Dr. Nelli Perkins is an outstanding Neurologist--thorough, compassionate, and truly attentive. She…read morelistens carefully, explains everything clearly, and never rushes through appointments. I feel confident and well cared for under her guidance. Highly recommend!

I've been seeing Dr. Perkins for a little over six months now and it's not an exaggeration to say…read morethat working with her has changed my life. I had to wait many months for my initial appointment; after years of being dismissed and handed off by other doctors and based on the other reviews here I knew she would be worth the wait, and I was right. I have had chronic migraine for almost 30 years, and in the last several years it has gotten very disabling, with unrelenting pain every single day. I leave my appointments with Dr. Perkins feeling something I'm not used to feeling in a medical environment: hope. She's the first doc that hasn't given up on me, and I'm beyond thrilled to report that after six months of working with her I've had my first month with no bad headaches and am even having pain-free days--something I honestly didn't think was possible. I feel like I'm getting my life back, I'm sure anyone reading this review knows exactly how it feels to be in severe head pain all time that doesn't seem to respond to any meds. I'm sure I'll continue to have flares and bad days because that's the nature of chronic conditions but to experience the absence of debilitating pain is incredibly liberating. It was a journey to get here! Dr. Perkins is friendly, kind, compassionate, and matter-of-fact in her approach. She always has a plan and is always ready to pivot when something isn't working. And I've never before had a doc who is so on top of the messaging portal. If you're ready to get serious about healing your chronic migraine, she is exactly who you want on your team!

Lewis Leng's scheduling practices are a joke. I mean how do you end up canceling an appointment…read morethree times in a row last minute?? Do you know how frustrating that is to re-arrange your schedule three times to try to make one appointment? He was supposed to see my mom for a tumor. (Thankfully, it was benign, which we already knew, but protocol is to have the diagnosis confirmed by a neurosurgeon.) But our appointments were triply postponed because of so-called emergency surgeries. When we finally were able to see him, I questioned him about his scheduling, and he simply stated that it was the nature of neurosurgery. If he doesn't operate on a patient right away, "that patient will die." (His very words.) He never followed that assertion with the only statement which could possibly justify this urgency: There is a shortage of neurosurgeons (either in the Bay Area or his medical group). I pressed him again, and he never said it. So I suspected it wasn't the case. One of my best friends is also a surgeon in the Bay Area, so I'm pretty familiar with the demands on a surgeon's schedule. True he isn't a neurosurgeon, but he obviously knows those who are and the field as a whole. When I told my friend what my mom had to endure and asked him if this were typical of neurosurgery, my friend immediately answered, "He shouldn't be scheduling patients to be seen in clinic by him and being on-call in the hospital at the same time." Exactly! Just have one of your fellow neurosurgeons cover the ER, while you take care of your appointments, like other surgeons do! My friend also brought up another valid possibility. He said that since my mom wouldn't require surgery and Leng's insurance reimbursement would be minimal compared to a surgery, it's not unreasonable to believe that he was uninterested in seeing her...and that Leng "probably has his practice workflow designed to max income" to quote my friend. I was appalled by this possibility. But it makes tragic sense that this is how some doctors operate (pun unintended). And it makes total sense to me that that's likely how Lewis Leng operates. Maybe if you are "fortunate" enough to require neurosurgery, Leng will see you at your appointed time. Otherwise you are probably "out of luck." I asked to meet the manager of the department to make a complaint. To my surprise, she not only listened to my complaint, but asked if I could put it in writing because she was tired of having to deal with all the patients who had the same complaint! (And I did exactly as she suggested.) So if you have a choice, I highly recommend you seek another neurosurgeon. Even if you do need surgery, you have to wonder whose best interest would Leng have in mind. Yours...or his?

This is a long overdue review for Dr. Lewis Leng, who performed my cerebellopontine angle…read moremeningioma surgery. When I first met Dr. Leng, I was overwhelmed and anxious after discovering a brain tumor in an incredibly delicate area. right beside the nerves for hearing, balance, and facial movement. From the beginning, he explained everything clearly, answered every question, and guided me through the options with patience and respect. When the tumor grew and surgery became necessary, I felt confident I was in the best hands. During the operation, Dr. Leng worked millimeter by millimeter near critical nerves, preserving my hearing, facial function, and long-term quality of life. His skill, judgment, and care made all the difference. Today I am healing, hearing more clearly, regaining sensation, and living fully, a result I credit to his expertise and thoughtful decision-making. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Leng and recommend him with the highest appreciation and respect.

Both Dr. Tolentino and Dr. Chung are very knowledgeable and will help guide you every step of the…read moreway. They made sure that I understood everything they found and kept me in the loop. The care they give is amazing, always checking in and making sure you are feeling comfortable. Only downside is the cost, it is an expensive type of care so for some it could be hard to afford. However, it does work and really helped me.

1. Dr. Chung conducted dozens of tests which was impressive, but he couldn't explain what the…read moreresults meant. Like your brain waves are high, this part of your muscles is weaker, etc. Okay, but how does it help me cure my migraine? I asked numerous follow-up questions but didn't get any clear explanation. The recommendation was to do laser therapy and take supplements. I guess we didn't need all those tests to decide on this recommendation. 2. Dr. Chung didn't return any of my emails. His assistant was several days late to respond. 3. Operationally the office has its struggles. They sent me confidential medical records of some other patient by a mistake. And last week they charged me $125 for a service I didn't have. In general, I had high hopes for this clinic, but it didn't give me any answers on my migraine and offered sub-optimal patient experience.

TL;DR: I had a five star experience from Dr. Andrews and his team for a laminectomy &…read moremicrodiscectomy. I met Dr. Andrews on Jan 24th and by Feb 2nd I am 100% pain free. Its unfortunate the number of bad reviews here complaining about insurance coverage or bedside manner, both of which are not a reflection of Dr. Andrews' expertise and IMO are irrelevant reviews. I was referred to Dr. Andrews from UCSF-Bernal/Mission ER after I went in from excruciating back pain. I have a long history of back issues and have previously herniated a disc and suspected that I had herniated it again. Unfortunately, the incompetent doctor at the ER refused to give me an MRI despite my begging *and* Dr. Andrews advising him to do so when they chatted on the phone during my visit. Alas, the only thing that was beneficial from that ER visit was the referral to Dr. Andrews. I was in the ER on Sunday and by Monday morning I had an booked appointment with Dr. Andrews for Wednesday. His assistants did everything in their power to get me in ASAP and moved around their schedules to see me given the severity of my situation. During my first visit, Dr. Andrews was polite and straight to the point. I showed him my MRI results from 7 years prior and he was able to give me a preliminary analysis of what he thought was the issue and potential options. He advised his team to get me an MRI ASAP and one of his assistants was kind enough to give up her own personal MRI appointment so I could be seen. Dr. Andrews gave me his personal phone number and said to let him know as soon as I got an appointment so he could do a follow-up with me ASAP and even offered to see me on Saturday if needed. I fortunately got the MRI Thursday morning and did a follow-up visit with Dr. Andrews on Friday. The MRI confirmed that I had indeed re-herniated my disc and he recommended two options: 1) laminectomy & microdiscectomy 2) TLIF surgery (spinal fusion). He explained the pros and cons for each, took the time to make sure that I fully understood my choices, and supported my decision. I was aware of the recovery for each option and I felt no pressure whatsoever. I proceeded with option #1 and he said he would get me in ASAP and we scheduled the surgery for the following Wednesday. The surgery (the first surgery I've ever had) was as smooth as I can imagine any procedure going. The Presidio Surgery Center was a lovely facility, everything was on time, the nurses and receptionists were kind and friendly, the anesthesiologist was kind and Dr. Andrews came and checked on me before and after the procedure to make sure I was comfortable and knew exactly what was going on. Everything that Dr. Andrews told me was going to happen and when, happened exactly as planned. The best part -- and the part I was most skeptical about -- was the recovery. After being on nerve medication and opioids to deal with my pain, I was shocked that I walked right out of the hospital and was completely off all medication within 36 hours. I still can't wrap my head around how I was able to undergo spinal surgery and basically be back to normal within a matter of days. Of course I'm taking things easy by not bending over/twisting much or lifting heavy objections but this was a far cry from a week prior where I was crawling to the bathroom in tears. My entire experience from start to finish with Dr. Andrews and his team was top notch and I felt in great hands. From his assistants offering me their own appointments to expedite mine to Dr. Andrews ensuring I was informed and comfortable the entire way, and the fact that all of this took just barely over a week from start to finish? I'm kicking myself that I didn't do this sooner. I highly recommend anyone struggling with back issues to see Dr. Andrews and his team!

This man understands…read more He listens, and with all of his brilliance, he comes to a logical conclusion I went to him after having an EMG with Dr. Katz which was a totally horrible experience. I have never met a man or doctor in my life. After he stuck a needle in my calf that was more than uncomfortable. I asked him what else he was planning to do. He said "I'll stick a needle in your sciatic nerve and in your back " I refused Took my test results to Dr. Andrews told him that I felt like I was being used as a lab rat. He read the results and said "Dr. cats got all the information he needed from that one exam "I knew Dr Katz had just been using me for Testing. I recommend all of my friends to Dr. Andrews Dr. Andrews was more than a refreshing change

Clearly there are mixed reviews on this department. I personally have NOT had any issues with this…read moreclinic. My epilepsy has been an issue for over 23 years and I have been able to get it under control because of the doctors here. They aren't the best when it comes to scheduling though. Getting ahold of my neurologist is difficult.

Like many things UC this is a hit and miss. However they are straightforward about letting you…read morepresent your case without dismissing

As a child, I loved my doctor because he was attentive and made me feel I mattered. He was a…read morefabulous teacher that answered all of my questions. From him, I learned the importance of regular checkups and vaccinations. Being a patient of Dr Jenkins is like being treated by my childhood doctor. It doesn't matter if I am talking about my joint pain or the pins and needles in my hands - Dr Jenkins never makes me feel like my questions or concerns are a waste of her time - she is NEVER dismissive. Instead, she is an active listener who approaches my care with empathy and compassion. If you need a Neurologist who is caring, patient, and knowledgeable about the latest treatment options, then you want your Neurology specialist to be Dr Liberty Jenkins. Do you need a Neurologist who can interpret your various test results and imaging? And finally, do you need a Neurologist who will be committed to helping you feel better so you can enjoy your life? If you answered yes, you must make an appointment with Dr Liberty Jenkins. She is the best!!!

Pretty good review. Be sure you here their routine instructions clearly as they run quickly through…read moretheir rountine protocols, like and one may miss their notes or comments. Otherwise very thorough reviews.

After having had seizures for 10+ years (while raising babies), I finally came in contact with Dr…read more Laxer at UCSF. He located where my seizures started. I remember him telling me that there was only a 50% chance that this surgery would take care of that problem. However, the risk was worth it. He performed the surgery and stayed with me all during the followup. There were some headaches immediately following the surgery and I had to stay on some of the medication for a while. Eventually all of the medication was phased out, with no headaches. Thirty years later, there are still NO SEIZURES! (1989) If there ever is any indication that I have seizures again, I would go to no one except Dr. Laxer. He's the only one I would trust. And I thank him to this day for the risk that was taken!

Without a doubt,Dr. Laxer is the best neurologist that I…read morehave ever seen. When I was first referred to him my epilepsy was getting worse and I had been placed on many medications. Dr. Laxer spends a lot of time with his patients and makes no false promises. Trust is established. No one is better for me! He totally changed my life for the better!

Dr. Shah is a skillful, intelligent, and compassionate board-certified headache neurologist. I have…read morehad headaches since my late 20's but only began receiving focused treatment in my early 40's after a car accident. My case was complicated, and when I failed over the years to reliably respond to treatments and procedures and the ER became my default pain management, I was quite despondent. With my first appointment with Dr. Shah, she efficiently drilled down to the key issues and was laser-beam focused on getting the information from my medical history and current symptoms. She had insights that no prior physician had, and prescribed a trial of new preventive medication. When this medication ultimately did not work as hoped long-term, she went to a trial of new rescue medications, one of which is a marvelous zero side effect pill (Nurtec). I am so grateful that during this difficult period, thanks to Dr. Shah's persistence I never had to go to the ER. I was ultimately determined to be a candidate for Botox injections for migraine treatment, and Dr. Shah's skilled and careful injections (30 plus in my head, neck, and shoulder) were virtually painless and have resulted in some of the most significant pain-free moments in my life. Communication with her office has gone well and even though she is extremely busy, she has checked in via phone or message service with compassion. I might also add that when a medical issue came up that overlapped with my headache, Dr. Shah reached out to my PCP for a specialty referral, and also arranged for imaging. The issues I faced in my old pain management practice with medication and procedure insurance denials routinely stopping my care have not come up with Dr. Shah's office. Her commitment to her patients while using her skills and knowledge to improve lives is simply unparalleled.

This CPMC neurology practice is phenomenal. It's not "general" neurology, which I'm well beyond and…read morewould be useless for my needs. This is a dedicated duo of highly skilled and seasoned, experienced and well-trained headache specialists: my usual neurologist who I've been seeing for many years, Dr. Boykoff-Perkins, is fantastic for all things migraine management; for complementary care, referred me to Dr. Shivani Shah for a few appts. of SPG blocks and trigger point injections. Having been around the migraine block for decades and with my share of crappy docs, whenever I'm about to see a new provider, I'm cautiously hopeful but also anxious that I might not get along with or like the provider. I should NOT have worried! Dr. Shah is a rock star, with incredible empathy: she listens exceptionally well, is attentive and sensitive, asks probing questions, and has as gentle a technique as I could've expected with burning needles up my nostrils :-) Most of all, I love that she doesn't phone it in; she is genuinely present and on it! Her manner is gentle, her presence unassuming and caring. What I love so much about both Dr. Shah and Perkins is they both have none of the ego I've encountered in providers of yesteryear. An added bonus is via Sutter My Health Online, their communique is excellent: responsive, and timely. How lucky am I that positive lightening struck not once with Dr. Boykoff-Perkins, but also now with Dr. Shah?! I appreciate them, and feel so so so freaking indebted and grateful that I can avail of their expertise and knowledge. I live on hope---and they give it generously. With every patient they see, they're helping the planet one person at a time.

Went in today for my wife, to address her multiple spinal stenoses. Because it's, you know, HIS…read moreSPECIALTY. Instead of being any help whatsoever, Dr McCormack spent less than 5 minutes looking at her MRIs, focused on one damaged vertebrae in her lower back while ignoring the 3 broken vertebrae in her neck, and talked over her answers whenever she tried to respond to a question. Instead of offering, or even suggesting, anything to help her back, he instead suggested that she "get out more" to help her depression. Meanwhile, she's been relegated to a wheelchair over the last 3 years because of the way her spine is degrading. I gave Dr. McCormack one star, because that's as low as the rating goes. This visit deserves no stars, and I hope that I never have the misfortune of seeing Bruce McCormack for any reason ever again.

Do you want a chatty surgeon or do you want the absolute best? If you want the absolute best, the…read morephysician that is going to fix you or give you the best outcome it is 100% Dr. McCormack. He corrected a failed spinal fusion in 2010 and then performed a follow-up surgery in 2025. He is the absolute best, but not only by my standards but when you ask surgeons from SF down into the South Bay he is well known and each physician will tell you he is very good. The nurses at UCSF will tell you he is a man of few words, but he is the best at what he does and well respected. When your life or mobility is on the line what is important to you? A great bedside manner, a friendly person or the physician that is going to restore your ability to have a great life. The man cares and he is the best at what he does. Do yourself a favor and truly do the research when your life and the quality of your life is on the line. Then call his office and get your life back.

If you are a young woman, I would not recommend going to see this doctor. (He might diagnose you…read morewith womb stones, if that would be helpful.) They couldn't figure out my insurance. It's normal Anthem Blue but it had the name of my husband's workplace on the card. They sent me a capslock email letting me know so, and I paid for this unhelpful appointment out of pocket. He has a zebra desk, which he says, is to remind him that not everything is a zebra. If anything unusual is happening to you, this is not a doctor for you. He mentioned that I could have "stones of the womb", which I do not believe to be a real thing? Every time I ask another doctor if it's a real thing, they wince and will not address it. He took my very serious complaints very lightly. He told me it must just be the POTS that Stanford had already diagnosed and maybe I needed some time off work but I should be fixable. His prediction was not accurate. Time has gone on and I have gotten worse. I don't think I can yoga, somatic training my way out of this one, guys. Since then I have had another major episode where I struggled terribly to swallow for days, gagged constantly, had horrible psych symptoms in spite of ample psychiatric help and support, and dealt with low grade fevers. Ya boi would 100% turn me lose on the general public. It doesn't matter that I sometimes "forget how to type" because my brain won't talk to my hands and the letters come out scrambled. Not even when it's severe for weeks at a time! No zebras! Only anxious young women. I swear these doctors act like your goal is something other than trying not to die. We're trying not to die. Do they know that?

Dr. Pauxtis helped me immensely with cluster headaches. His depth of knowledge and incredible,…read moreoffbeat sense of humor puts him among the best doctors I've seen. He also took the time to educate me, rather than simply throw a prescription pad at me. He truly cares about his patients without coddling them. If you experience cluster headaches, you know it is a helpless feeling fraught with more questions than answers. Knowledge goes a long way in such a situation.