Mt. Tam Spine Center & MRI

Dr, s are fine doctor but the front desk staff is a nightmare I called up to let them know I would be late due to some heavy rains .
I was left on the phone for 15 minutes to let them know I’d be late I arrived there 17 minutes late and they would not see me I had driven all the way from Lagunitas with an aching back
I am only allowed to be 10 minutes late they said yet I have waited a half hour to an hour to see the doctor many times
Boooo to the front deck

Sorry for the long story, but it’s a bit complicated and suggestive that there is something very bad happening at this practice right now.
First, let me say that my husband has been a patient of MTSC and Lisa Elvin for years. He’s had spine fusion in his neck through MTSC and though they did a fan-​freakin-​tastic job, it didn’t stop the degeneration of his spine. Even so, they’ve been wonderful for helping him stay functional through long-​term pain medication and other treatment and management options. Lisa has been practically part of the family as we’ve adapted to our new life as a family living with chronic spine pain.
That being said… Last time we saw Lisa she said she was looking to get out of pain management (though she’s a genius at it) and would be keeping only a scant handful of her pain patients, one of whom would be my husband because we’re so much like family. Because of new DEA rules, he had to come in for an appointment every 90 days instead of every six months. At each appointment, she could now only prescribe 90 days worth of medication. He pretty much had to be on his last pill before he got the new prescription. A bit scary, but we understood and are totally willing to work with that.
On the day of our last appointment, my husband’s mother died unexpectedly. Needless to say, neither of us was thinking about a missed appointment, mostly because we were crying so hard and dealing with mortuary arrangements. We were both in deep, deep shock and grief, and he was in no state to be rescheduling an appointment.
The day after that, we got a registered letter stating that because we’d missed «repeated appointments» (we had NEVER missed an appointment before this) we were being dropped by the practice.
We were both shocked and stunned.
In disbelief, my husband tried to call Lisa to explain that his mother had died that day and that was why we missed the single appointment we’ve ever missed in our years of work together. We faxed, we emailed, we called. We begged not to be fired and tried to explain that this was a single, extreme circumstance. There had to be some kind of a mistake.
*DAYS* later, we finally received a response from Lisa’s assistant (not Lisa… you know, the person who was so special for us that she was going to keep my husband in her practice) who said that they didn’t care why he missed an appointment, he’s out and their decision was final.
We explained that, after waiting back to hear from them, my husband now did not have enough medication to get through the process of finding a new doctor. If they wanted us gone, that’s fine, but see us one last time so we had enough meds to get us through to the new doctor.
Nope. Would hear none of it. The amount of flying figs they cared could be fit on the head of a pin.
As the wife in this, I can’t explain how destructive it is to the entire household when someone in chronic pain is cut off without notice from pain-​management. I have had to temporarily quit working because I must now take over the entire running of the house, plus I am now taking care of an invalid, in agonizing pain, grieving for his dead mother and going through withdrawal.
This is not the kind of thing the Lisa we knew would do.
To add insult to injury (pun intended), when we tried to get copies of his medical records so we could take them to the new doctor, it took more than 15 days, multiple emails and phone calls (which always went to voice mail and were never once returned). The only way we got them, less than a day before our appointment with the new physician, was to practically BEG the switchboard operator to NOT send us to voice mail again and please help us find out why we didn’t have medical records yet.
Even our primary care physician said, «What they did to you was WRONG! That’s so not right! That is just messed up what they did to you.»
So yeah. I’m not sure what happened with this practice, but it’s a mess. There’s something very bad happening there, and I’m not sure what’s going on, but after years of them being just the absolute best they have turned into the absolute worst. It makes so little logical sense that I have to wonder if there’s some part of the puzzle that we’re missing.
In the meantime, keep this cautionary tale in mind. There are strange things afoot at the Circle K, and it’s making them do things that put their patients health and well-​being in danger.

This place is amazing! Dr. Byers (and team — Alison, Susan, and scheduler Lyla) is the best! If you have a spine issue go here and ask for him — super smart, so caring, amazing bedside manner. Also everyone who works here is super nice and caring and helpful. You won’t regret seeing these people and especially Dr. Byers if you have any pain.

I finally came here to address the chronic back pain I’ve been experiencing following a hard fall I sustained on a boat trip during my honeymoon in November 2014. What I had originally assumed was either a muscle/​ligament tear was in fact a compression fracture of my L1 vertebrae… and I had been walking around suffering for over 3 months! Yikes.
I didn’t experience any of the «attitude» that previous reviewers have complained about, as the front office staff and nurses were all quite kind and helpful toward me, so I’m not entirely sure why the previous reviews were so negative. Considering the time it took for them to admit me, take X-​rays, point out the compression fracture, and send me on my way to acquire my orthotic back brace? Less then 30 minutes — superb!
Dr. Sponzilli is an honest straight-​shooter; I like that he was very «to the point» and didn’t waste any of my time. I was initially daunted by the poor reviews I’ve read of him, but now I’m wondering if other reviewers had the same doc, given how positive my experience was with him.
All in all, please do give this place and their doctors a chance. I’m now aware of my physical limitations, condition, and know how to take care and heal myself, thanks to Dr. Sponzilli and the staff at Mt. Tam Spine Center.

Fine while you are a patient.

Just an update to my back condition that occurred after and automobile accident in 2004.
I can’t say enough about my continued care from Mt. Tam Spine Center and especially NP Lisa Elvin. Lisa has cared for me since this accident happened and I am extremely grateful for the care she has provided. Every treatment or recommendation she has offered has allowed me to get better every visit. The care she has given me allows me to enjoy time with my Daughter that early in the accident wasn’t always possible. Thank you Lisa for everything you do and have done for my recovery. You always keep me smiling !!
Also I’d like to thank Jackie for all the work and time she has put into my case. From scheduling procedures to finding a an MRI machine for me (I’m a big guy) and to all the paperwork that must be required of my insurance company, I can only imagine all the hours that go into that. Thank you so much.
I can’t recommend Mt Tam Spine Center and Orthopedics enough.
Thank You all !

Five stars for Dr. Robert Byers and his exceptional staff! I am a 67 year old guy who has had the great good fortune of two extremely successful spine surgeries by Dr. Robert Byers. In 2006, I was enjoying an active Marin County life, running the Dipsea Trail, playing squash at the Bay Club, swimming in the bay, when I blew out a lumbar disk during a particularly spirited squash match with a hyper-​competitive cardiologist. I worked my way through the medical referral chain and eventually reached Dr. Byers, who thoroughly reviewed my MRI, calmly and clearly reviewed the options, and we agreed on a microdiskectomy to remove a large piece of disk that had broken off and landed on a lumbar nerve. The surgery was completely successful, immediate pain relief, I was doing laps around the hospital corridors with my IV contraption four hours after the surgery, and went home the next day, but not before Dr. Byers explained to me that the MRI showed that I had other extruded disks, and that if I resumed strenuous physical activity, I needed to make a determined effort to build up my core strength to withstand the maximum stress associated with the activity to protect my back. I took that sound advice to heart.
Fast forward seven years to 2013, seven very active years, enjoying life with zero back pain. The day of reckoning came in April 2013 during a particularly spirited squash match, when I lit something up new in the lumbar area. I worked my way through the medical system to another consult with Dr. Byers, who thoroughly reviewed my new MRI, attempted various non-​surgical treatments, and eventually performed fusion surgery, using an innovative procedure that he developed with his colleague Dr. Su, which reduced the time on the operating table by 50%. Just as in 2006, this surgery was completely successful, immediate pain relief, I was doing laps around the hospital corridor four hours after the operation, and now, nine month after, I’m totally pain-​free, running the Dipsea, swimming in the bay, but have hung up my squash racquet, based on Dr. Byers’ very thorough and thoughtful post-​operative risk assessment.
I have to award an additional round of five stars to Dr. Byers’ dedicated, efficient, professional and helpful staff, Alison and Susan the nurses, and Lila the scheduler. All are patient-​oriented, supportive, sympathetic, and most importantly, responsive to any problems that arise. I’ve seen a number of Unilocal reviews of Mt. Tam Ortho and Spine Center commenting that the receptionist ladies are sometimes rude and unhelpful. Prospective patients — please don’t hold the receptionist issue against Dr. Byers and his excellent staff who are going to do everything they can to deliver you from the land of misery back into the land of normalcy. And don’t just take my word for this — Dr. Byers conducts follow-​up surveys, and more than 90% of his surgical patients report that if they had to do it over again, they would do the surgery.

I suggest not wasting your time at this spine center. I went to them in March in real pain and have had no relief from the four shots except the shots made my pain and symptoms escalate. I found out I have a spur that is creating intense pain in my hip knee and foot, plus some other L4 L5 disks herniated. They love steroid shots even if they do little to help you. The Docs pass you on to Lisa, she is nice enough but very, very scattered, over worked and in a real high frequency frenzy that is a bit unsettling especially while in pain. Lisa told me how well I looked which has nothing to do with my pain I am in, then she told me the same story on two different occasions of how Dr Byers may not always agree to do surgery like on a former patient who has Parkinson’s. But I do not have Parkinson’s so why this story twice? She also said to feel free to go elsewhere when I complained of no relief, I have great insurance I can go anywhere so I will, since they don’t have the confidence to fix me.
She offers me a brain drug for pain because it works on some and that was a surprise to the drug makes. Lisa says she will call you back and maybe her assistant assistant will after you call a few times wondering what you are to do? For sure there is no relief there.
MY husband went there a few years ago and found the same to be true, only giving him shots until he could not walk any longer, then he then went to ST Francis and had surgery where they fixed him, Amazingly well with surgery he is now a new man! I wish he could have save the years he spent on taking shots and had it fixed in the first place. They make a lot on the on the shots about 2500 an injection. If they worked it would be great.
For me limping around in pain is not a life anyone wants to lead and my quality of life is poor and restrictive and aging me in a way it isn’t called for in this day and age. I suggest Sutter Dr Andrew or St Francis where they have the courage to fix you.

Dr. Byers is excellent. Very attentive, assessing the whole patient: physical condition, mental condition, history, xrays, etc. Definitely a very good choice.

I would recommend going elsewhere if you are looking for comprehensive doctors. You are just a number at Mt. Tam. After being a patient for years, my back went out and they told me on May 22 that I would have to wait until mid-​June to be seen. I asked for my records so I could go elsewhere and compare X-​rays or avoid more X-​rays and I was told it could take 5 days to get records. This is not what one would expect for an urgent request to see a doctor or group that you have a history with. They would prefer you sit in the emergency room for several hours and see whomever would be on call. Any group can see you when it is convenient for them, it is when things go wrong that you need a good practice that has the patients best interest in mind. Very disappointing and I am eagerly finding another spine specialist.

This review is primarily for Dr. Byers, although I also appreciated the help of Lisa Elvin, NP, as well as thoughtful schedulers Lyla and Alyson.
After a 5-​month odyssey attempting to heal an L1-​L2 disc extrusion (occurred in late July) via cortisone shots, time, office consultations and some physical therapy, in late November I finally scheduled a discectomy for January. 3^rd. Compared to the first couple months post injury, I was doing better, but still had irritating symptoms.
Early morning January 3^rd, I was on the table at Marin General with the IV in my arm — just got the presentation from the anesthesiologist — when Dr. Byers appeared. He asked me detailed questions about my current symptoms and my current activity level, and reviewed his notes from our last in-​depth meeting. Dr. Byers concluded that there was evidence of improvement over the last 45 days (injury was 5+ months ago). I debated him a bit, but concluded that he was, in fact, correct. He then explained that the angle of my particular disc extrusion is such that he would have to «move some muscle» to get to it, which I knew, and move the ‘DRG’ nerve (dorsal root ganglion) — the nerve that «gets most annoyed when you mess with it». Therefore, in solving the existing problem there could be some new problems created. The doc said you should do this procedure when the risk reward trade off warrants — when you are not able to enjoy your daily life and routines sufficiently. He contrasted my situation with that of another patient with a similar extrusion, but whose activity level was still severely restricted, unlike mine. He said, «If it were me, I would not do the operation this morning — we can always go forward in the future if the symptoms worsen again, but I now believe there is good possibility of it completely healing in time».
My wife and I were a bit stunned, and very grateful for Doc Byers’ integrity and conservatism. I got dressed and we left the hospital and headed to the Half Day Café for breakfast! There is always a risk of re-​herniation whether one does, or does not do a procedure, but it is now five weeks later, and I am feeling grateful.
Bruce McDermott

This review is mostly about Lisa Elvin NP. My care at Mt. Tam Spine was really very very good, but Lisa was the truly exceptional component that made me want to write a review. After 50 plus years, and more than a few surgeries, I’ve seen my share of medical professionals. It is tragically rare to find someone who loves what they do, is a terrific communicator, and a good listener. Lisa is all three. I wish I could go to her for everything. What a great combination of directness with compassion, explanation without condescension, and just plain honesty. Lisa, if you see this, Thank You! Mt. Tam is lucky to have you.

Very rude receptionists informed me at my first appointment that I would have to reschedule because I was 8 minutes late, on a rainy day when traffic was horrible. This after I had to wait nearly 2 weeks to get my first appointment, all the while suffering horrible lower back pain. I’d rather deal with the pain then with a place with such horrible patient relations. It seems I’m not the only one.

some of the front office staff needs a lesson on how to treat patients. Very rude!!!

Some of the people here are really nice and some are not. Before selecting a doctor from here, try to find them on Unilocal

Dr. Robert Byers, Dr. Ernest Sponzilli, and N.P. Lisa Elvin of Mt. Tam Spine Center have worked together to successfully minimize the impact of injuries to the lower lumbar region of my spine since my initial injury in 1995. The vast knowledge and experience each brings to bear has been the core component of fifteen years of successfully managing multiple spine injuries utilizing progressive, effective spine care.
Skilled, educated, and experienced in this specialized field; the Mt. Tam Spine team is quite simply the best. Their ability to effectively address acute and or chronic symptoms, coupled with the fact they undoubtedly are, and have remained, some of the most genuine and kind people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, makes them a hard team to beat. Also, the comprehensive discussions on treatment options and procedures have been key to reducing any anxiety I might have, not to mention the team’s empathy and willingness to talk me through a procedure.
In addition, dedicated staff, which work tirelessly to ensure medical needs are addressed and questions answered, make Mt. Tam Spine Center hum. On more than a few occasions, letters have been drafted and sent to my insurance carrier to ensure I have unfettered access to coverage and benefits that carriers conveniently forget about; the Mt. Tam team was quick to act, and relentless in pursuit.
As is evidenced by my history of injury and treatment, the aforementioned fact-​based observations, evaluations, and comments are rooted in a professional relationship that has been and continues to be the linchpin of my care. Additionally, close friends I’ve sent to be evaluated and treated at Mt. Tam Spine Center aren’t shy about their own success stories, as they too feel fortunate to be in such capable, caring hands.

Visited the Spine Center yesterday to see a back specialist… something more effective than all the previous treatments I’ve tried.
The assistants and nurses were super nice and seemed to empathize with me the moment I came limping into their office. I filled out some paperwork and was called in relatively quickly. They provided a bed for me to lay down on instead of have me sit in agony.
I met the doctor soon after and went through some tests to determine the severity of my injury. He prescribed some even more powerful medication for me (Dilaudid, Prednisone, and Valium) because my previous meds were a joke (Percocet and Ibuprofen 800mg).
I was also referred to a nearby Spine Surgical Center for a more serious treatment the next day (today!), but I’ll write more about this place in that review.
All in all, everyone seemed to really care about my pain and definitely felt sorry for me. I mean shit, for someone my age, this kind of pain is not cool!
One drawback to this place is, they’re super busy. Their client list is relatively large. but somehow, the wait time isn’t very long, and making appointments usually yields a 1 – 2 day wait time. Not bad compared to my local one, which had a 5 day wait time. Boo to that!
4 Stars for an almost perfect experience. The doctor wasn’t exactly the friendliest person in the world.