Dr. Lisa Joelle Skinner, MD

during my gynecological review she forgot to do a pelvic exam (I reminded her and she went ahead and did it). during my annual i asked her to look for any suspicious skin changes (my friends doctors kind of check for moles etc) and she kind of glanced over me and said, oh, you don't really have the kind of skin thats problematic. I'm 55 and in California so...not really sure there is a non-problematic skin for sun-related skin cancer. I think she is just really rushed by other work she does at UCLA. Probably a brilliant doctor if she had more time.

When I'm able to actual get an appointment with Dr. Skinner (and after I end up waiting a very long time in the room), she's a fine doctor. Unfortunately, getting an appointment and getting a hold of her are nearly impossible. I have even asked her during a visit what the best way to contact her is but have not found that her preferred method gets me responses any more promptly. I typically end up going to another doctor very junior doctor in the practice, which is frustrating because I would rather see my doctor and I would much rather see a more experienced doctor. If you're able to plan out all your medical needs 4 weeks in advance you'll be fine, but if you have any medical needs that require an appointment or response within a week then I would highly recommend that you find another doctor.

I don't know how much these reviews matter. It is my impression however that the people that feel inclined to review and are articulate in doing so are a little self-important and maybe even a little depressed. My experiences with Dr. Skinner are such that she saved my life and that she is ahead of her peers at UCLA. All of them with the same Ivy credentials, that promote the Western approach to medicine and treatment of symptoms. She saved my life one early morning years ago by administration of this approach. I called her at 4:00 a.m. could've been a weekend I got the exchange service; however, being a good patient I was in tune with being able to specifically describe the symptoms I was having. (Sometimes people are non-specific and vague. Maybe that's why they don't get a response.) The message was relayed and Dr. Skinner called me within minutes. She asked me some additional questions and asked me to go to the bathroom to check the color of my stools and vomit. Had she… not called me and advised me to go to the emergency room immediately... I would've died. Apparently, black is the color of blood... something everyone probably now knows because you hear it mentioned at the end of pharmaceutical ads when they are obligated to provide the legal information of side effects and reasons to see a doctor immediately. I was 26 years old and was treated at the emergency room for a bleeding ulcer. Thereafter, I became more proactive about my health. I read more about nutrition, preventative, more holistic and Eastern approaches to health. It's a tricky thing for a Western trained doctor in a Western, and more conservative institution like UCLA to recommend or be receptive to non-western remedies. In my interactions with Dr. Skinner she always gave careful consideration to my inquiries and remedies. She provided thoughtful, reflective, patient empowering feedback. I never felt she was imposing any particular way or remedy. She is well trained and is not limited by her training. She lets you decide what is best for you. I believe she is ahead of her peers, intelligent, compassionate, patient centered. I recently moved to Northern California and am seeking a doctor like Lisa Joelle Skinner. Best to everyone in LA.

I waited two months to see Dr. Skinner. Then, when I finally got to see her, I was incredibly disappointed. But before I get into any detail, let me warn new patients that the wait is not worth it, and that once you have seen her, it doesn't make scheduling appointments any easier. MORE DETAIL: I've been dealing with a chronic illness, and I had been having terrible fatigue and headaches the day I saw her. She recommended me to the neurology department (not a specific dr) and told me I should try acupuncture. She recommended an acupuncturist that couldn't see me for (no joke) six months. Two days after I left her office feeling very discouraged, I came down with a fever and a TERRIBLE bacterial infection. That's why I had been having the headache, clearly. I did not go back to her for that infection, I went to a wonderful ENT who did a culture found the infection and has since helped me to fight this thing. I am finally on the mend. Dr. Skinner felt very lazy to me in her… approach, and if you are looking for a Dr. that makes you feel like she wants to help you, this is NOT the person. BUT, perhaps the worst thing, is that you can NEVER EVER get in to see her. I came down with a terrible rash and called the Dr. today. They told me she could see me in two and a half weeks. TWO WEEKS for a full body allergic reaction rash! I don't think so. Then they recommend other doctors in the UCLA network. The problem is, I want a doctor that knows my background and won't just prescribe me an antibiotic or steroid when I've been on so many already this year. The people at UCLA will tell you it is all in the computer, but when I had an appointment with one of the other doctor's because Dr. Skinner was (as usual) unavailable, HALF of the things I told her were not in there! It's as if Dr. Skinner didn't even write them down. So RUN don't walk away from this doctor. I am about to see a new doctor today. It won't take much for them to be better than this one.

Dr. Skinner always takes as much time as needed to discuss and answer questions. I have never felt rushed and she often follows up with a phone call. I have found her to be an exceptional doctor and would highly recommend Dr. Skinner to any of my friends.

Dr Skinner is by far the worst doctor I have ever seen. She barely spent any time seeing me and when she did, her mind was evidently somewhere else. She barely looked me in the eyes when we spoke and seemed irritated and was short with me. She was supposed to do a yearly check-up as my insurance requires. She barely stuck the light up my nose, lightly swiped my glands and proceeded to do a pap. I knew she didn't do it correctly and what do you know, her nurse called me a week later to have a 're-do'. How about just a 'do'. I didn't bother going back bc I didn't want to deal with her attitude and incompetence again.I work with her colleagues and asked about her. The doc said that she is known to be that way and some people are afraid to refer to her as they are not sure what their patient care would be like. I would NEVER recommend her.

Dr Skinner is a nice person but works part time so it's difficult to get an appt with her, she does not return calls very efficiently (sometimes it will take a week to return yr call), and she does not follow up with you after your tests. She increasingly asks staff to call you with your test results but they are not trained to interpret or analyze or explain them.

Dr. Skinner is a great doctor, with an excellent bedside manner. The clinic where she sees patients (Suite 290 in the 100 Building, also called the "Iris Cantor Women's Health Center") at UCLA could use a 'makeover', and the front desk staff are not always attentive. Overall, though, Dr. Skinner provides excellent care. I just wish the front desk staff were more professional, and that the waiting area had more space.