UCSF General Neurology

My husband was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors back in 2005. We had the good fortune to use UCSF and receive Dr. Michael McDermott as his doctor. Since then, he has had several surgeries, both open brain and radio oncology, the last one yesterday. Dr. McDermott, is an extremely knowledgeable neurosurgeon, with over 30 years of experience. He is calm and cool in his practice. This is the place to go if you need to be looked at for these kinds of problems and I can highly recommend Dr. McDermott.

I can finally write a review based on my experience with the Neuro team here because I’ve finally gotten brain surgery and guess what? I survived :)
If you know me, the first thing I’ll ask you isn’t your name but, what your sign is. I already knew Dr. Lawton is a libra but did I know the whole entire team in the O. R were libras too? Including myself?! How meant to be is that?! Everyone in the Neuro team takes such good care of their patients and I felt nothing but love here! Dr. Lawton is the best in the west and I would not trust anyone else with my brain but him.

Dr. Keenan, resident neurologist, is a breath of fresh air. He is unbelievably courteous, kind, takes exhaustive histories and gives practical but thoughtful advice.

My husband just had his first meeting with Dr. Karl Meisel at the Neurovascular and Stroke Clinic. Our son attended with us. It was unlike any meeting we’ve had with a specialist before. He came into the waiting room exactly at the appointment time– to the minute– to lead us to the exam room. He speaks slowly enough to follow, was unhurried, has a sense of humor of his own but responded to our humor as well, and was completely thorough. He patiently answered all our questions, wrote down the next steps, etc. We liked him very much! The office staff was pleasant, check-​in was prompt and efficient. My pre-​visit communications with Doug, Vanessa and Anna, were numerous; they were always available, patient, pleasant and helpful. While it’s early days, I just want to say that I’m impressed and pleased. I’m not sure it’s helpful to rate an institution or a specific department based on a meeting with one doctor, but I’d like to offset somewhat all those negative reviews about the one doctor that patients love to hate. There are other doctors there and I’m delighted to find one that is nothing like the poor guy described below. There wasn’t a trace of arrogance in Dr. Meisel. — Arrogance is a self-​defense tactic to disguise insecurities.

My 1000^th review is a no-​brainer. You’ll understand the pun shortly…
If someone you love and want to keep on the earth as long as possible is found to have a tumor the size of a grapefruit in their brain (how is that even possible?!) UCSF will know how to handle it. In my simple little pea brain, I can’t fathom how someone could have their skull sawed open, a tumor scooped out, their skull pieced back together, and go back to a fairly normal life a few weeks later. But somehow, the brain surgery gurus at UCSF made this seemingly impossible feat a reality for my mom.
We lived at UCSF for almost a month, meeting doctors, getting tests, asking questions we were scared to hear the answers to. The rooms are nice, the cafeteria food lackluster, but the harpist in the waiting room was a sweet idea. All the docs were so competent and professional, always happy to talk in-​depth about all the details of the freaky procedure. We were lucky enough to get Dr McDermott as mom’s surgeon, THE brain tumor expert. «Dr McD» was no-​nonsense, but when he showed up on surgery day wearing a tie-​dye bandana, I knew mom was in good, groovy hands.
Cutting open heads is NBD at UCSF. They do it all the time! And I can assure you, they are very good at it. Even though my mom’s tumor was on her frontal lobe (the personality center), she is 100% still herself a year later. Just .5 pounds lighter after having «Headley» removed (yes, we named her nasty little invader).
There are no amount of stars to award to people who save lives, or try their very best to do so. But, here’s at least 5 as a token of my appreciation.
And to all the moms out there, you get 5 stars too! Sometimes it takes a brain tumor to remind us of these things.
Love ya mom! RIP Headley.

Great place to go if you need a neurologist.

Recently my 36-​year young son experienced a Subarachnoid hemorrhage (look it up on Wikipedia) and had the amazingly good fortune of being flown to UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. That is where the life-​saving surgery by neurosurgeon Michael T. Lawton, and his team, took place. My son stayed in the Neuro ICU on the 11^th floor after his surgery for almost two weeks, and the ICU staff was really wonderful! I didn’t know this at the time, but it seems that this is the best medical center on the west coast for this situation. The 11^th floor Neuro ICU actually gets 5 out of 5 stars from me even though I’ve given this hospital a 4 star rating.
Once they released my son from the Neuro ICU they transferred him to the 8^th floor to be observed before releasing him so I could take him home. The 8^th floor was not, unfortunately, up to the standards of the 11^th floor Neuro ICU. I would give the 8^th floor 2 stars because they seemed very disorganized. Don’t get me wrong, they are very nice. But it often seemed that the right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing. Fortunately, he was released without about 24 hours of being transferred to the 8^th floor.
In spite of the issues with the 8^th floor, I would definitely want to go to this hospital in the case of anything like a Subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain tumor, or injury.

Dr. Raskin,
Unbelievable arrogance. He knows about one thing: migraines. If you have migraines he can help you. But if you have migraine like headaches from another source or etiology is simply will try to make you fit into his knowledge. Terrible bedside manner. Huge ego.

Came here for a friend’s MS support group. Glad they have these services, but it’s unfortunate it’s only once every three months… The doctor facilitating the meeting was great! Very approachable, knowledgeable, encouraging, and understanding, yet realistic!

Dr Raskin has the worse bedside manner I’ve EVER encountered and is probably the rudest MD I’ve met (and thats saying something considering I work in Public Health and worked in hospitals for years).
I can’t believe someone who obviously doesn’t like people is a doctor.
He scoff’s at questions, ignores comments from the patient, says symptoms simply don’t exist and doesn’t even acknowledge a patient’s partner in the room (which is me).
He should be ashamed of himself.

Update on Dr. Raskin — the downside is he has a fairly gruff bedside manner to say the least as others have noted — and that he basically has one tool in his box — medication. In my case there was not much to it — no combination of different agents, no playing with the doses, if it didn’t work we moved on to the next one. I finally, through no fault of his, got tired of trying different medications with no results. I redoubled my quest for Complementary/​Alternative (CAM) methods, such as acupuncture, and various lifestyle changes. This has helped as much or more as any of the medications, that is to say, I still have daily headache that never really goes away, but I’m much more functional than I was before.
A note about my rating — he has a real tendency to dismiss your questions and cut you off if you start asking him about things you’ve read on the internet or in articles. I personally appreciate his bluntness in general, but it was difficult to communicate with him on many of my visits. You’ve got to have a fairly thick skin to deal with it. I’m going with two stars, I do appreciate his knowledge especially around pain medication, but you have to be prepared for his style.

Have a brain tumor? Itching for a craniotomy? Or perhaps just curious to discover if a lobotomy might improve your confidence with women? UCSF Neurology is THE place for you (except maybe for that last part).
Dr. Berger and Dr. McDermott are neurosurgeon rockstars. I met with and/​or discussed my condition with multiple doctors and neuros at several different facilities prior to getting into UCSF. And though I can’t say I had any complaints about anyone I met with at other facilities (*ok, I can – see see footnotes below), Dr. McDermott and Dr. Berger demonstrated the precise kind of cool and calculated confidence that’s absolutely mandatory for wetware ops like mine.
Both doctors dedicated no small amount of time describing what this alien thing growing in my brain was and both were extremely thorough in describing the surgical procedures and tactics they’d be using to get rid of it. They were very quick to schedule surgery and I was literally in and out within days. The UCSF staff (Jennifer, Mimi) went out of the way to make my stay as pleasant as possible and the facilities were clean and comfortable.
I was going to die and am alive because of these guys. What better review could there ever be?
*Ok, so I did have a couple other not-​so enthusiastic (but funny) experiences with Non-​UCSF docs:
1) Radiologist confessed «oh, you won’t have to worry about being a vegetable – your family might, but you know, you won’t because, well, you’re a vegetable.»
2) Surgeon at another facility dropped the brain model he was using to demonstrate with and had trouble putting it back together. Ummm, yeah.

Dr Raskin was by far the WORST doctor I have ever been to. He sat me down in his office and started asking me questions. Before I even was able to answer the question, he interupted me and would ask another question.
His questions were leading toward particular answers that he wanted me to say. He kept on drilling me about my migraine triggers but seemed annoyed when I wasnt giving him the answers he wanted to hear. I felt like I was being interigated.
Dr. Raskin has very particular hypotheses on where migraines come from and how they are triggered and if your answers to his questions don’t seem to fall in line with his hypothesis, his interigation style gets more intense and volatile.
It doesnt matter where he got his degree or how few people he has helped, this is clearly a man who should never have entered practise where he would be dealing with people. The bottom line is that he has no compassion for those who are in pain.

They know their stuff but the bureaucracy and poor bedside manner of these doctors is pretty hard to stomach. Doctor Raskin is an abrasive doctor so memorize your spiel before you show up. He made me cry during my first visit, I felt like I was being interrogated and he would lay into me if I didn’t give him the answer he expected to hear. He is smart though, and will have at least 3 different prescriptions to combat your migraine… if it’s more complicated than that he gets flustered and is out of answers. On the plus side he has call in hours on thursday (if you actually get to be his patient) which is very convenient.
Doctor Ralph was better but in a huge rush the two times I saw him. He was very reluctant to get involved. When you deal with these guys come prepared otherwise you will be steamrolled. If you can’t get an appointment or get fed up with them go to Dr. Alicaway at Seton Medical center. He isn’t as distinguished, and he is a little awkward, but he will treat you better than the folks at UCSF neurology.
Oh, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to sway the receptionist. No amount of bargaining, persuasion, tears, or screaming will get them to help you out. Don’t even bother, it will only ruin your day.

Dr. Raskin doesn’t mess around. He asks you a question and you better give him a direct concise answer. I get it. UCSF Neurology knows what they’re talking about. I trust them to be able to figure stuff out when it comes to my noggin. Yay for the doctors and most of the staff!
Boo for the dumbass condescending ‘Christine’ who answers the phone and helps you (in theory) with rescheduling your appointment. Though I may be seeing a neurologist for some brain issues, I’m not so stupid that I don’t know the days of the week. Hey Christine… you’re annoying as shit.

I set an appointment (the wait was 30 days which I was told is «standard» by the staff) and the day came for my appointment and I was unable to drive myself to the office and unfortunately my ride flaked out on me about 2hrs prior to my appointment. So I called at aprox. 6:30am to let them know and left a message for the front office coordinator and asked them to call me back when possible to reschedule (not knowing that it is not their policy to do so). At aprox. 2pm I got a call back from a VERY upset and rude Dr. (yes the Dr. himself called me) to say «This is Dr Raskin — when exactly are you planning on coming in?» I said, I called this morning to inform I was unable to due to the fact I did not have a ride to the hospital and to reschedule when possible, to which he stated «If you think you are just going to call here the day of the appointment and cancel you can forget about ever being seen here. Don’t call back here because there is no way I will ever see you» and hung up.
Now ok, maybe I was not aware it was his «standard policy to not see (i.e. blacklist) anyone who cancels or reschedules the DAY of the appt» (which is what his staff told me) which is his choice, but he did NOT have to be so darn rude about it. I would not have had a problem paying for a $ 70 taxi to go to the appointment had I known I was not allowed to EVER be seen again. I would have had no problem with never seeing him had I known it was his policy and chose not to go anyhow. My problem was the fact that he actually called me several hours after my appointment time to pretty much go off on me and then hung up on me.
I felt it was highly unprofessional and showed me that it was probably best he was not my Dr. in the end anyhow.
After some researching and referrals; I have found an amazing doctor (Dr. Belaga whom I highly recommend!) who I am so happy that I am not even giving this review a second thought. Dr. Raskin (not UCSF — which I love and while I have not always had a great experience with, I will continue to go to.) deserves — 5 stars (but I can only go so far as to give him 1) because of his attitude (he was really intense — just not in a good way that day) which seriously needs adjusting.
JMTC — Anyone reading this, I suggest that you give Dr. Belaga a try before going to UCSF Neurology.

I have been a patient of the UCSF Neurology Department since early adulthood. There are a few things I need to watch, and this department has had some of the top neuro surgeons in the nation. Sadly, two that I have seen have since left. Dr’s Kevin Cogan, and Michael Patterson. Dr. Cogan was very unique in his attire, always in bow ties, sometimes made out of porcelain. Yes, that’s off topic, but if a respected doctor can get away with it, why not. Dr. Patterson reminded me of a cartoon character of some sort, always with a smile on his face.
It all began with a CAT scan when I was maybe 18. Now that they found what they are looking for, I go for an annual MRI scan to make sure everything is in check. I’ve always had positive feedback on the results, letting me know everything will be fine. The staff has changed quite a bit, and my adolescent doctors have since left. I still have found the same care I always have, many of them want to continue follow my health, even though I have Kaiser now.
I hope I never have to get surgery, as blindness is a possible «side effect», but if I do, I can’t think of a better facility I would have that done. They take the position of patient first, versus what’s it going to cost. I just may forgo Kaiser and keep going here.

I should have written this review two years ago. I didn’t because I just wanted to forget the incident. Dr. Neil Raskin’s name came up on a search of Unilocal.I was helping a friend find a doctor. After reading the praise that Dr. Raskin received by fellow Unilocalers I felt compelled to write a review.
In Feb 2006 a horrible neck pain came on suddenly. My neck was extremely stiff and sore. I had lightening bolts of electricity shooting up my face literally 100’s of times a day. My face would flush to the point of being horrible red. It felt like someone had their hands around my throat and was squeezing. I also had dizzy spells and very nauseous. This went on for about a month. I thought that it might have been a nention headache so I did not seek medical attention. After a month I could not stand it anymore and went to my primary care doctor. He prescribed numerous medications and diagnostic tools to find out what was wrong with me. I had ex-​rays, CAT scan and MRI’s done.
No one could seem to diagnose my issue.
I spent almost 9 months of this chronic painful ailment before ending up with an appointment with Dr. Raskin at UCSF Neurology Department. I thought «Finally, someone that might help me.» I WAS WRONG!
We went to the exam room and Dr. Raskin staring asking your normal questions. I answered the best I could. As I would respond he would interrupt me and ask another.
I felt like I was being interrogated! At one point I had to stop him and said to him that I was very uncomfortable with his questioning method and that his questions had nothing to do with my ailment. He proceeded to sit back in his chair with a smug look on his face and said «Well, you can leave anytime.» CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?” I did not know what to say. He then proceeded to tell me that I was suffering a migraine headache and prescribed an over the counter medication. Pretty simple for him since he is a migraine headache specialist. GO FIGURE! I was very angry when I left.
When I discussed Dr. Raskin’s behavior with my PCP he acknowledged that he was aware of Dr. Raskin’s tactics. It seems Dr. Raskin has a reputation at UCSF yet nothing has been done to correct his behavior.
Since November 2006 I have sought treatment through numerous doctors, physical therapists, acupuncture, chiropractic and massage. I have only improved slightly. No one can definitly give me a diagnosis. The closest it Myofacial Pain Disorder.
I have filed for Social Security because I can’t take the pain and the pain medications have me so loopy.
Dr. Raskin’s archaic bedside manner was despicable! He thinks he is stilling living in 1959 and that doctors are always right and that patients should blindly follow doctor’s orders. NOT!!!
If someone suggests you to go to Dr. Raskin, think twice.
PS: I just came from another Dr’s appointment at UCSF. The doctor I saw today (Endocrinology) was also aware of Dr. Raskin’s reputation. Seems to me that if everyone knows about him why isn’t something done to get his butt fired? IMHO.

I have to agree with the folks here about UCSF Neurology. Dr Neil Raskin is an amazing doctor. He listens, he is intense, and he knows migraines. It is super nice to know I can go back if I need to, and to have a doctor confirm that some of my seemingly oddball symptoms are «just» part of being a Suffragrette. Or having migraines.
To the person who had complaints about the referral system — I also had to jump through a couple of hoops to get into UCSF. I went to my primary care physician, another neurologist, and finally got into Dr Raskin. But, it was worth it.

I side with the Suffragette. I spend four days here getting tested for everything after a complicated migraine left me standing on the street with my name, address, and all personal details completely gone from my head. I didn’t even recognize UCSF when I arrived (thank you, Mr. Cab Driver). Anyway, that’s a long story. I am fine… at least, I’m not dying:)
My care was top-​notch. They say this is the 7^th best hospital in the entire U.S. I believe. Thanks for absolutely everything, guys!