Sun Health Medical Center

Dr. Shailam provides a holistic balance of eastern and western medicine. The building is unusual. The office is unconventional. The Dr. is unparallelled.

Dr. Shailam was great. First meeting: She spent lots of time understanding my health needs and lifestyle. I like her direct manner, holistic approach, and time taken with patients. She called me late on Friday Night (7:30) ish to discuss the results of blood test. I don’t think Doctors take this much time with patients these days. Dr. Shailam prescribed exactly what was needed for my minor issues. Jorge was helpful, no pain with blood drawn.

Every year for I seem to have to see a doctor due to an upper respiratory infection or at least that is what the doctor has told me. Since I can get an appoint and it is close to my home I have been to Sun Health Medical Center for a number of years. Every year she asks did you read my website and the answer is always yes because that is where you always tell me to go. This year feeling on my death bed I went into see her. I pointed out the white spots on my throat so she learned how to do an on demand strep test that came out negative. She diagnosed another Upper Respiratory infection told me to get a jamba juice some expectorant and sent me on my way. She asked me how I thought I got it? Why I don’t know aren’t you the doctor? She also said give it 2 — 8 weeks for you to get better.
Let’s fast forward to today 5 weeks later and still feeling as if I am on my death bed. I decide to go to urgent care. They run multiple tests as I am still in pretty bad shape. The doctor confirmed that I had the full blown flu. He also said that to much time had passed so the flu vaccine wouldn’t work for me.
I do not want a doctor that is going to prescribe a bunch of drugs, but I do want a doctor who can assist me in figuring out what is wrong with me. Especially when I only go to a doctors appointment when I am feeling TERRIBLE! I do not want to look at your website I pay my insurance so I can visit your office, I work out with a trainer and I am a runner, and I am pretty good with my food. So the fact that is your only focus and not my issue is really disappointing.

A good friend of mine referred me to Dr. Shailam with rave reviews of her. I went to see her to get quick help for a UTI and she was so thorough and inquisitive and took so much care and time with me she ended up addressing some other health issues of mine as well. She took a very long time interviewing me and asking me in depth questions then gave me excellent advice on preventing recurrence of future UTIs and holistic lifestyle advice for my mental and emotional health as well. I’m very glad I went to see her. She was concerned with a holistic approach to addressing the root of the issues rather than just the treatment of the symptoms. She took a great deal of time with me as an individual. I don’t have insurance and found it extremely affordable as well.

I have been going to Dr. Shailam for almost 15 years. Both my daughters go to her, as well. She is the most amazing physician and we are so lucky that we found her! I find that she takes a somewhat holistic approach to healing which is right up my alley. So many health problems can be cured by closely examining diet, exercise and lifestyle habits and Dr. Shailam is the only MD I know (and I am a Registered Nurse and work with physicians of all types) who takes the time to really get to know her patients so that she can get at the root cause of a problem. As a result, I am the only person I know who has avoided prescription medication and surgery primarily through lifestyle changes. It is fantastic. My daughters are also extremely healthy and they have great respect for Dr. Shailam. She will help you so much with her approach. Even her office manager is a personal trainer and so pleasant. His name is Jorge and he has the steadiest hands and is the best at drawing blood. We love you Sunita!!!

I have been Dr. Shailam’s patient for the last six years and have enjoyed every moment. She consistently spends as much time as she needs to make sure she understands my ailments and is available for follow up phone calls and questions.
She is also my husband’s doctor and now our new daughter’s pediatrician. Dr. Shailam was OUTSTANDING to have as a pediatrician for two new parents who were freaked by everything little thing with their newborn baby girl. I called her emergency number at 11:30pm the first time my baby had a high fever and not only was she extremely helpful, but she had me call her back at 15 minute intervals that night to make sure the fever was going down.
I constantly refer her to friends and family and plan on her being our family doctor for as long as we live in San Diego. I love her and her office manager, Jorge Perez. Jorge is incredibly professional and kind. Thanks for the great service!

One of the reviewers states: «This doctor is dangerous and should be removed from practice. She gave a false diagnosis and I almost lost it. When I went for a second opinion, the other doctors could not believe what she had done.» (michelina g., 2010)
YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS! And this is why…
Yes, it’s a convenient place to get seen stat, but, on many occasions, you really do get what you pay for.
She misdiagnosed my fiancé with a fungal skin infection, and gave him an anti-​fungal cream. Fungal infection does not look vesicularly red, nor does it look inflamed… fungal infection does not involve unilateral shooting pain either, but this is what she diagnosed him with, and approved him to go back to work. I work in the health care industry, and I know the difference between fungal, bacterial, and viral infections so… I told my fiancé to seek legitimate medical advice elsewhere because what he was complaining of clearly was not anything fungal in origin. The other MD’s advice: Shingles. Other MD’s other advice: How was this beamingly clear shingles get misdiagnosed as a fungal infection by a person who holds an MD license?!
«This doctor is dangerous…» (michelina g., 2010) — indeed! She let a person who has shingles to go and spread the disease!!!
And then, me… I should have known better, but since I could not get an appointment sooner enough from another medical provider, I picked her, and what a mistake! My complaint was extremely simple, & thinking it was simple enough, there would absolutely be zero room for any mistakes. My issue: sleep deprivation due to having started a noc shift at the hospital. If you’re a day person, and you are automatically awake at a certain time in the am, and switch to being asleep, it’s a major struggle.
Thinking that I was not familiar with the medication, this MD prescribes me an anti-​depressant. The Rx’s unlabeled use is for insomnia, yes, but an anti-​depressant?! Why not a sleep aid?!! I respectfully declined, questioning why she would give me such a drug, when I was there for sleeping issues. And she said that it takes a psychologist to prescribe something like Ambien. WOW!!! And yet she prescribes me an anti-​depressant?! WHAT!!!
I walked out of her little establishment laughing at her, and at the same time insulted at the fact she underestimated me.
I, of course, went to an MD who had more legitimate grounds to actually give medical advice. Out of the bat, he prescribed me a sleep aid… and could not believe that the MD at Sun Health Medical Center, Ms. Sunita Shailam would say such hullabaloo to me about it takes a blah blah, and blah blah to get sleep aid.
Friendly staff is not going to cut it. Don’t jeopardize your health, and don’t waste your money. Go to a quality, and reputable medical provider.

Dr. Shailam has been my physician for the last five or six years now. I picked her more or less at random because she’s in downtown which is where I live and work.
She is now my wife’s doctor, and our daughter’s pediatrician. I find her techniques and approach to medicine to be pretty much on track. Look, if you’re fat you need to lose weight so stop blaming your god damn thyroid.
When I first saw Dr. Shailam she told me point blank that I was obese and that it looked like I had a spare tire around my stomach. She also hinted that the man-​boobs I was lugging around was probably from the same obesity. A little harsh? Yeah but honestly if there’s one person who shouldn’t blow smoke up your ass it’s your doctor.
I have never once felt rushed in Dr. Shailam’s office and yeah, sometimes she’s late, but that’s because she’s taking the time to deal with a patient properly and she’ll do the same for you so chill out. Your schedule isn’t that important and unless you’re setting up middle east peace negotiations you can wait a bit, read a magazine, and calm down.
Dr. Shailam is a terrific physician who really puts her patients first and tells you the truth no matter how much you might not want to hear it.
I went from being a fat tub of goo to squatting 300, deadlifting 400, and getting all the ladies OH YEAH. So if you want to take your health seriously and be a God amongst men get your chubby butt over to Sunita’s and get serious bro.

She tried to force repeated, bi-​monthly visits, then just ship me off for testing elsewhere, despite being able to draw blood in-​office. I end up paying for a doctor’s visit AND blood test, where she does nothing but go, «How have you been? Okay, go here and get blood drawn.» Outright milking money.
I found her to be extremely rude and unhelpful — thanks for the jabs at my self-​esteem and the useless advice. «Eat less» doesn’t help me when I already eat very little. Thanks for not diagnosing the thyroid problem and just making me feel like a failure.
Then there was the medication hostage. See, unless I made more appointments to see her, her assistant outright said I wouldn’t get medication. Hurray, holding my health hostage to make more money.
It’s blatantly obvious that Sun Health is paying to have bad reviews buried — I just hope people go through and read the very real concerns folks have had with her, instead of reading the poorly written, cliché «oh so awesome!» reviews…

This place is absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend Dr. Sunita to everyone I know. She’s been a phenomenal doctor who genuinely listens and cares about her patients. Jorge who works in the office is also extremely patient and kind as well.

misdiagnosed. cant answer some questions. seem caring but dont deliver. her nurse cant even draw my blood right. a no no. sorry.
i so want to like her as she is in downtown and seem nice.

I went to Dr. Shailam based off all the good Unilocal reviews, but that was a big mistake. Dr. Shailam has very strong opinions that she imposes on her patients. If you don’t see eye to eye with her methods, you have to plead your case. Although she took the time during appointments to sit down and talk about my routines (what I eat, how often I exercise, etc.), she didn’t seem to care much when it came to addressing the issues that brought me to her office in the first place. An example: one time she diagnosed my illness before she even examined me, just based off the conversation I had with her assistant on the phone.
There is also a severe lack of organization at Sun Health. At my last appointment Dr. Shailam didn’t even show up to the office until 30 minutes after I was supposed to be seen. At that point there were already 2 other people waiting to see her, so I felt that she rushed through our time together in order to make up for her tardiness. Despite my attempts to make sure Dr. Shailam’s assistant knew my current insurance information, he billed the incorrect insurance a number of times. The result is that I had to deal with bills that I would never get if the correct insurance were used.
I want to feel like my doctor cares about health problems I bring up, and I need better organization that what I’ve experienced at Sun Health.

PLEASE LISTEN WHEN I SAY THIS!!!
This doctor is dangerous and should be removed from practice. She gave a false diagnosis and I almost lost it. When I went for a second opinion, the other doctors could not believe what she had done.
SHE is a medical disaster and nice doesnt do the trick when it comes to this.
Be aware and careful.

The personal service here is outstanding. You don’t feel like your just a number as I did with Kaiser.
I got my shots here before I moved out of the country, and when I got back Dr. Sunita became my primary care provider. She is great, I didn’t think doctors gave this kind of service anymore. She takes the time to get to know you, about your work, hobbies, etc. so she can give you the best possible treatment.
Prices are surpisingly low too, I don’t have insurance and can easily afford to go here.
No long waits for appointments either. I have been able to make same day appointments multiple times.

I haven’t had a doctor since college so walking into Dr. Sunita Shailam’s was more than a wonderful experience. Firstly, her office is in a beautiful non-​assuming building smushed between the so-​called slums of C Street. The office itself is friendly, clean, calm, and the overall ambiance is great. Dr. Shailam’s assistant, Jorge, is also very friendly. When I finally got to see Dr. Shailam, I sat in a comfy chair in her high-​ceiled, cozy office while she asked me questions about my lifestyle and dietary habits, which I’ve never had a doctor do before. I really respect her advocacy of healthy living, and her praise of those who do so. She obviously is passionate about what she does as well as the people she cares for. I am so happy to have her as a primary physician, and I actually am not dreading going back if need be (like most, I feel like going to see a doctor is usually a hectic experience). I also appreciate her candidness. She’s frank and assertive, which, like previous reviews state, might be disconcerting to some, but I welcomed it greatly. Overall, I think it’s a great practice.

Dr. Sunita is absolutely the best doctor I have ever had. Her assistant Jorge is wonderful as well — he remembers me every time I go in, even when I don’t have an appointment. I love the small-​town office feel of the place; it’s just the doctor and Jorge, in a beautiful old building. The care and attention is personal and friendly, without any sign of the stress and bustle that tends to come with doctor’s offices.
The doctor is an absolute kick — she tells it as it is, and I suppose if you’re not used to it, it could be disconcerting or even unwelcome. When I had a sore throat, she said «no more blow jobs till this is healed!» She’s very much into an active, balanced lifestyle and all that comes with it; she lives the lifestyle that she advocates. I always feel like she’s talking with me, not talking at me.
I am grateful to have her and Jorge on my side, fighting against any medical condition I may face.

I first went to this place when I needed shots for going overseas. It was in a convenient location downtown and I was able to get an appointment quickly.
This place really is a throwback to the past and I mean that in a good way. The office is in an older building on «C» St. downtown and it consists of Dr. Sunita Shailam and her assistant Jorge. After getting shots for my trip, it was evident to me that Dr. Shailam is an excellent physician who takes the time to know her patients and I immediately thought this might be a perfect choice for my primary care physician. She is associated with Scripps Mercy and I can’t say enough about the great, caring service and excellent follow up that she and her assistant offers. Yes, it’s a small place and it doesn’t have all the expensive medical machines all over the place but the care is excellent and she really seems to be up on new medical options/​procedures etc. and obviously the best equipment is at her fingertips with her association with Mercy. Nowadays, this type of personal attention is rare and I am so happy I stumbled upon this place and Dr. Shailam.
I am probably giving away a great secret (I hope I can still get appointments quickly) but I can’t think of a better place to get top notch medical care from a primary care physician.