Dr. Gerald Robert Hamwi, MD

I've been seeing Dr Hamwi for years. He is very attentive and always pushes me to keep myself motivated.

TLDR: Dr. Hamwi was curt, showed a lack of compassion, and then became rude, said that maybe I’d like to see another provider and walked out of the room. Maybe Dr. Hamwi was having a bad day, but the way he treated me was unacceptable and I won’t be seeing him again and I don’t recommend anyone else go to him either. I had seen him once before and was actually looking forward to this follow up visit. I told him that I was experiencing some difficulty with depression currently. I also asked him for a referral for a dermatologist because my previous doctor said I had a precancerous growth. He said that he couldn’t make any referrals as I only had Med-Cal and hadn’t yet selected an HMO or PPO through Covered California. I asked how I go about finding the information choose my insurance provider and he grew exasperated. “Look, I don’t have time to talk to you about that. You need to talk to someone else about that.” he said with an attitude. “OK, but I waited three months for this… appointment and you had previously told me that you would make referrals today.” “I can’t do anything until you get that taken care of. You can come back in a month.” I anxiously sighed and said, “I wish someone had given me this information prior. If that’s the case, I’m not even sure why I’m even here today—“ He cut me off with, “You are welcome to to find another provider.”, and he walked out of the room. Quite the escalation for only asking questions. I never once raised my voice. I was never rude. Total lack of compassion and consideration, especially considering I had told him I was experiencing depression and he had previously refilled my Xanax prescription for anxiety. I’m not a difficult patient. I was with my last doctor for 15 years and had great relationships with the entire office. My previous doctor and I became friends after he quit his practice and we see each other whenever I am in town. I wasn’t looking for a new friend, just professionalism, courteousness, and maybe a little empathy.

TLDR: Dr. Hamwi was curt, showed a lack of compassion, and then became rude, said that maybe I’d like to see another provider and walked out of the room. Maybe Dr. Hamwi was having a bad day, but the way he treated me was unacceptable and I won’t be seeing him again and I don’t recommend anyone else go to him either. I had seen him once before and was actually looking forward to this follow up visit. I told him that I was experiencing some difficulty with depression currently. I also asked him for a referral for a dermatologist because my previous doctor said I had a precancerous growth. He said that he couldn’t make any referrals as I only had Med-Cal and hadn’t yet selected an HMO or PPO through Covered California. I asked how I go about finding the information choose my insurance provider and he grew exasperated. “Look, I don’t have time to talk to you about that. You need to talk to someone else about that.” he said with an attitude. “OK, but I waited three months for this… appointment and you had previously told me that you would make referrals today.” “I can’t do anything until you get that taken care of. You can come back in a month.” I anxiously sighed and said, “I wish someone had given me this information prior. If that’s the case, I’m not even sure why I’m even here today—“ He cut me off with, “You are welcome to to find another provider.”, and he walked out of the room. Quite the escalation for only asking questions. I never once raised my voice. I was never rude. Total lack of compassion and consideration, especially considering I had told him I was experiencing depression and he had previously refilled my Xanax prescription for anxiety. I’m not a difficult patient. I was with my last doctor for 15 years and had great relationships with the entire office. My previous doctor and I became friends after he quit his practice and we see each other whenever I am in town. I wasn’t looking for a new friend, just professionalism, courteousness, and maybe a little empathy.

I have known many doctors and been cared for poorly, and bad. After many doctors visit Gerald was the only one to do a simple test. All the others failed to pick up and use a tongue depresser and say "open wide and say AH!" He saw the infection and on other cases he simply saved my life. He is a wonderful and great man. I met him when he was like 16 and i said to him where is the real doctor. I so proud and glad to have his care and devotion.

I was under Dr. Hamwi's care in 2009 and 2010. I can't say enough good things about him. He is by far the most caring, compassionate and supportive HIV Specialist I have ever had in the 16 years I've been fighting this disease. I highly recommend him.