Kent J Farney, MD

I’ve been seeing Dr. Farney for over 3 years now, and he has helped me through some medical issues during a hard time. He has always been very personable and friendly to me. No woman likes to go in for their yearly check-​up, but Dr. Farney made it much easier. He’d always ask me how my job was doing, how my running was going, etc. Always remembered the little things!
I’m sad to say that I will not longer be seeing Dr. Farney and will have to find a new doctor because I’ve recently moved and the commute is just way too inconvenient. It’s such a shame because I really enjoyed having him as my doctor.
The ONLY reasons I docked one star since my initial review is because his office has moved to a new location in the parking lot of the Towne Center. It is in a larger building with several offices, and I had a really hard time trying to find it. Much of his office staff is new (Drew is still there, I didn’t see Janice) and the girl who made my appointment didn’t feel the need to tell me they moved. Fortunately, I figured it out for myself. The office staff left much to be desired, both when making the appointment and when I showed up for the appointment. Except Drew, she is always awesome.
But that aside, Dr. Farney has been great, and I will miss him as my doctor!

This review is limited only to the front office, as was never allowed to see Dr. Farney. Essentially, it was a bad experience. The office changed addresses, and the only notificaiton I received was a scrawled note taped to the door of the old office. At the new office (I was now late), there are no signs for Dr. Farney. Several places list the physician directory for the building, but he is not mentioned. Lost, I simply began to go to different reception areas and ask. Finally, I found the desk, even though two other physicians are named on the desk (Dr. Farney is not one of them). I am active duty military (and was in uniform) and have the standard medical coverage through TRICARE. Dr. Farney’s office was not aware of how to handle TRICARE patients, and while they recieved my insurance referral before my appointment, the receptionist insited on my ‘insurance card’. I do not have an insurance card (my id acts as proof of insurance). The receptionist insisted that I ‘had to have an insurance card’ or she would refuse to let me see the doctor. I called TRICARE and they re-​iterated that I didn’t have an insurance card, but that I was covered. I have never had a problem at any other health care provider, so it is very strange that the receptionist would not know this. In the end, she could not be convinced, and refused to let me see Dr. Farney. I wasted several hours in the process, and have since seen another physician with no problems.

He will never say your weight is an issue, but he will treat you like you are from another planet. He is too quick and self righteous. Not good bedside manner. No coordination of care between front and back office. I was told to stay home with a cold by front office then dr farney was annoyed I didn’t come in for treatment for the cold.

I went to Mr. Farney for a routine pap before I found out I was pregnant.
When I became pregnant my husband and I went to Dr. Farney’s office. We were really excited to get all of the information women that are expecting recieve. On my phone app regarding pregnancy (and all over the internet) it says that you can see a fetal heartbeat at 5 weeks, 6 days. I was almost 7 weeks pregnant and was very hopeful that we might try to see the heartbeat. He told me that there was absolutely no way to see anything and that it was too early… NOT TRUE! Instead, he did a pap smear and we wear lead to his office.
He did not give any kind of paperwork for safe medications to take during pregnancy, any kind of pregnancy information, nada. The only thing he did was tell me which foods not to eat and then proceeded to go on and on about miscarriages and how he, «didn’t consider me pregnant until after my first trimester.»
The only reason for the stars is that his front desk receptionist and nurse are very nice ladies. Dr. Farney was so unpersonal and cold during an exciting time in my husband and I’s life. I will not be back to see him again.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Farney for about fourteen years. I lived in Alameda and I still return to see him now. I love Janice and Dru, they are lovely, kind people and efficient. And I have the greatest respect for Dr. Farney. I said earlier «He’s smart, he’s good, and he’s thorough». He is. He performed a surgery for me in 2005. I walked out of the hosp. the next day and had an entirely good experience, start to finish. He is called by other physicians from the hospital when there is an ob-​gyn emergency or questionable case. Parking is along the street or across the street in the Alameda Hospital parking lot.

Dr. Farney was bubbly and personable, sweet, but a little too quick for my taste, seemed distracted most of the time, somewhat absent. If you’re looking for an MD who will really spend time with you and lock into your appointment/​case when they are in there with you, this MD is probably not the best choice. I was seeing him for a pregnancy. Part of what attracted me to this office were his really good reviews on Unilocal (including good reviews for his staff). His nurse was very cool, very sweet, I liked her a lot. The woman at the front desk, however, I found totally short tempered and rude just scratching the surface. If all you need to do is make an appointment or ask a very basic questions about appointment or directions it is ok, but anything more complicated or billing related, she totally turned into a very rude and degrading personality. These and other personal reasons, I was very happy to terminate services at this office. That termination process was also made very difficult by front desk who became even more degrading and rude. He should hire someone nicer. I should also mention my file was not completely documented. Dealing with the front desk to help me in this task took too many phone calls-​putting me off, suggesting it WAS complete, it was made difficult and I was made to feel very uncomfortable about it. Ultimately, the document seems to have been filled out by the MD, but front desk wouldn’t send it to me-​I still don’t know why. I shouldn’t have to fight so hard for basic service.

My wife loves this guy. Great reviews on Berkeley Parents Network. Delivers at Alta Bates, office in Lafayette. Perfect!

I’ve been seeing Dr. Farney forever. He delivered my second son at Alameda Hospital before the maternity ward closed down. Now I believe his patients deliver at Summit. It is a small office… Janice and Drew are in the front. Very sweet and personable — talking to them is like catching up with old friends. Dr. Farney is quick and efficient, but he does not take his job lightly. He will be there to deliver ‘his’ babies day or night, which is very reassuring at 1 a.m. when you go straight into hard labor, have no pain medication and are looking for a familiar face to put you at ease. I don’t know about him assisting at Alameda Hospital, but I recently required surgery and I believe that any non-​pregnancy related procedures are still done there. It was very reassuring once again to see his familiar face before going under general anesthetic.
Yes, the décor in his office is outdated and yes, he does get from patient to patient pretty quickly, but he’s there for you for the long haul rather than being a ‘baby doctor’ who casts you aside when the big money maker (pregnancy) is done.

Very quick, to the extent that it is not thorough or reassuring. He is the only doctor in his office so if he is out you get rescheduled for next week. If you get rescheduled you get a half appointment basically, it’s even faster than the normal fast. Doesn’t willingly give information or advice. When I was having issues I was just told have the baby and it will resolve. Easy to tell someone that who is really suffering. He is at the hospital across the street alot assisting, I would think his patients should come first. Does not like to do ultrasounds, spent two minutes on mine, no exaggeration… precious memories. I was refered by someone who really liked him. I personally wouldn’t recommend him, my friend is thinking about changing to someone new and a woman in my childbirth class felt exactly like I do. The ladies in the front are sweet but as for the doctor I would prefer someone who seemed to care a bit more. It’s not like he’s dealing with sick animals we are expectant mothers we would like a little extra care and reassurance that we are having healthy babies. Wished I would’ve changed doctors but time went by fast and soon it seemed to late. Also, there is NOT plenty of street parking nor have I ever seen there be on any visit I ever had. Another frustration, I would’ve chosen a different doctor based on the parking situation alone.

First off, I’m transcribing this for my wife:
«Pros: Very personable, casual and quick. Takes genuine interest in the patients.
Con: All the décor in the office is circa 1990.»
Sounds like a good place to me!

Dr. Farney operates out of a converted home in Alameda and his staff are sweet personable ladies. You almost don’t feel like you are going to a doctor, except that they are all really professional. Good for anyone with anxiety issues around health care. Plenty of street parking.