Kaiser Permanente Health Education and Nutrition Clinic

I made a really good connection with one of the Nutritionists her name was Nicole, but she no longer works at this location. She was well trained and compassionate when it came to working with me. I like how she treated me and my situation. I miss working with her and is the reason why I no longer go here.

This is the only Kaiser location ive ever visited but if it reflects the rest of them Im not looking forward to this year. New patient and already hating it. Administration is unfriendly, unorganized, and dont seem to know what to do when something goes wrong. I made an appointment and was given the wrong location on where to go causing me to be late by 20 minutes. Staff wouldnt accomodate me, even though it was their error. Now i get to go back day two and deal with the mess of an organization they have there.

Kaiser is awesome.
Scenario: Diabetic goes to see the nurse practitioner and nutritionist to learn about new advancements in medicine and better ways to maintain the bloodsugar. Diabetic begins to practice the new methods. Diabetic now has bloodsugar under good control for the first time in 19 years. Diabetic is happy, healthy and thankful for a health care provider that really cares about it’s patients… or at least keeping them healthy.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Kaiser’s Health Education program.
The things to love:
–Very inexpensive (and sometimes free) fitness, nutrition and stress reduction programs. Classes are offered in everything from T’ai Chi and Qi Gong to Smoking Cessation to Anger Management to Yoga and Pilates etc etc etc… Most classes are available to non-​Kaiser members at a slightly higher, but still below «market rate» fee.
–Kaiser «gets it» and is doing something about it. If you teach people how to get and stay healthy, long term costs for health care should be reduced.
–Because of this program, I learned to love Yoga, and to understand that with a caring teacher and visionary guide (aka Kalidasa) Yoga can be one of the most wonderful things on earth! All this for $ 6.62 per class, $ 9.62 for non-​members.
–I love the way the classes run in 8 week cycles or so, and you are with the same group of students the whole time. When it’s working right, real friendships and bonds are created within the classroom.
To dislike:
–Unfortunately there are many Kaiser members who are not aware of the programs offered, so classes are often cancelled due to low enrollment. I’ve even had Kaiser employees tell me that they didn’t know the extent of the services offered, and I think they can attend for free or a reduced price. I’ve told Kaiser doctors about the classes and they’ve been surprised. The marketing is pathetic… great concept, great offerings, no promotion. The information design in their printed catalog has gone from bad to worse, and there is no way to get on a permanent mailing list to receive their catalog. (the website has the catalog in PDF form, but not much add’l info)
–The administration of the program is pretty bad too. You might not be told a class is cancelled. If they owe you a refund for a cancelled class, it will take 8 weeks to get to you. The teachers seem to have trouble getting good communications from the administrative office and are often vocal in their frustration.
–Unfortunately my favorite yogi in the whole world, Kalidasa, is no longer teaching for Kaiser. The current teacher is all about «flow» Yoga, which is not for me, and isn’t terribly good with beginners and is rather a cold fish.
–The facility is kind of crap with worn carpeting and a lingering odor in some areas… but hey, it’s cheap! (update ³⁄₀₈: The facility I was complaining about is being torn down. Classes are now in various Kaiser locations-​the Pilates class I’m taking right now is on Geary between 5^th & 6^th Aves.)
I’m signing up for a Pilates class soon, which will cost me $ 11.66 per class as a non-​member. I will never give up on Kaiser because although they have seemingly little quality control over the classes, there are some real gems there!