Dr. Sonja Barbara Potrebic, MD

I’m giving her a 2 because she prescribed me several drugs as preventative treatment options, but in my initial visit she spoke to me like I was an irresponsible adolescent who wasn’t taking care of myself because of the frequency of my migraines. Several months (and drug trials) later when I inquired about Botox she was quick to say I only had 13 days of migraine days last month and needed 15 for a prescription. I wasn’t looking for something cosmetic but she sure did make me feel like it.

Saw this doctor for headaches and accompanying issues. She reluctantly ordered tests but made it clear she was not happy to do it. She was a terrible listener. I saw her with another patient as they were leaving and she was nicer. Apparently she picks and chooses who she likes enough to help. So if that’s you then you are lucky. If not, you better hope she won’t hurt you. When something unusual was found she called me on the phone. She told me things that were scary and confusing but didn’t feel she needed to do anything else except tell me to go back to primary care. My own doctor said my condition is unusual and I need a specialist. It’s great that others had a better experience. But Dr. Potrebic is prejudiced and pick and choose who gets care based on who she likes the looks of. She left me scared and with no help for my condition. Kaiser let me get a second opinion and even agreed to let me get an opinion at another hospital outside the system. If I hadn’t done that I could… have been facing seizures, a stroke, or worse. Maybe Dr Potrebic’s prejudices will end up harming someone. Maybe they already have. Very disappointed in Kaiser and Dr Potrebic.

Poor bedside manner, non caring physician. Would not recommend Kaiser and her at all. SHE IS RUDE AND JUDGMENTAL! I did change my plan and that was the one of the best decision to save my health.

I have had a nonstop migraine for over 20 years and thus have seen lots of doctors, including numerous neurologists and over half a dozen headache specialists. By far and away, Dr. Potrebic is the best doctor I've ever met. She has the rare combination of being brilliant, highly knowledgeable about advances in her field, and incredibly understanding/ easy to talk to about anything. She explains each medicine, with its benefits and potential side effects, clearly, and takes my own opinions and concerns into account. I feel that she truly cares and is eager to work with me to find a solution to my pain. Though she has sent me to several preeminent other headache doctors for second, third, and fourth opinions, I have always been happy to stay with her as my headache specialist in the 15 or so years I've been seeing her. I can't recommend her enough!

Dr. Potrebic has impressive credentials. Clearly intelligent and respected in medical community, however her manner with people is rude, dismissive, and unsuitable for care. Poor listening skills both in office and during phone appts, Dr. Potrebic is not interested in respectful dialogue with patients to find solutions to their care. Her manner is judge mental and imperious. She tells patients they no longer have symptoms when they do. Ignores findings on medical tests (CT Scan, MRI, X-ray) and engages in gaslighting. She will often refuse to see a patient and insist on phone appts only where one can hear her typing the whole time-very distracting. If you have honest and respectful questions or concerns about your care or diagnosis she either talks over you, ignores you,or labels you non compliant. My loved one did not receive adequate information about my dangerous and progressive illness nor was it explained that I was in danger of a stroke from blood clots. No other courses of… action or diagnosing tools provided other than being told my symptoms were “gone” (they weren’t) and that any other neurological questions should be taken up with primary care. After seeking a second opinion I found out my condition was very complex and needed treatment, not just a dismissive verbal shrug. Dr. Potrebic is a master scholar and teacher but that does not give her the ability to shirk the physicians oath to “do no harm”. Nor does her Harvard background make her infallible. IMHO Kaiser should limit Dr. Potrebic to teaching and speaking engagements. Dr. Potrebic lacks the skill set to work successfully with living and functioning human patients and their concerned families and loved ones.

SHE IS VERY IMPATIENT ,SHE DOES NOT EVEN LET YOU FINISH WHAT YOU ABOUT TO SAY,I FELT WAS RUSHED OUT OF THE ROOM . I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND HER AT ALL.

After my previous neurologist had lost, hope, Dr. Potrebic patiently tried a number of medications and other therapies with me to help my intractable migraine headaches and chronic daily headaches. She never lost hope, was very engaging during office visits and knew the best way to help me get my insurance company to compensate me for the care I needed. I've seen scores of medical providers and Dr. Potrebic is a uniquely good combination of academic background and knowledge, engaging bedside manner and positive, problem-solving approach.When I had difficulty obtaining an unusual off label usage medication she was kind enough to provide me with the information, including academic references in which the medication was used in that regard. She did so almost 8 years after I had seen her as a patient.She remains my favorite medical provider. Hopefully, you don't need to see her (as if you do, you probably have a difficult problem to solve), but I don't see how you could possibly be in… better hands.

she only cares about kp, and not the patient. i ask VERY simple q and a's and get attitude or vagueness

would not recommend her at all, she cares for kaiser only