Med Center

It’s highly unusual for me to post negative comments about anyone. However, I have to say that my experience with Dr Meller and the MedCenter has been appalling. As someone who values ethics and professionalism very highly, I will never even consider going back there.

I was super impressed with Jill Christie the PA. She was very thorough and thoughtful. I had also forgotten my insurance card at home, and Danielle went above and beyond to reimburse me the same day. There was a wait… But you can’t expect instantaneous service at an urgent care facility without an appt. Very happy with my visits.

I called to make an appointment. Alissa (I believe was the person’s name) said that they don’t take appointments after 5, but if I can get there by 7 they will see us. So I get there before 7 and they refuse to see my daughter. I plea, beg, to no avail. She suggests that I go to Fairview. I said «Can you please call them and let them know that I am on my way, as they might turn me away if they have a similar policy (to not accept patients after 7PM even though they close at 8PM)? She said „no“. I beg… in vain. I said „Do you think they will take me.“ She said ‘No, They don’t accepts patients after 7.» So I respond «You’re sending me somewhere knowing they are going to refuse me… What is your name?» «She responds: «Have a nice day». I ask again «What is your name, please?». She once again responds: «Have a nice day!»
I would never tolerate an employee who is so rude, inefficient and misleading.

Well, I didn’t meet Dr. Meller, but I did meet a nurse named Steve. My interaction with him was very upsetting and disturbing. I am not giving details, because I wish to remain anonymous. Steve went out of his way to make mean, demeaning, and just awful remarks to me. He really went out of his way to make nasty, sarcastic, and mocking comments. I really couldn’t believe my ears. This guy’s behavior towards me was outrageous. If I told you what he said to me, you would be as appalled as I am. I will give a description so that others will know who he is. He is olive complected, black hair, about 5’6″ and 140 lbs., slim build. He is about mid 50’s, maybe asian. My God, I have never encountered someone that cold, callous and actually very hostile, in a doctor’s office. It was a surprise, and something I was unprepared for, so it upset me greatly.
There was another nurse there, a heavy set woman, fair complexion, mid 50’s. She was nicer.
The desk staff seemed ok. Given the reviews, it is apparent that decency and respect towards patients is not a priority in this office.
I am a business owner in Santa Barbara, in the health and beauty field. I have a sterling reputation, and an extensive client following. Going into this place is worse than dying in the street. Dying in the street, would actually be a lot more pleasant.

I have been to the med center on multiple occasions for strep throat. I have gotten strep a lot in my life so I knew what it felt like. When I talked to the doctor about it (Dr. Meller), he did not believe me and told me that I didnt have strep. I know I am not a medical professional, but it would be nice to be treated with a little more respect for my opinion even if he thought it was wrong. I mean it is my body. But I could have forgiven all of that if I didnt have to go multiple times for the same strep throat. On multiple occasions I had to go twice to recieve different treatments. This lead to more time being sick and more medical visits. So when are considering a place to take yourself or anyone to recieve medical attention, go to the med center as a last resort.

*Keep in mind that I work with medical professionals, so I do understand that they have difficult jobs, and I try to by understanding, BUT…
I had a terrible experience with the Med Center which is in line with all of the poor reviews that I read on Unilocal about Dr. Meller and his staff. I was hoping that he would not be present at the time of my visit and the only reason I went there was that it was the only location available at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The receptionist (Barbara?) interrupted me multiple times. When I asked who the doctor is on staff she simply told me to click «unknown» on the electronic pad she gave me.
The check in process was completely impersonal. Dr. Meller was colder than most metal exam tables — His demeanor was curt. He didn’t even review my med list with me, gave me a medication which wasn’t properly mixed, and told me to «go get some Mylanta». He was knowledgeable but very condescending.
I am pretty sure they overcharged me for copay by $ 20.00.
I felt like a cow in a slaughterhouse.
I will never return and tell everyone I know not to go to this facility.

Agree with ALL the negative posts about Dr. Meller. He should have his medical license taken away as well as any contact with another human as long as he is alive. He is the worst. I thought the front desk staff was fine when I went 2 days ago but looking at other reviews it’s no wonder they’re unhappy sometimes. Who wouldn’t be working with that despicable so-​called doctor.
He also misdiagnosed my daughter a few years ago and said the small rash she had on her bottom was «nothing» only to find out it was actually staphylococcus. That’s not «nothing» as far as I know.
Other doctors I have encountered there were great. Recently he left my 11 year-​old in tears. One of his rude comments was that «Maybe she didn’t get the lead role in the ballet and perhaps that’s why she was feeling sick.» Seriously? That was only ONE of the rude comments. Don’t even get me started on the others.
I waited two hours to see this douche. Never again. Avoid this place at all costs when he is there.

DO NOT GO HERE. These people are assholes. If you are in any sort of pain ask a friend who’s studying pre-​bio to look at it, you’ll most likely get the same outcome. The only difference is your friend won’t charge you $ 400 to literally stare at you and tell you you need cough medicine.

Dr. Meller is the rudest, most miserable, unprofessional doctor I have ever experienced. This is also not counting his holier than thou, ubber liberal, I am better and smarter than you attitude. Which is why there is such a hatred of people like him from those who do not have a similar mindset.
He Certainly has no idea of what the Hippocratic oath means, nor compassion for his patients. I am visiting from PA and had a prescription for pain that a local pharmacy could not fill as it was from out of state. I have had 5 back surgeries and he had the balls or lack there of, to state that instead of taking pain medications, I should fix the problem, as if 5 painful surgeries is not trying to fix the problem.
He then states that California is the leader in not wanting to give harmful medication to patients and that I better be ready because the rest of America will follow suit!
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SUCH A MISERABLE EVIL PERSON STILL HAS A LICENCE TO PRACTICE, BUT OBVIOUSLY WORKING IN A SHITTY MINUTE CLINIC CLINIC TELLS THE WHOLE STORY AS DOES EVERY OTHER REVIEW~!
BEWARE AND STAY AWAY!

Left me in pain! :p i felt very little compassion or and got not meds for some serious pain i had in my arm for the past 6 days… he didnt even ask me how bad it was, tho i told him many times i was in a lot of pain… i left feeling unhelped and uncared for… ive had a few other experiences here which were better but todays visit was not good at all, so i guess it was the doctor himself i didnt like, his name was dr. Meller… i feel like i wasted my time and money… wont be goin back here again

TERRIBLE. Unhelpful and lazy office staff, rude and uncaring doctor, office full of pharmaceutical advertisements. They are basically dealers. I’ve never experienced such appallingly callous and incompetent «health care.» Avoid at all costs.

If you need a pre-​employment TB test or physical, you need to give yourself a 3 HOUR WINDOW here. This is not an exaggeration. Doctor Meller made some offensive remarks about my job in special education and laughed when I told him I had a BFA in Fine Arts. I missed my next appointment, and came home in tears. The staff seem like kind, hardworking people, but ultimately this med center is so disorganized and mismanaged that the employees are just as stressed out as all the patients waiting to be helped. This place makes me very sad for our healthcare ‘system’ in America.

I had no choice to give them a star when in all actuality they don’t deserve any. I went in for a chronic cough & nothing could stop it. I saw Dr. William Meller & he was AWFUL he told me all I had to do was stop coughing like REALLY?! He was rude, arrogant, & I felt even worse from seeing him. He told me to come back & he’ll give me antibiotics. What a waste of time. I paid my copay & they said everything was covered I get a bill it says I owe $ 86 from what?! So, basically I paid for a Dr. to be rude to me. Comes to find out his has a big past & my father used to work with him & until my father found out what a scumb bag he is. Recommendation don’t go here & if you want to throw money way go to the casino your better off.

I don’t suggest going to this Med-​Center. I had one son go there with shoulder pain, they told him that he has arthritis and sent him home with Naproxen, he’s 20 years old. I took him to a Physical Therapist who told us to get an MRI immediately… he had a torn labrum which required surgery.
I recently took another son there for a basic physical for an upcoming MMA fight. We had an appointment and still had to wait 50 minutes. The nurse, who first of all, was totally rude to me when I asked if I could pay for the physical, she gave my son the eye exam and basically told him that he had terrible vision and kept asking him «Are you sure you don’t wear glasses or contacts»? Her name is Erin and shouldn’t be a nurse with her terrible attitude and incorrect advice. I called my eye doctor and my son got an eye exam the following day only to find out that he has perfect vision! That cost me $ 240.00! About two years ago I took my fiancé there due to an infection on his arm, they sent us home with antibiotics. Within TWO days the infection had doubled in size and looked like staphylococcus, rushed him back and they told me to get him to the emergency ASAP as the staph had traveled up his arm moving towards his heart… we spent the whole day in the ER while they treated this infection that could have killed him.
If you need stitches or a simple tetanus shot then this place would work for you.
The people at the front desk are at least a bit helpful other then that, I don’t want to deal with them again, unless it’s something VERY minor.

They opened at 10:02. We were the first ones there. Read the reviews & were a little nervous. The woman at the front desk wasn’t the most pleasant, but probably wasn’t thrilled to be working on a Sunday. The nurse who took us back was very sweet. Dr. Kahn was great, quick & very nice. All in all the experience wasn’t bad at all.

Worst clinic ever, since I’ve been here waiting for about 2 hours to get an annoying cough diagnosed with a 5 min doctor consultation, I decided to leave this review, avoid this place at any cost unless you have all day available or it’s an emergency (I wouldn’t count on it too), I’ll leave another review here if they make me wait for another hour!

I just got billed $ 70 for someone to tell me «it’ll go away after a week». No joke. «It’ll go away after a week come see us then if it’s a problem, here, antibiotics.» No time to ask any questions. No reassurance. Nothing. I gave 1 star for their ability to take walk ins, and the desk staff is keeping busy, but sorry because that’s the only good thing about this place.

Not sure how this place works, but over an hour wait and poor patient service are not key signs of a great place of care. I am new in the area and just need a simple pink eye prescription. Walked in and was handed an out dated tablet that was a horrible device at taking patients information. During my long wait in the lobby I was astonished to hear all of the bickering between the front desk ladies and even the doctor on duty. Overall the visit was lengthy and unprofessional. Next time I will try and find another urgent care facility.

I just went back this evening and had a good experience with another doctor there, Dr. Michael Boucher, PA-​C. as Dr. Jill Christie was not in. This guy was good, he listened, helped me with my 4 totally unrelated problems, the staff and assistants were very nice and cool. Only thing that freaked me out was a giant spider in the room. They need a good cleaning for sure and I am so glad I dodged Dr. Meller!!!

This place is kinda a pain to find but you just have to pay attention
I mean this place is a Med Center so I don’t really think its realistic to except five star service when your going in for a quick fix to start feeling better
The whole look of the place kinda through me off its like they made a house the Med Center
It was a bit of the wait to see the doctor so I recommend coming early
Other then that they gave me what I needed to feel better and sent me on my way