Dr. Irene Ilan Wu, MD

My experience with Doctor Wu has been incredibly disappointing and frustrating, making her one of the least competent medical professionals I have encountered in my life. Her dismissive attitude and lack of empathy indicate a troubling absence of bedside manner, which is critical in the healthcare field. It seemed as though she had little to no genuine interest in her patients or their well-being, which is not only unprofessional but also quite concerning for someone in her position. On the other hand, I must acknowledge the exceptional quality of care provided by her assistant, who stood out remarkably amidst the otherwise disheartening situation. The assistant was not only warm and approachable but also displayed a high level of intelligence and professionalism. Additionally, I was shocked to discover that this UCLA location imposed a surprise fee of $300 without providing any prior notification or explanation. Such practices are not only unethical but also feel like outright… fraud, leaving patients feeling cheated and frustrated. I am left deeply disappointed and disheartened by this entire experience, as it raises serious questions about the integrity of the billing practices at this facility.

no manner

UCLA pain clinic in Santa Monica. Everyone there was efficient, caring, and competent. I liked Dr. Wu's calm, quiet manner, and the virtually painless epidural procedure she performed was very effective. I'd had three unsuccessful back surgeries previously and had undergone procedures that involved very painful direct injections that only helped a short time.

Not a warm person. Does not make patient feel like she even cares.

Dr. Wu is not very warm and seems a bit detached from the patient doctor experience.

Dr. Irene Wu has a great thing going. People get sent to her, she runs through the checklist in an exam room, bills them obscene amounts of money, and maybe gets them to do an injection or two, and when that doesn't work, she just waves goodbye and sends you to a spine surgeon Dr. Lu (apparently Dr. Wu's husband). I wasted a lot of money with this clinic for nothing. Pain is the same, or increased I guess. I get the pain of losing my money.

My experience with Dr. Wu was quite disappointing. My UCLA primary doctor sent me to her for my neck pain. During initial consultation, she just kept talking about injection until I said ok. I was a little hesitant about having needle in my neck but she was really forcing me to have this 'epidural shot'. On the day of injection, she was in a rush so she barely spent time to explain about procedure and put me on the table. Most surprisingly, she had her student doctor perform the dangerous neck injection (even though I requested her to do it) while she was standing behind the wall and telling him how to place the needle. This was the most frightening experience I ever had in my life.... And of course this 'epidural shot' didn't work!!!

I was sent to her by my primary doctor. She is probably the most junior and youngest staff there so you might want to try different one if you have complex problem.

I was referred to Dr. Wu by my rheumatologist. My rheumatologist is such caring doctor, however I found Dr. Wu extremely unprofessional. During consultation, she was so cold and absolutely had zero empathy for patient. She only spent a few minutes and all she did was pushing me to have an injection, probably that's how she makes money (you can tell how much she is into money by looking how she dresses). In the morning of injection, I had small breakfast by mistake without knowing the protocol, which I felt sorry. She became so upset and then she yelled at me loud so everyone could hear. Then she demanded me to apologize to her and nursing staff for wasting their time. I have never been so humiliated in my life, and felt emotionally traumatized by this such young girl just came out of training. She is probably younger than my daughter. I would never go back to her.

It is frightening to me there is a doctor out there as cold, condescending, sarcastic, passive aggressive and heartless as Irene Wu. I have always had good experiences with doctors in the past and my appointment with her was stunning. She exhibits close to no attributes that I look for in a doctor - someone I entrust with my health and wellbeing. Very sad to me that someone like this is treating patients with chronic pain...I can only imagine how many others have walked away from an appointment with her feeling so incredibly helpless and as though all of their thoughtful questions, efforts to heal, time, money etc. went straight out the window in a matter of seconds. I wouldn't wish the way she made me feel upon anyone and in my thirty years have never met a medical professional as disgraceful as her.