R. Makala Anders, MD

My biggest gripe has been both the Sonoma and Santa Rosa staff and how poor the response time is to turn a prescription refill approval around. I recently was going out of town for a month on a road trip. Ten days before I left I went to the pharmacy and requested a refill. They said my script ran out and they would have to call the doc. I also followed up with a couple phone calls to the office and asked to have it expedited. The following week I got 2 calls from the pharmacy letting me know they had not gotten a response. I called the docs office again. Still no response. The morning we Ieft town I got a call from the pharmacy stating the prescription was finally approved and ready for pick up. I told the gal I was going to have to follow up on this matter when I got to Albuquerque. Thank goodness I had some extra medication! This Rx is for cancer sores that affect the skin and your nervous system.
When I got to my destination, when I tried to reorder, the pharmacy’s response was they had to get doc’s approval. Well, this took another five days! A couple days before I was leaving Albuquerque I made a couple phone calls to the doc’s office trying once again to expedite. The second time I talked to the gal she suggested I call the Santa Rosa office because that was where he was working that day and was going to get off the phone when I stopped her, reminded her of my location, I did not have the Santa Rosa number and THEN she was responsive. By the next day I was able to pick up my refill.
I had a couple face to face visits with Dr. Anders and was not impressed with his style and service compared to other dermatologists I have been to. Both visits he seemed to want to get out of the room in a hurry. When I brought up some side issues he just past it off as ‘it should go away’, whereas others would get our their tools and address the issues at hand.
I am happy to be able to choose a different dermatologist. Yes, I will have to go to a different city. It will be well worth the drive.

I really like Dr Anders and his staff. They found a pre-​melanoma on me and I go back frequently. They never try to up sell you on anything and never keep me waiting. Plus, he’s adorable!

As far as I understand, medical professionals take an oath that, first and foremost, they will care for their patients. Sonoma dermatology, however, seems to care more about getting payouts from insurance for repeat visits than seeing to the well being of their «patients.»
Christmas week — a busy time by most accounts — they decide to extort me for a visit by not refilling the medication I’ve been taking and have grown dependent on. I offer to come in today — the last day this week I’ll be in town, but no cigar. Alas, they would rather have my body break out in acne and wreak havoc on my biological equilibrium than wait a little longer for a payout. Business must be bad, but with practices like this, it should be.
As for the quality of their care — marginal at best. Having seen multiple dermatologists over the years, this one was decidedly meh. While the doctor himself seems like an ok (friendly) dude, the attentiveness of this office was far and away the most apathetic I’ve experienced. Except when it comes to billable services.

I saw Dr. Anders in May, 2014 to remove a waxy growth from my buttock. I was extremely disappointed with the quality of care I received. The growth was treated quickly, I was given no care instructions and not given an antibiotic to prevent infection. After three weeks I did in fact get an infection, was finally given an antibiotic to take for another three weeks and experienced pain in the area for an entire two months. Had I received an antibiotic in the first place, my discomfort should have been over with after a week to 10 days at most. I’ve since found it necessary to find another doctor I can trust to provide better quality care.

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Anders and he was fantastic! I was freaking out about these splotchy white spots on my arms and he was able to put me at ease and also suggested an at home treatment plan as opposed to prescribing a pill that could be harsh on my liver. I loved the office environment and the staff. It’s too bad the other people on here didn’t have as good as an experience as I did. I highly recommend this doc!

I am not a patient here, but I just called to make my first appointment at this location. The receptionist was not friendly at all, and when I told her I wanted to make an appointment all she said was «They’re out to lunch right now.» Very gruff, not helpful at all.
Judging by the level of service, I can tell this is not a place I would trust to help me.
I would encourage the doctors to be aware that their staff is the first impression given to potential patients.

Very cursory examination. Never once asked if I had any questions or concerns. Then I get a perfunctory note from the office generated by” eClincal Works Software’ stating the clinical names of my three conditions. There’s no explanation, no description, no detail… if you want to be treated like a piece of meat, then go to this dermatologist. If you want true service and a thorough exam… you won’t find it here.