Dr. Anna Kathryn Mendenhall, MD

Dr. Mendenhall is super nice, caring, and tries to go out of her way to make my child comfortable during his visit. My son commented that she is his favorite doctor ever out of the CPCMG group in Encinitas (we actually have never had a bad experience there with any of the Doctors). All around wonderful!

She does not deserve the title “Dr” as she lacks compassion and bed side manners. She makes it very obvious that she is not there to offer comfort to a sick child nor does she care about how your child feels. She is just there for a pay check. My child explained the symptoms and she rolled her eyes and didn’t listen to him but just continue to speak over him. She does not deserve to be a part of the Children’s Primary Care group. Shame on your cold attitude Anna. That’s is right I did not refer to you as “Dr” because you are no doctor. You made my child feel worse after our visit.

My young son has been a patient of Dr. Mendenhall's for years, primarily because her location is convenient and she takes my insurance -- and with few health issues, we rarely had to see her for more than a routine check-up. I always just kind of put up with her cold, condescending and impatient manner, although I'd admittedly walk away from each visit calling her "Dr. Ice Queen." Today I filed an official grievance because her behavior in the exam room was beyond the pale. (I work in a clinic alongside a patient experience specialist, so I know grounds for serious complaint when I see it). I went in with some concerns about my son's weight and defiant behavior, and from the moment she walked into the exam room she was rude and dismissive. After barking at me about his skin being too dry and then barking at him for not caring for his genitals well enough (seriously, this woman has no sense for how severe she comes across), she then pulled up a weight chart and said, right in front of… him, "Your son's weight has skyrocketed ever since your divorce," and then looked at me like, 'Well, what did you expect?" I looked over at my son and I could just see the body shame creep across his face (not to mention my own shame for being guilted about getting divorced). I then told her I was concerned about his nutrition when he is with my husband, and she interrupted me to say, "You mean your EX husband." Again, right in front of my son, who is grieving from the divorce. Really? Was that really necessary? At that point I stopped giving her the benefit of the doubt. I started choking up and told her "Your bedside manner is poor" (it was all I could think of to say). She just handed me a tissue and said, "I'm trying to help" (what a way of trying!) and then told me, with no sense of compassion whatsoever, that being defiant at his age is not normal and it's only going to get worse. OK, great, you're my PEDIATRICIAN, can you stop making me feel like garbage for one minute and HELP me? I told her I had reached out to a psychiatrist in the past week to try to get some help from him and she barked at me again, "Why did you contact a psychiatrist? They're just going to prescribe medication." I was too upset to explain that the psychiatrist is also a therapist -- not that she would have listened anyway. Then she turned to my son -- who is obviously suffering a lot emotionally -- and said, I kid you not, "You're not in charge. You need to follow the rules and stop acting like a brat." HIS PEDIATRICIAN called him brat, right in front of me. But that's not even the worst part!!!! I then told her I was having a lot of trouble disciplining him and that very morning I had tried rewards, consequences, everything I could think of to get him out of bed to go to school, but that he had refused and said very rude things to me, so I ended up smacking him. I don't often spank, so this was a big deal for me. I was so ashamed I could barely get the words out, but I shared this with her because I wanted her help coping with the stress of his behavior (if you're reading this and have never had to cope with an extremely defiant child, please don't judge). She then asked my son "Where did your mom hit you?" and when he pointed to a few places on his legs she said to me, "If you smack your child anywhere other than his bottom, I'm mandated to report you to Child Protective Services" Again, right in front of my child!!!!!!! I burst into tears and said, "I came here to get help from you!" and she just kept saying, "Sorry, it's my job to report this," even after my son came to my defense and told her he didn't want her to. I was so shocked and traumatized I just sort of mentally checked out for a few minutes. I don't even remember what she was saying after that. Then all of a sudden, as if nothing had happened, she says, "Well, he needs a flu shot," and then without another word, she just walks out of the room and sends a nurse in to give the shot. Even though I'm an advocate of the flu shot, my son was too upset (as was I) to get it, and I wasn't going to force him, at least not after all that. He said "I never want to see that doctor again" and I told him there was no way I would ever bring him back there. So now I'm waiting for a call from CPS for the first time in my life, and all because I went to my child's doctor seeking support. At least I have the solace of knowing she'll also be getting a call -- from the Rady Children's Grievance Department. This physician is in violation of the Hippocratic Oath of "Do no harm." She harmed my spirit and my son's spirit and is an awful, awful physician.

I wish I had read the reviews before going to see her and putting my 5 year old through this. During our visit I was worried about my child's chronic constipation and her stomach was bloated. When I mentioned this to Dr. Mendenhall she reached down grabbed my daughters skin on her stomach and said "this is just fat, you have a fat child ". (My child is in the correct percentile for their age) My child burst out crying and on the car ride home asked why are fat? Please, please please don't put your child through this!

Dr. Mendenhall has been my kids doctor for 17 years now and we couldn't be happier! She is fantastic and has helped us through so much. If you want a caring and great doctor, look no further!

As a new mom, I was very nervous about choosing a pediatrician for my daughter. I read some reviews about Dr. Mendenhall and decided to give her a try. I am so thankful I did. She is very sweet and caring and despite the reviews of her being rude and belittling new parents, she has NEVER made me feel bad. I have to put my daughter on a new insurance, and I will definitely put her on one that will allow her to continue to see Mendenhall. I absolutely love her. I would HIGHlY recommend her.

I totally agree with the reviews of her being condescending! Our first visit with her was pleasant, and I had no complaints. Our second visit, her demeanor changed and she was very condescending and rude!! I never have experienced that with a Dr. let alone a pediatrician! Very hard to express any of your child's concerns with. She will cut you off and be very snappy with you! Very poor choice of a Dr.!!

I have been taking my twin 4 year old boys to Dr. Anna Mendenhall since they were only a couple of days old. She is right on with diagnosis, great with the kids and a great partner in keeping my boys on track. I am thrilled that she is so close to our home and part of the Southern California medical community. Thank you Dr. Anna!

We love Dr. Mendenhall, she is by far our favorite doctor and our 18yr old doesn't want to leave her...She has been so great to us over the past 12 years through all the different ages and stages. She goes above and beyond and is upbeat.

I was recommended to her by another parent. my first impressions were good. during subsequent visits, her true nature revealed itself. she's very condescending and rude. she makes it known her time is more valuable than mine. she always mispronounces my daughter's name. i certainly wouldn't recommend her as a ped. lastly, her office staff needs to be re-trained or fired! how is it possible that a business like this in a capitalist society can survive???