making your decision on Dr. Madej, it says it all. I'll go with the 30+ 5-stars. read more
