Dr. Ruth Gilboa, MD

I wen't to Dr.Gilboa to treat my cystic acne that I've had for 12 years. The first time I saw her I was in tears, and she told me to invest in makeup and wear sunscreen because only time would help me. I'd already been to a slew of other dermatologists who tried everything. Despite this, Gilboa refused to entertain Accutane and instead ordered me two rounds of Minocycline over the two years that I was in her care. It never worked the first time, and I wasn't surprised when it didn't work the second time around. Since then I have been seeing another dermatologist who put me on Accutane for six months, and I'm happy to report that I'm finally acne free no thanks to Dr.Gilboa.

She is very competent, pleasant and gets the job done without a lot of fuss. You can rely on her, and unlike some dermo groups in town, there is no problem with scheduling and follow up.

Dr. Gilboa does not take the time to listen to your concerns or even do a thorough evaluation. She is very short and matter of fact instead of being friendly and understanding of her patients needs. She said I had a suspicious mole that needs to be removed and during the procedure she lectured me about my tattoo and the wound was the size of a quarter and so deep you can fit a marble inside. I have NEVER had a mole removal be so horrendous. I had to go to my PCP to clean my wound and suture the wound shut because I have a history of keloid scaring but Dr. Gilboa did not care. If you are looking for someone who will listen and treat you with respect I suggest you look elsewhere.

I sat in the waiting room from 2:30 to 3:15. My appointment was 2:40pm. I was taken into room 7 where I waited another 30 min. All this is fine. She was running late. I busied myself with my business email and was very patient. I had 3 issues to talk about but she rushed me out within 5 min. Seriously!!! She didn’t do what I went for and even as she ushered me into the passage I was still saying. My skin itches so badly can you please check it? She instructed the assistant lady to give me lotion!!!!! I’m sooooo upset. I waited 3 weeks to see her while this growth gets bigger and worse but she had very little tone for me. I’ll never have her treat me again. She used her little machine to burn a few spots but she even just hurried over burning old scars!!!! No I’m very disappointed and upset.

Because of a change in my insurance, I am shopping for a dermatologist. I came across Dr. Gilboa in my search and decided to read the reviews. It looks like nothing has changed since I saw her 20 years ago. At that time she was rude and abrupt, with a terrible bedside manner. She misdiagnosed a skin condition I had on my foot, gave me the wrong topical medication, and when I called to say it was getting worse, I was told to keep using the medication. I ended up going to see my childhood dermatologist in Seattle on a visit around the same time. He immediately gave me a correct diagnosis and backed it up with taking a scraping and looking at it under a microscope. Within two days the medication he gave me cleared up my problem. Imagine if I hadn't questioned Dr. Gilboa's diagnosis, how long I would have suffered? I never went back to her office again and I steer others away from going to see her. She is terrible!!

The best dermatologist I've ever beer to. She spends a lot of time with you. If you ask her she will tell you straight up. She knows all the latest studies for cancer. Thankfully I have not had to use her for skin cancer but if I did, I would go to her straight away.

Dr.Gilboa has horrible bedside manner. She isn't thorough about one's skin problems, and took a large piece of skin for a biopsy, which is not the practice in modern dermatology.

I would not recommend Dr. Gilboa. I went to see her when my other dermatogist in the practice retired. I had no reason to believe I wouldn't receive the kind of excellent care I have previously received from Dermatology Specialists. To my dismay, I went in to have a spot checked on my back. Dr. Gilboa took a biopsy but assured my husband and I that she didn't feel it was a melanoma. A week later, for my check up, I was told it was indeed a melanoma and would need further surgery to get clear margins. I was already a bit perturbed by the arguing going on outside the patient room between the nurses station and the front desk. They were unprofessional with one another and using inappropriate words. When Dr. Gilboa was explaining the melanoma she seemed 'removed' and distracted. I reminded her that she didn't feel it was a melanoma... But she quickly said "no, I knew it was a melanoma when I took it out". She then admonished me abruptly to stay out of the sun and wanted to discuss… another procedure for my face (even though there were no issues with my face). I was asked to make another appointment for the 2nd surgery. After thinking about the whole experience, I realized Dr. Gilboa had not even done a full body check to see if there were other issues! I called the office and asked for the records person and asked for a copy of the pathology report. She was rude and short (Murrieta office) and told me I would have to wait a week and I would have to pay $7.00 for a copy. I was extremely annoyed and intuitively bothered by this whole experience. I ended up doing my own research and learned I should have had a full body check right away. I also learned that melanomas are typed 1-4. When I asked Dr. Gilboa what stage my cancer was, she appeared confused and said this wasn't typed. Having major concerns, I called the office manager in the Oceanside office and expressed my concerns. She made my pathology report available for pickup immediately. Long story made short....I switched to Dermatology Medical Group where I have received exceptional service and care. I completed 4 surgeries to get clear margins. A full body check was automatically done with the first visit. There is a very professional and courteous environment throughout each of my visits. My new doctor did find another melanoma in situ that will need treatment, but I feel complete confidence in this medical group. Beware of Dr. Gilboa and the Murrieta office. Do your homework and ask lots of questions. Trust your instincts.

There are plenty of other specialists available. My recommendation is to look around before seeing this "doctor." Doesn't deserve the MD title in my opinion. She'll spend 1-2 minutes with you and then run along to do the same to the next patient.

office staff was amazing!She on the other hand horrible! We waited in this little room for her for 25 mins, she came in said you have a rash on your face, this should take care of it. She gave me a coupon and said see you in two weeks. She spent maybe 5 mins with me. no handshake no introducing herself nothing! horrible bedside manner. And to top it off the coupon was expired and they no longer manufactured the cream she prescribed! I will never go to her again and will let other people know about her also.