Ketul Joshi, OD – Hacienda Park Optometry

I am not a paying client of Dr. Gold’s, but have some interesting feedback to share that is very telling of how this business is run.
I am an administrator at a local preschool, near to this optometry clinic. Every year, as a school, we focus on a Health, Safety, Nutrition curriculum. Eye health is particularly significant as many of our children will be taking their very first pediatric eye exam before entering kindergarten: an event that is quite scary and overwhelming for these very young children. The teachers felt bringing in an optometrist to speak to the class would be help in preparing them, and also raising awareness and education about eye health.
We were not paying customers nor were we interested in purchasing anything from Dr. Gold and Associates, yet we were received incredibly warmly from the first call with the receptionist, planning out presentation logistics with Dr. Gold’s staff, to speaking to Dr. Gold himself on the phone (he insisted on giving us his personal cell phone number, so we could get a hold of him easier).
The clinic sent out Dr. Joshi to visit both of our classrooms. Dr. Joshi was incredibly gentle, humble, patient, and caring with a group of 3−5-year-olds: if that is any indicator of his bedside manner, and I feel it probably is, then these folks are truly in a league of their own.
It did not escape us how much a doctor’s time is worth — a representative from the clinic would have been cheaper — but it is evident this a community-​based clinic. As a local business, we really got the feeling that they are focused more on relationships than money.
This clinic went above and beyond in several ways: Their receptionists and staff saved eye charts for the children and posters to include in their dramatic play area. The doctor who visited us took the trouble to haul over bags of real «doctor tools» to show the children. The office sent over coloring books related to eye health for the children.
Sure, the clinic got some clients out of this, but that was certainly not the focus and there were no pushy marketing materials sent home to parents of the children. There was a sense of care throughout, and the children felt this (they are amazingly in tune with emotions) and were themselves excited to go home and share with their parents all the neat things they saw and learned.
It turns out many of our families are customers already, and rave about the service at this clinic. Their business philosophy and practices seem to align with what we experienced.
We did not get this type of respect and generosity when we reached out to other clinics in our neighborhood (local and more franchised); even after in-​person visits, NONE gave us a response.
Thank you, Dr. Gold and Dr. Joshi. We need more of these types of businesses, especially in fields as sensitive and important as health and medicine.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Joshi for eye exams for several years now and I find his manner and professionalism excellent. He is friendly and seems to really care about his patients, taking the time needed to make sure you get all questions answered and a thorough eye exam. I highly recommend him. The practice run by Gary Gold does offer the best eyewear styles and the staff is also excellent. I’ve been going to Dr. Gold’s practice since 1980 and this has always been true.
Update: He’s moved to the east bay and left the practice. Boo.

Full disclosure: I know Dr. Joshi personally — but he is one kick-​ass opthamologist!
He has been taking care of my and my husband’s eyes since he was in San Francisco back in 2000, and now we travel all the way to Sunnyvale to see him.
He has a great chair-​side manner and doesn’t admonish you too much when you wear your contact lenses for too long! Plus, his store has styles that are totally fashion-​mogul worthy.