Robert Gazmarian, MD

Professional Review – Dr. Robert Gazmararian, MD (SCOI–UCLA Santa Clarita) I saw Dr. Paul Simic on 2/25/26 for chronic shoulder and neck pain. He told me that my shoulder pain was coming from my neck, not the other way around, without truly examining me and based only on a few X-rays. He did not look at my previous MRIs, yet still concluded that my shoulder pain was caused by my neck. It was very disappointing to be dismissed like that. He was in and out of the room in less than two to three minutes. I was referred to Dr. Gazmararian by Dr. Simic. I saw Dr. Gazmararian on 3/10/26 for chronic neck and shoulder pain. My shoulder blade and the muscles around it were extremely painful to even a light touch, and the right side of my shoulder and neck were so tight I could barely move. My first impression of Dr. Gazmararian was that he does not let patients talk. He immediately began using medical terminology that I did not understand, and I felt overwhelmed. He blamed my symptoms on… posture, gave me a neck brace and an infinity band, and sent me to physical therapy. I could not even tell him that I had previous cervical and shoulder MRIs because he kept talking, and when he finished, he simply got up, said goodbye, and left the room. Everything happened so fast that I did not have time to process what he said. After completing six physical therapy sessions at SCOI — where I was shown exercises I already do at the gym and received short massages each time — I returned to see Dr. Gazmararian on 6/23/26. Unfortunately, I had a very similar experience. Again, he did not let me speak. When he said he would order an MRI, I finally managed to tell him that I wanted it done at the facility where my previous MRIs were performed. He had already left the room, but came back to enter the order. He also finally looked up my previous shoulder MRI — something he could have done at our first appointment — and quickly showed me images while using more medical terms I did not understand. When I received the MRI results, they clearly showed that my pain was not coming from my neck and that I do have shoulder pathology: “Mild to moderate partial tearing with partial delamination of the subscapularis, progression from the prior study. Tendinosis of the supraspinatus and anterior fibers of the infraspinatus with mild partial tearing and fraying along the bursal surface, unchanged. Mild to moderate acromioclavicular joint arthropathy with mild subacromial spurring without significant narrowing of the supraspinatus outlet, unchanged.” Dr. Gazmararian may be an excellent doctor with extensive knowledge and experience, but when it comes to patient care, communication, and listening, he is severely lacking. Both times, he rushed through the appointment, did not listen, and did not give me any opportunity to speak or ask questions. There was not even a “Is there anything else I can help you with?” before he left the room. Overall, I did not have a good experience with him, nor with Dr. Simic, who dismissed my shoulder pain as coming from my neck — which my MRIs clearly show is not the case. After reading reviews about Dr. Gazmararian on multiple patient-review platforms, I saw that many patients reported similar experiences of being dismissed. What happened to me was clearly not an isolated issue. I do not wish to return to either of them. This is not how UCLA physicians should operate. UCLA doctors are highly respected, knowledgeable, and known for excellent patient care. Unfortunately, Dr. Simic and Dr. Gazmararian did not demonstrate those qualities. UCLA sent me an email asking me to rate my experience with Dr. Gazmararian. The email included an option to contact UCLA before leaving a review. It has been over two weeks since I reached out requesting to be contacted, and I have not heard back from anyone.

Great Dr., great bedside manner.

If you are looking for a dismissive doctor who cannot wait to get of the room...then Dr. Getelman is your guy. He offered no treatment aside from the idea I should learn to live with my pain, because he could not see a reason for it, based on only a physical assessment of just touching my injured area of less than 10 seconds. I left in tears and will be looking for another doctor.

My husband went to him in an emergency- couldn't walk- in lots of pain. He took a sample of the fluid to sent to the lab to test to see the cause. One cause could be an infection, which left untreated can be serious. He failed to send in the sample. It was a Friday. Our internist called and called, no luck. Today Monday they said that they never received the sample until today. Been trying to find out if the sample is still good. Tried repeatedly to call but no way to reach Gazmarian. Took several hours of trying. Can't leave a message because all the mailboxes are full. Outrageous. Good think I probably don't have an infection because if I did I would be in serious trouble by now.

Dr. Gazmarian came in smiling. While very professional, he has an easy-going manner and a great sense of humor. Very warm and personable. Took time for a thorough exam and explained my condition clearly and concisely. Patiently answered all my questions. He explained my options and helped me decide on treatment. I decided on Physical Therapy for my bursitis, and he asked me to phone him in a few weeks and let him know how it's going. I don't blame him for the long wait before the appointment -- I think that has to do with the scheduling policies of SCOI (Southern Calif. Ortrhopedic Institute), as my husband and I have had long waits to see other SCOI physicians, as well..I highly recommend Dr. Gazmarian.

Came in smiling, was very personable. Explained my xray results in detail, gave me options to try first, before going to more invasive and expensive procedures.Still continuing treatment and improving- will write back if things change.

I was very apprehensive after reading these reviews. To my surprise Dr. Gazmarian came in smiling, making me laugh, taking time for examination, answered all my questions and explained everything. Gave me options and was asking what I would like to do and what options I felt comfortable with. He was very personable and warm and even advised if I had more question I can call and discuss over the phone instead of making an appointment. Yes you have to wait a while for your appointment but he is spending time with his patients so one knows that he is not hurrying through a consultation.I would recommend him enytime.

If you see this "Doctor" for a work related injury and you been send there by the insurance Company.You are in problems. He is 100% PRO insurance company minimizing you condition and trying to give you cortisone shots or mild physical therapy and only x-rays. He will never be agree to an ultra sound, MRI or cat scan those are to expensive to the insurance company.He will never let you talk or accept opinions or request of care, after all he will let you go on you own after insurance status of limitation be reach.That what he did to me and I ended up with my condition a lot worse.Now thanks to God I am getting proper care with REAL DOCTORS.You are aware be careful.

All this doctor is interested in is the paperwork and the payment.After waiting for over an hour, for which he didn't even apologize, he was in an upset that I had not filled the paperwork for him. Rude, obnoxious, worse experience ever.

Doctor Gazmarian is a very smart, personable Doctor that is very approachable. I am a triathlete and he has taken excellent care of my injuries (which are many) I highly reccomend him