Dr. Richard John Odonnell, MD

If you need to see Dr. O’Donnell, you probably have a serious ailment and I sincerely hope you will do well. He is an outstanding, top-tier, world-class surgeon. He will take all the time necessary to tell you what he thinks should be done. If he is running behind, it’s because he has spent extra time with a patient who needs serious attention. I can always see how affected he is by his work. It’s some of the hardest work a M.D. can take on. He is not happy-go-lucky because he is fighting the battle with you, and for you. I have found his judgement to be spot-on and trust his opinion. Getting an appointment can be frustrating. I would suggest calling until someone picks up the phone, rather than leaving messages in the telephone tree. All the best to you!

After waiting THREE hours in the waiting room and receiving no apologies for that, Dr. O'Donnell proceeded to type into his computer his findings while speaking them aloud, with no explanations or pauses for questions. "Informed the patient that the findings are of a grade 3 sarcoma, etc." before actually telling us anything! When we did get to ask a question, we were told that we were asking the wrong questions! So rude. I know he's the head of the department, but it's ridiculous that this is the way he treated us.

*both he and understudy type away without eye contact or establishing any type of trust*unprofessional when dealing with opinions of colleagues not affiliated with UCSF*condescending and rude

Dr. O'Donnell performed surgery on my upper humerus for chondrosarcoma. Unlike most surgeons, he didn't recommend immediate action since this is a slow-growing and hard-to-diagnose cancer (even for the Mayo Clinic and UCSF pathologists who reviewed my biopsy.) He advised that I wait six months and repeat the test to confirm a diagnosis. After he reviewed the second set of tests he then decided, with my input, that surgery was the right choice. He performed the least invasive surgery possible and removed the cancer and filled the bone with bone cement. I have a minimal scar that he thoughtfully located in a spot where it's not easily seen in tank tops or bathing suits.He has continued to monitor me and spends the time with me that I need. I highly recommend him.

Soft tissue sarcoma survivor, thanks to Dr. O'Donnell 12 years ago. I owe him my life. (not kidding one bit)