Donald E Hershman, DPM

I No Longer Suffer The Agony Of Defeet!
Since I have been going to Dr. Donald Hershman I no longer suffer the agony of Deefeet! My feet and I are both happy. I have suffered from sever foot pain for years and it was a blessing to find Dr. Hershman who’s professional care and treatment has been a wonderful solution to the pain. My feet and I both thank him. His office is more like a spa with his wonderful paintings, orchids and soft music in the background. The front desk staff is warm and friendly. The trip for the East Bay is well worth it. Thank you Dr. Hershman!
M.Mellman

I was referred to Dr. Hershman a few years ago. He was personable, efficient, knowledgeable, and did a great job with my orthotics. He also essentially gave me a pedicure, and did so very well. I returned to him today for some follow up treatment, and was again highly impressed.

The orthotics that Dr. Hershman uses are the best I’ve had to date and I’ve had three different pairs of custom orthotics. I was previously going to a doctor in Chinatown whose orthotics were not very good quality. Dr. Hershman is a big step up.

I’m a severe overpronator and it started giving me fits on my long-​distance walks. I was referred to Dr. H by my PCP. I’ve never purchased custom-​made orthotics before, and was skeptical they would help my long-​time knee problem. I was so wrong! After being told for years that the cat scan, mri and other tests showed nothing wrong, it turns out that my pronation was causing the pain. After I started wearing the orthotics prepared by Dr. l H, my knee pain disappeared like magic never to reappear. A big bonus — the claim he turned in to my insurance company resulted in my out of pocket being only $ 10.00. I’m going to order a second pair for my work shoes!
Later, I sent my husband in for orthotics too. He really didn’t want to go because he wears expensive shoes with expensive over the counter inserts. However, his feet were hurting because he works on his feet 8 hours a day. I told Huz what Dr. H told me – these will change your life. When the Huz put on the orthotics, he called to say that he was dancing down the street (he never dances). Again — only a $ 10.00 co-​pay. He’s getting a second pair too.
BTW — check out the art in the office — it was all done by Dr. H, who is a gifted artist too.

Dr. Hershmen is a wizard and I would recommend him to anybody. I love my new feet :-)

Not a fan of this doc. I had minor foot surgery he performed. When he put the needle in between my toes I expressed pain and he abruptly stopped, looked at me, and rudley said «do you want me to continue or not»?.. The look on his face was like he sucked a barrel of lemons and he seemed annoyed that i was in pain. So I sat there and sucked up the pain like i was in the 1700‘s.
I did‘nt like the job he did because my issue came back which i ended up treating myself and since it‘s been fine.
This surgery was awhile ago but it looks like the reviews here nothing has changed. Maybe he should look into another line of work because this one seems to piss him off. I will never go back here!!!

I have been going to Dr Hershman since his colleague, Dr Mah, passed away. I respected Dr Mah and decided to stay with the same office.
This morning, I went to the office not to be seen by the doctor but to pick up my file and begin with a different doctor.
The office has been most unwelcoming from the start. The office manager is an arrogant, uninterested, inefficient and extremely rude woman. If you call on a Monday to get an emergency appointment, you will not receive a call back until the following week and that is only after you call 5 more times and leave messages. Customer service in the office is nonexistant and if you complain to the doctor, his only response is «I understand». No apologies, no regrets, nothing.
As a paying client, I feel that I have choices and in a large city like SF and with my solid insurance I did not have to tolerate the behavior in that office. I have found myself a new doctor and am very happy.
My only advice: GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE should always come first in any business. This office lacks it.

I just phoned Dr.‘s office to schedule a «new patient» appointment – and I do hope Dr. Hershman is not a reflection of the lackluster reception I just received from the person who took the appointment.
She spoke in a short, quick monotone way – giving me the impression that she was far too busy and important to be on the phone with me at that particular time. Not at all giving me the warm and fuzzy feeling that she was thrilled that I chose HER doctor and office to take care of one of my most important body parts: my feet!
I made the appointment, but will be keenly aware of how the entire experience goes before I commit to having Dr. Hershman become my regular DPM. Wish me luck!

Dr. Donald Hershman is a good doctor. But on one of my many visits he was pushing
Orthodics (shoe inserts) I told him, I wasn’t interested. He then proceeded to tell me that I will be seeing him on the operating table. SERIOUSLY! He then apologized and rectofied the situation.
Then my husband had a problem with his ankle, again he pushed the orthodics (shoe inserts). He told my husband that it was covered. I called our insurance to confirm this and it was not covered by my insurance. It would be an out of pocket expense.
After reading all the reviews it is my assestment that he is pushing this
orthodics (shoe inserts) like crazy. He doesn’t care if you cannot afford this. We will never use him again, because I cannot trust him. It is a shame that he has gone this route to make a living. BE CAREFUL!

I’ve had so many foot related problems in the past 3 years. I feel like my chicken walk has become a kitschy seasonal feature, like the shamrock shake, or pumpkin spice lattes.
(Un)fortunately I’ve had to see Dr. Hershman 3 times in the past 6 months for various foot related injuries. A while ago I shattered a glass on my foot and it wouldn’t stop bleeding. Then, due to a bad vacuum, I ended up with some of the aforementioned glass in my other foot a couple weeks later.
Late last night I tripped over my bike and managed to double fracture my baby toe. I wasn’t sure if i had just stubbed it at first, but when it remained excruciating to walk on, I felt good knowing I would be able to see the Dr. right away because I’ve always gotten same day appointments. He was quick and thorough, and I’ll be seeing him again in eight weeks, hopefully healed and heeled.
Highly recommended if you work in the area and need to get taken care of quickly.

Horrible. I was training for a marathon and started to get ache in my foot and was worried I was getting a stress fracture. I went in, sat down and explained my problem. He asked me what I did professionally, which ended up seeming as though he was checking to see if I was worth forcing a pair of orthodics (shoe inserts) upon. Seemingly satisfied with my financial stature, he told me I didn’t have a stress fracture. That’s it, right? NO.
He said I NEEDED orthodics. That runners can’t go without them (hmm — what have I been doing the past 15 years?) My feet were in plaster before I had a chance to actually discuss the idea with him. I asked him how much it costs, and he shrugged and said it depended on insurance. (Btw –he got plaster all over my work pants — hard to explain a chalky white substance covering the bottom of your pants).
After I got the orthodics, I used them for awhile but they gave me such horrible blisters that I couldn’t handle them in light of the marathon 2 weeks away. I stopped wearing them, took a few days off from training, and the pain went away on its own. I don’t wear the orthodics today. Worst, I got a ***$ 550*** bill in the mail — AFTER insurance. Worst — and most expensive — medical decision I’ve made.
Advice for anyone who visits him: push back when he tells you that you need shoe inserts.

This is a hard review to write. I really liked Dr Hershman and think he did a good job for what i came in for — a planters’ wort that was starting to get painful. But I have to say recovery from that laser surgery was beyond horrible. Unfortunately he gives no tips for care or pain management beyond one day past the surgery and he just told be to get the sheet from the receptionist — wish he spent 2 minutes on that himself.
When I came for my follow up visit. He voice a few very small planters warts on my other foot — have been there for years and tiny so I didn’t want anything done. He tried to talk me into surgery so when I refused, he used an acid on them. Then a week later, the worts started growing which was likely a coincidence but odd since they were there for so long and stayed small. Then I got billed several hundred dollars for that acid treatment which was painful. So now I am trying to freeze off the worts on my own — afraid to return.

Getting ready to take a trip with my Father that we’ve been planning for weeks and every day my ingrown toenail is getting worse. I tried soaking it and it would start getting better, then a little bump against the toe would bring it right back to it’s apinful state.
I went on Unilocal and called a number of podiatrists and Corrina from Dr. Hershman’s office called me back and said I could be seen in a few hours. Upon arriving Corrina and Jorge made sure I was comfortable and well informed.
I’ve had ingrown toenail surgery before and this experience was head and shoulder’s above the previous. It was ABSOLUTELY PAINLESS!!! It was over before I knew it began. I found Dr. Hershman as down to earth and quite a humanitarian. I also saved a lot of money coming here and when you don’t have any health insurance, like myself, it makes a big difference.
By the end of the today’s appointment I left with smile on my face. Why can’t more doctors be like this?
Thanks again, Dr. Hershman, Corrina and Jorge!

I do agree that the people who answer the phone in his office are less than professional and don’t have good skills on the phone. I used to go to the office to see the other podiatrist who unfortunately passed away. He was a total sweetheart.
What really got to me with this doctor is that the two times I saw him, once I was invited to the room and seated, I had to wait 45 minutes before he walked in. I am not exaggerating. And it didn’t occur to him to apologize. Once I would understand but twice?!!
When I was leaving the receptionist said «Sorry about the wait» but that’s all I got. I promised myself not to go back :(

Dr Herschman ROCKS!!! He literally saved my life by curing the problem I had. He is quick, efficient and is an expert in podiatric medicine. I would recommend him to ANYONE seeking great foot care.
Charlie Greene

I’ve read a few of these complaints about Dr. Hershman, and I find them baffling. I’ve been going to him for my various foot problems, from nail fungus to surfing accidents to bunions. Each time I was treated quickly, effectively, matter-​of-​factly, and professionally. I guess since he knows my face from the gym, he understands that I don’t require a whole lot of pussy-​footing and bullshit. I just want my feet to act right and feel good. Whatever ails my feet, he fixes PERMANENTLY, and I never have to see him about the same problem twice.
Well, except for my next appointment. I misplaced my orthotics and gotta get some replacements. FIVE effin’ stars!

My toes were hurting for the first time EVER, so turns out I had ingrown toe nails. Ouch! Dr. Hershman helped fix them on two separate visits, which was relieving, although I keep getting them of various toes.
The receptionists may seem a bit brusque to some, but I find them helpful for the most part.
Dr. Hershman was professional and kept the pain down to a minimum, which I appreciated.

I really think this doctor is dishonest and unprofessional.
I’ve visited him at least twice, very disoriented and took and xray of my foot the first time. When I went back to follow up, he «forgot» to review them, so took a second xray. still never heard/​saw/​explained anything from those xrays. I’m sure he billed my insurance company each time.
They do leave the doors open to the exam room while he is meeting with you which is weird and unprofessional. The front desk ladies are pretty gruff and don’t take people in the order in which they came (or their appointments are). When they called someone in before me by mistake (and realized it) one woman was like «oh well» out loud, and didn’t apologize and didn’t do anything.
What I find most concerning is his orthotics scam. i was prescribed orthotics for my shoes without any explanation of cost or anything. Lo and behold when they came in they were $ 450. they do not work, they cannot be worn and when I went in there were racks of them waiting to be picked up by what I would assume were unsuspecting patients. I find this practice dishonest and a bit of a scam since I do not think they were necessary for my BUNION (issue why I was seeing him).
I would HIGHLY recommend finding someone more professional, more organized and more HONEST.

Okay, now… I am only 42, and rather active and healthy if I do say so myself… but after schizophrenically wearing balley flats OR platform high heels for 2 years and then having a baby etc. etc., i found myself with constantly aching bunions… and I mean DAILY pain. So not sexy. I decided I was too young to be kvetching about «oy! my aching bunions!» so I got myself to a podiatrist for the first time in my life. Hellllloooo, Dr. Hershman.
Very kind exchange with the front desk staff followed by an efficient and knowledgeable assessment of the situation by Dr. Hershman (replete with in house x-rays)…and he prescribes therapeutic shots in my toe knuckles (gulp) and orthotics to nip the situation in the bud. While the shots weren’t AWESOME, they sure as shit did the trick… I kinda couldn’t believe that i was completely pain free 2 days later. I no longer sound like a Jewish elder whining about my sore feet. I pick up my new orthotics next week to complete the ongoing treatment. Mazel Tov!
Thank you Dr. Hershman and staff… I will be back when I need you next, though I don’t think that will be for a while :)

As a surgeon, practitioner, business man and general guy — he’s the best.
Went to him and after a couple months of consultation I had double bunion surgery.
The process was quick and painless (didn’t take any pain medication afterwards) and was up and walking in no time, and before you knew it I was back to my 3 – 5 mile walks.
My partner jokes about how I had to visit my neighbors’ hours after my surgery and tell them about how successful it was! LOL
I would highly recommend Donald Hershman to anyone seeking advice on their feel — the man is a genius/​artist. After only a few months post-​surgery my feet are beautiful and pain free! :D