Shirley Tamoria, MD

I’m not a fan of our pharmaceutical based medical system. But this is what we have. Dr. Tamoria has to work within the system, yet she maintains a good working knowledge – and respect – for alternative approaches. When I clearly stated my need to be heard about why and how I was approaching my health, she took time to listen. Kaiser docs are often swamped, but my condition was potentially serious and she took the time. We do not agree on everything, yet I so appreciated the respect and kindness. To me, this is a key part of anyone’s healing. Somebody here swore and complained that she didn’t get a prescription with enough refills. Frankly, we don’t have enough facts about the circustances to judge. Dr. T. has always returned messages. I’ve been through a number of docs. Delighted to have found her.

This doctor is insightful and very perceptive. She does not just take your word but really makes you tell the truth. No worry about judgments from her as my case was very sensitive. She is compassionate, kind and is honest enough to call my bluff. She is a rare breed in today’s medical field where the majority just prescribe meds and send you out the door without really understanding the depth of your illness. She makes me feel well, and much better just by my visiting her since I know she will keep in confidence anything that I share. Her kind of medicine is not just drugs. it is also spiritual.

I had my first visit with her maybe 2 years ago for a physical. It lasted 10 minutes.
I was expecting a peak into every dark cavern in my body, needle pokes, fluid tests, etc.
WRONG. Not even a reflex test which I was dreading.
Second, I needed a refill Rx. She gave me one… with ZERO refills. Thus making it an extreme hassle. The previous doctor gave me 3 refills so I can fill whenever I want (or at once). Now I have to deal with calling Kaiser, waiting for over a day, finding time to pick it up, a more expensive and less qty Rx too!!! Lame.
She comes off a bit defensive and self-​righteous. Kaiser needs to take look at this one so it doesn’t give it a bad reflection of the organization. Needless to say I changed doctor’s.

If I could give her negative stars, then I would. Dr. Tamoria is THE WORST doctor I have ever had. Do not go to her — switch! She does not listen to patients, has a horrible bedside manner, and makes illogical decisions.
~Rant Warning~
I was off sick from work on a Wed. and Thu., the 23^rd-​24^th, and needed a simple note to go back to work. Friday (25^th) morning I called for a note; 4 hours later comes a call saying I had an appt. for Wed. the 30^th, the next week. What? I called & left another message saying I was better and just needed to pick up the note letting me go back to work. Monday the 28^th I call early, and was told by the Kaiser staff that the office didn’t open until 8:30am, and that I’d just have to wait for the doctor to respond. Around noon I get a call saying that my note was ready, excusing me for the 28^th — 31^st (4 days, but the wrong ones). What? She wanted me to take more time off of work — why? I called back and left a message to please make the note for the 23^rd-​28^th I actually took off (that’s 2 days of actual sickness, and 2 days of trying to get a note for work). A call back from her assistant lets me know that she can’t give me the 4 days I requested, because for more than 4 days off I’d have to be seen. WHAT? I didn’t request more days, just the right ones, the 4 days I was actually off — 2 of which were spent trying to get a note. WTF? It makes no sense. I HATE THIS DOCTOR. I had to spend 2 days SO FAR off of work (hemorrhaging money), trying to get a note. A simple, f*cking note! She has no direct line, and will not respond to messages for days. STAY AWAY.