UCSF Sports Medicine Center

I recently had a relatively good experience with a cancer in the roof of my mouth, that was completely eradicated by A Dr. Ryan, with no treatment like chemo or radiation, and the entire process of getting an appointment, getting the X-rays, and the surgery all went Lightning fast. In July, Dr. Sarah Edwards, an orthopedic surgeon in the Sport Medicine group, operated on a serious MSSA infection in my left shoulder where I had a replacement shoulder surgery 8 years. While while it's taking a long time to heal, at the age of 77 Everything takes longer, and I've no doubt the I'll regain full use of my shoulder again.UCSF is the finest group of medical experts I have ever encountered. All of them, surgeons like Dr. Ryan and Dr Edwards, the receptionists, the assistants are top notch. I would unwillingly go anywhere else.

Dr. Ramirez is wonderfully patient, and gave me time to describe my health issues. This is greatly appreciated because most clinic and hospital experiences feel rushed and the staff seem distracted. Not here!

This is a place where money laundering is common practice. I waited for a month to see a PA for a shoulder injury, was told at the front desk that I had to do X-rays first. I refused since my injury is a soft-tissue injury that isn’t at all bone-related. I was pressured and told in a very condescending way that I couldn’t check in for my appointment without doing them. I asked how much they would bill me for them or what code they would use, I was told (again in a condescending way) « we never charge extra for imaging, it’s included in the consultation ». I was put on the spot and I accepted. Today I received a 1500$ bill for these X-rays that indeed didn’t show anything at all. I called the billing department, waited for 45min to finally speak to someone whose reaction was: « oh no they did it again, you can’t imagine the number of such phone calls I receive everyday, because of front desk staff misleading patients ». The only reason why I’m not giving this a one-star review is to give some credit to the PA who saw me and who was genuinely trying to help. That extra star is to thank him for his time and willingness to help.

It's always an easy process. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes to get in a room. My Dr. Is right on time. Every single time I've been to this office the whole appointment takes 30 minutes. It's so nice to get my appointment done on time with no problems. People are very nice and respectful of me and my privacy. I drive 250 miles to see this specialist. It's worth the drive. I'm especially pleased and I often tell people here to go to UCSF because we don't have specialist here. I'd rather drive out of town 200 miles to get excellent care than to put myself in with someone who "maybe" knows what they're doing. THANK YOU. UCSF! SINCERELY

Dr Sara Edwards is not only extremely competent, but also compassionate and very caring with her patients. I have recommended her to others who have been happy with her work as well. I only wish she was in San Francisco all the time rather than part-time in Berkeley.

The whole experience was great. They have a one-stop clinic where I had my x-rays done in 5 minutes which were read and ready for the visit 15 minutes later. Doctor was patient, attentive and knowledgeable, answered all my questions and pulled up my past images and supplemental images from Google to explain my condition. I was almost in tears at the end of the visit because after years of pain I felt understood and cared for.

First of all, Dr. Senter and all the staff are great. If you go here, you are receiving great care. So, why 3 stars? I have Blue Shield PPO (a high-deductible plan), and this visit cost me over $800, *after* my insurance adjustment ($586 for a 30-minute doctor consultation, $250 for an X-ray). Contrast that with another Sports Med practice in the city I went to. Also received great care, and it cost me $450 out-of-pocket for a 1-hour appointment that included a 30-minute MD evaluation and 30 minutes of physical therapy. Of course, depending on your insurance coverage, maybe UCSF is the right place for you. But for those with high-deductible plans, even good ones like Blue Shield, be warned that this is a very expensive practice and you may be better off looking elsewhere, e.g. more reasonable out-of-network providers.

The doctor I saw at UCSF Orthopedics was wonderful. Efficient, kind, and the injection was expertly done. If my review was based solely on the office visit, I’d give it 5 stars. I have to dock it two stars though, because trying to get in touch with a human being at the physical therapy office is an absolute NIGHTMARE. Because I have not yet been seen at the UCSF Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Office, I cannot use MyChart to contact anyone to ask the question I have about my upcoming appointment. I have been on hold for hours, got hung up on twice, left my name and number three times for a callback, and have never gotten anyone to answer. And I’ve seen this happen at other UCSF departments, too. (Gastroenterology comes to mind.) It’s really a bummer. The clinicians are top notch, but the admin support for them just isn’t there.