Kristine Ahern's Online Review Report Card

Not impressed with how thorough she was. And her medical assistant was just short of being rude. Both of them were in a hurry. Definitely not a typical PAMF doctor.

I don't enjoy writing negative reviews, but my experience with Dr. Ahern was not a good one. I went to her in March '19 with an undiagnosed scalp infection. I presented with a bald spot on top of my head which was inflamed and oozing. I strongly suspected a fungal infection, as I had been on an oral anti-fungal med from my podiatrist following an invasive foot surgery and subsequent fungus diagnosis on my foot. Dr. Ahern took some samples from the scalp area which I had been treating with topical anti-fungal and s-acid. I reached out to her several times over the next few weeks as my condition deteriorated, and received very aloof responses. I eventually told her that I was nearly completely bald, and the hair that came out in my brush looked very strange. She suggested that I bring the hair samples to my next appointment... in a month. The samples she had taken from my first visit were inconclusive, and the suggestion was made that I could be pulling out my hair as a form of psychosis. Incredibly frustrating and belittling.I stopped by her office to drop off the hair samples in an effort to be proactive. Again, I was rushed along my way, saying they had other patients and didn't want to "waste my time or theirs'". I asked the nurse assistant about the hair samples I brought in, and she said that they looked normal. I asked her if she had actually seen them, since they were very abnormal-looking, even to the naked eye. She became vague and I had to press her to confirm that they would be sent in. (I still haven't heard anything regarding the specimen.) PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTO OF WHAT DR AHERN DESCRIBED AS "NORMAL"I finally was referred to a dermatologist at Stanford after they were tired of fielding "all" my messages. The Stanford MD saw me within the week, and took one look at my scalp and confirmed a deep fungal infection. He provided treatment that has been outstanding, and the infection is rapidly improving with new hair growth. I can't help but feel as if I was judged and categorized by Dr. Ahern and her staff based on first appearance. I have tattoo sleeves on both arms, and came to my first appt while recovering from a painful plastic surgery procedure. I certainly wasn't looking my best, and was emotional about my hair falling out. I do not compulsively pull out my hair, and I am certainly not on drugs. I am a professional in the tech industry and a stable single mother. Perhaps Dr. Ahern should have admitted to being unable to diagnose or successfully treat my condition, rather than brushing me off. The best thing she did for me was to refer me out of her office.

Dr Ahern is a competant and caring professional. She has cared for me through two melanoma instances.

I had two unrelated concerns and she addressed both of them effectively and urged me to follow up with her. She was friendly and professional. Overall great doctor!

I've been seen by Dr. Ahern since she was a resident at Stanford University in the Dermatology Department, and In my humble oponion, she is one of the finest Dematolgest, I have ever seen. She has help me with a number of skin problems. She is just the best!

Both her nurse and Dr. Ahern were rude. The nurse tried to negotiate down with me the number of issues I could raise during my visit (the nurse said to focus on top 3 concerns) and I felt more like an financial asset for them than a patient.In the end, when I did raise my 4th question, (even though my 30 min appointment was not up yet), Dr. Ahern felt it important to mention that I did arrive late (I arrived 3 mins late) and she acted like it was an  inconvenience for her to listen to my concern.

During my first pregnancy, I went to see Dr. Ahern.  I was having breakouts/acne on my face, neck, chest, and back, and from what my OBGYN, nurses, and the Mayo Clinic online resources stated, pregnancy can cause a series of skin problems in some women.  Others are lucky and experience a clear complexion and proverbial pregnancy ' glow.'I will not be revisiting Dr. Ahern nor recommending her to anyone for the following reasons.1) She was cold and aloof.  Her first reaction to my skin issue was mild shock and disbelief, since she had supposedly never seen a pregnant woman with skin problems.  (Should I be more concerned by her lack of consideration for my feelings or by the fact that she seemed less familiar with skin issues than a dermatologist should?  She also claimed to be very familiar with skin in pregnant women.)2) She told me my condition was severe (which is the opposite of my husband'sand the OBGYN's reactions to the rash) and warranted oral antibiotics, which she usually wouldn't recommend to pregnant women, since no studies of the medication in pregnant women have been conducted.  (First, she tells me she's unfamiliar with a relatively delicate situation, and then she seeks to prescribe medicine that could adversely affect my baby and may not even help my skin?)3) Dr. Ahern took cultures/samples from my skin, presumably to test for specific bacteria, and then never contacted me to explain the test results.Given my hesitation with the oral antibiotic and my OBGYN's advice that the risk of taking the meds now was unwarranted, I decided not to take the meds. And I would strongly discourage anyone else from going to see Dr. Ahern.If you aren't convinced by this review, read Donna's, too.To address other patients' comments: perhaps she doesn't lecture or even explain conditions to her patients because she doesn't understand them.

Dr. Ahern is a great dermatologist.  She does not lecture her patients, but provides all the facts.  Her office carries great products too!  Would highly recommend her.

I went to Dr. Ahern a few years ago to lighten the skin tone on my face.  Everything wrong possible went wrong.  She gave me a topical cream that was too strong for what I needed.  My face began bleeding (not kidding!)from the topical cream as a result!   The bleeding left my face scarred and with brown spots.I called her office and they told me to just come back in.  Kristine did nothing to help me.  She said that the cream was too strong and to try another one.   I was very angry for what she had done.  She said that I would just have to let the scar heal and the brown spots to go away.  The brown spots never did.  I called her back regarding my problem, but she refused to see me and referred me to another dermatologist in the office to fix the problems she had created.  A few years later, her irresponsible behavior, lack of care for her patient, and lack of knowledge on treatment, has still left some physical scars that will remain for yrs to come.If you are looking for a knowledgeable, caring, and responsible dermatologist, I would NOT recommend Dr. Ahern.

I try to stay with Camino Medical Group for all things medical as they are so good at handling everything -- from appointments to payments to just overall service. I needed to find a new dermatologist as mine moved away. I visited Camino Med's website and picked Dr. Ahern.She was 1.) very understanding 2.) helped me with my needs 3.) didn't lecture me. I will definitely be recommending her.