Dr. Melanie M Kates

She is extremely cold and unfriendly and has no respect for the patient's knowledge of their own health and wellbeing; she dismisses your health concerns and input before you're able to get a sentence out. She prescribes questionable medications that are not indicated for the ailment that you are suffering from, which calls into question her ability to follow best-practices. You owe it to yourself to find a doctor who practices patient-centered care.

Dr. Kates was supposedly 'filling-in' for my regular Sutter PCP who is out on medical leave. She obviously does not know me, & did not bother to look at my profile. She has avoided me with Robo-Replies after 6pm all week. Appears to be a 'floating-physician', = she has x5 office locations in both Napa & Sonoma Counties; a HUGE RED FLAG that this physician does not have her own office/regular patients, but 'floats' between Sutter PCP's who are in need if temporary back-up (Vaca, etc). Several Remarks mention her Faith & Push for Holistic alternatives to conventional Medicine... That's spiffy, IF YOU KNOW THE PATIENT & ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES/PERSONAL BELIEFS. Major totally unecessary PIA all week, be forewarned & advised. ???????????? Dr. Kates was supposedly 'filling-in' for my regular Sutter PCP who is out on medical leave. She obviously does not know me, & did not bother to look at my profile. She has avoided me with Robo-Replies after 6pm all week. Appears to be a … More

Had to wait over three months to get this appt, after previously scheduling one earlier that got canceled because she only sees one new patient a day and didn't have any free spots for over three months. Caught a cold almost two weeks ago, two negative covid tests, and called to see that it was ok I still came in. Was told it was ok, they could do a covid test if the doctor was concerned. Got turned away at the door, next appt wasn't available till May. Doctor wouldn't double book for me. No rapid covid test as an option. Nothing. So now I can look for a new doctor and hope for something sooner because the reasons I'm trying to see a doctor haven't gone away. The front desk lady was nice, but the doctor came off heartless. I have bad anxiety about coming to a doctor, but worked past it for this appt for nothing. Had to wait over three months to get this appt, after previously scheduling one earlier that got canceled because she only sees one new patient a day and didn't have any free spots for over three months. Caught a cold almost two weeks ago, … More

I have had zero prior experience with primary care physicians and health insurance. Had not been to the doctor in over a decade. I was very nervous, but also excited to finally feel like I was taking control of my life and not letting the medical industry scare me away from getting the care I need. She felt cold and impersonal to me. I understand that health care workers are being heavily relied upon in these times, but Dr. Kates made me feel helpless and confused. She diagnosed me with a certain hernia all while typing away and not looking at me. Did not explain much about the diagnosis and then told me to come back in a month after I did blood work and she was gone. I went to the lab only to see that she had ordered 16 tests she never told me about (neglecting to mention a lot of them had 12 hour fasting periods). She was cold and indifferent and if my next visit goes poorly I will be leaving her care.

I gave Dr. Kates several chances as I had hoped we had just not started off on the right foot. Despite being young and healthy with zero complaints, I felt that Dr. Kates was digging way too deeply to find something wrong with me. She doesn't have the best bedside manner which can be forgiven but I was very turned off by being misdiagnosed for more than one issue. I won't be going back.

This "doctor" annihilated my life when I was transferred to her, and she didn't "believe" in the medications I was taking. Thankfully, I'm seeing an actual doctor now. Someone who practices medicine, and not faith healing. I would leave well enough alone, except she did the exact same thing, with the exact same words, to someone very dear to me. We'll all recover, but Melanie was a major roadblock.

This doctor wrote an ESA letter for my renter so she could have a dog, even though there's a no pets clause in the lease. Now I legally cannot get rid of this renter, I cannot collect an extra security deposit for ESA dog, and I cannot raise the rent. Thanks a lot!

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I only saw Dr. Kates once but, I was very impressed with her thoroughness & knowledge. It's hard these days to find a really good doctor. I would recommend Dr. Kates, to whomever is looking. Cathryn Gehring

Dr. Kates is the best! She pays attention to small details and listens carefully when I come in with a problem or a checkup. Whenever I have a problem, she has both a solution and an explanation. When I came to her after my last doctor retired, she discovered several problems my previous physician had overlooked. (She did this by getting extensive blood tests to find out how I was doing.) She prescribed some meds to compensate for my ageing immune system and sent me off to a few specialists for the more complicated issues. The results of two years of Dr. Kates is me feeling strong, healthy and always looking forward to visiting my new friend Dr. Kates. (I'd never enjoyed visiting the doctor before, now it's like I'm going to see a good friend!) Dr. Kates is the best! She pays attention to small details and listens carefully when I come in with a problem or a checkup. Whenever I have a problem, she has both a solution and an explanation. When I came to her after my last doctor … More

First glance excellent. 2nd appt horrible and the 3rd worse from there. Sticks up for rude, not brite, staff over confused patient. That is enough said. Except to say, full on lied about a medication refill. Weak, mousey, woman.

I love Dr. Katz and her staff. Everyone is really helpful. I am bummer she is moving but I'll make the drive to Hoen. Thank you for all you do!

Melanie is a wonderful, extremely thorough doctor. She is very supportive and non-judgemental. Bonus-she has moved to a Santa Rosa location, which I know from experience has very professional staff. Way to go, Melanie!????

I have a complicated medical history and when I first met her, she had thoroughly read my history and was very informed about my condition. This almost never happens. She's smart and thoughtful. She listens. I trust her. Satisfied patient.

She has poor patient interaction skills and spends all her time reading and tapping into the computer. Doesn’t listen and is big on recommending vitamins when what you need is blood work and scans. I left.

Not a friendly, warm, caring doctor from my experience. Wanted to take complete control and change everything my previous doctor, who retired, recommended. Didn’t care about my opinion or feedback. Needless to say after the first visit I changed doctors ! Not a good first impression on a potential patient .

New to the area - trying to identify new local physician. Don't find her warm,engaging or empathetic. Looked at chart and was somewhat critical of prior physician care. Not a great way to start a new patient relationship. Could spend more time talking with and looking at patients versus typing the whole time you are sitting with her for the appt. No connection which is important for me with my primary care physician.