APICHA Community Health Center Review

I was excited when I saw this going in as I thought it was an urgent care facility, seeing as there is a fantastic community health center less than a block away. Today when a friend was in need of medical attention a couple days after a car accident, I suggested this place and walked her over. After being told she could only see a nurse (which she was fine with), filling out paperwork, then being told that the doctor would be available in 1 1/2 hours, they finally decided to inform her that if she didn't plan on making the doctor her PCP they would not see her. So she got to walk down to Chambers with bruised ribs, after sitting at Apicha for over an hour, having all her vitals taken and being seen by a nurse. I'm extremely unimpressed. If you need a community health center, go to Charles B. Wang, if you want to be seen for a same-day visit, just go to the urgent care at 87 Chambers. Apparently they just send you there anyway.

Everyone is so kind and sweet and helpful. They understand how people feel anxious about going to the doctor and care for everyone... I m very happy to have them as a health resource.

my partner has had to miss T doses at least 1-2x/month for nearly all of the 7-8 months he has been relying on APICHA, all because Dr. Hafiz Maje can t seem to set a simple calendar reminder to call in his prescription. for supposedly qualified trans health professionals, this team has proven incredibly ignorant of how much of a LITERAL LIFESAVER getting these meds on time can be. good thing Callum-Lorde has room for new patients! oh wait...

I had a really bad experience with this company. I had an interview on 1/8/21 with Devika Patel. I was supposed to hear back from them within 3 weeks. I even sent her 3 follow up emails, hoping she would reply back. But she didn't. It shows how unprofessional she is at what she does. I really don't know how she runs the organization. I doubt how their other employees will be.

This facility is the worst facility no one should be Go there I have been changing four doctors within the past three months this is not a good place to go for your help

Terrible customer service. Long waiting room wait times. Had my appointment cancelled without ever being notified. Doctors hold prescriptions as ransom. Terrible follow up from the office staff. Takes weeks to resolve issues that could have been dealt with in minutes. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so disappointed in this place. My partner is a trans woman and she has been going here for a while. In recent months, she has been misgendered, not been able to get a hold of someone, and even was so triggered from her last call (extremely rude and was told to "calm down" when she expressed frustration) had me call on her behalf. The person answering the phone did not even understand the concept of a 'dead name'...I had to explain it to them. I don't know what person at the top is making decisions but this is a good way to cause harm when you are employing an answering service that has clearly had less than zero training in the basic needs of interacting with the trans community. We will be looking elsewhere for her needs going forward.

UPDATED REVIEW as of May 2021:
Alright. This updated view mainly focuses on the doctors of the practice.

TLDR; Already struggling with your finances, would you pay a doctor who is rude to you? I wouldn't.

So, this was hard for me to do since I have been coming here since 2016. I took many things into factor, such as COVID-19 and business practices, but... Well, I am sorry, but after so many years of care, I must give this clinic a 3 star rating...
This place used to be a home for me, and even when COVID-19 first hit, I was still in caring hands...
Now, I just don't know what happened.

Positives:

The desk staff have always been kind and I've never had a problem with them. Even during this time of limited availability in regards to scheduling, they are on top of things and will call you back if you want to schedule an appointment or even speak to someone quickly.

The nurses are also kind and know what they're doing.

Also, I would like to mention that if you are seeking therapy or guidance, Dr. Jun Matsuyoshi is an excellent therapist who speaks to you genuinely and works hard to find you resources as well.

Negatives/Opportunities:

In regards to the doctors... Well, I am fairly straightforward. I have paid specialists top dollar ($10,000+ out of pocket) to help me with conditions and that is because not only are they good at what they do, but they treat me with respect.

The doctors and their assistants here for the past couple of months (from March to May) have made me feel nothing but dread in regards to reaching out to them, getting a phonecall from them, or even seeing them in person.

My new doctor is an exception, Dr. Ishita Sheth, who is very on-the-ball.

However, the other doctors or medical assistants, etc. that have reached out to me to address my deepest concerns, whom I have given multiple chances to change how they treated me as their patient, have only gotten worse.
I don't voice such things to them because I do not want to be confrontational...

But I will say, I have never felt so intellectually insulted or invalidated or disrespected in my entire life, and by so many medical professionals in one practice.

I have anxiety and though I am taking medication, they have made me highly uncomfortable and feel like I am being talked down to.

I simply don't like the idea of paying doctors who are rude to me.

I am currently deciding if I should go to different clinic or simply find a practice, whether they are under a hospital network or are a private practice.

It has been 5 years and I have never had to say anything like this about Apicha.

I am part of the leadership team in my company for the LGBTA Business Resources Group and have linked Apicha as a source for LGBTIA+ health, especially for transcare and care for people who are of AAPI heritage. With my experience and professional opinion in regards to communications, I don't honestly feel comfortable advocating this place.

I'll keep an eye on the reviews of this practice as time goes on.

Please take care of yourselves, desk staff, nurses, and Dr. Jun Matsuyoshi.

Worst bedside manner and customer service I've ever experienced in my life just do not go

Dealing with extreme transgender discrimination from your answering service....
your service has gone downhill. When I have the chance, I m switching to another clinic.

Never want to be talked to lien that again by an answering service.