Mae Ushigome, MD

It is not nature to write reviews about people but this person changed my life.
I suffered many years from chronic pain and debilitating headaches due to complications from my cycle. Dr. Mae greeted me with a smile, warm heart and determined spirit that I would good better. I looked forward to going to see her because I knew we would laugh, sometimes I cried and we would find a solution. For over 20 years, I suffered consistently. She listened as a friend but cared for me as the professional.
As the news was released about her leaving the practice, I had another a health episode that required surgery. Afraid and cautious about who would care for me, Dr. Mae administered a plan of action, personally handed me to other doctors and checked in on me after her departure. All of the caregivers talked about the notes she left for my benefit even while I was hospitalized.
My life is better now because Dr. Mae cared for me for over 13 years. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I understand no one can meet everyone’s expectation. Dr. Mae Ushigome surpassed my expectations and helped me to heal my body and soul. I can honestly say I love her, for what she has done in my life.

Dr. Ushigome had been my doctor for several years and all was fine (despite the typical complaints about the office itself — long lag time to get an appointment, constantly sitting for extended periods in the waiting room, etc). She always seemed curt and lacked bedside manners, but to be honest I do not care to spend any more time than necessary in a doctor’s office. It took an actual problem needing diagnosis that I changed my opinion AND my choice in doctor. Dr. Ushigome hastily and incorrectly diagnosed my condition using a method that by design could not rule out a second potential explanation for the condition. When her diagnosis reduced me to tears, she asked me why I was upset in a way that suggested she could not understand my emotion (despite having just been told that my condition required an operation that would take me out of work for weeks, would not go away for good without a hysterectomy, and that I would have to plan having children around an operation). Being completely dismayed at the prognosis, I chose to receive a second opinion from a well-​regarded member of the Cedars faculty. Unlike Dr. Ushigome, he performed an exam that explored both possibilities and in doing so found the actual cause of my problems. Rather than a debilitating surgery, I learned that the cure was one out patient procedure away and maybe, at most, three days off work. I scheduled the procedure in 2009 and have been worry-​free for over 3 years. While I think that everyone has their own taste in the personality of their doctor, it is paramount to me that my doctor never rush to judgment — especially when doing so would be negligent and, dare I say it, malpractice.

Terrible bedside manner!
Plus she occasionally cancels appointments on you — even after you’ve waited several weeks just to get squeezed into her crazy schedule. She’s unapologetic that she probably won’t make it to your labor. Talks down to you. In general, she acts as if you’re lucky just to be seen by her. Please!
Overall, not impressed. Avoid her if possible. There are better OBs out there.

WORST DOCTOR EVER!
Pls read this review bf u consider her.
She has poor bedside manners – patronizing but I gave her the benefit of the doubt bc of a recommendation by one of the nurses. She refuses to return my multiple phone calls to verify dosage information and expected ovulation day. Im going by internet info since March. She never remembers me and even told one nurse that I was calling for a prescription refill by phone so I should be ignored!
Her nurses are great if you are ever lucky enough to only deal with them, otherwise RUN!!!

She’s terrible. I went in today for my prenatal visit and the moment she went in, she was all about business. Her responses to my questions were short and lacked the empathy that I needed. I’ve been going through a lot of stress lately and her response was «why are you so anxious,» as if I was abnormal for being the way I was. Her only remedy was to offer me Ativan or Xanax! She really did not care for my baby or me. Further told her about my concern for medications and she mistakenly told me acetaminophen was pregnancy category C, when in actually it is category B! This lack of care was just so frustrating!
I’m switching my OBGYN!

I’ve been seeing Dr. Ushigome for years, and she never remembers me. I’m not surprised, since it takes months to get an appointment with her, so I’m assuming she has many, many patients. And I don’t even need my doctor to be super warm and friendly. She gets in, gets the job done and gets out — that’s fine by me. Three years ago, she brought up my age and asked me if I wanted children. At the time I was single, so it wasn’t a long discussion. The next time she brought it up, I told her I had finally found the man I wanted, and she urged me to get on with the baby-​making, because she sees many women my age (mid-​30s) who can’t conceive. I told her I had to be married first, and she told me to get off the pill asap and hit the court house. I honestly didn’t mind the urging, because it did get me thinking about it. When I finally told her that I was married, and we were going to start trying, she seemed happy for me and immediately scheduled me for pre-​pregnancy STD tests.
I was blessed enough to get pregnant in less than 3 months. Getting in to see Dr. U was difficult, and my husband and I often met with PA Pullen instead. Wow, what an eye-​opener that was. (Pullen was warm, friendly and funny, and we loved her.)
At what was to be our final appt with Dr. U, I asked her when we would discuss our birth plan. Given the statistics of C-​sections at Cedars, I was concerned that we wouldn’t be able to have the natural childbirth we wanted. Dr. U was honest and told me about their high (40%) rates and sort of shrugged her shoulders about my concerns. When I asked her if I’d be able to move around during labor, eat a snack if I’m hungry (or even drink water), be able to labor without being attached to monitors — and other questions regarding a natural birth with as few unnecessary medical interventions as possible — she pretty much shot me down and said no to every one. She didn’t seem to care that I was concerned, nor did she offer any alternatives or understanding about where I was coming from. My husband and I had been considering a home birth, and when she left the room, I turned to him and said, «That decision just got easier.»
We cancelled our appts with the docs at Cedars and found some midwives instead and are planning a home birth. I expected a phone call at least, checking up on our absence since I’m in my third trimester now, but we haven’t gotten any. I know Cedars is a great hospital, but the entire experience was disappointing to us. Except for a few appointments with Pullen, we felt like sheep, corralled in and out as fast as they could, with no care as to what we wanted. Dr. Ushigome is a good doctor and for basic yearly checkups, she’s fine, but I just need to feel connected to the person who’s going to help me deliver my child (or possibly help, as you are assigned a group of doctors on call, and you won’t know who will be there when the time comes).
I would recommend Dr. Ushigome for basic gyno care, but beyond that, I don’t think I would.

I’ve been seeing Dr Ushigome every year (for my annual exams) for the past 11 years and I cannot begin to say how much I appreciate her care. She always does her best to make herself available– even when I’ve called because of food poisoning! She is warm, caring, remembers the thoughtful details that make a difference, and yet she gets to the point, is honest, and doesn’t give you a run-​around. She has never been judgemental or condescending no matter the topic or question.
It isn’t always easy getting in for an appt, and though that’s not convenient if you don’t have lots of flexibility, I would rather have a doctor with a full practice and a good reputation rather than one that’s always available –for not such good reasons!
I am thankful that I was referred to her over 10years ago by one of her own colleagues– which says a lot!

I just saw Dr. Ushigome today, after calling yesterday for a second opinion appointment regarding some possible surgery. I was extremely impressed by her no frills, lay it out there plain and straight way of explaining my condition and my options. She was acting only as a second opinion, so will not be involved in my care or after care, and so I was even more impressed by the amount of time she gave me and her desire to help me understand what I have ahead of me. I want to change my medical network so she can be my OBGYN in the future, and would recommend her to anyone.

Sales pitch!
The last time I saw Dr. Ushigome she asked me how old I was and whether or not I wanted to have a baby. Then she proceeded to tell me that insurance didn’t cover freezing my fertilized eggs, but it only cost between $ 10K-​$ 15K, and I could pay her by credit card. I said I didn’t have that kind of money and then she asked me if I could get it from my parents! Excuse me? Ask for my inheritance or something so I could have a baby in the future. You’re getting older, she said. It’s time to think about it!
Patients beware!
Also, took months to get an appt. and I had the same thing happen: I never got a call back about my test results. When I called she said she’d already called me.
Needless to say I’m not going back.

Talk about spin-​dry.
I agree with the assessment that Dr. U. is cold and short. She started talking before even introducing herself. I told her about problems I’ve had with exams because of a tilted cervix and that the last MD finally realized that a different type of speculum made it easier. She tried 4 times doing it her way — painful is an understatement — then she finally said, «well, I think you’re right.» What the HELL? I waited about a week before calling back for test results. When she called back, she said she’d already called and I believe she said she left a message. I hope that wasn’t my test results on someone else’s voicemail.
Very curt, very impersonal. Goes 100 mph. I didn’t feel like she was listening or that she cared. Too bad. From some other reviews I bet she’s really good at certain things.

Not a fan.
She is so cold and unpersonable. All my other doctors are so warm and seem to care genuinely. Not this doctor.
I immediately got turned off by reading the paperwork they give you. «We will charge you for this» and «we will charge you for that» including talking to the doctor and filling out any paperwork. You can see where their focus is.
I do not care for this doctor and will not return.

Dr. Ushigome has been my ob/​gyn for almost 10 years now, and I really like her. She is very smart, efficient and straight to the point, while also being warm and informative. She is great at listening to all my concerns and giving me clear, straight answers. Their support staff is also great, and I really like that I never have to wait long when I go to see her. It is nearly impossible to get immediate appointments for non-​emergencies, but having worked in the medical community for years, I know that is common for all really good doctors.

Please note: I have never actaully met with with Dr. U. My review is based soley on my care by one of the PA’s in her office.
I had gotten a new insurance plan so the hunt was on for a new vagina doctor. I tend to be picky and expect that my dr. be curdious and have time to spend with me talking about whatever it is brought me in for a visit. So off I went to try my luck with Dr. U’s office.
To my surprise. it worked out very well. I met with Elinore Pullen PA. She was high energy, which I loved. You shared my passion about my cocerns. She got excited when I got excited. Most importantly she made me feel like the things I was worried about were valid. She took time to explain things. If she wasn’t sure or noticed I was doubtful, she would research it right online with me and show me why she thought what she did.
I hope that Dr. U is only as great as the rest of her staff. I will agree with others though, the wait can be a little long. But so is everyone else’s.

We lost our OBGYN due to an insurance change, so I had find another. I went through several (and using Unilocal to help me only go to the good ones). It took me over a year to find a kind, intelligent, patient doctor. Dr Ushigome is articulate, explains everything in detail, and takes time to talk to her patients. The wait to see her for new patients is unfortunate, but I’d say worth the wait. My husband and I couldn’t have been happier when we found her. Been her patient for about a year now, and hoping to get pregnant and have her deliver our first (giving 4 stars since we haven’t gone thru pregnancy with her as our doc yet)

I didn’t feel the positive energy (kindness) from Dr. Ushigome and other workers at the clinic. Dr. U did not take time with me and at the end she walked out the door as she replied to my question.
Also, they made a mistake on my insurance and had to take my time to explain about their mistake.

I’ve been going to Dr. Ushigome for years and think she’s wonderful.
The two big issues I have is that it takes months to book an appointment with her. And to make matters worse, on several occassions I’ve had my appointments cancelled on me at the last mintue, at which point the practice has tried to book me with another doctor. I’m very particular about the doctor’s I see, so it’s really annoying for them to try to pawn me off on another doctor. I totally understand that it’s the nature of the biz for that to happen especially in OB/​GYN, but feel that over the years it’s just gotten progressively worse.
Anyway, I continue to go to Dr. Ushigome because I’ve been too lazy to find another doctor. And I’ve heard that it’s pretty much the same no matter which doctor you go to in this field.

I just switched to Dr. U because my insurance changed. I love my previous GYN and was very apprehensive about seeing someone new. I did have to book about 3 months in advance, but that seems to be the case with most doctors I see.
Anyhoo … I am SO happy I chose Dr. U. I felt comfortable with her right away. She’s likable, hip in an unaffected way, efficient and straight forward. I recommend her highly.

Dr. Ushigome is as good as everyone says she is. She takes her time with you, you never feel rushed, she encourages questions, etc.
But 3 months to book an appointment? That’s a problem for me.

I went to Dr Ushigome when I was pregnant but switched to a new doctor (Dr Aliabadi) and a new practice probably mid-​way through.
My most serious point of contention with the practice was that they lost my blood test results and didn’t even realize it until I asked about it weeks later.
I found the practice to be hectic and we always waited for our appointment for at least 30 minutes.
Personally I do need a warm Gyno and good bedside manners — those are very important to me. I did not get that from Dr Ushigome or any Dr. in this practice.

There is nothing pleasant about going in for your annual gynecological exam.
Dr. Ushigome is hands down the best gynecologist I’ve ever had. I’ve recommended her to several of my friends, and we all agree she knows how to make an uncomfortable visit, as pleasant as possible. She prudent, discreet & thorough, without taking forever. With so much medical information at our disposal on the Internet, it must drive doctors nuts when we try to self-​diagnose ourselves. Dr. Ushigome never cuts me off when I begin a phrase with «I read on the Internet…» The hallmark of a good doctor is one who listens, writes things down and keeps their patients informed, letting them know what to expect when going through a procedure, or trying out a new prescription.
I’ve had gynecologists, who have judged me based off their religious beliefs, which is the last thing you need when you’re sitting in the stirrups. I’ve also have had a gynecologist prescribe me meds without writing them down in my chart, while also failing to mention that I needed to taper off gradually.
You don’t get that kind of experience with Dr. Ushigome.
As with most Cedars Sinai doctors, you might end up waiting in the waiting room for awhile, but she’s worth the wait (and I’m not usually patient when it comes to these things). Also, if you want to save yourself $ 5 – 7 dollars, park on the residential street one street over to the west. It’s about a 5 minute walk.