my experience with dr santella has been awesome!! the doc actually knows what hes doing! hes pleasant, friendly and tells you the truth. he definitely has a huge amount of knowledge ,I was amazed how he just seemed to know everything ! He answers all your questions ..and then some. also, he didnt make me wait in the room by myself for more than 3 minutes. I had his full attention. He took care of my problem and I was on my way. I felt like I was taken care of really well.Most doctors see you for 5 minutes and then you have to wait around forever getting paperwork. the girls in the office were angels to me. .they made me feel like they really cared. they were really nice, not snotty like a lot of other places i have been. I give the whole place a big fat 10 stars!! I finally feel comfortable with a gyno and it gives me a feeling of security, knowing Im in good hands and I will be taken care of. thanks doctor Santella ...you made my life easier! read more

Best gynecologist and medical physician. We miss him. An intuitive physician and natural in the field. Thank you Dr. Santella for your service and dedication. read more

Dr. Santella has been my Doctor for 25 years and hopefully for many more. He and his staff are wonderful. He has seen me countless times when I was uninsured and didn't have payment over the years. Has made sure that all my medical needs have been met and that I had the always had my medication to treat my health concerns. He has always been very thorough, kind and I appreciate all the years of excellent care that he and his office have given me. read more

I was Dr. Santellas patient for 8+ years. He was really good for years. And had the best staff you could ever ask for. ! This doctor has changed for the worse. I have already reported him to the board. And he has changed his staff. Let me tell you one of the women Jennifer. Is the worse receptionist there is! She litterly cussed me out on the phone! Told me f*** off! Yes that's real proffesional! So she too has been reported to the board! If there is any retaliation taken against me for my review there will be HUGE problems! have a nice day! read more

Dr santella is a very compashonate doctor i would recomend him. Hes careing and a good doctor. Rest in peace doctor you will be missed read more

Santella Robert, MD - Dr. Santella r.i.p you are a very good doctor u will be missed his staff are great also . - Family Practice Near Me - San Diego, California

This man is insane. He was very nice and compassionate with me after a horrible c section i had and so I continued to see him. In the 10 months I saw him the care declined and I witnessed him talking to his staff like they were complete idiots. He stopped listening and would make fun of me for what I was saying to him. He talks to you like you are a idiot. This last appointment though. WOW is all I can say. He had a new assistant obviously because the nice one he had before finally escaped working for that horrible man. She was noticeably having a hard time dealing with his personality. I would have walked out on that job immediately if anyone talked to me like that. After disregarding all I was there to talk to him about and basically telling me I would always be in pain and that there was no reason for my constant nausea he ordered her to draw some blood to check my thyroid. Well she couldn't find the right pieces to draw my blood because all of the equipment in that office is out of date and a mess. After trying once she came and got him. Talking to her like she was a complete imbecile, he proceeded to first say I needed to "lie down, because you can't hit a moving target" and said "i am a hard stick" his reply was (laughing) "your not a hard stick, your chubby". I held my tongue. She looked horrified. Then he went around to the other side and found the biggest needle he could find and jammed it in my hand and fished around. It hurt. He then tells me this is why I am always in pain because i have no pain tolerance. So while he is looking for a vein he throws in there "you have small veins because you have never worked out a day in your life and have always sat around". I lost it at that point. " excuse me, I have not always been overweight and yes I have exercised, you don't know me?! I have been a hard stick my whole life" I cannot believe I was able to hold what composure I had. He continued to talk to her like she was incompetent and talking to me like it was my fault he couldn't draw blood and how I needed "gastric bypass" surgery. This man wasn't fat shaming me for any other reason than spite. He was lashing out at both myself and his poor employee just to prove the point that he is a arrogant waste of skin. "DO NO HARM" If he was a thorough doctor he would also know that I have depressive episodes that last years, anxiety attacks that have cost me jobs and a history of eating disorders. Thankfully I am strong right now but what he said to me could have easily pushed me over the edge back into a depression, back into bulimia or even worse. Oh yah and the reason he was checking my thyroid was because he prescribed me thyroid medication specifically for weight loss without ever checking my thyroid before giving me the medication. If you Google this you will see everywhere "THIS MEDICATION SHOULD NEVER BE PRESCRIBED FOR WEIGHT LOSS" quack quack quack. read more

Please, do yourself a favor and DO NOT VISIT THIS DOCTOR!!! I have recently changed insurance and found that Dr. Santella accepts my new policy, so I set up an appointment. I walked into the office. Grimy, dirty carpet, old chairs, not very welcoming. The receptionist was a sweetheart and greeted me nicely. She said to me "okay, and you're a new patient?", I replied "yes", and then I heard the first of Dr. Santella as he yelled to the receptionist from his back office "Forget the new patient! How about the three we have waiting already?". You can imagine how welcomed I felt after hearing that. Just the guy I want between my legs! I waited about 15 minutes and then was called into his office, I suppose for an introductory consultation. He did not introduce himself. He sat down in his old, dingy, cluttered office and asked me why I was visiting. Without revealing too much about my personal medical situation to the Yelp world, I have been dealing with something very scary to me for a couple of years which I would consider sensitive information. I began telling Dr. Santella about my situation and about 10 seconds in he cut me off by saying "You will be dealing with this your whoooole life", and then sitting back folding his arms with a grin on his face, waiting for my reaction. "Okay" I said. "Should I keep talking?" Everything he said to me after that was aggressive, almost poking at me and testing how much of his rudeness and condescending tone I could handle. Then, he picks up a personal call on his cell phone!! In the middle of our consultation! By that point, I was more scared of my situation, very hurt by his lack of ethics, and angered by his lack of professionalism. He hung up the phone. "Look, I can see that you're really busy..." I start, and once again I'm interrupted. "I'm not busy, let's continue! So we're going to do a pap test today" he replies. "No, I don't want anything done to me today" I said. "Okay, let me write that down. You want no procedures done today..." he responds. "Sorry, what I meant to say is that I want to visit a different doctor" I said, trying so hard to hold my composure. I walked out of the office, telling the receptionist on my way out that I'm visiting a different doctor. I could tell from her face that she completely understood. She looked at my teary eyes and said "Okay, sweetie. I'm sorry". Doctors are supposed to be caring. They are supposed to make you feel comfortable, especially when you're concerned about something, which is usually the case when one visits a doctor's office. You will want to punch this man in the face. Don't visit this office!!!! read more

First let me say the nurses that come & go here are always awesome. They end up gone because there's only so much verbal abuse you can deal with! Now on to Dr Santella.... he's an absolute jerk! He's rude & doesn't care! He thinks he can talk to you any way he wants to & thinks you have to sit there & tolerate it! Now, me being an adult, that's not okay with me. I let him slide twice. Which is more than I should have. Now, I get right back at him on his same level of ignorance! Maybe it's wrong but he will definitely take you there! I've been going to him about a year now & on his good days he's cool. On his bad days he's a total jerk! I'm switching dr's as soon as i can! After my last visit there the way he talked to me or about me I should say was as if I wasn't even there! Umm... I can totally hear you! So I had words with him. But I'm at my boiling point with him so I think it's best I just leave before there's a total blowup! I've seen this man totally belittle his own staff! I'm not saying he's a bad dr but he's definitely not one of the best! If you have a cold or something basic like that, he's all good! You need anything else, his response will be "some people have pain their whole lives & you're one of them" he dismisses anything else... sends you off with some pain medicine. Strong pain medication! I have a history of having something that sometimes when I have a bad flare up I'm in the hospital for days or weeks. I was telling him about it & he told me it's in the past. ... in the past? I struggle every day to control this so I don't end up in the hospital & he tells me it's in the past! I could go on & on about this man but I'm not. I'm sure after a few visits here you'll see what I'm talking about! read more

Today I visited this "doctor" for the first and last time. Please read this. I am seriously disturbed by this practitioner and urge everyone to go elsewhere. I felt unsafe and will move forward to educate anyone NOT to visit this doctor because he felt compelled to say things that were both ignorant and reflected a level of racism that I find to be unacceptable coming from someone in a place of authority, such as a doctor. When he asked me about my marital status, I explained that I am not married but in a long-term partnership. He replied, "Yep, we're in California. I'm used to that." So I laughed with him because I thought he was trying to be nice. He continued, "That's why I don't like men in California. They have issues with commitment. They have commitment issues. And you know who really has those issues? Black men. And you know why, because all of the single black mothers that I see. All those fatherless families. And that's why we have so much black on black crime." Seriously. He said this to me. Simply based on being in a long-term partnership of 13 years. I have severe endometriosis and this appointment was for a second opinion after the second endo-related surgery hasn't healed after 10 months. He looked at my age and said, "Well you're forty, so you won't be using your uterus and should just have a hysterectomy." No questions about whether I was planning on having kids or if I knew the repercussions of having a hysterectomy. None. While endometriosis is a very challenging disease, his knowledge was the worst I've seen yet, especially because one can do some basic research and see that hysterectomies are not always the answer and don't always correct the issues. I explained that I had been on Depo Provera for 2-3 years and could not be on it because of terrible side effects, so I had switched to Mirena in June (a month before the emergency surgery where another doctor had to remove one of my ovaries). When I explained that the problem now was that I was having full menstrual periods (something that is both dangerous and debilitating for someone who has severe endometriosis), his response was that I'd just have to go back on the "Deep-o" because "sometimes Mother Nature does what she does." Seriously. His words and manner were openly condescending and rude. He said things that were openly sexist and racist. While the woman at the window was nice, their reception room stank. Their entire office is dirty and uncared for. I have never been to an office that was this unkempt, nor have I been treated in such a demeaning manner. If you need to know, I am an unmarried white woman (which for me makes his comments in regards to the African American community even worse, as I felt like he was lecturing me from a point of view based on discrimination, and lack of both compassion and respect). When I go into a doctor's office about my endometriosis, I neither expect nor do I accept being lectured as to this man's one-sided view of our current social problems, and the role of marriage that I have chosen in my own life. There was a lack of compassion and understanding in this man's words and therefore I urge possible patients to please find anyone else, and to find a doctor who is compassionate, well-informed, and kind. EDIT: Please note that this review has been edited after an email from Yelp as to the content of my review. I have removed anything that could be taken as "name calling." This review still fully and accurately reflects my experience at this doctor's office and I have filed grievances through my insurance company as well. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Robert Santella since 1976 is how many years we go back he's a wonderful doctor. He a doctor that I can trust and I am never had any of these issues that everyone's talking about yeah his office isn't fancy but I don't go there for his office I go there for him and his staff is always been wonderful to me I have received Excellent care for all those years and that's a lot of years if you think 1976 to present read more

Dr. Santella is extremely knowledgeable, conscientious and spends a great deal of time caring about my medical needs as well as my medical concerns. He is over the top one of the best doctors I've ever been to and will continue to go to him for my medical needs. read more

After terrible experiences with several other primary care physicians the past few years, Dr. Santella has been a godsend. Maria and Jennifer in the office are fantastic too. Thanks so much, Dr. Santella! read more

Good Dr explains conditions with you staff is very nice and scheduling is quick when refered to specialist it is done within the week examine rooms are clean but dated in 70s read more

Very great Dr. & wonderful, friendly staff. Knowledgeable, trustworthy and reliable, albeit a bit of an "out-dated" office decor, don't let the general, older feel of the place misguide you - Dr. Santella and his staff are just what you would expect out of a family practice. No funny business, hidden fees or extreme waiting when you visit. Make sure you have your appointment scheduled as walk-ins can be tricky with their hours of operation. I give this Dr. 5 stars for his expertise, kindness, knowledge and hiring a wonderful staff that is ready tol listen to your needs and in the business, "for you". read more

Best doctor I have ever been too. He is straight forward with you on anything you ask. He is willing to deal with any problems you want to address. When he is talking to you on the first visit, he is writing things down. He is looking at you for signs of any problems. He is the best. read more

I'm 44 yrs old and at 22 yrs old I became Dr. Robert Santella's patient. I must say that he was an EXCELLENT Dr., very attentive and knowledgeable, up until 3 yrs ago. I had lost my job & husband and began having anxiety/panic attacks. Me being unaware that this was an actual medical condition, ended up in the E.R. when I followed up w/Dr Santella, it was as though a DEMON has taken over his personality, he spoke to me so badly...i could NOT BELIEVE IT. He also said "you've gained weight". I thought that he was just joking around since I had been his patient for almost 17 years at the time, so I'd laughed and said "I'll lose weight", He glared at me with an evil look and said "no you won't", When I left I was so humiliated I called my mother in tears. She dealt with doctor Santella and he tried to apologize but I knew that that would be my last visit with him. Dr. Santella does not need to practice medicine ANYWHERE, Sadly I'm gonna miss his nurses Jennifer and Maria. Something happened to Dr Santella and I pray that he find help...He is not the same sweet man, evil has possessed him! read more

I am so sorry to read of Dr. Santella's passing. I first saw him in 1976 when my husband and I wanted to start our family. In 1977 my daughter was born and in 1979, we rejoiced when we had a beautiful son. Dr. Santella was always kind, compassionate and reassuring. In 2003, I started experiencing some problems which he resolved by recommending and performing a complete hysterectomy. He was again efficient, kind and skilled. I never had any lingering problems of any kind after that. I will always be grateful. In 2007, my mother was experiencing some age related issues. I made an appointment to talk to him and he put me at ease and made me feel much better. I have heard over the years that there has been some controversy surrounding him. All I can say is that what I'm reading in no way describes the kind, compassionate, efficient and knowledgeable medical professional that I knew. I respect his memory and will always remember him with gratitude. read more

i amvery saddened to hear about my dr. santella getting readyvto loose hus liscense ti practice .!!!!! i have kniwn him for 20 years!! & he is a amazing doctor who in my opinion truelly cares for his patients..!!!. he is very understanding and a incredibly knowledgable doctor. please dont take his lisence ti practice as a general practitioner away!!!! i love him as a doctor and fully trust his opinions and knowledge...his receptionist jennifer is also equally a great assett to hus practice. integrity and genuine concern for his patients its too bad that some haters have to creep in and he looses hus career !! so wrong!!! read more

STAY AWAY FROM THIS SO-CALLED DOCTOR! My insurance changed which meant I had to find a new ob/gyn. I went to Dr. Santella for my annual exam. Right off the bat, I should have run after seeing his dingy, dirty waiting room. Strike 1. Then they put me in their records room and left me to fill out my paperwork. They left me alone in a room with all of their patients' files. I'm sure there are HIPAA laws against that! This made me realize that my records would not be confidential here. Strike 2. When he came in, he looked at my age on my chart (52) and immediately said I was post-menopausal. I had to explain that I was NOT post-menopausal because I was still getting regular periods. He totally discounted what I had to say and told me that I should go immediately on hormone replacement therapy. Keep in mind, he hadn't done an exam or taken blood. But there's no talking to this guy because he thinks he knows everything. It's like he has a God-complex or something. Needless to say, this was strike 3. So his nurse brings me to the exam room. This room was something out of a movie of a third-world country. The floors were actually 20-year-old indoor/outdoor carpeting that was horribly stained and filthy. In my life I have never seen such a horrible exam room. As filthy as the waiting room was, it was better than the exam room! Strike 4. Before I had chance to say anything, the nurse was drawing blood from me. It wasn't until afterwards that I realized that she wasn't wearing gloves and hadn't washed her hands before drawing blood. Strike 5. The dr came in, did a pap, and jabbered the entire time about needing to go on HRT. I know baseball has 3 strikes but this guy should have been called out of business for all the strikes against him. I will NEVER go back to him, even if he was the last doctor on earth. This guy is a horrible, detestable man with an attitude that he obviously hates women. Do yourself a favor and find a different doctor!! read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Santella since 1975. He is the most wonderful doctor I have ever had. My family and friends have gone to him for years. I can't believe that they want to take he's license. It makes me mad. Dr Santella is a loving caring doctor. He truly loves his patients they get you in right away because your sick they don't tell you next week. Dr Santella has to stay to take care of me and all his patients. He works so hard and so does he's staff. I love them like family. Dr. Santella you are the best and we will fight for you to stay. That's not fair. read more

I had an appt today as a new patient . Before coming in scheduling was really easy they have flexible hours and always have availability. My appointment was scheduled by a receptionist by the name of Jennifer really nice. When coming to my appt I was greeted by the receptionist i was given forms too fill out and called in really quick no wait. I got to meet the doctor he did go over my history and answered all of my questions wich was really helpful he explained step by step all the stuff he was doing and stuff that has too be done. I would really recommend this doctor really helpful and such warm staff thanks alot! read more

Dr Santella has been my Dr for several months now and I love him! He really listens and takes me seriously and is very compassionate, which is shockingly hard to find in a doctor these days He is a great diagnostician and his course of treatment has always been effective. His office staff, Maria and Jennifer are equally impressive. They are sweet and engaging and compassionate as well. I hate having to go to the doctor but at least the level of care I receive is great and the wait time is short. I would recommend Dr Santella to anyone! read more