Dr. Leah Bowser, MD

I don't particularly like giving reviews to providers but I should've done this years ago. Dr. Bowser was my PCP several years ago. She refused to give me a Vitamin D test when I requested it. I had to pay out of pocket to have it tested myself and found out my level was an 18...which is considered low according to most medical institutions. I was also having painful muscle problems that she had no suggestions for and didn't even respond to my email about the level of pain I was in. Some random doctor responded instead of her and I never heard back from her about it. I had to figure out for myself that physical therapy was an option...so I went to my OBGYN and she referred me to PT. But by that point I had to wait months to see one. Needless to say I switched to a different PCP who is great. Unfortunately my husband still has Dr Bowser. He hasn't had a physical in years and years, so I reminded him he should have one. Dr. Bowser refused to do routine bloodwork, saying that he… doesn't need it because he doesn't have any problems. More recently, he requested a vitamin D test (b/c low vitamin D affects your immune system...kind of important during a pandemic). She said she would not order the test because there aren't specific guidelines regarding appropriate levels, and just suggested he take 1000 IUs. Doctors have certain tools to help them gather information on a person...among the most important is blood work...which she seems to have the habit of refusing to do. A baseline measurement would make sense in his case. I was totally baffled. I would understand her refusing if he were requesting something totally unreasonable, like an endoscopy when he has zero symptoms. I called Member Services and they said that they have never heard of a primary care doctor refusing to do bloodwork, especially when requested by a concerned patient. In fact, routine bloodwork and vitamin D tests are covered under preventive care and routine physicals. The representative said the doctor should be ordering routine bloodwork once she sees that he hasn't even had a single CBC done...especially now that he's over 40. I don't know Dr. Bowser or what her intentions are as a doctor. However I can say her actions seem extremely negligent. Maybe she thinks we need to be dying to receive health care? I thought Kaiser is all about prevention and "thriving." Her behavior is not consistent with that of a doctor who cares about her patients and wants to get to know them and their bodies. She literally doesn't do anything. I highly suggest people steer clear if they want a doctor who cares about them and is capable of catching red flags.

Dr. Bowser was my PCP about ten years ago when she was in San Francisco. At that time, I had been dealing with mysterious swelling in my left leg for about 4 years. When I asked her about it, her response was that I probably had "leaky vessels" and advised me to wear compression stockings. 10 years later I'm finding out from my current PCP that I may have lymphedema after my symptoms recently worsened. Dr. Bowser's failure to explore my health concerns with me and provide a long term plan to manage my symptoms aligns with her lack of concern for my health. It baffles me as to why she even became a doctor. Please note that I'm a non-Black Person of Color so have also been wondering if there was some bias at play at the time.

Dr. Bowser is a great listener and quite competent. My wife and I saw her for several years and had no complaints; she always responded quickly and always followed up. When we return from living abroad we hope to have her as our doctor again.

My appointment with Dr Bowser was great. She spent a lot of time with me, answered all my question, and gave me a detailed health plan for the future. She’s smart, funny and caring. I left her office feeling I had the best doctor ever.

I have severe scoliosis with harrington rods and I recently had an accident and went to see my primary care physician, Dr. Bower who recommended yoga poses that were physically impossible for me to do. She not only seemed completely unaware of my condition, but she also seemed unconcerned and disconnected. Worst doctor I've ever seen and I've seen many. Save yourself a trip to Kaiser and pick a different doctor.

Dr Bowser inspires confidence. She is upbeat and very responsive to your needs. She has a patient centered approach and listens carefully to your concerns. She explains things and has a good grasp of technology. I feel very fortunate to have her for a doctor.