Benjamin Alicia, MD

I started out liking this MD as she’s obviously quite knowledgeable. But as an RN, I was greatly disappointed in her handling of my situation 2 years ago– I wound up with a bad cold which progressed to a small pneumonia. Their office took all day to call me back (I called by 10 a.m.), and when they did, they told me to go into urgent care because it was already the end of their work day. So that was a higher bill for me when it didn’t need to be. She did not even call me the next day to ask how I was doing after my chest Xray which confirmed the pneumonia. Not acceptable! The communication had become more and more distant with that office and with her, and I switched PCPs after this incident.

She was my doctor over the past 4 years. In the end it became increasing hard to contact her or get messages/​answers from her, as the Sharp assistants would handle her correspondence and the information would become watered down or just incorrect.
As of last year, I was able to contact her via the Sharp website, however, that correspondence too was transferred to the assistants.
It was very difficult to get advice on medication, doctors notes for employment, etc.

Dr Benjamin has been my primary care physic an for 13 – 14 years. She is always there and has managed hypertension, and «C» very well. She is patient, an email or phone call away which is nice since for 10 years I drive to San Diego from Huntington Beach, Orange Co Ca to see her about twice a year. When I talk to her about new science or health articles I am amazed as to how up to date she is. Joseph Sullivan

A friend referred me to Dr. Benjamin, and as I said in a previous Unilocal I grow weary of the lack of professionalism at Novak Medical. So, off to Sharp I go. I found the staff everywhere to be pretty efficient and some of them were downright friendly.
Dr. Benjamin is a gorgeous smart doctor and practices modern medicine by the book. No holistic mumbo-​jumbo in this office! I am into holistic mumbo-​jumbo but sometimes you just need to take drugs, and Dr. Benjamin knows what drug you need to take and is not reluctant to prescribe it. Another thing that was refreshing — at Novak’s you can NEVER get anything prescribed over the phone, it’s ALWAYS an in-​office visit even when it doesn’t really seem necessary. Dr. Benjamin doesn’t drag you into the office when it isn’t necessary, she just phones in a prescription. I really appreciate that.
Sometimes holistic docs want to do vitamins or physical therapy when what I want is a pill or shot that will get ‘er done. Dr. Benjamin will get ‘er done.
So when i need holistic mumbo-​jumbo I go to Dr. Novak’s office and when I need straight no-​nonsense get ‘er done medicine, I go to Dr. Benjamin. I would and do recommend her to anyone.

After enduring several years of inferior care from my previous primary care physician (see my recent review of Dr. Barbara Denysiak), I had high standards for my new GP, and was not willing to settle again.
I found Dr. Benjamin through calling the Sharp general number and told them what part of town I was in and that I wanted a new female GP, and lo and behold, an appointment was made for about a month away. While it was longer than I expected for an initial exam, I had nothing wrong and because this was a general-​wellness visit, it was not a huge priority in scheduling.
When I came in for that appointment I expected to fill out pages and pages of «getting to know you» medical forms and was only asked for my insurance card, so I assumed her front desk staff had made a huge mistake.
When I did meet Dr. Benjamin, I was beyond impressed with her bedside manner, patience and professionalism. She took her time, explained that the reason she does not have me fill out paperwork is because that is her job and she proceeded to ask me the sorts of questions that are usually on those forms, but in a conversational manner that made me forget I was even talking to a doctor.
As we talked she jotted down a few notes, then as she was explaining her philosophy of medical care to me, she sat down at the computer in the room and entered the stats she asked about previously. The entire process was quick and seamless, painless and appreciated on my part.
She was not quick to diagnose or write me unneeded prescriptions and instead suggested we start at the core of my problems and work from there. What a concept!
Each visit with Dr. Benjamin is quick and efficient and I appreciate that she values my time as much as she does her own. She never leaves me waiting, always asks how else she can help and continues to treat me like a human, not a number on a chart.
She also referred me to Dr. Tarakjian, the greatest OB/​GYN on the planet — for which I am grateful.
These are my first several experiences with Sharp Rees-​Stealy and so far, I am impressed. Finally, doctors I can respect and recommend to everyone!