Malak Z Shammas, MD

LOVE Dr. Shammas and am so happy I found her! I was getting exasperated with my previous PCP’s office and searched for a replacement around two years ago. Dr. Shammas came up in my network and, since she had stellar reviews, I decided to check her out.
She has excellent bedside manner and doesn’t rush you like other doctors. She takes lots of notes on her iPad and immediately sends prescriptions to your pharmacy right then and there. She is also quite accessible via email, which I appreciate.
I an so happy with her that I referred her to one of my friends, and continue to recommend her to anyone looking for an internist.

Dr. Shammas has been my internal doctor since moving to LA 6+ years ago. While I came onto Unilocal to applaud her for a specific situation that arose recently, I now would like to express my opinion on her staff having read the other Unilocal reviews.
Loreanna her assistant has always been polite and patient with me on the phone but more importantly, when I have called Dr. Shammas’ office about urgent items in the past, Loreanna senses that urgency. I have gotten replies from Loreanna on Friday nights, Saturday morning, etc. Not all doctor offices do that and as we all know, it can cause a weekend of anxiety.
Discussing insurance can be a very tricky topic. In the past with other doctor offices, I have had friendly candid conversations with receptionists that turned sour once a disagreement on insurance or deductibles comes up. Having read the other reviews, I am sensing that perhaps Loreanna could express a bit more empathy to coddle people’s feelings, but I do have to say that it is her job to be honest and frank about medical costs and I don’t feel like there is an easy way to approach that topic.
Dr. Shammas and Loreanna together are a caring team and I sincerely appreciate everything they have done for me the past 6 years.

This office is by far the rudest. They don’t answer the phones & when they do return the call they don’t let you talk or let you explain yourself. They don’t have phone ethic. They need to learn to speak to people & be polite. Treat people they way you want to be treated, be nice!!!

It really makes me sad that I have to write a not-​so-​nice review for this doctor’s office. I just received a call from this office from the receptionist (I think it was Loreanna) regarding the bill that I received from them and have been arguing with insurance about. In September, I went in for my annual physical. Well it so happens that during that time, I had been having stomach issues, so when i went in for my physical and she asked me how I’ve been feeling, I told her. I’m not gonna lie and say no nothing is wrong with me, do the bare minimum of a physical and let’s pretend I’m not in pain. So we talked about my symptoms, what I’ve been taking for my stomach (I had already seen a gastroenterologist), other suggestions, and then she proceeded with the rest of my physical.
When the bill came, there was an extra 15-​minute appointment charge added to my bill (even though a physical is 100% covered). I’m sorry but I went in for a physical! I don’t think I should have to pay for 15 minutes just because I answered your question and told you how I was feeling. I mean what’s the point of a physical then?!
So, the receptionist wouldn’t listen to me, and just said «well then you don’t pay and it’ll go to collections then and you don’t have to come back.» Good… I won’t. It’s not the first time they charged me for something I didn’t think I should pay, and the very first time I went, I waited forever to be seen because they were so unorganized. What a disappointment because Dr. Shammas herself is a nice doctor. I’ll be looking for someone else and a place that doesn’t nickle and dime you.

Dr. Shammas is great. However her receptionist is so rude that I refuse to go here anymore.

Dr. Shammas is beyond amazing! I am so confused by the poor reviews — I had the best doctor’s experience from receptionist to nurse to doctor that you could possibly ask for. I am originally from Florida and have been seeing the same doctor for 10 years so I was very nervous to start all over at a new doctor, but when I met Dr. Shammas I knew that she would be the perfect doctor. She is attentive and personable and took the time to really explain everything to make sure that I was completely comfortable. Dr. Shammas even called me from her cell phone when she knew I was feeling ill and was out of the office. I couldn’t ask for a better doctor.
Highly recommend!

I agree with many of the other reviewers — Dr. Shammas is excellent. The receptionist, Loreanna, on the other hand…
It’s not that she’s not pleasant, especially in person — she is! And while typically it’s not an issue to communicate with a non-​native English speaker, topics such as insurance (already hideously complicated) can get tricky. Over the past few years I know I’ve needed to make at least a few calls to my insurance company or pharmacy to clarify something she’d called in or submitted.
Also, I loved that Dr. Shammas used ZocDoc for scheduling… sort of. Recently I made an appointment via ZocDoc and received a voicemail from Loreanna that I couldn’t actually come on that day and besides, she «doesn’t have time to check ZocDoc.» Maybe that’s true and she’s overworked, but as a patient I felt rebuffed.
I switched to another doctor partially because I found a doctor that’s closer to my apartment who has a sub-​specialty that allows me to kill two birds with one stone. I wouldn’t dissuade anyone from seeing Dr. Shammas (again, she’s great) but the overall communication from her office does a disservice to the practice and patients.

Dr. Shammas is professional but her staff — Lorriane in particular — are absolutely horrendous. The runaround that I was given by Lorriane to mediate between her and my insurance company (which is one of the biggest in the country, by the way) was unpleasant, and suggested laziness, incompetence, rudeness, and all-​round unprofessionalism. I will unfortunately have to take my business elsewhere, for reasons that have nothing to do with the doctor.

When I showed up for an annual visit this time (I have been going there for many years) they told me some BS story about my insurance not being good about paying them and asked me to pay for the visit directly and that they would reimburse me once they received the funds from insurance. I should have walked out when they told me this but having been a patient there for many years I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Well it has been almost 2 months and no reimbursement. I called them to find out where it is and was told that their 3^rd party billing company had not emailed them yet. I have the top PPO from a top provider and do not go through this with any other general visits. I called the insurance company and they informed me that for in-​network doctors this was not normal process. I also never received a call from the doctor regarding my lab work results as she had promised.

Dr. Shammas herself is lovely and comprehensive (though I think the reviews on this site give her too high of a mark) but her staff is unprofessional, unorganized and will scam you out of your money. Though my co-​pay was to be $ 20, I was charged $ 125 for a standard doctor’s visit with no explanation or reasoning (or additional services rendered).
When I asked why I was being charged over $ 100 more than my co-​pay, the VERY rude receptionist spoke down to me saying simply that it was because of my «deductible».
Highly recommend seeing another doctor if you want an office that will treat you (and your wallet) with respect.

Dr. Shammas is the absolute BEST!
I’ve been going to her for 10+ years
Best doctor out there.
Eileen S.

No one dislikes going to the doctor’s office more than me but I never mind visiting Dr Shammas as she has the best bedside manner and is so personable. I did a bit of a blind search on Zocdoc which doesn’t always guarantee the best results but I got very lucky that Dr Shammas was the GP that I chose once I moved to LA from NYC.
Her office location is really convenient for me and she is so kind and patient so whether good news or bad, it just sounds better coming from her than other doctors. Unlike some other doctors that I’ve had in the past, she actually takes time to read my charts and remembers issues from past visits and follows up on those issues.
So lucky to have chanced upon Dr Shammas — she will definitely be my main go-​to doctor for as long as she’ll have me!

The doctor is great!
The receptionist is absolutely terribly rude and does not know how to act like a mature adult.
When I went back for my follow up appointment, she handed me a bill and said that she would not be able to see me without paying for my last appointment. Although I never received anything in the mail. I asked if I could have some time to pay it and she said no! Most people know they have to pay for a doctor and so you should have money ready. I told her don’t treat me like I don’t have any money, I just would have liked some notice.
When I asked her to stop being so rude she stood there and said look at the other girls here and ask the other receptionist if I am being rude?
She acts like a child and has turned me off from this fabulous doctor all together!

Dr Shammas is a fantastic doctor. After I was finished having children my OB-​GYN suggest I get a primary care physician. She suggests Dr Shammas and I couldn’t have been more pleased. She is very knowledgeable and has a great bed side manner. She takes her time to answer all your questions and doesn’t rush the appointment. She is very careful to look at all options before suggesting any treatment. She is a very caring person and is interested in anything that could be effecting your health.

I was looking for a new primary doctor for a long time and after reading so many reviews decided to choose Dr. Shammas. Dr.
Pros: Shammas is awesome! She’s very knowledgeable, she took her time with my examination. I also liked that she has an iPad and puts all the info right away in the system. I would have given 5 starts but her administrative staff needs more attention.
Cons: I had to call in 3 times during 3 different days to get a refill on a prescription because they didn’t write it down the first time. That situation got a bit frustrated. Also, I booked my appointment with Zocdoc and the office changed my appointment because they said they didn’t go by that schedule (very odd). Additionally, I filled out all my medical information online but had to re-​do it when I went to the office. The reception again, told me they didn’t follow the online questionnaire. If they are giving me the option to fill out the questionnaire online so I don’t waste time in the office, why do I have to re-​do it, it doesn’t make sense. You are wasting double time by doing it online and at the office. Also, I was supposed to be called in within 4 days with my results but I had to call in on day 7 to get the results.
I hope this information helps Dr. Shammas. I think she’s a great doctor but patients sometimes spent more time dealing with the administrative staff and it is important that part is geared towards a good customer service. I think they can be better. I’m given them another chance just because Dr. Shammas is awesome. Hopefully, I won’t have these issues again.

When I moved across the country and had to find a new physician, I was terrified. Thanks to Unilocal,however, I found Dr. Shammas! I can attest that she’s great — it’s easy to get an appointment, she’s extremely thorough and asks all the right questions, she’s extremely nice, AND she knows her stuff. I love that I can come to one office for all my needs, even getting bloodwork done!

I rarely go on Unilocal to write a negative review, (feel free to check my previous history) but this had to be done. Dr Shammas herself is a great physician. She was extremely prompt about calling me back, even on January 1^st when I was suffering from an extremely bad flu. Her staff, however, is HORRIBLE. I truly have never had to deal with more rude and terrible people.
Case in point: Dr Shammas told me not to worry about coming in to get a doctors note excusing me from work for two days. I called her staff to follow up on status of note, and they told me I had to go in– and if I did not that there was nothing to be done. After trying to explain to them that the doctor had told me that I did not have to do that, the woman on the phone replied «Why did you not tell me that to begin with, I cannot help you now. Bye Bye» and hung up the phone. She actually hung up the phone on me.
I am beyond baffled and will never return to this doctors office. Its honestly too bad because Dr. Shammas herself is wonderful.

I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Shammas. She is a stellar physician and is amazingly caring. Her approach is lifestyle conscious and holistic, and she NEVER makes me feel rushed, even when the office is booked to the gills. If you want a doctor who truly enjoys what she does and goes above and beyond to make patients feel well and cared for, please see Dr. Shammas. I am SO glad I found her!

I LOVE Dr. Shammas! She is everything any one could ask for in a great doctor and more. She always makes herself available to me when I’m suffering from any illness! Her whole staff is super friendly and accommodating. I drive all the way from Silver Lake to Beverly Hills just to see her! For a girl like me who moved across country to live in LA it is a comfort for me and my mom to know that I am in such great hands any time I get sick! Also, I love that she works from an iPad and can send over my prescriptions to my local pharmacy right after my appointment, by the time I’m close to home they are ready for pick up!

I really wanted to see this doctor but the rude receptionist didn’t let that happen. I was supposed to send a copy of my insurance card. I did, I never got a response or confirmation so I didn’t go to the appointment. The receptionist calls me the next day and asks me if I am almost here. When I tell her I didn’t get a response she just said I sent you an email (she did not) and then hung up on me before I could reshcedule without confusion. I have never dealt with a ruder reception. So I am sitting here stil injured and no doctor.