Don Weinreich, MD

Update to my previous review: I switched to Kaiser last year, and really miss going to see Dr. Weinreich. The quick response time to calls, the clean homey office, the friendly smile. So sorry that I had to switch

Maybe he’s a better doctor now, but in 2003 this doc put me on Lipitor. Didn’t follow protocol (no blood tests after prescribing), didn’t listen to patient’s feedback re. Side effects,. Turns out, I am one of the 20% of people who had extreme reaction to the drug. By the time I was taken off it, (nearly 14 months later) I was barely able to get out of bed due to pain, weakness, and damage to my muscles. 12 years later, I still have what became known as statin myopathy, now morphing into toxic myopathy. I still take low doses of prednisone to help the weakened muscles, and when I have periodic «flare-​ups» of heightened pain and weakness I have to take a chemo drug known as methotrexate for a few months at a time. Big pharma and THIS DOCTOR have left me permanently disabled.

Per call to the office today, he is not taking new patients.

Dr Weinreich has been the doctor for my parents, both in their 80’s. I have been involved because it helps them to have a third party available to take them to appointments and help with care. When my father was very ill Dr Weinrich was more helpful than I could ever have expected. He explained his reasoning for his recommendations, he made sure we were all comfortable with what he was suggesting and that we were all «on board». He communicated with and coordinated with my dad’s other doctors (VERY helpful, there were many doctors and prescriptions involved). On a Saturday night he helped coordinate a trip to the emergency room and really smoothed the way for us. For me, it seemed unheard of that a doctor would be available for phone calls outside of office hours, but Dr Weinreich made sure we were taken care of. All along he was clear, professional, supportive, and helpful. I truly feel that he made medical recommendations based on what was best for my father as an individual. We are lucky that he was there to help us. I would wholeheartedly recommend him, based on both his medical expertise and his «bedside manner.»

I have never been so disappointed with a doctor in my whole life. I have been a patient of Dr. Weinreich for a couple years now, and I always over looked the 2 – 3 times I need to call to set an appointment because they don’t return messages all the time, because he is intelligent and thorough in his medical advice. Today was the end for me though. I recently switched my med ins plan, not company, but plan… And did not realize Dr. Weinreich does not accept that plan, not a big deal I thought, since I was rear ended in a car accident, and the other driver’s ins agreed to pay medical bills, that they could bill them instead anyway, but I did not have their info with me on hand, so the receptionist informed me, I have two choices, pay 150.00 upfront or go to the emergency room, then she said, if I come back with the ins info from the other driver then he will see me, this is all as I am standing in severe pain in the waiting room at the time of my appointment, and the doctor is on the other side of the door, making his receptionist look like the bad guy. After being a patient for 2 years at least 5 – 6 visits, I would have thought, he would have said, come in, I’ll see you, and we can bill you, but let’s make sure you are ok. Nope! 150.00 or no doctor, even though I have ins, and another ins company willing to pay. Did he become a doctor to help people, or only to make money? Not the kind of person I want taking care of me, especially if a tough decision is needed from someone that cares. He clearly doesn’t. I have never written a review like this in my life, I was that hurt, that I felt I had to say something. They let me leave without any treatment or concern. Please go to someone else, your body is worth someone that wants to help and not just make money.

He gave my husband horrible care and bedside manner, my husband felt blown off and insulted. My husband had pretty acute Multiple Sclerosis at the time, and immediately found a better more nurturing Doctor who was able to give my husband the attention he rightfully deserved…

Excellent in all regards… have no idea how/​why anyone made negative comments regarding his communication skills as he is excellent in that regard. He keeps me extremely well informed, taking his time to interact with thoroughly and completely. I highly recommend his services… very friendly and patient-​oriented.

He’s great. He listens, isn’t quick to push medicines on you, and is available to chat with you when you need him. He gives his cellphone on his office voicemail, and is just a nice guy in general. Not sure what the bad reviews were about… I don’t get anything pretentious or pushy about him.
And I wouldn’t call his office «fancy». It’s just a regular office, nothing particularly special. They’re overall a solid practice — both doc and assistants.

I highly recommend Dr. Weinreich. He was recommended to us by a neighbor after my mother was not having any success with the physician she was seeing at the time. She was having issues with balance, unsteadiness and a few other related issues. It was Dr. Weinreich’s thorough exam and insistence for a series of tests that revealed that my mom had a small brain tumor and an aneurysm. He sent her to the best facility, UCSF Medical Center, where she had surgery to successfully resolve her issues. Personally, I believe he saved her from what could have been a catastrophic incident had her aneurysm burst. Fortunatley, it was caught in time. He has been so kind and good to my mother, that my husband, daughter and I have dropped our previous physicians and Dr. Weinreich is now our prima;ry care physician. He is thoughtful, focused and never rushes us. He answers all questions and responds to phone calls the same day. We also know like clockwork that when we call Dr. Weinreich, he always returns our calls that same evening. This is the time when he returns calls unless there is an emergency. I feel very grateful to have been referred to Dr. Weinrich, not only for my mother, but for my family as well. I once had a primary care physician many years ago who was outstanding, and he eventually retired, leaving me with the feeling that I would never find another doctor as caring and attentive as him. Well, I am happy to say that Dr. Weinreich has filled the gap! I am happy that he is younger and won’t be retiring for at least another 30-​years! Dr. Weinreich is definitely a top-​notch physician, who I recommend with flying colors!

I’m sure he’s a good doctor but that’s not enough. Social etiquette and people skills are needed. If he were a better listener, not so argumentative and not so neglectful in returning calls, even during a medical crisis, we’d feel safer in his care. We found this doctor through the positive reviews here, and chose to ignore the negative ones.

I am so grateful to have found a Doctor with the excellent diagnostic skills of Doctor Weinreich. He has the ability to communicate with clarity, is never rushed and gives you plenty of time to explain your concerns. He has a holistic approach and does not over prescribe. The office is modern, centrally located opposite Alta Bates and has plenty of parking. I recommend Dr. Weinreich to any one who would appreciate an intelligent clinician who is systematic, intuitive and empathetic.

After deciding to leave a very large practice when our long-​time family doctor retired, leaving us to the care of inattentive, obviously overworked physicians practising in a crowded, unattractive suite, we found Don Weinreich. And we’ve received first-​rate medical care ever since. Dr Weinreich is knowledgeable, patient, and communicates well. His exams are thorough, he’s fully familiar with and makes use of contemporary diagnostic and treatment protocols without overprescribing, and he uses his considerable powers of medical observation effectively. We’ve never felt rushed, he returns phone calls, and he’s built efficiency into his practice in ways that don’t affect patient care adversely. He has our wholehearted endorsement!

I’m actually afraid to write a detailed review because of how awful this guy was. Unprofessional, with no regard for HIPAA. All that matters is I’m not going back and I don’t recommend him to anyone. Even if they’re already dead.
I know there’s a primary care crisis in this country, but that’s not an excuse for piss poor communication and ignoring privacy laws.
Run far away.

This man is simply the best doctor I have had to date. For years I had a disorder that puzzled various doctors who I had seen. None could discern what was wrong with me. After my second visit Dr. Weinreich had a preliminary diagnosis that was subsequently confirmed by a genetic test. Not only did this diagnosis help me but has also helped other family members. I deeply grateful for his talent and diligence. He is a kind, intelligent, and caring doctor. His kind is hard to find in my experience.

I’ve seen Dr. Weinreich three times so far, and he has always been very competent, knowledgeable, and helpful. He gave me a choice of medications along with side effects, effectiveness, and prices, so that I can an informed decision. He was prompt in following up tests with a phone call to me explaining the results. His assistant/​nurse, Jasmin, is very polite and helpful as well.
Dr. Weinreich runs a sound and efficient practice — no frills, just simple, thorough medical care.

He might be a talented physician but he didn’t listen well at all. In fact I couldn’t finish a sentence. To me, he fits the classic category of arrogant young med. school graduate who thinks so much of himself and his abilities (which may be considerable) that he doesn’t need to listen to what patients want to say. I feel this violates the first rule of compassionate care: attentiveness. His office has the best view in the building but that won’t get me to go back. Is there a truly good doctor in this town who is a real human being rather than a fast-​lane member of some privileged class, is pleasant to be around, and really listens?
Postscript: He refused to prescribe a cough medication when I really needed it for a specific occasion, forcing me to find another way to obtain it. Then I found out later he had called the Rx in after all, without informing me. Weird — and diagnostic of a very poor communication style. I think this guy is problems wrapped in a pretty package (classy office with expensive art on the walls, pleasant and very young receptionist, etc.).

I had a cold that turned into a bad cough accompanied by shortness of breadth which prevented me from sleeping for a couple of nights. Dr. Weinreich took the time to do multiple tests to diagnosis the issue, explain the possible cause, and recommend a combination of complementary natural and pharmaceutical treatments. All things that you would expect from a good Primary Care Physician. He also keeps a very stylish office =)

without reservation i recommend Dr. Weinreich. i have been his patient since 2004. he has a terrific bed side manner, appears to be current on medical developments (i am not, so hard for me to judge), is insightful and intuitive, and comprehensive in his approach to care. because of my great experience, my wife, who is a medical professional, now sees him as well and is also very pleased. his staff is very helpful, and his office is well equipped and clean. of most importance, he really seems to understand me and care about my health (physical and mental).