SF Bay Area Folks! Any recommendations for docs?

[lostinthecorn]

Hey everyone -  Life certainly has been interesting in the last 6 months.  Turns out, I now have an opportunity to move back to the SF Bay area.  After all the crappy stuff over the last 6 months this is another bit of great news personally.  I'll likely be living somewhere between SF and Redwood Shores (yeah, I know that's like a 30 mile stretch or so).

Does anyone have any particularly high opinions of any docs in the area?  My current docs are sort of pushing me toward the team at UCSF of course, but if i'm not living *in* the city that might be a bit tough... though I am trying to find a "relatively affordable" place *in* SF... I miss living there so much!  I apparently left my immune system there, err that's not how the song goes is it? :-)

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences - thank you

-J

[lincoln6echo]

I don't know any Docs in SF..but i'll reply just so you don't think people aren't reading your posts

[lostinthecorn]

*giggle* thanks lincoln :-D

[nixsmail]

ucsf would probably be a good choice, used to work there and the docs that i was exposed to as a regular patient were always good. also if i remember correctly they have some pretty reliable HIV people there. that was pre infection for me and i wasn't paying particular close attention to the HIV docs then but probably hasn't changed much. there is also ebac (east bay aids clinic) in the east bay, oakland, that has a caring and competent staff from advisers to docs. my place of treatment at the current time.

[Oceanbeach]

Hey Lost,

When I asked the same question of these forums a few years ago,
St. Mary's
UCSF
Sutter Health
University of Pacific
Kaiser Permanente
The VA
Were given as the chosen sites.

I read their websites and called each of the clinics.  From that, the choice was made.
Michael

[m4jj4m]

I don't live in SF anymore (relocated back to LA about 9 months ago or so).  I loved the staff at UCSF Ward 86.  Previous to that I was at Kaiser in the city and it was horrible.  If you don't have insurance and live in the city-county, you can go to UCSF Ward 86.  If you also work in the city, employers are required to pay for the city health insurance program Healthy San Francisco which will automatically send you there.  The program covers all HIV/AIDS meds which means you don't need ADAP.  I believe the program also covers emergency visits throughout the state.  Here is their website to found out more about the program.  http://www.healthysanfrancisco.org/.  But again this is if you don't have insurance. 

Hope this helps.

[Oceanbeach]

I chose UCSF, Positive 360 Clinic because they are serving men and women who are over 50 and have HIV.   At my previous clinic, my ID Doc had been telling me for years about my normal lifespan and even said I would live to 86 and die of something not related to HIV.  I have been a patient there for over 2 years and really feel like I made a really good choice.

Recently, a new program called The Silver Project at 360 has been started to focus more on the Aging HIV needs and better tailor their services.  They are offering:
An in-depth health questionnaire that covers physical, mental, social and cognitive functions. 
Physical Function and risk fall assessment
Full physical and dental examination
In-depth preventative health review
Vaccination updates
A local information packet
This clinic is for patients 50 and over and I've never asked about the other HIV clinics at UCSF.

That is if you are over 50, I don't know the other clinics.  Good luck with your choice
Michael