Steven D. Chang, MD

Neurosurgeon, Aneurysm neurosurgeon, Cerebrovascular neurosurgeon, Pituitary tumors neurosurgeon, Stereotactic neurosurgeon


Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Neurosciences Professor and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and of Neurology

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Biography


Dr. Chang is a Professor and Vice Chairman of Strategic Development and Innovation in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford. He is also the inaugural holder of the Robert C. And Jeannette Powell Professorship in the Neurosciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. His clinical work and research focuses on the treatment of brain tumors and cerebrovascular disease.
After receiving his Medical Degree and completing his Neurosurgery residency training at Stanford University, Dr. Chang joined Stanford’s Department of Neurosurgery in 2000. He was named full professor in 2008, and that same year was appointed as the Powell Professor in the Neurosciences. Dr. Chang has a national and international reputation as an expert in both microsurgery and radiosurgery for treatment of brain, spine, and skull base tumors, and is the Co-Director of the Surgical Neuro-Oncology Program. His radiosurgery practice focuses on the use of the Cyberknife to treat neoplasms of the brain and spine. He was instrumental in the rapid growth of the Stanford Cyberknife Radiosurgery Program and is currently Co-Director of this program. Dr. Chang also specializes in the treatment arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations of the brain and spine, and surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms. A fellowship trained cerebrovascular neurosurgeon, Dr. Chang specializes in multi-modality therapy for these vascular lesions. He is also an expert in both microsurgery and radiosurgery for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr. Chang's research focuses on clinical outcomes for radiosurgery of brain and spine tumors. His lab has active research projects involving genetic analysis of arteriovenous malformation patients. He is the Director of the Stanford Neurogenetics Oncology Program and the Director of the Stanford Neuromolecular Innovations Program. He is the author or co-author of more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Residency: Stanford University Dept of Neurosurgery (1999) CA
  • Internship: Stanford University Dept of General Surgery (1994) CA
  • Medical Education: Stanford University School of Medicine (1993) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery (2003)
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Cerebrovascular Surgery Fellowship (2000) CA
  • Fellowship, Stanford University Stereotactic Radiosurgery Fellowship, CA (1996)
  • MD, Stanford University, Medicine (1993)
  • AB, Stanford University, Quantitative Economics (1989)
  • BS, Stanford University, Biology (1989)

Honors & Awards
  • Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Professor in the Neurosciences, Stanford University (2008-)

Memberships
  • Member, Stanford Neurosciences Destination Service Line Committee (2002 - Present)

Administrative Appointments
  • Capital Asset Management Committee, Stanford (2005 - 2010)
  • Co-Director, Stanford Cyberknife Program, Stanford (2003 - Present)
  • Co-Surgical Director, Pituitary Program, Stanford (2006 - 2007)
  • Director, Stanford Neuromolecular Innovation Program (2009 - Present)
  • Director, Stanford Neurogenetics Program (2010 - Present)
  • Editorial Board, World Neurosurgery (2010 - 2012)
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Radiosurgery and SBRT (2010 - Present)
  • Neuroscience Service Line Committee, Stanford (2003 - Present)
  • Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Professor in the Neurosciences, Stanford University (2008 - Present)
  • Topic Review Editor, Editorial Board, Neurosurgery (2005 - 2010)
  • Vice Chairman, Neurosurgery Strategic Development and Innovation, Stanford University School of Medicine (2015 - Present)

Publications

Practice Locations


Brain and Spine Tumor Center at Stanford Neuroscience Health Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 497-7777

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Pituitary Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

Neurosurgery Program Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

Cerebrovascular Program Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 723-6469

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Neurogenetic Cancer Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

CyberKnife Program at the Neuroscience Health Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 725-0084

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Skull Base Surgery at the Neuroscience Health Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 497-7777

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Facial Pain Program at the Neuroscience Health Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 497-7777

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Stanford Neuroscience Health Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 723-6469

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Vascular Malformations Clinic Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 723-6469

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Neurocritical Care Program Stanford, CA
Stanford, CA

300 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor

Stanford , CA 94305

+1 (866) 742-4811

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Brain Aneurysm Clinic Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

213 Quarry Road

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 723-6469

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Patient Ratings

(55 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.8/5

View Ratings by Category

4.9/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.9/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.8/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.8/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.9/5
Recommended to others
Likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others
0.0/5
Wait times
Wait time at clinic (from arriving to leaving)

How Our Ratings Work

The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

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Patient Reviews

(228 reviews)

Very nice person. High confidence.
Dr. Chang is very caring and communicative. He gave me a feeling of trust and comfort.
He was great. Explained everything in detail and in layman's terms, easy to understand.
The doctor is very helpful. Did present different options for treatment. I am his patient since my first decompression surgery in 2017. I like him very much and admire him. Thank to him I live pain free life for the last 7 years.
I appreciate his knowledge, straightforward answers, and helpful guidance.
Dr. Chang is amazing and you guys need to make sure he stays where he's at. He's a great doctor. I like his team. I like his location. I like everything about him and I trust Stanford more than I do. Any other facility in Northern California.
His confidence and knowledge of my surgical needs is very reassuring
Happy to work with him
He was patient and answered all of my questions thoroughly and professionally. I have much respect for his opinions and appreciated the time he spent with me.
Concise and easy to converse with on questions.
Dr. Chang performed my brain surgery 18 years ago and I see him every 3 months now to make sure that the tumor hasn't come back.
great and professional service
I had a short visit with him, since his nurse explained everything prior to seeing dr Chen. Dr Chen was courteous and wrapped the steps of my procedure nicely
Excellent Doctor. Very caring and easy to relate to.
Dr Chang was kind and thorough while offering the information discussed. I greatly appreciated not feeling rushed at anytime during the visit and that all of my questions and concerns were answered clearly.
Thank You for compassionate care.
Dr. Chang was warm and personable yet professional. He discussed my case very clearly and we both came to the conclusion to continue as I have been and when my symptoms worsen, to contact him to discuss surgery. I liked him!
Dr. Chang did an excellent job explaining my MRI findings and his recommended course of treatment.
I think Dr. Chang is a great professional doctor, whom I first met at at webinar with the Acoustic Neuroma Association. I hope that I can continue to have a relationship with Dr. Chang.
Dr. Chang & his Fellow were very thorough!
Dr. Chang and his team are always willing to spend the time with me - addressing my concerns
Dr. Chang is terrific!
He is caring, professional, knowledgeable. I believe that he cares about my well being.
phone consultation: Dr. Chang was very kind and professional. Very good experience.
Dr. Chang is easy to talk to and truly listens to any concerns. I would highly recommend Dr. Chang to anyone needing neuro surgery.
The optimal visit/experience.
Excellent visit. Thank you. Have a blessed day dr.
One of the best Doctors 1 would want to be treating me
Great doctor!
I have found the care and level of communication from Dr. Chang and Dr Blevins as well as all the medical students, fellows, and Hiro to be exemplary. Dr Chang spent a lot of time with me today, provided information in a clear and understandable manner and added more much needed perspective. My medical condition, and the treatment options available to me are convoluted and very definitely not black and white. Implications of treatment can be serious. I am grateful for how everyone seems to understand that and has respected my process and allowed it to unfold in it's own way. I have seen Dr. Blevins several times and he is always willing to do whatever it is I need to do to get more information and decrease any anxieties I have had. Because of all of this, I am ready to make some difficult decisions. Thank you-
Very knowledgeable physician. I would recommend him to patients with similar disorders.
Dr. Chang was extremely personable and helpful. He explained everything clearly and answered all of my questions. It was a very pleasant experience.
Dr Chang was very helpful.
he was great
He always answers my questions and takes the time to listen to my concerns.
explained treatment options clearly
Very informative and professional, I have full confidence in Dr. Chang
He is a great doctor!!!! I would recommend him to anyone!
Very easy to talk with and provides lots of understandable information.
Great and very informative.
Knowledgeable and caring. Suggests and explains clearly and precisely a persons options for surgery and/or treatment that may be needed.
Very professional and curteous nice expieince
Dr. Chang has been one of my doctors for about 10 years. He is always thoughtful and helpful. His Fellow was similarly thorough.
Dr. Chang took his time explaining to me. I didn't feel rushed. He made me feel a lot better knowing that I have options.
Dr. Chang appears very friendly and helpful. I believe I will enjoy working with him and his staff.
Thank you very much for the video visit and answering any concerns of mine.
Dr. Graig is great. He answered all my questions, leaving me relieved and comfortable.
From the moment we walked in to the Department, we were treated with a smile, kindness and compassion
The examination helped to clarify my options
Dr Chang is easy to talk to and answers all questions
Dr. Chang explained my condition and treatment options very concisely. He seems very personable so it was an easy and pleasant virtual appointment.
He explained everything in a clear and concise way.
Dr. Steven Chang is super knowledgeable in all the information he provided and and he’s very good. He’s been my Neurologist for many years now. Thank you Dr. Chang and your staff.
Dr. Chang gives me his full attention when we meet. I appreciate this, as I know he's got tons of patients and procedures to do! However, while meeting with him, I never feel rushed or as if he is already thinking of his next task. He is professional, personable, and matter of fact, and I leave our meetings with questions answered. I also know that should I have any questions or issues arise later, I need just reach out to him and his staff. Someone will respond quickly!
A very good and thoughtful Dr
Excellent care!
Dr. Chang and his medical assistant or PA (I’m not sure who she was) did an excellent job in allowing me to communicate symptoms I experienced and responded clearly with the appropriate steps that should be taken next. I felt very comfortable communicating my health info with them, and they were very appropriate in their responses. I believe this appointment has served as an aid in hopefully expediting the treatment process in exploring and appropriately treating the causes of my symptomatology. I was also seen within a week of requesting an appointment, which for a specialist seems like a fairly rare occurrence. Overall a greatly positive experience, and I would certainly recommend Dr. Chang to family and friends as a neurosurgeon to consider. 👠🠻
Dr. Chang was very personable and extremely kind while explaining to me about my health. He made a difficult time manageable for me and I truly appreciate that he gave me options and shared the positive and negative for each option.
I feel confident and grateful that I am in the best possible hands with Dr. Chang.
He’s an excellent neourologist . Professional, caring , knowledgeable. I feel very comfortable in his decision and advice
This facility was very well run, from the parking all the way through to the completion of my visit.
He was efficient and excellent.
Dr. Chang is great 👠. Armine followed up right away with what she said she was going to do. Thanks
articulate and thorough
Outstanding.
A very straight forward knowledgeable Doctor who explains things in common terminology and shows my wife and I before and after scans for clarity.
Overall I am grateful to everyone I met in Dr. Chang’s staff during my visit. Everyone I met were very supportive and helpful. Thank you very much Dr Chang and team for all the help you offer to patients when they need you the most. I would like to extend the same feelings to all the other Doctors I have met at Stanford also. Overall you all are a great team doing great service to humanity.
Excellent.
Explained everything very well and compared the two test results on screen which made it very easy to see the difference between the two,
Very helpful. Very knowledgeable. Great information.
Very clear explanation
Exceptional
Excellent doctor
Excellent doctor doctor, truly thanks for Dr Chang’s care!!!
Great and very caring doctor.
Outstanding doctor. Couldn’t be happier.
He's relates well to me as a patient and of course, knows his stuff!
He seems to be very knowledgeable and caring. I have full confidence in him.
He is the BEST.
He's an excellent doctor.
Dr. Chang did a really good job with showing me the comparison between my current MRI and the one I took two years ago, I appreciated that.
Steven Chang has been an excellent provider for me!
Dr Chang presented to me as an experienced medical doctor in his special field, also has a sense of humor which helped relax the patient!
Dr Chang is a excellent doctor.
Dr. Chang is the consumate pro in whatever he does and a superb doctor. His total honesty inspires confidence and his pleasant, straightforward manner keeps you engaged.
As always, we appreciate the care Dr. Chang continues to give me. He patiently answers all my questions in easy terms and his manner is kind and caring. He is a wonderful doctor an I could not be more grateful. His staff and Stanford are the best, too.
The best Neurologist.
Thank you for your continued excellent care. Your care is reassuring to me and my family and very appreciated.
He was very knowledgeable and professional, yet explained things in a way we could understand. He was patient in answering our questions.
He is a top rate doctor in his field. He has a strong sense of care about his patients and is always looking for solutions. I feel totally confident with him at the helm.
An amazing doctor. Saved me from a terrible case of tgn.
Excellent, wonderful doctor. I feel lucky to be under the care of Dr. Chang and Dr. Hancock. Hoping my treatment works.
I am very appreciative to have him as my doctor.
I enjoyed my visit with Dr. Chang. He is personal, professional and I appreciate how he compares my past history with the current test results. He is very thorough.
good
I believe Dr. Steven Chang is an excellent doctor. I have had two surgeries performed by him.
I am very happy with Dr.Chang care. Thanks
I love having Dr. Chang as my doctor and feel very grateful to him. He is always professional yet so friendly and animated. I couldn’t be happier with him as my physician. I wish Dr. Berta all of the luck in the world as well.
I wish that Dr. Chang had take a bit more time to review my history.
Outstanding doctor!
The Video visit went very well with Dr. Chang. I have no complaints and the system worked very well we were able to do a three-way with his assistant and he was able to share his screen with me so I could see what he was looking at. He was very thorough and professional.
he is just an excellent beuro sergeant
Very personable and great doctor.
You are a kind physician. Thank you very much Dr. Chang.
Thank you to Dr. Chang for always providing excellent care :)
Very good treatment and the doctor explained my doubts.
Fair experience.
Good.
Excellent all around. Provider convinced me of skill of care, so that I chose to have procedure done at Stanford despite extra cost and travel.
Good experience.
Excellent.
Answered all my questions and addressed all my concerns.
They attended me the best. Thanks all very nice and attentive.
Dr Chang made me feel at ease with this fix to my pain issue
Dr. Chang is exceptional in his care and problem solving - His personable manner puts the patient at total ease.
the doctor seem to be in a rush. I wasn't able to let him know all my concerns I had he was in a hurry. I live 4 hours away so I was expecting at list a 10 minute visit with doctor
Very impressed
very good
Good.
Dr. Chang is very professional and personable. He carefully listened to our questions and responses and followed with very good and pertinent information.
Very excellent.
with such a huge patient load and daily life or death issues I would not expect such exceptional service from staff.. if they are stressed so would never know. always a pleasant surprise...
Exceptional bedside manner from Dr. Chang.
superior surgeon
good
Great team.
Dr. Steve Chang's office has always been a very positive experience from beginning to end. Lots of confidence in him too.
Very informative, excellent as far as medical understanding for myself.
Excellent!
Dr. Chang and his staff were thorough, understanding, compassionate especially considering the circumstance of my situation. Highly recommend them at this point
Incredible doctor!
Very professional, and they're very nice..
All of my care providers are very friendly, knowledgeable, and nice; such as Dr. Hancock. Dr. Chang, Dr. Wang, Dr. Huy Do, Dr. Heestand, and their PA, RN...
Dr. Chang is a pro. Easy to be with, competent, good communicator. First class.
I'm very thankful to have Dr. Chang as my physician. I truly could not ask for anyone better. I have total confidence in him.
It was always good help.
Good.
All good.
I was able to finally get a better feel for exactly what the risk/benefits were for my procedure specific to Dr Chang's success record and my patient suitability for the procedure. This was great and very much appreciated. The big downside is that if I had had that information earlier; I would have not felt the need to reschedule the surgery. The info I had from Dr Chang when first seen was more "generic" about typical stats, which was more concerning. I was processing and understanding the new specific information for me at the same time as trying to make major decisions, which is actually pretty hard. Providing patient-specific information at the time of the first consult would have been very helpful and would have reduced worry significantly.
The information was clear and concise. I felt comfortable asking questions.
Excellent, recommending Dr. Steven Chang highly.
Dr. Chang is always caring and gets right to the point. I gave Dr. Chang a very good because he is an excellent surgeon.
Thank you for a very positive and encouraging visit. It really helped me psychologically to carry on with confidence.
My care provider is kind, caring, informative and takes the time to explain everything to me in terms I can easily understand. I have the best doctor in every regard!!!!!
Already have referred to friend.
(Many other doctors do not show images as it takes time.) Dr. Chang took enough time to check on the image of MRI during the consultation and suggested to me to take PET scan to find out my condition farther, and refer me to Dr. Hancock, radiation oncologist. Both of them took care of my problem so promptly and I believe these doctors are the "best of the best" at Stanford. We are very grateful.
Good experience.
I assume this all refers to Dr. Chang. He's an outstanding doctor and care provider. My concerns were with the team administering the MRI. I hope this survey addresses that.
Before this appointment, I was seeing another neurologist but I still didn't understand what Chiari malformation was. Dr. Chang explained it well enough for me to actually understand and visualize it. Now whenever family and friends ask me what Chiari malformation is, I can finally explain it -
I feel that Drs. Chang and Soltep and staff show knowledge of my problem and concern for my total well being. I feel safe in their care. They listen to me and follow up as promised.
Very good experience for the last 10 yrs.
Staying in communication has been very easy. Especially with this Stanford health care portal.
nothing can be better,
Very good.
great
Dr. Steven Chang did my brain surgery 12 yrs ago and I have to come every year after I've had an MRI to make sure the tumor hasn't come back because the pathology was genetic. Dr. Chang is always polite and precise.
good
A very professional team.
Dr. Chang is wonderful.
Dr. Chang and Dr. Soltys fixed me up! Thank you!
good
Dr. Chang was very accommodating and adjusted his time to meet with us even though our appointment with him was one and one-half hours late due to the lateness of the MRI. We know that he is very busy and appreciated him seeing us as soon as possible so we could leave for our long drive home.
I had scheduled an appt. w/Stanford and UCSF; the outcome with Dr. Change convinced me he was the surgeon I wanted so I cancelled my UCSF appt.
Dr. Chang is an experience and good doctor.
Very positive experience. Very informative and yr. over yr. comparisons where given. I felt dr. was very attentive.
very good
Good -
Good.
Very positive experience. Expert staff and an expert doctor.
I think Dr. Chang is wonderful. He treats me like I am his only patient that day!
I had a very good visit.
The nurse was very thorough in her explanations regarding follow-up care. The handouts she gave me were thorough. I was well informed in every way. I had total confidence in the care provider.
Every question was answered with care & compassion & with professional care.
Dr. Chang is awesome (brilliant high be a better description) and people that smart communicate a bit differently - but left me with no un-answered or understood questions. It's hard to describe my satisfaction and feeling of being cared for by a really great and generally superior capable staff.
Excellent, kind and considerate care.
Dr. Chang and his surgical team exceeded all my expectations at every level. They were patient, caring and informative. Most importantly, due to their excellent surgical skills - I have my life back.
Dr. Chang is trustworthy. I always appreciate his _____ & honesty. I listen carefully to whole he says, including as we make decisions. I trust him. And I'm glad to see him smiling more!
Due to severity and unpredictable aspects to my mothers complications it was sometimes difficult to get a thorough understanding in one sitting. Staff was flexible to speak to me whenever I had questions.
If I have a question they always help me and answer my questions -
Absolutely awesome feelings of the whole group!
Good experience.
Dr. Chang obviously knows his job. Made me feel very confident in my care.
Very professional care providers & staff.
We have moved from UCSF to Stanford to address my husband's ongoing pressure - Dr. Chang made us feel heard, seen, cared about, in good hands, and left us feeling like we not only have viable options, but a doctor who is interested in helping us. We are so thankful.
Dr. Chang has been accessible & responsive re: OUr medical questions. We are very appreciative & feel that he has been awesome and we are blessed by his care.
Dr. Chang has been outstanding. Besides his vast experience and professionalism, he is supportive, encouraging, optimistic at every step of the way. Even questions I send via MyHealth between visits are answered immediately.
It was a great experience.
Very thorough and informative follow-up visit. Explanation of the MRI and follow up treatment explained.
My visit was life changing for me - I can't be more thankful.
good experience
Good experience.
Loved her!
Dr. Chang is a first rate Doctor. I'm very blessed to be a patient of his.
Dr. Chang validated me & made me feel very secure. He's an excellent Doctor!
Nice, educated.
Good experience.
Good report from Roger's doctor.
Dr. Chang & his staff are amazing and always available to answer questions.
Very knowledgeable & personable. Willing to have me include my husband in consult via speaker phone.
Good experience with Dr. Chang, he explained the MRI findings and showed me on a computer screen both pre - and post-treatment MRI.
Generous time spent and great personalized explanations and relationship
Always seemed like he was in a hurry.
Very good experience.
A+.
Good experience.
Experience was good.
The attention was excellent.
I am impressed with the amount of information they need to know in order to help each patient with their needs. I applaud them!
Dr. Chang is very thoughtful & remembers my on going concerns. He provides the best care I could ever hope for. Thank you!
Very personal! Very nice.
Dr. Chang & Dr. Swift ONLY praise! A+ team medically & friendliness.
Dr. Change was wonderful. He however, did not inform me, nor his staff, of what is required or my limitations post-operatively - however they moved mountains on that Friday afternoon to get me ready for surgery on Monday! Fantastic!
Good experience.
My overall opinion is the doctor is seeing too many patients???
Always pleasant.
I've always had a lot of confidence in Dr. Chang.
The dr. has a lot of knowledge & experience in what he is doing.
My provider was professional and courteous in every way. I feel very secure in the care I received.
Dr. Chang is a brilliant dr. - no doubt. However, I was far more impressed by Dr. Saltys - he would receive "very good" on everything. Outstanding presence. Dr. Chang.
Excellent service.
I cannot say enough good thing about Dr. Chang, Dr. Hancock and staff. Great experience.
Dr. Chang has PERSONALLY answered emails - something NO other doctor has done in my life!!
Dr. Chang is the bomb!
I have already referred Dr. Chang to other patients - He's a GREAT doctor -
Dr. Chang is extremely knowledgeable about my condition and explains things in lay person's terms. HE'S POPULAR because he is good!!
Exceptional physician.
Dr. Chang removed a tumor on my optic nerve & I have always had excellent care by him.
Doctor acted like we were wasting his time. Knew nothing about my illness.

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