Marc A Iwahashi, MD

I would not recommend older individuals seeing Dr. Iwahashi… I personally do not go to Iwahashi anymore but both of my parents have in the past year. In my opinion, he is not setup to see older patients. He has very limited office hours with no one to reach if you encounter a problem when he is not in the office. In addition, he diagnosed my mother with a broken rib, prescribed medications– pain patch, without every verifying it with an x-​ray. My mother suffered with a rash from the pain patch for a few more weeks before I ended up taking her to the emergency to find out this mysterious pain in her back was actually related to the fact that she had colon cancer. In addition, for my father he forwarded him onto a specialist, we waited weeks to be seen at said specialist only to find out my father’s problems were not in his arena??? Just a complete waste of everyone’s time.
I think if you are healthy go to Dr. Iwahashi and listen to him talk about the weight that you were in High School or the latest discussion on TedX re: people’s health– ie «Forks over Knives». However, when you start to develop some real health issues you should seriously consider if he is the right doctor for you.

Quick responses, accommodating, and personable!!! Dr. Iwahashi and Patti are amazing! Without going into too many details; I was working on helping my friend locate a new Primary Doctor since he’s between insurances so had reached out the Dr. Iwahashi and Patti for some help and guidance. Even with their busy schedule they managed to get back to me with the information I needed.

Dr. Iwahashi is a great doctor. Really cares about his patients. I was very disappointed when my company switched their medical plan and I cannot see Dr. Iwahashi anymore. The only thing bad about his office is that the wait times could get a little long. Probably because he did not rush his patients, really listened to them, and took longer than what his staff allowed for.

We just relocated to the bay area and needed a new doctor/​pediatrician for my 2 years old. We’ve found Dr Iwahashi on Unilocal based on his high ratings and we can confirm he is a really nice doctor.

Really awesome doctor I have to say.
Today was my first visit ever at doctor Iwahashi’s clinic. Due to switch of insurance i had to look for a new primary care physician, after reading good reviews about Dr. Iwahashi I decided to see him and see how well I can communicate with the doctor. I used Kaiser for pretty much most of my life, I have to say I enjoyed my initial visit very much. Dr. Iwahashi striked me as a very knowledgeable scholar with a sense of humor, he was very easy to talk to and he introduced me this very interesting study on diery products and Asians. Rather than Kasier’s «business-​like» appointments I found Dr. Iwahashi’s communication style very interesting and easy going. His advice on my issue was very thorough and made a lot of sense. I’m glad I won’t have to look else where for another physician. Overall, great initial experience, friendly staff, good communication. I will update more later after future visits.

My company switched health insurance companies, so this year I’m in the position that I have to find a new doctor. I tried to book an appointment with Dr. Iwahashi for an annual physical (according to the insurance website, he’s taking patients), but the receptionist said I would have to see him for something else and become an «established» patient before I was allowed to get a physical. Seriously? Sounds like he is trying to gouge you for an extra visit. I’ve never had another doctor demand this. Then on top of it, I was told then next spot available for a physical wasn’t until September — 7 months away! If you’re shopping for a new doc, I wouldn’t bother looking here.

All Doctors should be as thorough as Iwahashi. Everything I visit him he spends a huge amount of time explaining things and providing options, information and resources. Today he spent nearly 30 minutes with me and we talked about a holistic view to my current and future health. Hands down the best Dr I have ever seen in California.

Dr. Iwahashi has been my doctor for more than 2 years and I had considered him a competent physician with a good «bedside manner» until 6 weeks ago when I had a dreadful and frightening experience under his care. I was diagnosed with a stomach condition for which Dr. Iwahashi prescribed an oral antibiotic. This medication (named Prevacid) included amoxicillin (a kind of penicillin) that I am extremely allergic to. I had informed Dr. Iwahashi of this allergy and it was clearly stated in my chart, but he did not remember this and failed to check the chart before prescribing.
Because the name of the drug was not familiar to me I did not know that it is related to penicillin and I took it according to his instructions. Three days after I started to take the medication, I broke out in a severe rash that nearly covered my entire body. This rash was dark red, swollen and extremely itchy, so that I was in great discomfort and unable to sleep for three days. I tried to contact Dr. Iwahashi, but he had left on an extended vacation and was to be unavailable for several weeks. I was seen by another doctor who could only prescribe palliative treatment which did little to ease my physical and emotional distress. About two weeks ago Dr. Iwahashi sent me a letter apologizing for his mistake. He stated that he had been negligent in not checking the chart before prescribing the medication and claimed that this was the first time in his 24 years as a practicing physician that he had made such an error. Although most of the rash has cleared up, there are still areas of my skin that are splotchy and reddened. What is worse, the emotional effects the trauma caused by Dr. Iwahashi’s professional negligence still linger as well. The original shock and disbelief I felt has turned into anger at this physician’s carelessness. And while the effects of his oversight were certainly bad enough they could have been far worse.
I am writing this because I want all of Dr. Iwahashi’s patients, as well as anyone who might consider seeing him, to realize the risk they are taking when they put themselves under his care. His mistake violated most fundamental responsibility of a physician, which is to «first, do no harm». While I believe his apology was sincere, I do not think that it suffices to redress the pain and suffering which I experienced, and my hope is that by reporting the facts I can prevent others from becoming victims of his negligence.

I just have to add that this man is an forward thinking doctor (prevention vs. treatment) with «old-​school» service. From what I understand, in the «old days,» doctors knew their patients, cared about their patients and treated them like extended family (housecalls, etc.).
Dr. Iwahashi is just that. He called us and emailed us after hours because my mother-in-law’s bloodwork showed that her glucose levels were too low. He left a direct number for us to call — and when we called back at 8:50pm, he answered the phone to give us information on the next steps. He was clearly worried about my mother-in-law’s health and well-​being.
After hours — late at night. Seriously? He is amazing.

I had a very negative experience with this Doctor! I have two needs: 1) to get a physical and 2) to get my health «numbers» (BP, sugar, cholesterol) checked twice a year. That’s all I’m looking for, aside from emergencies. When I recently obtained health coverage via an employer, I called Dr. Iwahashi’s office explaining I was a person seeking a new doctor (a new patient) to conduct a physical and/​or get my numbers checked within the next month if possible, I was told «we don’t do that!» It turns out, he will only provide those services to established patients. What kind of crap customer service attitude is that?! It’s clear tome, Dr Iwahashi is NOT interested in customer service, only selectively providing service to people who are in a certain category. If you want a patient-​oriented doctor, seek someone else!

Great guy, I give him 5 stars because I visited him for many years.
He’s remembers his patients and takes special care of them. However, I have to note that I do not see him anymore because I realized lately that he is not the doctor I am looking for. You see, I have a doctor-​confirmed gluten allergy that affects me in severe ways, and he seemed to dismiss it and not really believe my story.
Of course, I’m not that happy about it because that’s the one thing I want my doctor to understand, so I don’t actually visit his office anymore, but I visited him enough to know that if you are not like me (which I’m sure 95% of people are), you will benefit from him.

My family and I have been going to Dr. Iwahashi ever since we moved to California back in 1990. There was no Unilocal back then, but I’m so happy to see the great reviews he has here now, because he certainly deserves it. Even though it has been years since my sister or I have gone to see him, my mom stopped by recently, and wouldn’t you know, he actually remembered both my sister and me. He mixed up which one of us was older, but hey, it’s already amazing enough that he remembered our names at all! Dr. Iwahashi is very patient and friendly, and I really love how he seems to truly care for his patients. He always takes the time to listen to your problems, and you never feel rushed. I feel like I’ve been spoiled by him, since I was fortunate enough to have such a wonderful family doctor for so many years.
This is a random piece of information, but my orthodontist while I was in school, Dr. Asatani, is actually Dr. Iwahashi’s father-​in-​law, who I also highly highly recommend. Dr. Asatani is 81 years old now, but apparently he’s still practicing. Talk about a talented and amazing family!

I came to Dr Iwahashi because of the good reviews in Unilocal.I’m so glad to say that all the good things are true…
The waiting room and the exam room are clean. The staff are courteous and punctual. Dr Iwahashi really listens and cares.

Dr. Iwahashi just spent 30 minutes explaining my blood test results for my annual physical. My last doctor, namely Dr. Jimmy Lin, spent no more than 5.

Dr. Iwahashi is the kind of doctor I wish to have for my entire family.
He was very sincere and very thorough in explaining the medical tests that I took and also recommending (but not forcing) a healthy lifestyle choice based on the results.
I’m usually healthy (except when I needed his help) and almost never visit a doctor, but this one time I needed to visit him I was so impressed by how he actually spent real time with me discussing my conditions.
It is also a plus that Dr. Iwahashi doesn’t seem to be a type who just quickly prescribes medicine and pretends the problem goes away. He appears to rather recommend a lifestyle change (such as diet) that eliminates the root of the problem first, before letting your body depend on medicine. That I think is a fine approach to life.
Since then I moved out of San Jose area so I’ve never had a fortune of having a doctor like him. Hoping I can find a doctor like him when I need next time.

Dr. Iwahashi is one of a kind. My whole family goes to him now.
Before my son was his patient (still seeing his pediatrician that he was established with before my husband and I switched to Dr. Iwahashi) I sent him some x-​rays of a stress fracture and he did a full explanation for my son, including ordering blood work and calling back with the results, without even seeing him or having him as a formal patient yet. And, that was as he was trying to leave for his vacation.
He really cares about his patients and is wonderful in every way. Just today I had to make an appt at the last second and his office was able to accommodate the short notice (my fault for letting a deadline for health forms for a kid almost slip by).
It is nice to have finally found the doctor that we will stick with for the long term. It’s taken forever to find him and he’d better not retire or move out of the valley!

I’m picky about my doctors — that’s why I pay extra every month for a PPO Plan :)
Dr. Iwahashi is the kind of doctor who will spend extra time to talk to you. It’s convenient that he will see both children and adults. When you are a busy working momma, having a family practitioner is a life saver (vs a pediatrician and a general).
He’s also not a judgmental doctor. I made the choice not to vaccinate my kids, and I didn’t want a doctor who would give me the third degree. Dr. Iwahashi was understanding and open minded.

BTW, when Dr. Iwahashi fills out prescription forms for me, he prescribes books for me to read, diet changes, and exercise. This is a complete 360 degree from doctors I had when I was younger, so popping pills does not cure-​all.

Dr. Iwahashi is the perfect representation of what a family doctor should be like. I went in for my annual check up, and he’s not only go over every single details on my chart, but also spent a lot of time trying to provide me some health and nutrition tips so I can stay healthy.
Above all, his front desk and his nurse are professional and caring. I couldn’t ask for more from a family doctor.

He was the only one who suspected I had an unusual liver disease. He sent me up to Stanford and made sure I was checked in their hospital. I was seen by a top specialist.
Kind, sincere, thoughtful, clean
Never rushes you
Friendly asian receptionist and staff
He brings a nurse into the room for girlie issues.
However…LONG waits in the waiting room.
My Insurance changed so now Im with Kaiser.