Dr. Raul Hernandez, MD

Thank you Dr. Hernandez, your the best! Never thought going to see a Urologist could be a good experience. Your always compassionate and and professional. And the kicker is we laugh and learn. Sincerely, John Maroney.

I do have a couple good things to say about Raul Hernandez. He got me into surgery fairly quickly when I had kidney stone. I appreciate him for that. However, when we talked beforehand about what we were going to do, we decided that I would not have a stent put in if we got the stone out. If we couldn’t get the stone out, then we would put one in and do another type of procedure. We got the stone out the first time and he put the stent in without my consent or knowledge. They just said «we got it out» and tossed me out the door. I was never told what type of stone it was and how large it was. I never knew I had the stent in until later when I was still in pain and went to the ER at 6 am. I find this to be very unprofessional and it’s all the $$$$$. Business man, indeed. Does not care about what I wanted or the fact I don’t have a history of kidney stones.

I’ve been a nurse for over forty years and this is the second urologist that I have utilized. I can honestly say that every member of my family has visited him over the last twenty years. He saved my mother’s life and was he savior in her eyes as he treated her over the years. As she aged and multiple systems failed, Dr. Hernandez’ kindness and professionalism was so evident. As the years moved on other members of my family and myself have needed Dr. Hernandez’ care and each time he rated 5 stars. Thank you for your professionalism and sense of humor.

Apparently over a year or so back I had left a negative review for Dr. Hernandez and Golden Gate Urology in general. If I remember correctly, I had been struggling to get an appointment with several different practices affiliated with the Golden Gate Urology label and had not had the best experience. The first time I saw Dr. Hernandez on short notice I was very stressed out and in a lot of pain. Seeing that he was affiliated with the Golden Gate Urology label, I wrote a negative review and forgot all about it. Allow me to correct my previous short-​sighted and negative review. First of all, in retrospect I think that Dr. Hernandez was right about the particular medical issue I had thought that he was wrong about in reference to my first review. So there is that. Secondly, a number of months after I left that review, I had reason to meet Dr. Hernandez again. Given my less than stellar first impression I was concerned when I had to see him on short notice about removing a kidney stone from my ureter but I was able to get in to see him and couldn’t get in to see anyone else and when I talked with him with my mother I realized that maybe I had gotten him wrong the first time and was willing to give him another chance. What happened over the next several months would change me forever as a person and has left me with nothing but the most wonderful things to say about this physician and this office. Basically the first surgery went wonderfully, but in a freak accident of sorts I wound up needing three more kidney stone removed from my ureter over the next few months. At one point I even needed a hospital stay (my first ever). Dr. Hernandez was wonderful. I do not think that God above could have given me a better physician during this difficult time. Dr. Hernandez had great knowledge and skill as a physician and surgeon, he treated me (and my family) as people and not just patients, and he was available even at the drop of a hat to assist me during this ordeal. I have had many urologists in Pensacola, Florida, Washington, DC, and in San Francisco, CA and there is none I love like I love Dr. Hernandez and his office (including his partner Dr. Grady and the wonderful staff that works for them). I truly believe that the Lord opened my heart upon our second meeting and guided me to assess the practice on its own terms instead of in light of the other negative urological experience I had had up until that time in the Bay Area. I am so glad that I did.
Two final thoughts: In the disability and chronic illness community, we speak of people with an intuitive grasp of our access needs as people that we share access intimacy with. Dr. Hernandez and I have that and I am sure that he brings that same knowledge of human nature and needs as well as medical science to many other patients as well. There is no other person on Earth that I would rather have gone through my medical ordeal with than this man. Secondly, I am a graduate student in philosophy. In philosophy, there is a tradition called feminist care ethics. In this tradition, the focus is on the ethical superiority of those who care for others and thereby honor them as well as prove their ethical wisdom. When I studied feminist care ethics in a class, I thought of two people (and even spoke about them in my course) — my mama and Dr. Hernandez (who had recently brilliantly performed three emergency surgeries on me)!!!
I am so glad that I was willing to give Dr. Hernandez a chance to wow me with his compassion, knowledge, and skill as a urologist, surgeon, and human being after my less than stellar experience with Golden Gate Urology as a whole. I cannot say enough positive things about him and everyone affiliated with his staff.

Worst doctor ever. he’s the biggest scammer. Saw me for less than 2 minutes — he didnt review my file or my numbers or stats or anything and told me I need to drink more water. Well I drink a gallon of water a day so thank you for your bullshit advice.
Then he said lets reschedule for next week.
So for me, I get charged for 2 separate visits. The doctor billed me for 2 separate visits. No wonder healthcare in the US is thebiggest scam.
Oh hey, I suck at my job and I didnt review any of your files so lets see you next week. But wait, pay me in full now and also pay me in full next week.
that’s what happened.
I refused to pay for the first visit and they sent the bill to collections. Now it’s on my credit report. I wasn’t gonna write a nasty Unilocal review about htis doctor but screw this guy.

Dr. Hernandez is unquestionably the finest physician I have ever encountered. His professionalism paired with a down to earth personality left me without a single doubt throughout my treatment. Dr. Hernandez is incredibly thorough. He evaluated my unique case (young male with excessive urination frequency) and walked me through the entire issue at a very low level so I was in lockstep with his train of thought and understanding of the issue. We started with non-​surgical routes to tease out potential solutions. While attempting to treat my issues with prescriptions, we were seeing little progress. We discussed surgical options, all of which were thoroughly explained and we both evaluated the various risk profiles. After discussing surgical options and agreeing we should move forward, I worked with his office to schedule surgery. This piece was amazingly simple– his office staff is kind, considerate, and timely. When arriving at the hospital and dealing with the nurses, anesthesiologist, and other staff and hearing their unanimous, unwavering support of Dr. Hernandez as medical professional. once again I knew I was with the right doctor. Surgery went perfectly, post op all as expected. Dr. Hernandez, over the course of a few months, completely changed my life for the better.
Dr. Hernandez is amazing. His education and professional accolades speak for themselves. I highly encourage you to look at the Golden Gate Urology website, and visit their San Francisco 45 Castro Street location. Beyond his objective and impressive qualifications, I feel like he is part of the family. I very infrequently write reviews, however each and every interaction I’ve had with him have absolutely compelled me to let others know. If you’re looking for a urologist, look no further.
Thanks Dr. Hernandez!
Highest regards,
Dan L.

Good doc, cut through the bull and fixed my issue.

To me, Dr. Hernandez does not meet a high regard for his medical profession. I have been working in the medical field and interact with doctors for such a long time, no matter what specialty they practice, they first should have a professional attitude and demeanor towards patients so that the patient knows they have chose a great doctor. One who they can trust and do what they can to relieve, help, diagnose and treat what they are seeing them for.
My first interaction was his office. Very artsy and clean, however a disorganized front office. They are not too cordial or patient oriented, I didn’t feel comfortable or acknowledged like I came to the right place for my kidney problem or physical issues. The smiles looked fake and they worked like they just wanted to get through their day. The wait was more than 30 minutes to see Dr.Hernandez. When he saw me he asked for my symptoms and issues of why I came to his office. He knew my history of kidney stones. He looked at previous health records of which I brought to help him understand my medical history. He didn’t educate me or ask me questions to help get an understanding of what may be causing my issues. He went straight to recommending a kidney procedure or lithotripsy. I was told by a second doctor that based on the radiology report a lithotripsy was not necesssarily needed. I was not fully explained about the procedure, what I should expect, whether I would be awake or asleep, etc… info that patients NEED to know. I asked the doctor, but he gave me short ended answers and I felt like he didn’t want to ask too many questions. A good doctor understands patient anxieties and I feel its their professional job to educate and put patients at ease for procedures and treatments so that they understand what they are going into, and what other options are available and what resources to consider. I didn’t get none of that. It is hard to call them back for follow up visits so that’s why I dropped myself as a patient. They never followed up with me post procedure which is a big issue as a patient. There should always be a follow through with the patient to make sure things are okay after the procedure. I also was told false info which I won’t get into because I think its a patient to patient experience.
Dr. Hernandez was nice, but somewhat pompous, I wouldn’t recommend him to a family member or friend. He needs to be more of a patient advocate. Also his staff needs to be patient advocates and more patient oriented, not just trying to get through their day. Surgery scheduling staff was not understanding. Again I would look for another urologist if for kidney stones. It has been 7 months post procedure and I haven’t heard from them. «Lets operate and say good-​bye! Give me the money and I do the procedure but whatever happens… happens!»

!!!ZERO STARS!!!
The worst office staff I’ve ever encountered in my life! The lady that answers the phone is a liar and when she was put on blast she had an excuse.
This office had called my office twice. The first message the lady left for us never said who she was or who the patient they were trying to refer. She only left the doctors name and number.
The second time «the same girl» called she did the same thing but she first stated that this was the second third time she’s called.
THANK GOD FOR GOOGLE VOICE! It logs down all our calls and transcribes them all.
I called this office back and the same girl on our message machine answered and tried to dismiss me after stating who I was and where I was calling from. She asked me 3 times who I was again and what am I an assistant? I told her about the messages and how the person never leaves their name and she tried to argue with me saying they always say their name and they don’t do that. She also told me that NO ONE in their office ever called even though we had 2 messages from their office. I told her I still have the message and she tried to test me and say play it… So I played it for her and then I said it sounds like her and she tried to deny it.
OMG SOOOO UNPROFESSIONAL!!!
5÷22÷14
The receptionist that I spoke with on 5÷21÷14 that gave me all the attitude and told me that NO ONE from their office ever called us actually called us again still trying to refer the same patient to us. I knew it was ALMA because it sounded just like her. I tried to slowly confront her but she played stupid with me. This office is so inconsistent and they lie.
First they tell me that they never called and never tried to refer a patient even though I had the message of someone «Alma» from that office call and leave one and I even played it back to her.
Second tried to deny it was her and say they must have called and made a mistake.
Third she calls back the next day STILL tries to refer patient and schedule an appointment.
Fourth she asked me again who am I even thought I told her twice who I was and where I was calling from (that’s how I knew it was Alma by the way she asked me)
Again this office is horrible… Office staff sucks

Upon my first visit to Dr. Hernandez office the appointment went quite well. Dr. Hernandez was very knowledgeable and I felt like he paid attention to me and my needs. After the appt. we scheduled a follow-​up visit. My appointment was scheduled for 10:30am and I showed up for my appt. early despite my very busy schedule. When making an appointment, they practically threaten you with a missed appointment charge of $ 300 Dollars and yet they feel that it is perfectly fine to keep you waiting for over an hour without an apology. Furthermore, his assistant didn’t even bother to return the $ 20 Dollar copay I was asked for upon my arrival. I understand emergencies and delays but have the decency to check-​in on your patients and make sure they are being taken care of. My time is just as valuable and it’s your patients that keep you in business.

I was somewhat reluctant when I walked in here– a lot of grump old men in the waiting room-​I came here on a referral and almost left. Boy am I glad I didn’t. First of all, the office staff is exemplary! They deal with those grump old men with a smile. They are kind, accommodating and call back quickly when I had a problem. They fit me in when I needed a quick appt. and were kind and helpful. Dr. Hernandez was as helpful as the staff. He listened to me, I never felt rushed, talked with me and helped me solve my issues. This is an extremely busy man, yet when he was seeing me, I had his full attention and was not rushed. Very, friendly, kind and prompt. As a member of One Medical, I am spoiled with their model of health care, but I have to say, these people match it it totally. I highly recommend Dr. Hernandez and his staff.

Dr. Hernandez is a very excellent doctor. He takes the time to listen to your problem and is very thorough. He has a very busy practice and is highly regarded. My experience has only been positive, as he had resolved my issues.

What can I say about a urologist who never saw me with my pants off and never even bothered showing up for my last appointment? The receptionist gave me a breezy, «Sorry, Dr Hernandez isn’t going to make it in today,» and went back to what she was doing. Gee, couldn’t you have called me an hour ago at home and told me that? No phone call later either, no attempt to reschedule, nothing. I switched.

Continue to look… first impression of doctor, not good. First impression of staff in DC and SF locations… even worse.