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Biography
Dr. Wachtel has been practicing general obstetrics and gynecology for 38 years and has personally delivered over 6,000 babies. He continues to have an active practice in general ob/gyn, serving as a Clinical Professor. He is a nationally recognized expert in patient safety, peer review and data driven quality improvement and has served numerous roles in the field and lectured nationally and internationally. Dr. Wachtel is the Assistant Secretary for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and currently serves on the ACOG National Executive Board and Executive Committee. He is the immediate Past Chair for ACOG District IX (the state of California) and also previously served for three years on the ACOG national Executive Board. He also serves on the Executive Committee for the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative and is an Expert Medical Reviewer for the Medical Board of California.
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Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- Internship: University of California San Diego School of Medicine (1977) CA
- Medical Education: University of California San Diego School of Medicine (1976) CA
- Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine (1980) CA
- Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology (1982)
- BS with Honors and Distinction, Stanford University, Biology (1972)
Honors & Awards
- Assistant Secretary and Executive Board Member, ACOG (2018-2020)
- Chairman, ACOG Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee (2007-2009)
- Chairman, Professional Practice Evaluation Committee (formerly Gynecology Quality Assurance) at Stanford (2003-present)
- Chairman, Professional Practice Evaluation Committee (formerly Obstetric Quality Assurance Committee) at LPCH (2003-present)
- District Chair, ACOG District IX (California) (2014-2017)
- Ex Officio member, ACOG Committee on Professional Liability (2007-2009)
- Executive Board Member, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (2009-present)
- Expert Reviewer, Medical Board of California (2009-present)
- Liaison committee member, ACOG Committee on Obstetric Practice (2004-2007)
- Patient Safety Officer, ACOG District IX (2009-2013)
- Program director, ACOG Voluntary Review of Quality of Care Program (2009 to 2012)
- Team Leader, ACOG Voluntary Review of Quality of Care Program (2001-present)
Administrative Appointments
- Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2017 - Present)
Publications
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NONOXIDATIVE MICROBICIDAL ACTIVITY IN NORMAL HUMAN ALVEOLAR AND PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES
Catterall, J. R., Black, C. M., Leventhal, J. P., Rizk, N. W., Wachtel, J. S., & Remington, J. S. (1987). NONOXIDATIVE MICROBICIDAL ACTIVITY IN NORMAL HUMAN ALVEOLAR AND PERITONEAL-MACROPHAGES. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY, 55(7), 1635–40. -
TEMPLATE SPECIFICITIES OF DNA-POLYMERASE IN CELL FREE LYSATES OF XENOPUS-LAEVIS EGGS, LARVAE AND IMMATURE OVARIES
Brandt, B. L., & Wachtel, J. S. (1973). TEMPLATE SPECIFICITIES OF DNA-POLYMERASE IN CELL FREE LYSATES OF XENOPUS-LAEVIS EGGS, LARVAE AND IMMATURE OVARIES. BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, 53(3), 1017–23.
Practice Locations
Gynecology Clinic in Portola Valley Portola Valley, CA
Portola Valley, CA
Gynecology Clinic in Portola Valley
3240 Alpine Road
Portola Valley , CA 94028
Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »Important Information about Our Organizations and Physician Affiliation
Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are each independent nonprofit organizations that are affiliated with but separate from each other and from Stanford University. The physicians who provide care at facilities operated by Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are faculty, foundation, or community physicians who are not employees, representatives, or agents of Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri- Valley, or Stanford Medicine Partners. Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners do not exercise control over the care provided by such faculty, foundation, and community physicians and are not responsible for their actions.
Patient Reviews
(72 reviews)
very nice service
Staff and doctor were very nice.
Great guy! Was easy to talk to and evaluated all my needs for this visit and upcoming as well.
Great
I got there early and they took me right away😄
He is very professional, friendly and clear in how he communicated.
Dr. Wachtel is forthright; I respect his opinion and hold him in high regards.
The procedure I went for did not happen as the doctor. A man tried to educate me on what I should do with my body. He wasn’t listening to what I wanted.
He was very kind and professional.
Dr Watchel is amazing Dr . He takes the time to listen and explains everything well. I definitely will refer my family and friends.
The doctors and the nurses were really helpful and friendly.
Very good
Dr. Wachtel was very personable and patient. He took the time to answer my questions. Excellent bedside manner.
Excellent care provider!! Knowledgeable. I’m in LA now more often so it’s not as easy to get to Stanford—Hope I will find as good of a doctor as he is here.
good at explaining things
Dr. Wachtel was very kind and knowledgeable. I look forward to continuing my care with him.
Everything was seamless and I felt safe and cared for.
Outstanding doctor with great bedside manner, professionalism, and clinical skills.
Excellent visit with excellent doctor!!!
The staff were friendly, the office was clean and my appointment was efficient.
Dr. Wachtel is an absolutely fantastic provider. The best I've ever had.
Very knowledgeable and confident without even a hint of arrogance. Took time to answer all questions. Checked to make sure my husband didn't have any questions. So thankful I got to see him and make a plan. Very impressed with him.
He is very professional and answered all my questions.
I've been using the same provider fro years
The actual visit with the Doctor was disappointing.
As someone who is struggling to get pregnant, I thought the doctor cared less - even cut me off at times when I was trying to answer him.
In the end, he didn't answer my question about what I could do, instead just sent me off to a referral. I could have made an appointment with the infertility doctor but I wanted to know what my options are. Instead, he asked questions and that was it. A nurse or tech could have done this.
Andrea - the nurse/tech who did the pre-screen was amazing and super friendly & compassionate.
Seems like a complete waste of a visit.
Pleasant experience that did not take more time than was necessary
Wonderful doctor!
Good explanations; good technique; patient; approachable
Stuff very friendly. I’m satisfied with them
Excellent care.
I stayed on hold with the gynecology department for an hour and a half and no one answered in order to ensure that this provider had ultrasound. He didn’t. He also explained nothing. Complete waste of my time and no actual care for a very real problem. Negligence and total lack of follow up on the part of my Stanford gynecology team.
Dr. Wachtel was very informative and helpful.
Thank you v
Everybody was very nice
I felt welcomed and confortable during the entire appointment journey.
First appointment (via video) with Dr. Wachtel was a good experience. He patiently answered my many questions, and I did not feel rushed. I left with clear next steps.
Doctor Wachtel addressed all of my concerns and questions during the visit
Dr. Wachtel was kind, professional, and informative throughout the visit.
Dr. Wachtel is an extraordinarily-confidence-inspiring Dr., the BEST
Dr. Wachtel was very professional, focused, clear, and to the point. I really appreciate that. He answered my questions thoroughly and made sure I left with a good plan in place. It was a good appt.
Professional
great! nice!
Thank you all for the exceptional care. I love coming to Stanford!
Thank you
Would recommend to others.
Dr. Wachtel is very nice.
I was very pleased with the gynecologist, I was very at ease and he informed me what steps during the procedure he was doing before he did it. Was very helpful in giving me information about questions I had etc. I was very pleased with the whole experience:)
Hé is à trusted doctor for my health.
Thank you.
Dr. Wachtel is the best
This was my first visit to this provider. He and his staff were terrific!
Very profesional and knowledgeable.
My Doctor was amazing always checking in one me and making sure I felt comfortable and answered all of my questions! I would highly recommend this doctor to others.
I love Dr. Wachtel and his staff!
Doctor was very nice and patiently explained what I needed to know, got a nurse to help me w/after care.
Doctor seemed to be rather unconcerned about my potential complications, which made me feel not being taken seriously.
dr. Wachtel was excellent
Dr. Wachtel always washes his hand 2X every visit. He is the BEST OB.
I was 15 min. late for my appt. and the dr. told me they don't usually see patients who are more than 10 min. late. So ironic since drs. almost always run late. It is a one way street I guess.
Definitely will recommend to friends.
I love dr. Wachtel. He's very down to earth, always explains everything very well, gives me responsibility and is very good with internal examinations. I would recommend him to anyone!
I'm sure that Dr. Wachtel is a more than competent physician, and I had heard vey good things about him prior to selecting him as my OB, but I have been very disappointed with his treatment. As a pregnant woman with other health complications as well as struggling with pregnancy related emotional difficulties, I felt a serious lack of care, interest, and desire to help and support me through what has been a difficult time. Some more attention and compassion would have been appropriate and beneficial to my treatment.
Dr. Watchel listened to my concerns, answered all of my questions, and explained everything in great detail.
Dr. Wachtel is a competent and caring whom I trust with my life.
Dr. Wachtel is a wonderful doctor. I would recommend him to anyone.
After many, many years - all familiar and good.
First time seeing Dr. Wachtel. Competent, nice.
Dr. Wachtel explained the procedure to me before beginning. He also told me what to expect throughout the procedure at each step. He also followed up with me as soon as my results were available, putting me at ease.
Dr. Wachtel explained the procedure to me before starting and told me what to expect throughout the procedure at each step. He made me feel at ease.
Excellent.
He is my provider last 20+ years. He is very good.
I have already recommended Dr. Wachtel to several people. He has been a great OB/GYN for me.
Dr. Wachtel is an excellent physician. I trust his judgment and he appears to stay current.
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Referring Physicians
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