James Ostroff's Online Review Report Card

Would NOT recommend this practice, read the reviews Karen is the acting Doctor at this point. She does not listen or read reports, when I tried to email the Dr directly she intercepted. Was referred to Dr Ostroff, and experienced the same issues other reviewers had, in that it takes forever to get an apt, and when you do get one you will be waiting.Not sure why the medical field gets to charge ultra premium prices but offer sub par care,

I am fan of dr. Ostroff and Karen bagatelos. Yes, bring a book. I've never been seen quickly, but I admire the team and honestly started here in 2005. He treated me for ten years before ultimately having a pancreatectomy. He was always kind to me. So, take it as you will. I was deathly ill and he did what he could for me. Karen is a gem. I love the staff here and feel that he helped me through a horrible illness and if you need an ercp, he's your guy. Don't go to a doc in the box of you have a pancreas problem. I was referred here by a gi in the east bay due to my condition. Anyway. I haven't anything bad to say about him. He's a busy man so you do have to wait forever....but it's cause in demand and few are as capable as he in pancreas abnormalities. Best wishes to anyone who has to go.

I was called and offered a cancellation appointment for 2:30 pm, so I grabbed it because they said the next one would not be until January. I arrived at 2:15 pm and was put into a room, and the gal said "He is not in yet, but will be here soon." I had reading material with me, and after an hour, I opened the door and asked what was happening. The gal said he was with another patient and would be right in. After another half hour, MAKING MY TOTAL WAIT TIME NOW 1-1/2 HOURS I opened the door and stood there watching. Another patient came out and I asked him what time his appointment was and he said 3 pm. SO WHY WAS HE TAKEN FIRST? I was fuming by this time and finally Dr. Ostroff came in and patronizingly apologized. Dr. Ostroff is not offering video appointments and my issue could have been handled by that method.

I have been through so much Dr. Ostroffs office was so kind attentive all while making me feel so comfortable. As I was waiting for Dr. Ostroff to come into the room I tried everything I could not to cry but the tears came. I just recently lost my Mom. Dr. Ostroff was not only patient incredibly kind he gave me such a warm human kindness moment I will never forget. He became emotional talking to me about my Mom his own parents. It was beyond a touching moment with a Dr. I had never met before. He addressed why I was there to see him made sure to have his staff schedule me for the next step. I feel so completely comfortable trusting that Dr. Ostroff will take care of an issue Ive been living with for almost 3 years. It was worth there wait to see Dr. Ostroff. Ive never had a better experience witnessed such kindness compassion with people I had never met. It restores your faith in humanity. Thank you so very much Dr. Ostroff.❤

Dr. Ostroff has a great bedside manner and was incredibly warm and friendly with my special needs daughter. From the visit starting with her not speaking to him it ended with her giving him a big hug She has a sixth sense I trust more than anything Glad weve found him

As others have stated...yes, there can be a wait to see him. because of his knowledge I would wait any amount of time. My first visit he took the time to answer all of my questions as well as any questions my mom had. I have been living with pancreatitis for 10 years or more, had given up hope of getting any relief. It is to a point that the pancreas does not even produce enzymes properly so blood work does not come back indicating an episode of pancreatitis. so, after answering questions and quick exam he tells me ...we are going to fix you. Have had several ERCP procedures. They help. If I have questions or concerns I can send email and always get a response. I am very pleased with him and his staff and feel very fortunate to be under his care. Just wish he was closer.

This is proof that you can only give Yelp reviews a suggestion of the experience you will have with a physician. We only waited about 20 minutes to see the doctor and received passionate concerned care from him. He is going to do everything he can to determine what is ailing my wife. And we will gladly endure the 7 hour drive to return for the tests

In 2010, my G.I. physician, Dr. Kwon noticed my liver numbers were elevated; after an abdominal MRI and another round of blood work, she referred me to Dr. Ostroff at UCSF for a diagnostic procedure called an ERCP.After the procedure, Dr. Ostroff and his team (also highly qualified professionals) determined I had a rare biliary liver disease and determined the course of treatment. Needless to say, I was relieved we had an answer; a quick phone call to my cousin, also a (GI doc at Temple University) confirmed I had someone who is considered an expert in his field. Her first words were, "you are in excellent hands, he'll take great care of you".  I also have Crohns disease, it has become controlled while under his care. Some reviewers have mentioned Dr. Ostroff is brisque and a poor communicator but I disagree; he is an extraordinarily busy man with a large amount of responsibility, he publishes peer-reviewed papers (in addition to conducting research at a busy teaching hospital) and doing procedures, both adult and pediatric. While it does take a little time for him to warm up, I don't expect him to hold my hand and be my therapist, that's not what he's there for! Others have mentioned that they were not fully sedated prior to the scope being inserted but after dozens of ERCP and colonoscopy procedures, that has never been the case for me. I've always been completely under sedation prior to the procedure. A few qualities I appreciate in Dr. Ostroff are that he's impressively intelligent, straight forward and highly-skilled. He also gathers professionals on his GI service and office staff (like Karen Bagatelos)  who share the same qualities. In all aspects of treatment, I have found him easy to talk to, forthcoming with answering my questions in a straight forward manner, using language that was easy to understand. Dr. Ostroff is professional, talented and highly competent. I highly recommend him.

I have been a patient of James Ostroff MD since May 11, 2018 when he performed my pre-operative studies for a hiatal hernia repair. He is a solo practice UCSF Gastrointestinal specialist with 41 years of experience. When my surgeon told me I needed the work up, I asked him for a direct referral to the best G.I. doctor at UCSF. This is the man. His staff has been with him in his office for 21 years. But tells me he's a wonderful boss. This man is a highly respected specialist by his UCSF medical peers. He has taken excellent care of me since my September 13, 2018 surgery. I highly recommend anyone who has concerns about your visit at his office, to speak with his staff directly Or to contact Ucsf Patient Relations. I have upmost confidence in this doctor and his team. He's the best of the best and I'm very grateful for his care and compassion in my case. His Nurse Practioner Karen has been with Dr. Ostroff for many years and is on top of the patient Communications. I trust her professional judgment. Dr. Ostroff and his team are fantastic.

I have been a patient of James Ostroff MD since May 11, 2018 when he performed my pre-operative studies for a hiatal hernia repair. He is a solo practice UCSF Gastrointestinal specialist with 41 years of experience. When my surgeon told me I needed the work up, I asked him for a direct referral to the best G.I. doctor at UCSF. This is the man. His staff has been with him in his office for 21 years which tells me he's a wonderful boss. This man is a highly respected solo practice GI specialist per his UCSF medical peers. He has taken excellent care of me since my September 13, 2018 surgery. I highly recommend anyone who has concerns about your visit at his office, to speak with his staff directly Or to contact Ucsf Patient Relations. I have upmost confidence in this doctor and his team. He's the best of the best and I'm very grateful for his care and compassion in my case.