Pacific Gynecologic Specialists

I was worried after reading some negative reviews here on Unilocal,but Dr. Friedman is a great doctor. I didn’t wait more than 10 minutes. He is funny, caring and so smart. You’re in good hands. I had no trouble with the office staff, found them friendly and actually pretty funny. This is a crazy busy office, so if someone seems impatient or short, it may be due to the high patient numbers. Dr. Friedman has a great sense of humor. He was kind, patient and very reassuring. Btw, my biopsy came back benign.

Initially, I was completely skeptical. Dr. Friedman was strongly suggested and referred to me by my gynecologist. I did my homework and checked out what other people were saying about Dr. Friedman, and knowing that even doctors and their families insist on Dr. Friedman when in need of a gynecologic oncologist, I decided I would meet with Dr. Friedman.
Although his office staff is friendly and efficient, there is a serious wait to see Dr. Friedman. At the first visit I waited in his office for three hours beyond my appointment time and then another half hour to 45 minutes once in the room. Seriously, almost every visit until the last two before my surgery, I waited a lot. I wasn’t the only one, though, and nobody waiting seemed all that bothered — in fact, they were for the most part talking about how grateful they were to see him. Kinda kept my faith going and my mouth shut, just listening to how this wait time didn’t seem to bother the returning patients.
One other annoyance was that I had incredible difficulty on a few occasions, calling in when I was having problems with prescriptions and pain. I couldn’t reach anyone and I got an automated voicemail where I could not even leave a message. I stuck it out, though, while considering seeing another doctor and def going for a second opinion.
The thing that happened, though… Dr. Friedman was actually treating my condition with much success, medicinally, without surgery (which was what had been prescribed by others). That was HUGE!!! It was miraculous, in my mind. He said that at the very least, he would be able to get things down to manageable, if indeed, I needed a surgery.
My insurance cut me off from the medicine I needed to finish the treatment…
Doctor Friedman, without blinking an eye, assured me that although I would need to now go in for surgery, it would be minimally invasive and I could get back to my life in a very abbreviated amount of down time.
I am writing in sincere gratitude to and for Dr. Richard Friedman. It has been a little over a week since my surgery and just as promised, I am preparing to get back on my feet day after tomorrow — and I am full of confidence. He removed what needed to go and even visually, I am in better shape than I was before. Healthwise, I feel a MILLION times better. He hasn’t given me the green light, yet, but I feel like everything is right with me.
He just knows. He is incredibly knowledgeable, and to call him talented would be an insult because he is so much more than that. He is a lifesaver with great compassion. He puts his heart into his work and so do his nurses and his assistant. They really truly care and if you need the best doctor to help you combat a very frightening disease, you will be hard pressed to find anyone better.
I will be seeing him next week, and I know I might wait for a little while. Do I mind? NO! I will bring my big fat novel and read to my heart’s content. I will also tell anyone who is feeling discontent about the wait that I am eternally grateful to Dr. Friedman and his staff. A few annoyances are nothing when you need to trust someone you essentially do not know, with your health and your life. I am so glad I stayed with Dr. Friedman. I can’t wait to thank him in person for restoring my wellness.

I feel badly writing this review about a doctor I’ve never even met but this review is about his office… and not about him. I was referred to Dr. Friedman by my OB/​GYN because my uterus had doubled in size over the course of a year and I was in need of diagnosis. Of course, when your doctor refers you to a person whose title has the word «oncologist» in it, it’s pretty scary. I called Dr. Friedman’s office immediately, was on hold for about 20 minutes (I can deal with that), and then was greeted by a cold and unfriendly person. They didn’t request my records from my OB/​GYN until two days after my initial phone call… even though I had been calling their office every day to see if Dr. Friedman had reviewed my records. I was really scared this whole while… worrying about what could be wrong with me and wanting very badly to schedule an office visit to get some answers. When I came on Unilocal to read the other reviews of the office staff, it all made sense.
At that point, I decided to abandon plans to see Dr. Friedman, even though his office is ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. Instead, I called over to Cedars Sinai and was given the royal treatment by an amazing gynocological oncology team who were all so kind, in person and over the phone. So now, I am driving across town to Cedars Sinai to wonderful Dr. Christine Walsh whose staff treated me like the frightened and fragile person I was and who got me in for an appointment right away… rather than when they were good and ready. I cannot say enough good things about the quality of care on the part of Dr. Walsh and Cedars Sinai, which is a world class hospital.

Amazing doctor but WORST receptionist. Gives nothing but attitude. I get your job is tough sitting at a desk, answering the phone, making appointments, and processing payments. If you don’t like your job, get a new one. I need to figure out how to get my records so I don’t have to keep going there

The last time I was in Dr. Friedman’s office, I wasn’t seen for my 10:30 appointment until almost 12:30. I think most people would lower a Unilocal rating for that kind of wait, but he is an excellent surgeon, extremely competent, and you know that if he is operating on you, you are in excellent hands. After having a previous gynecological operation go much less successfully, I know that having a skilled surgeon is worth an all-​day wait. (But I’m glad it never came to that. :)

I was unfortunately recommended by this doctor since I need surgery and is by far the worst doctors office I have ever been to. Waited for well over 2hours for a 1030am appointment and was seen with Dr Friedman for maybe 5mins in his office and then another 5mins max for an examination. Himself there isn’t much to say, I haven’t meet a surgeon in my life that isn’t very friendly so I wasn’t expecting much but regardless his manners and professionalism were not the greatest. That being said the one star review isn’t for him it’s more for his nursing staff.
The second I went back there I saw her get into a verbal match up with another patient and then stating «well if you don’t need to come to this doctor then.» Really, that’s how you handle an unhappy patient? Once the examination started which is always so comfortable and fun for any lady she made lovely comments about how scared and shaky I was and in her words «I’m young I should be use to this.»
Afterwards I called them back for results, which expect a 20min wait on he phone, I was continually talked over by the same nurse on the phone and had her voice raised at yelling at me. I would not recommend this place for anyone due to the main fact of the office and staff and not so much of Dr Friedman.

I was in the hospital for ten days, and Dr. Friedman was my surgeon. He was gentle and seemed to really care about how best to go about the procedure. He went out of his way to do what he thought was best and would not require the removal of an ovary or anything else. Being a young woman, I could not be more grateful that due to the care I received from this amazingly skilled doctor, I still have the choice of making a family. Also, he just really seemed to care about what I was doing to get on my feet, encouraging me to take a shower and to walk three times a day during my stay. I could not be more grateful to Dr. Friedman, and I highly recommend him to anyone! He is very skilled at what he does, and is incredibly intelligent, and cares about his patients’ health when it is in his hands. He is thorough but quick about things, pleasant but not in any way creepy, and I feel blessed that he was my surgeon. Props to Dr. Friedman, he really deserves it!

Really dislike coming to this office !! They are always backed up and it take a long time to get it. And then you get in and it take a long time for the Dr to come in. And let’s not leave out trying to make an appointment. I called many times my other doctor called many times and finally they call you back and tell you to come back in a month. Very unhappy so far with this office

i have been a patient her for the last 2 years and i am officially leaving as of today and reporting dr. friedman and his entire staff to tge medical board! why? lets start with, laser vaginal surgery schedule on jan.21, 2014 i arrived at st. joe’s at 5:30 with parents as instruted only to be anxiety ridden 1 more time waited in holding area for over 2 ½ hoyrs and tge o.r. nurse came to take me away but dr. and anesthesia dr. had not even come to see me 5 minutes away from surgery! suddenly dr. friedman appears yelling at me saying what r you doing here your not supposed to be here! excuse me? dont yell at me first of all and follow up by telling me his surgery scheduler made a «mistake» and never checked my test results last week and she should have called me and brought me back in to cancel surgery! wait aren’t you the dr. you should br checking my results! after 2 years of dealing with his extremely rude staff ex: receptionist and his nurse jana! next complaint ive needed a prior autoratzation on my hormone patches since april 9 2014. jana exact words to my gp today were: yeah ive gotten the faxes but im not filling tgem out too much trouble her insurance wont pay for them! this is a 100% lie! my insurance has been paying for them last 2 years! makes me wander if i really to have the diagnosis he claims and a month no meds and no help in site.. im reporting and if you value your health or life. don’t go here!

Dr. Friedman is a wonderful doctor and has excellent manners. He has a great sense of professionalism and confidence, and a great sense of humor, which I think is needed in this world. I look for doctors like Dr. Friedman for myself all the time. In this case, he was my mothers surgeon and we were referred to him by her primary. She is always very uncomfortable with doctors in general, but a male gynecologist especially, I had to assure her that it didnt matter and it would be fine. He made us feel very comfortable and assured me that everything would go well in surgery and recovery for my mom. Dr. Friedman is very warm and caring and knows what he is doing. I personally look for that in a doctor and a specialist. He met with myself and my mom prior to going into surgery and kind of casually said, let’s go. A really sweet and pleasant guy. We met with a Kaiser doctor about four years ago that basically told my mom you can either have this surgery or not, its up to you, it might even happen again. And when I went in to talk to this Kaiser doctor to translate for my mom, he was very unprofessional and kind of looked at me rudely, like who the heck are you. The office staff at Dr. Friedman’s office is very nice, Vanessa and the surgery coordinator, Christie, in particular were very warm and sweet. They are extremely busy and have very important cases that they are handling with other patients. I think on one visit, my mom and I had to wait for 2.5 hours, which was very long, but I would have rather waited for Dr. Friedman than any other doctor. He is worth the wait and makes you feel good. My mom is very happy, surgery went well, and she appreciates Dr. Friedman and his office staff very much. Thank you Dr. Friedman.

He’s a decent doctor, but I’d take anyone else over him because his office doesn’t have their s*** together. Expect to wait at least an hour and a half past your appointment time to see him, and then to see him for only about 2 minutes. The office staff are completely unapologetic about the ridiculous wait time. I don’t understand why they habitually overbook like this– completely inconsiderate! To top it off, this guy’s bedside manner makes Gregory House look like a model physician. He basically exemplifies why I never go to male doctors. Find someone else– anyone else. He’s not the only doctor with his expertise. It’s just not worth it to have to deal with him and his staff.

Dr. Friedman is a great confident surgeon. I was back at work after a full on hysterectomy and lymph nodes removed after 1.5 weeks! He’s genius! I totally agree that they have a horrible phone system. It’s rare when you get to speak with a human being and very frustrating to leave messages EVERY TIME. They don’t have someone answering phones 2 hours in the middle of the day (when all of us try to make our appts on a lunchbreak!). I only refer patients to him when i feel an oncology consult is necessary… but always have to preface the referral with: «Get ready because it’s hell trying to make an appt with him! Just be patient b/​c he’s worth it».

5 stars for the doctor and yes, the reviews about the atrocious appointment wait times are accurate. My longest wait was 2-​hours which, of course, is the one you’ll remember most even if you’ve been admitted on time with most other appointments. But when your life is at stake, you want the best Doc in the field and you’ll wait for the best.

I was referred to Dr. Friedman and Dr. Bergman who together fixed my GYN issues and my bladder problem. It has now been over a year from my surgery and I feel fantastic. I have no more GYN issues and I do not feel like I have to go to the bathroom every 2 hours. I don’t leak and I feel fresh!
The office has some issues, BUT there is NO ONE better that Dr. Friedman and well worth any wait time you may incounter. He is a truly caring person and sacrifices his personal time for his patients. His is an awesome healer and there is NOTHING creepy about that!

I am a previous patient of Dr. Friedman, referred to him by another doctor. While Dr. Friedman is competent and didn’t do unnecessary procedures, I found him to be too touchy feely for me — giving me a sideways hug or rubbing my arm — even with the nurse in the room. That’s too much for me, especially when I’m wearing a gown. He creeped me out. Getting refills was also a challenge as someone else noted. At times I would have to call his office while standing at my pharmacy to get them to approve a refill. The longest I waited was 2 hours to see him — 4:30 appt and saw him around 6:30. It was awful. Make it an 8:30 a.m. appt or not at all.

To be fair this is not a rating for Dr. Friedman. Due to a «scheduling error» I have yet to see Dr. Friedman. This concerns his receptionist. For someone who is dealing with people who have cancer, or think they may have cancer, she has the sensitivity of an ice cube. I find her icy demeanor so off-​putting I am tempted to find another doctor. It seems from these reviews the doctor himself gets high praise which I will take into consideration. If I go I will just have to be sure to wear my parka to my appointment. Brrrr.

Pacific Gynecologic Specialists is NOT located at St. Joseph’s anymore. Dr. Friedman, and his staff have moved location, and must have no idea what is listed anywhere on the web. I got a reminder call about my appointment, was out of state and misplaced my note on the address, but remembered the street. It was very difficult to find his current location.
From my car, calling the office and trying to reach a receptionist was a challenge, very aggravating, and they are still don’t answer the phone after 1:30pm as they say on the message recording. I’m guessing they are severely understaffed, and not late or lazy ;D.
After driving out to the location I Googled, and finding it was not in St. Joseph’s there was no way for me to get through on the phone to any person or get info stating the address. I knew it the street was right, but for almost two hours could not get thru to find the suite location. They never told me it was the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center building, a whole floor in there. When I finally got through I had to ask for a building or landmark to find their office. There are so many off the street there. I parked again, this time found the right building, and did have to wait again over another hour before actually seeing Dr. Friedman.
I was taken aback at how loud and indiscreet a couple of receptionists were in the open waiting room outside the exam rooms. I felt embarrassed for those who had their health matters and info broadcasted across the room for all to hear.
I searched my iPhone again to see how I could have missed the location, or if there was more accurate info about his current offices — but nothing.
Dr. Richard Friedman himself is a wonderful doctor, he took time to speak with me before, explained details to me during and briefly after my exam, offering me his optimistic attitude and preference to have his expert associate review my tests, and noted well, that the results would take some time because of the labs process and use of snail mail. I found him to be very professional and accommodating — unlike the office staff. As for lack of lack of proper business management, organization and advertising, which clearly is not his job, or expertise, I would go through the hassle all over again, if I had to, just to get his professional consultation. Thankfully I didn’t need to go back.
I did recommend to him, that his office staff add the address, and specifically the building location to the answering machine message, so if no one answers the phone, you could still find the place. He was completely unaware.

I must say that Dr. Friedman is a miraculous surgeon. He saved my life and for that it is worth the extra hour waits after your scheduled appt. times, the sometimes abruptness of the doctor, etc. I actually really like all the office staff, members but the whole admin staff handles a very heavy workload if indicated by all the patients in the waiting room.
While this should rate 5 stars, it’s rated as 4 due to the inconveniences you must put up with in order to have a successful visits and surgery. Yes, it’s frustrating. Yes it’s annoying. BUT, he is an excellent surgeon in his field.
I had a total hysterectomy due to ovarian cancer and the scars are barely noticeable. Even the Dr. kept looking at my scars and saying how proud he was of his work. It was iffy if they would be able to get mine with laprascope due to my size, but he was able to do it, and with no complications. I was up on my feet 2 hours after surgery and heal time was very quick (approx 3 – 4 wks).
Tips:
Before surgery: Make sure to call the surgical coordinator directly bypassing reception if you have questions. Even if you leave a message, they will return your call that day. If not, call the receptionist back to see if they are out for some reason.
Make sure you ask lots of questions before seeing the doctor, write them down and take someone you know/​trust with you to the appt to help remember (Dr. Friedman is speedy). If you forget to ask something, call back the nurse as she can be extremely helpful.
After surgery: Call the nurse on duty at the office through the receptionist line to answer any pressing questions you might have after you’re released.
If great bedside manner and waiting is too much for you, then see another doctor. If you want a skilled surgeon who is the best in his field, then seriously see Dr. Friedman. They are located across the street from St. Joseph’s in the Disney Cancer Center and the address is wrong listed above.
This is the correct adddres: 181 S Buena Vista St, 3^rd Floor, Burbank, CA 91 505 (NW corner of Buena Vista and Alameda).

If only Unilocal allowed 0 star reviews. First off the address is wrong on here and secondly I saw Dr. Richard L. Friedman at this office and I would NEVER by any means recommend that ANYBODY visit this office, or even consider seeing this doctor.
I was referred by my gyno to see this oncologist for surgery. On my very first appointment I showed up on time and waited in the waiting room to be seen for well over an hour. Finally when I met with the doctor for a consultation we spoke for all of 5 minutes, than I was shuffled into a room to disrobe for an examination. It took me 2 minutes to disrobe, but it took the doctor 45 minutes to come back to me. A quick examination and i was told that they were getting a second opinion on one of my tests and i was out the door.
It took well about a month to get the results. I called once and they didn’t have it. Instead of providing me with the results they had me come into the office (ching ching on another co-​pay and another bill to the insurance company and another charge for me to pay) for them to spend 2 minutes telling me the tests were right and schedule a surgery.
The only place I could get in for my surgery was 2 months away so I made the appointment and waited. 1 hour before my scheduled surgery they called to cancel because the doctor was «ill.» they didn’t offer alternate dates or attempt to reschedule they just said he was canceling it. Didn’t call earlier in the day, no notice nothing! I had obviously been waiting a long time for this surgery and prepared for it with time off and making the prior arrangements and they could care less.
I tried to ask them for an alternate doctor and they rudely replied that I must not know which doctors office I called because Dr. Friedman is the only doctor there (which in fact he is not). I also asked if I came in now could the doctor do it since i was informed by the Doctor and the Nurse that the procedure would only take 5 minutes. The nurse rudely said they never said that, when in fact they said it multiple times.
After all that the nurse said fine i didn’t need to cancel the appointment — oh really? So am i supposed to show up in an hour and sit in the waiting room for nothing? She quickly told me that she didn’t have time to talk to me and had to call other patients to cancel and I can call back later. RUDE
In summary:
— So now I have a doctor that is dragging me in for office visits when a phone call would do, but instead they want me in there so they can make more money
— staff is rude, inconsiderate and insensitive
— I called multiple times and couldn’t get through to anyone, but kept getting an answering machine and I am still waiting on a call back.
— canceled appointment with no attempt to re-​schedule.
Rude doesn’t begin to describe what this office staff consists of. If you are looking for an oncologist, this is not the doctor to see!!!

Dr Friedman is an AWESOME doctor and has saved my life TWICE. I’ve been stage 4 two times (so far — knock on wood) and for not for his excellent surgery skills I would not be here today.
But unfortunately I do have to agree with the other reviewer as to the incompetency of his front office. Though since moving to the new offices on Buena Vista (no longer in St Joe’s) they have FINALLY gotten the appointments computerized and are slightly more organized.
He has had problems getting good front office help (NOT his fault) and this has improved greatly, though the appointments are still WAY over booked. Yes, this can be a great inconvenience — but this is my LIFE I’m dealing with and I will «put up with» a little inconvenience since he is such a great doctor. You just have to make your appointment first thing in the morning and you’ll be ok.
I have and will continue recommending Dr Friedman… with the preface of an early appointment