Steven Howard, MD

Due to change of my healthcare insurer, I had to change my service provider to Dignity Health. I was very apprehensive about trying to find a new physician after all those years with Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Thanks to Unilocal reviews about Dr. Steven Howard, I called to see if Dr. Howard was accepting new patient. Fortunately Dr. Howard was still accepting new patient.
I was told my first visit with Dr. Howard would be a get acquainted visit, not an annual physical I was hoping. When Dr. Howard came into the examination room, he asked me the purpose of my visit. Dr. Howard was more than happy to give me an annual physical.
Dr. Howard did mention he used to be with Palo Alto Medical Foundation but had a heated discussion with PAMF. I asked him why. Dr. Howard said over the best interest of his patient. Wow, I could not believe my ears! How refreshing to hear someone values my best interest over a service provider like PAMF.
My blood work came back and I was asked to see Dr. Howard. He explained to me my results and my options as well as giving me a copy of my lab work. Dr. Howard took his time and was not in a rush like Kaiser in Redwood City years ago.
Lydia, Dr. Howard’s nurse, is incredible. She is like your mother. She contacts you constantly until she gets a hold of you.
I strongly recommend Dr. Howard to anyone. Hope he does not retire soon like another reviewer mentioned!

dr. howard is a personable, patient, competent doctor. the office staff are helpful and efficient.

How many stars do you rate a doctor who saves your life? Five stars seems to fall short.

Dr Howard has been my Dr. since 2001, and I could not be more pleased. Many doctors are so stuffy, and don’t really listen. Dr. Howard takes the time to LISTEN to what you are saying, give you great feedback and is not afraid to speak his mind. An appointment with him is not one way, it is something you both participate in. Also I recommend Dr. Howard because he is willing help out with unusual requests that only can be handled by an M.D. that I think most doctors would decline. He has helped me in such a way, which really was a lifesaver! Dr. Howard is a real person, unlike so many doctors who are there just for medicine, I consider him a helpful friend as well. Also his nurse Lydia is just a big Sweetie!

The only thing I worry about is that Dr. Howard will someday retire. He has earned all the awards bestowed on him IMO. My favorite thing about him is that his medical information is fresh and up-​to-​date. Some doctors seem to have their old set of knowledge and have no clue when I ask them about medical news I’ve read that I want to apply to my needs. Not so with Dr. Howard — I get the sense he genuinely loves to delve into the latest info. That gives me confidence that if something relevant has been learned I can take advantage of it.
I’m not sure about the comments about his staff; maybe that was for his old office. I see him at Sequoia Med. Group and I always get prompt, courteous help at the desk. His nurse Lydia is a gem.

Great doctor. Moved this month to location below:
Sequoia Medical Group
1301 Shoireway Road, Suite 100
Belmont, CA 94 002
(650) 596‑7000
Joined Sequoia Medical Group in January of 2010. For HMO plans he is part of Sequoia Physicians Network. I am part of an HMO plan and I was advised to call my healthplan and have them correct my records, they soon will send me a new id card.
Office is close to Ralson and highway 101.
Loved this doctor and I am moveing with him! I have called the new office and so far the front desk was very helpfull and polite!

Dr. Howard is a casual competent physician who is easy to talk to and relates well to his patients. I would give him 4 – 5 stars if this review were based solely on him. However, I can only give him 2 stars because of his pathetic atrocious office staff. There is one woman in particular in his San Carlos office that for some odd reason is given the task answering the phone and calling pateints to verify appointments, etc. English is definitely not this woman’s strong suit. In fact, I doubt that English is her second language nor her 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th. It is really pathetic when the phone contact has a nasty demeanor and can’t speak English. She has screwed my appointment dates up on every visit I have made to that office over the last 2 years. I don’t know why they keep her. In my opinion she drags the quality of the entire office into the toilet. For me at least, the hassle of having to deal with her is no longer worth it, and so it is now time for me to go find another physician. If this type of thing doesn’t bother you, then by all means, give Dr. Howard a try.

Dr. Howard is an outstanding doc for all the reasons Mike T. lists. He made the transition to PAMF, as many docs do, because insurance companies, lawyers, and other business irritants have made it virtually impossible to run an individual doctor’s office anymore.
The transition has been tough, but he’s getting all of the kinks worked out. He is still a five-​star doc. He’s devoted to his patients, and commited to ensuring they don’t get screwed financially.
Rock on, doctor Howard! All of your adoring patients are behind you 100%!

I’ve been going to Dr. Howard since about the beginning of the year 2001. I think he is a very good doctor but since he’s joined the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) I have seen a few changes that have lead at least one thing that some might find concerning, more on that later.
The biggest thing I like about Dr. Howard is that he doesn’t seem to want to milk me or my insurance company by asking me to come in for more visits than are really needed. He tends to give me a diagnosis and/​or medication that makes my symptoms better or takes care of the specific ailment I have and sends me on my way. He rarely requires a follow-​up unless my symptoms don’t change or get worse. The last time I was there he even said, «Keep up the exercise it will help you stay out of places like this.»
One other thing I like is the «small town doctors office atmosphere» of his San Carlos Ave. office. It’s just a small house that’s been converted to suit his needs.
Now the not so good. The biggest change in my opinion since he has joined the PAMF has been that he now has computers in his exam rooms and the nurses tend to leave the computers unlocked and on the screen for the doctors schedule for the day which includes patient names and why they are coming in to see the doctor. The last time I was there I could see that one guy had an appointment for later that day for a hemorrhoid. Since the computers are unlocked, who knows what sort of other information you could get at. Personally my ailments don’t tend to be that embarrassing. However, patient confidentiality isn’t a matter of just keeping the embarrassing things private. This is the only reason I am not giving Dr. Howard 5 stars.