This was the WORST set of experiences I have had at a medical facility. The anxiety caused by the practitioner and the staff was stressful and unprecedented.My care was questionable and if not deceptive and the office management is a nightmare. There is no physician running the practice ( according to the office manager) and the office managers apparently run the locations.Scam billing and unnecessary repeat visits seem to be the business model.Repeated requests to speak to someone who is responsible for the office have gone unanswered...and staff from several locations refuse to give me contact information. They just refer you back to people causing the problem.What reputable medical practice wont give you a doctors name or the name of an administrator or executive of the corporation?I was booked with Helen, whom I found out as she entered the room is a physicians assistant. As I see a competent physicians assistant at my regular MD for everyday things , I thought...oh...okay- lets see how it goes. But I would normally start at a new practice with a doctor. A physicians assistant is required to work under a physician...but nobody would identify the doctor under whom Helen works.Helen seemed fine, but there was something not quite right. I had a full body exam and she removed half of a benign little bump on my nose that had caused concern and sent it to be biopsied. It came back fine and I was billed ...A LOT.In the past (and later with Dr. Wang) the issue was removed and later biopsied , and if the issue was benign that was that...if cancerous, additional treatment was discussed and executed.Not here...removing half meant coming back for a second expensive treatment.The office manager stumbled through excuses and said that perhaps a physician would have made different treatment choices. She assured me there would be no further charges for finishing the procedure.I finally called the office manager back, told her receptionist that I was uncomfortable with Helen, cancelled my appointment, and then was sent to voicemail to request another appointment.The next morning my phone rings...expecting that it was the office manager making the appointment, I was blindsided to find Helen on the phone...sandbagged by the office manager on the other line. Helen explained her concept of treatment...then said we could do one of four things to move forward (including just removing the little bump that everyone agreed should have been done the first time)...this left me even more certain that practicing thoughtful medicine took a back seat to covering the practices butt. She also questioned the credibility of my other doctors.Then the office manager chastised me for telling Helen that she (the manager) had suggested that different treatment might have come from a physician.Helen then impatiently said she had to go...I DIDNT WANT TO TALK TO HER IN THE FIRST PLACE...SHE called ME ... AFTER being told I was uncomfortable with her.The office manager booked me with Dr. Wang. He froze off the original bump and several other questionable doodads (I was raised in Miami, so sun damage is routine) and handled the appointment in the way my previous dermatologists have always done. He confirmed that the procedure could have been performed in an easier and thus more cost- efficient manner from the start.The office manager reassured me , for the SIXTH time, that there would be no further billing...so I paid the original bill.OF COURSE, months later, my insurance company and I are billed hundreds by Dr. Wang...and nobody knows nothing about nothing.I have no way of knowing if Dr. Wang is competent. He seems fine for this ROUTINE set of circumstances...but the practice he works with (he is there periodically) is 1) dodgy and 2) a hot mess.Now I am left with the task of finding a new dermatologist to re-do the full -body exam and I have to pay more and more money...because I DONT TRUST these people. In my opinion, neither should you.

I visit yearly for a general skin checkup and I see Helen. She is always attentive, thoughtful and complete in her exam. The ladies at the front desk are polite as is Helens assistant, I recommend them all.

Although it was not Dr. Pessoa or Dr. Schmidt, the Russian woman was very good and accommodating. No issues.

I love Helen Chodsky. So knowledgeable, careful, reliable and personable. She has it all.

Another shining example of how healthcare is made for profit. 15 minute visit to rule out cancer, and I was (incorrectly) diagnosed with two separate conditions. All that rounding up to a $350 total? Yeah dont bother

Weve been patients at Golden State for years and have always been treated very respectfully. The office personnel are very welcoming, kind, and run an efficient office.

Definitely five star. Capable bright and caring. Great job! Called back very soon with results of biopsy. I highly recommend him.Rose Ginsburg

I was at ease with Dr Schmidt and his associates. I believe he has both expertise and compassion, valued traits in someone you’ve gone to for medical reasons.

The front desk staff are helpful and professional. Helen Chodsky is awesome! The nurse who helped with check in was also great - professional and helpful. Dr. Browne is also great.

Dr. Timothy Schmidt is wonderful, caring and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him for any dermatology needs.

Easy, friendly, quick experience during COVID. I had a biopsy done on my nose and the doctor was clearly concerned about the pain of getting a shot in the nose and did everything she could to make it quick and painless.

Dr Pessoa is extremely knowledgeable in diagnosing skin abnormalities, and takes time to explain her assessments. I would recommend her for any skin concerns.

Dr. Browne and staff are great! Visiting a dermatologist for the first time was a little nerve wracking. I was suffering from a skin infection on both sides of my face. Dr. Browne not only provided exceptional patient care, she also provided me with a solution to resolve the issue. Genuine, knowledgeable, friendly, and problem solver are words that quickly come to mind when I think about the service and treatment Dr. Browne showed me. I would absolutely go back if this issue resurfaces or any other skin condition. Just like Allstate, you’re in good hands with Dr. Browne!

He’s thoughtful, caring, encouraging ...everything you could want in a doctor...

Dr. Pessoa is hands-down the best Derm Ive known since Ive been here (30+) years.

After a not so great experience with a doctor that has just left the practice, I went to see (Dr.) Chodsky (Berkeley) who was the one who was recommended to me along with Dr. Pessoa (who I could not get in to see). I didnt see (Dr.) Chodsky at first because technically she is not an MD in this country. But she is in the Ukraine. And she is WONDERFUL in every way. She is genuinely warm and friendly and very reassuring which is extremely important to me who does not fare well emotionally in doctors offices. AND she is clearly very good at what she does. Thank you so much Dr. Chodsky. I will continue to recommend you .

Helen Chodsky is great! Very friendly and helpful.

He was very thorough with the exam, very pleasant and personable.

After having one of the most unprofessional experiences Ive had in my life with Dr Adrianna Browne I never returned. It felt like I was on an assembly line, and spent perhaps three minutes in her office.Id hoped Id be able to see another, more highly recommended, doctor at the office. After scheduling the appointment I was called back afterwards, and told that I couldnt see doctor Pessoa, and would have to go back to Dr Browne. Id expressed the fact that I was unhappy with my experience, but told it wasnt possible to see this different doctor.It seems that protecting the business of a doctor is more important that providing a positive patient experience where theyre happy, and feel attended to. Id recommending going somewhere else.

Thank you Tim, youll see me back when I need your help :)

Worst experience I’ve had with a doctor - represents everything wrong with the medical system today. Rude staff, Dr Browne didn’t bother to answer questions or do a decent exam, rushed out to the next exam, just tried to sell me services. Money-hungry and worthless.

Very professional and friendly