Dr Joanna A. Cooper, MD

Worst experience trying to get care that I ever had. This was in 2021 but I see the other bad reviews are both before and after this. I took the time to write this review 2 years later because I saw her average rating on this site is too high. Inability to get medical records from other facilities. Hard to reach. Blames covid, blames everything but her own office and record keeping abilities. Doesn't share test results in a timely way. Won't follow up. Doesnt' seem interested in giving care. Just do something else if you don't want to help people.

Dr. Cooper is cold, booked out three months for any sort of visit, and most frustrating, impossible to contact. It typically takes me a dozen calls over weeks to get in touch with her even for simple questions, like whether an appointment is in person or remote. Most recently, she was totally unreachable by my insurance company, or me, after I had a procedure she prescribed. My insurance needed some notes, tried to contact her three times, and without being able to reach her, sent me a thousand dollar bill. She doesn't pick up the phone, for me or for hospital administration. She is the single worst doctor I have ever worked with, I have no idea how she still has a position. She is known by sleep techs around the bay as "the dragon" and she lives up to the title.

She scheduled an appt just so she and 2 of her staff could berate me for an hour about how difficult my insurance company has been, claiming “it has become very difficult to treat you.” I defended myself repeatedly but they kept going. I told them this was not at all helpful and yet they kept digging into me. I should not have to feel defensive to my doctor, my doctor should be on my side. That’s just simply not the case. And if you need any paperwork from them forget it. You will likely never see it. So after 2 years of treatment here, I’m now looking for a new neuro.

When Dr copper’s schedule is busy, I’ve also made an appointment with Dr west at UCSF outpatient clinic in Berkeley. He sees MS patients at a convenient and beautiful location. He is wonderful to follow up with Dr Cooper on my test results and keep her in the loop.

She created my disability. Her text book practice and improperly prescribed medications was the worst possible care, everyone is not the same. I went from having a job to needing home care because her prescribed medicines produced various health destroying side effects . The medications confused me for years, I didn't know better. I understand, respect and appreciate health care. Her statue at Alta Bates is large, but her care for patients is extremely insufficient misguided and misused. I took medicines for many months, my health and pain was getting worst each month. She would not listen to my problems, questions or any suggestions. Another patient said she was going through the same problems with this doctor as well. Also, Dr. Cooper said "God isn't gonna help you its the medicine I give you that will help you." Her license needs suspension for the safety of patients life. Her associates challenged my truth. Dr. Cooper gave subliminally messages to manipulate the mind into danger.… They told me i have to be on medications and "I get to choose"? But all her medicines done under research is proven to not work for me. . These medicines are being pushed on patients for "end of life care," to benefit the doctors, medicine and insurance companies. I was a lab rat being experimented on with poison to the doctors... THEY HAVE STATISTICS ON PERCENTAGES THAT WORK. BUT THE WEAK DIES. LOVE YOU GRANDMA

I have been dealing with MS for 27 years and have been to many neurologists during that time. My last one was terrible and I was referred to Dr. Cooper by several members of the hospital staff where I was admitted. When nurses and other doctors recommend somebody I listen. I find her very personable and extremely intelligent. She truly cares about her patients and goes out of her way to do whatever is needed. I research everything I am told, and she has never led me astray. She is a breath of fresh air in a field of people with little to no personalities. Maybe not for everyone, but I love her directness and attention to detail. She can run late sometimes, but in my opinion is worth the wait.

Dr. Cooper is very intelligent and a bright physician but does not give patients the attitude that she cares about them. Her appointment times are always late and makes you feel stupid if you ask a question.

My primary care physician recommended I see Dr. Cooper for a sleep issue. After I arrived for my appointment, I learned that the three people in the waiting room were all ahead of me waiting to see Dr. Cooper. One of them was told he wouldnt be seen for another 1 hours. As I did not have several hours to wait, I decided to reschedule for another day. On the day of my second appointment, to avoid a long wait in the waiting room, I called the office one hour before my appointment time and was happy to learn that Dr. Cooper was on time. I arrived 15 minutes early. Another good sign: the office had a board listing whether the various doctors there were on time or late, and the sign next to Dr. Coopers name said ON TIME. One hour later, I was still waiting and spoke to the receptionist. She checked and told me it would be another 45 minutes. I pointed out I had called an hour before my appointment and was told that Dr. Cooper was on time. She said "there could have been an emergency." I… mentioned that the first time I had attempted to see Dr. Cooper I was also told that "there could have been an emergency." The receptionist said, "youd be surprised how many emergencies there are." (Note that Dr. Cooper is not a heart surgeon but a neurologist who sees sleep patients on the days I went.) I could not wait another 45 minutes. As I left, I noticed that the sign for Dr. Cooper in the waiting room still said ON TIME. Perhaps I was very unlucky and there were dreadful emergencies that lasted hours before both of my appointments. Or perhaps Dr. Cooper has no regard for her patients time and could care less about making them wait in her waiting room for hours.

Dr. Cooper is not at all a "people person" or has any bedside manner. That would not bother me at all as I am not there in her office to make friends. But I have caught her and her office in many lies. She is out to make money for Sutter and Alta bates Hospital.She will lie and charge you without any thought that she is ripping off the county and the federal tax-payers. She is more into research that the patient.Research is important, but the patient is more than a number. Becareful when going into this office.

very smart, compassionate, friendly, concerned