Dr. Alan David Engelberg, MD

VERY disappointed, finding a new doctor STAT. There are compassionate, ethical doctors, nurses & healthcare pros who go above & beyond to provide top quality care that saves lives, just as there are far too many who just phone it in so they can hit the golf links early or whatever. Sadly, Dr. Engelberg is in this latter group. His overall attitude & lack of concern for patients ranges from cold indifference to nearly-criminal negligence. I don't care if he's practiced medicine for 50 years; if he doesn't care about his patients or finds his work tedious, he should retire to make room for other doctors who genuinely care about their patients. My story: I’m 62, permanently disabled, with full Medi-Medi coverage, a nonsmoker with family history of diabetes, heart disease & arthritis. I had lumbar surgery in 2020 and I’m planning knee surgery this summer, both opposed by Dr. Engelberg. I was formerly a patient of Farhad Melamed - the best doctor I’ve ever known - but when he dropped… Medicare coverage he referred me to Dr. Engelberg in his clinic. I went from getting the best care to getting the worst. I’m pre-diabetic with serious joint arthritis indicating PT and possible surgery. I see Dr. Engelberg twice a year for exams & labs yet he barely seems to recall who I am. He does NOT follow up on tests or labs, getting Rx for meds or hearing aids has been problematic, and he’s generally indifferent to patient concerns. For the last 3 years I’ve complained of a hacking cough & fluid in my lungs (even though I don’t smoke), yet all he’s done is order the standard annual chest X-ray with NO followup diagnosis. Gagging & choking now wakes me up nightly, with regular coughing. Also I’m anemic due to hemorrhoid bleeding, but he only told me to pick up iron pills at the drugstore. In recent years I’ve deferred to my orthopedic specialists for treating my chronic back & knee pain, as Dr. Engelberg offers no advice or treatment plans. In summer 2020, my ortho doctors & their associate back surgeon ordered X-rays of my low back, then recommended urgent lumbar decompression surgery the same month. When I saw Dr. Engelberg for pre-op screening, he spent most of our appt time complaining about losing his old office upstairs instead of checking my chart or tests. He was adamantly opposed to lumbar surgery, insisting “everyone who has that surgery always regrets it”, and unwilling to look at my X-rays & MRI reports. Back surgery was a success and with post-op rehab I’m finally free of back & sciatic leg pain for the first time in 15 years, thanks to my back surgeon & his staff. Being pre-diabetic, over the years I’ve gained weight, especially while staying home during Covid shutdown. I’m now 15-20 lbs over my optimum max weight, yet after exams & tests with Dr. Engelberg, he simply tells me to buy a diet book - and NOTHING more. No weight loss plan, no BMI tests, no Rx meds, no calorie counts or metabolic diet; just get a book. I have no experience with diabetes or weight control so I’m worried about my future health now. After years of Medicare paying Dr. Engelberg’s bills I expect more than amateur book advice I can read online. Both my parents died of heart disease & complications from diabetes, and at 62 I need better medical treatment & diagnoses, if not clinical intervention. Now I’m planning knee surgery which requires pre-op fitness & weight loss, yet Dr. Engelberg remains too indifferent and/or incompetent to provide the adequate professional healthcare I need in my early 60s and beyond. I DO NOT recommend Dr. Engelberg if you care at all about your health. If he doesn’t like his lucrative career as a Beverly Hills doctor or he won’t provide adequate or even minimal care for his patients, he should retire already.

VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CARING. TAKES YOUR TIME WITH YOU AND LISTENS TO YOU VERY CAREFULLY.

NEEDED A DOCTORS NOTE TO KEEP A CAT IN MY BUILDING I HAD A BAD YEAR AND WAS DEPRESSED HIT BY A CAR /BLOOD CLOT/ HEART ISSUES AND SKIN CANCER ALL IN A YEAR HE HAD ME ON XANAX I GOT A KITTEN IT MADE ME FEEL ALOT BETTER MY BUILDING SAID I NEEDED A NOTE TO KEEP HIM HE SAID NO HE WONT DO IT BECAUSE ITS A CAT HE THINKS PETS CANT GET ME TO FEEL BETTER I GONNA CHANGE DOCTORS

My overall experience has always been very good. He treats me, my husband and daughter. I find him to be very thorough, professional and personable. I feel like the other reviewers didn't see the same doctor I do.

One of the things I think is really important in being a doctor is listening to your patients. I don't think Dr. Engelberg agrees with me on this point. I went in twice with the same problems, to which he gave me generic answers and no real help. I'm switching doctors.

Very experienced Doctor. Doesn't push a lot of tests. He's no fan of Insurance Companies. Friendly, but usually in a hurry. Will take your calls.