Tang Center

Major props to Cathryn Imperato. Experienced, professional, and really easy to talk to. She’ll really understand and provide information, and she does not rush her patients.
I will say that if you’re not a SHIP patient (on campus insurance), it’s a huge hassle because the services are heavily biased for those patients (getting prescriptions, cost of services, etc). Also, doctors generally assume you’re on SHIP, so just be prepared with a huge ass bill when you leave.
The way the Tang Center files their diagnostic codes can make it difficult to submit «out of network» claims with the insurance. Sometimes they use codes that aren’t the right ones.

I’ve seen a lot of Tang Center doctors and I really liked Elizabeth Hedelman and Lindsay Huston!

Oh my GOD my doctor was useless. I saw Dr. Annie Hope, and in a previous visit I had been fooled by her niceness and Harvard degree into thinking that she might be a good doctor, but was I ever wrong. I came in because I had high blood sugar and high insulin levels according to a lab test I got back, and the first thing she said to me was «ummm I don’t actually know what constitutes as ‘high’ levels…» and then she sat there and googled it in front of me! Like do you think I haven’t googled this beforehand? I came to her for medical advice and I got a readout of the top two searches on google.
And the worst part was a few days later, I get a claim via my insurance and I was getting charged $ 320 for «injections.» What «injections?» I don’t know. I didn’t get any injections. The only thing she was able to do for me was look stuff up on the computer, but apparently this computer expertise didn’t transfer into her being able to properly enter the services I rendered, i.e. none. I shouldn’t even have to pay the $ 15 visit fee for this bullshit, let alone $ 320 for something that didn’t even happen. Never again will I be fooled by a degree from Harvard.

This review is for one experience I had at urgent with Dr. Mann. I came in really sick, feverish and dehydrated but I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. I was feeling light headed when I stood up as well. So they decide to give me some IV and run plenty of tests (they drew blood 3 times!) plus a urine sample. After about 2 hours sitting in a bed with IV Dr. Mann finally came to tell me I had a bad UTI (kidney infection level). Okay cool, that’s easily treated with antibiotics so they were going to add that to my IV. That’s when Dr. Mann decided to be incredibly irrational. She told me I was «too sick» for urgent care and needed to go to the hospital. So I said okay I’ll have someone pick me up and take me to Alta Bates. She told me that was very inappropriate and I needed to be taken in an ambulance (wtf right?) so she called 911!!! No joke I got carted off by EMTs because she refused to let me stay or get picked up by a friend. (I would have literally had to rip the IV out myself to get out of going in an ambulance) so the EMTs come and have a good laugh that this old woman called an ambulance for me. I thought it was funny too until I got the bill. Plus the hospital released after about 20 minutes with just a prescription for antibiotics and some tylenol. Needless to say I will be taking this up with Tang personally for what I consider a totally mishandled situation. Moral of the story Dr. Mann is very unprofessional both in her medical advice and bedside manner.

Went to urgent care feeling super sick with several flu-​like symptoms and waited for three hours (after they told me it was only a 40 minute wait) just to be told to take Advil and Mucinex. Three days later I feel even worse than I did when I first made the visit.

Everything is good just it take two weeks to see the doctor. Their schedule is busy

I love this eye center. It’s very comprehensive and efficient. Super intelligent students and staff. I’ve always had great service in all the many yrs I’ve used them for all my eye care.

First off, this review is only for Clinic 3 with Dr. Alice Sun (Nurse Practioner)
So, I made an online appointment to meet with someone from OBGYN, but for some reason I was scheduled with Dr. Sun (summer? staff not available?)
I went in because I have pains during intercourse. and some other feminine health worries. When I arrived the receptionist was extremely warm and kind, so I felt very comfortable. However, after she left, Dr. Sun was supposed to meet with me. but I sat for 15 minutes waiting for her with no pants on… I assumed she was reviewing my case… but no. She comes in and starts reading over all my documents out loud and asks me the questions I had already answered. (She’s very slow at reading English and typing so that may have been the reason.)
I could immediately tell she was insensitive by the tone of her voice and the way she talked to me. She was extremely patronizing and judgmental. I felt very uncomfortable talking to her about my sexual concerns. (For all the Asians reading this, I’m Asian and she treated me as if I was her «bad daughter» and looked at my with that stupid judgmental gaze.) After a bit, she started to ask questions in a very condescending tone about my sexual history and whenever I responded she would give a BIG sigh and shake her head disapprovingly. That made me furious. I really wanted to say something to her (like, «I’m not Chinese, so stop getting all Chinese on me!») I realized that she was probably frustrated because she couldn’t answer any of my questions. which was not my problem. There were a few times where she would ask questions and put two questions into one. (e.g. Her: «You have HPV?» Me: «Yes.» Her: «Where did you get it?» Me: «HPV? Not sure…» Her: «NO, your IUD!!») In the end she answered no questions, and just gave me a pap smear. Ugh, she made me so angry. I can’t wait to get off of SHIP.
The short: **AVOID DR. ALICE SUN in CLINIC 3**
— she does not care about your health — just wants to quickly diagnose you
— very insensitive and judgmental
— may treat you like your a «bad daughter» that has «lost face» if your an Asian woman
— very unprofessional

This place is amazing. All three departments I’ve been to so far have definitely made me leave happy. The doctor, physicians, nurses are all thorough, professional, and friendly. I was never rushed. Their optometry department is particularly cool. The only snag might be finding an open time slot, but even then I never had to wait more than a week even in the busiest times.
I am not sure how their prices compare among other places, but for me it was all covered under the student insurance plan.

Outstanding professionalism and courtesy by the staff, and attending optometrist in particular. Highly recommended for eye care.

Let’s first say that I appreciate the online and calling system of the TANG center. I’m always too lazy to make my way here unless I am picking up a prescription or refill.
Funny story. I once had my wisdom teeth taken out – just two – and had to go pick up my antibiotics and pain relief pills at the TANG center and the dentist had such bad handwriting that the pharmacist thought I had forged his writing for MORE pills. It was cool to see the pharmacist utilize their power to contact the dentist and clear everything up. I was pretty much in pain so didn’t really understand what was going on but glad it all worked out.
In other visits to the TANG center were fast and efficient.
Thank you TANG center!

I Love the Tang Eye Center.
The staff is incredibly helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable. The doctor took photos of the inside of my eye and pointed out potential problems that no opthamologist had ever noticed. And the intern did a thorough, careful eye exam. Finally, when I chose my glasses, the helpful counter person sat me down with a pile of glasses while she and her co-​worker helped me choose the most flattering.
Fortunately they’re covered by my work. I would go there anyway.

Couldn’t have asked for more from an eye appointment.

Zoey R.: I think I have an eye infection. Probably conjunctivitis.
Tang Center: You may be pregnant, let’s schedule you for a test.
Zoey R.: I’m experiencing some really bad ear pain. Pretty sure I have an ear infection.
Tang Center: Any chance you’re pregnant?
Zoey R.: I think I broke my leg.
Tang Center: Yeah, you’re probably pregnant.
One thing you can always count on, there’s always a fire sale on pregnancy tests at the Tang Center.

I love Tang, it’s been my one stop shop for all of my medical needs for the last few years.
A department-​by-​department breakdown:
Making appointments with general practitioners is fairly simple, you can do it online without having to call. There’s secure messaging so that you can talk to your doctors and ask for prescription refills without having to come in.
The optometry department is amazing, and you get stellar care from students at Berkeley’s School of Optometry.
Scheduling seems to be some what of an issue with the PT department, but maybe that was a single experience.
The people at Counseling and Psychological Services are out of this world and work together to make sure students get great care. Sadly, I’ve had many panic attacks in the last few months and the doctors, therapists, nurses, and social workers here have come together to help me tackle them full force. I honestly can’t say enough nice things about CPS, and if you’re struggling on campus, they’re an amazing resource that you should consider tapping into.

Bureaucracy is as cumbersome as ever. The online scheduling now requires you to fill in your medical info online, BEFORE scheduling. I don’t have my vaccination dates off top of my head thank you very much. I’ve been a Berkeley student with SHIP for 7 years now… Don’t they have my records already? Somehow, I was able to schedule my appointment regardless of my completion of the vaccination info. 1 extra star for next-​day appointment (I think it helped that I scheduled this before the move in frenzy began).
Onto the pre appointment procedures– I arrived 5 mins early just in case, and hoping that I can avoid the wait (I’m one of their first patients at 9am). The clinic still had its windows closed by 9:10am (wat). I finally get called in by 915ish. Nurse was nice — all the typical blood pressure, weight and temperature plus that list of questions they always ask you… (but didn’t I filled those questions yesterday through the online system? Did they not get it?)
Finally! The actual appointment with Dr Lynne Alper. I ve always had some skin flair up problem, but never got them checked. I was hoping she can discuss the flair ups further, but it turned into her essentially telling me that «a patch test is just fruit juice and other stuff placed on your skin to see if it turns red. Its an useless 1k spent». Thanks for shooting me down with your opinion rather than informed sources. Or at least make it look like you got them from somewhere I can further read up about.
But the more frustrating part was that at 930, she tersely cut me off while I had a few other health related question. She said I only had 15min… Uh if you guys didn’t check me in 15mins late in the first place, maybe you wouldn’t run out of time!
I still think SHIP is pretty good and the service is decent. As for Dr Alper tho, I’m personally going to not choose her as my doctor next time.

I love it here! Okay maybe it’s too soon for «love» but for me and my needs its great.
My student optometrist was Andrew, and the supervising doc came in to check his work a few times to confirm his diagnostics (I forgot his assistant/trainee’s name). They were both nice and the exam was very thorough. They tell you ahead of time what procedures are next and what to expect.
What I got: contact lens and glasses refitting/​exam
Pros:
*Online appointment system available for making a first eye appointment– I haven’t used the other services offered here so I can’t speak to their systems.
*Student doctors are more attentive and less bitter than some who have been in the business longer (who by comparison seem overworked and uninterested)
*Close to BART
Cons:
*Must make appointment well in advance; at least two weeks ahead or they will be booked

I was formally introduced to The Tang Center twice. The first time I was invited to interview for a student position there. I did not get the gig, yet that was okay as I was starting my first official semester as a newly minted Golden Bear in the spring of this year, and tis best to focus on my studies. I do recommend following the Tang Center’s twitter feed for instant FYI. The second time was for a class research project for Education 198/​The Research University. A new friend/​classmate and I had to do a PowerPoint presentation on the Tang Center. I think it may be safe to say the PowerPoint presentation may be used in future classes about the health services offered at Cal in ED. 198 – I’m just sayin’!
The Mother was trés hereuse – very happy– I would be getting the health insurance known as SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) being a student at UC Berkeley.
I have started utilizing many of the services offered at the Tang Center. I have utilized the counseling services in learning how to manage and cope with the stresses of Cal and home life. It feels good to get stuff off of one’s chest. I do plan to utilize the other medical services offered there this coming semester.
I recently had an eye exam at the Tang Center. I was surprised that an intern was going to do the work yet was going to be overseen by a licensed optometrist. Okay, no problem. The intern performing my eye exam was very calm and focused on the work. He looked too young to be a grad and an intern. He assured me when he gave me his curriculum vitae and added that he does have some gray hair. Upon hearing all that, all was good and he made me laugh. His supervising doctor was professional yet surprised that my eyes were in good condition at my age. I was taken aback and a tad offended by her comments though she meant well.
I just had a formal fitting for contact lenses at le Tang Center based on a fitting from my previous optometrist. The optometrist conducting my fitting was focused and calm while conducting my fitting and putting up with my endless comments and questions. I had asked my previous optometrist’s office to fax over my previous contact lens prescription to the optometry center (and it took two attempts on their parts to get there). At first the poor optometrist could not find it! Oh great, not again! Fortunately, she found it and all was well.
Or so I thought when I was paying for the contact lenses. I was informed of one price by the optometrist and the very sweet lady at the front desk told me it was another. What?! I will spare the gory details yet everything worked out all right and satisfactory for this student. However, when I got home, The Mother asked to see the details which took some doing figuring out on both of parts as to why the total cost of the bill came to be. Coming from The Mother’s perspective, the language in the terms on the bill of sale could be made much more simpler to understand. I concur.
It would be interesting to note that after my eye exam, I filled out the customer survey. After filling out the customer survey, after receiving the thank you screen for my feedback, it asked for a favor. And the favor was to write a Unilocal!review! OMG! Oh how I wished I took a screenshot! I could not help but laugh! Apparently, they are aware of the rave Unilocal!reviews they have been receiving. I will have to write an update after I have checked out all of the other services offered at the Tang Center.
Help the Tang Center help you! Don’t be afraid to ask questions if there is something you do not understand, especially when it comes to the health insurance.
As the Tang Center is quite well A-​ware, it is a Unilocal!World! We just live in it!
SYOY!

Great Services, Bad Hours
I’ve been nothing but extremely satisfied with the services received at the Tang Center — from their pharmacy to primary care appointments to their advice nurse services to counseling services. As a graduate student at UC Berkeley, I have enough on my plate, so having Tang Center as a convenient one-​stop source for basic medical needs is absolutely fantastic; all they really need is a dental clinic.
My prescriptions always come out fast. Appointment waiting times can be long, but nothing as bad as a corporate-​sized general hospitals.
My biggest qualm is the terrible business hours. Appointments are only available weekdays and end during typical business hours, which means students like me who have classes and work during those hours often have to accommodate to the Tang Center’s schedule, when really it should be the other way around. Health issues do not magically go away after business hours.

Second visit was flawless. The whole process took less than thirty minutes.
Assistants had my files all printed and ready to go. My doctor was Val. She asked what time I’d like to be out and I said in half an hour ideally.
She cut the chit chat and told me exactly what I wanted to know .
Awesome experience.