Bernadette McKell, DO

I have had the same experience as Donna R. At two visits. She was rude, constantly critical, and totally unhelpful. After that experience, I will never see Dr. McKell again, and cannot recommend her to anyone.

The doctor specifically gave me orders to go to the ER if I have an episode and than immediately contact her to schedule a meeting when I leave the ER. So I had an episode nearly a year ago and after calling she has yet to see me. It’s October… of 2015.

I have seen /​continue to see Dr McKell for weekly treatments to keep pain from chronic back issues and fibromyalgia manageable. Dr McKell provides osteo manipulative therapy which is a specialized treatment that includes intuitive healing and addressing painful areas.
I couldn’t be happier with the level of care Dr McKell provides! She stays up to date on the latest info and techniques regarding my condition. We are truly partners in my health. I feel blessed that I am in Dr McKell’s care.
There were some negative claims in another review. In all of the time I have spent at Main Street Medical, I haven’t witnessed Dr McKell treating patients or staff less than respectfully… not once!
Thank you, Dr McKell for your treatments and support as I continue to get healthier!

I recently wrote a review for Main Street Medical, the office in which Dr. McKell practices, and said how much I like this place. I really like Dr. McKell too. She spends time with you, asks the right questions, seems empathetic to your situation, and acts like she cares about you. It’s very different from the care I used to receive with Kaiser and a primary care physician who didn’t know or care about me. I am glad I found this little office.

I realize that in Half Moon Bay, we locals are tempted to visit a physician that is close and conveniently located. I was a patient of the sweet kind hearted Dr. Penrose that retired about 2 years ago, for 20 years. Dr. McKell replaced her and is from out of state.
I am a retired nurse. I was forced to retire because of a severe back condition which has left me unable to lift or at times lift my legs to walk up steps. I have known hundreds of doctors and understand how important bedside manner is. This woman gets a Zero where patient compassion is concerned.
I have seen her approximately 6 – 8 times. I kept hoping that my appointments with her would improve however yesterday was the final straw. These are the reasons I recommend you never step foot in the door.
1) Twice she has literally raised her voice and yelled at me for «being late to my appointment.» I was completely on time. With a lobby full of patients she raises her voice to say «You were suppose to be here 15 minutes early!» I had a 0830 appointment and I was there at 0825. The very kind man that works at the desk finally jumped in and said «Dr. McKell, she was not told to be here 15 minutes early.» She turned on her heels and walked to the back of the office never apologizing.
2) I have literally heard her belittling her own staff in the presence of patients. I have also heard her in adjoining exam rooms giving other patients a hard time about being late or cutting them off when they are trying to explain symptoms.
3) She is condescending and rude when you try and talk to her about why it is that you have come to see her. She does not allow you to finish telling her your health concerns.
4) About 4 months ago I had nausea and that lasted about a week. I had no other symptoms but was concerned that it had gone on as long as it had. She quickly took my temperature and said «there is nothing I can do for you.» I brought up another problem I was having and she quickly dismissed it and said «You came in for a stomach ache, if you want to talk about another issue, make another appointment.» I was dumbfounded as she had only spent less than 5 minutes with me. You would think a doctor would be open to listening to one more concern.
5) Believe me when I tell you that this woman is all about the mighty dollar! I had routine lab work done after my annual visit. 1 week later the office called me and said that Dr. McKell needed to see me regarding my lab work. Of course I was concerned and very worried for an entire week. Expecting bad news she comes in and proceeds to tell me that my vitamin D level is low. I literally and out loud said, are you kidding? My point here is that she just could not resist collecting my $ 30 co-​payment and then billing my insurance company $ 185 dollars to tell me something that could have been handled with a simple 3 second call. She makes her patients worry, unnecessarily so that she can fill her schedule.
6) I have been looking for a new Primary Care Physician for about 2 months now and actually called to request my records from her office on Monday. One of the office staff told me that she had been spoken to about her behavior I spoke of and that I would be pleasantly surprised. I decided to give her one more chance yesterday. Being I have such a bad back including a bulging and herniated disc, degenerative disc disease and Spondylolisthesis, I have steroid epidural injections about every 4 – 5 months by a very experienced anesthesiologist. I had one 10 days ago however this time, the doctor was not able to get into the location the medication needed to be injected into. I saw that doctor on Monday. He rescheduled another epidural for me next week. He knows how bad my back is and made a suggestion about a pain medication that he felt might be helpful. He wrote a prescription for me but I decided not to fill it. I felt that staying close to the coast was more convenient for me as it is an hour and a half round trip to see him.
Yesterday when I told her that I had an epidural and that it was not successful she said that it was not true as she had no record from the anesthesiologist. I said, why would I make something like that up? No response. Then I gave her the script that the other doc had written and asked if she could follow me on this new med. She threw the script back at me and said NO! Says I could lose my license. I tried to ask why and she had no good reason other than she was not familiar with the med. I asked if she could look into it as it was not a fire drill. She drones on again about how she could lose her license?
Do Not see this woman. She treats you like a second rate citizen. Her behavior is rude to patients and she belittles her own staff whom are clearly on edge as they whisper as soon as she walks away. Stay Away from her. Make the drive over the hill! The most uncompassionate greedy DO, Not MD I have Ever met. Btw. Sure looks like SS’s review is The doc defending her behavior

Highly satisfied with this thorough and attentive physician! I appreciate coming away feeling cared for and not shameful about my body or my healthcare needs. She is nonjudgmental and she has made herself accessible to me by making a time slot for me on practically a moment’s notice when I have had an urgent need.
Then, on an online patient portal she has responded to any comments or questions I have had in a professional manner, and quite promptly. I have been learning, however, to recognize boundaries and not to overuse the system. Boundaries are not easily identifiable for me and it takes trial and embarrassing error for me to learn or notice them I appreciate her patience and her professional manner with which she had advised me about it though.
Overall, I feel that we are on the same page and feel I have found a gem of a physician.

I decided to get myself a local doctor for family practice/​general stuff since I don’t really have one… my insurance doesn’t require a PCP and I hate going to the doctor, but every now and then something stupid like strep throat comes around and you need one.
I came in over the summer actually because I had had a persistent sore throat and wanted to make sure it wasn’t strep. My appointment was with Dr. McKell, a new practitioner who has been added to the office. She is absolutely amazing, I might add. She’s got a wonderful bedside manner, is incredibly friendly, and will actually listen to you and make you feel like your input is valued. Nowadays, that’s rare in a doctor.
I’ve been in several more times since then and had the same great experience. Dr. McKell is patient, knowledgeable, and helpful. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
Their new office is located a little ways down Main St (across from Cetrella). The little parking lot off to the side usually has plenty of spaces. The staff is polite and professional, and the waiting room is clean & bright. Reminds me of the down-​home doctor offices of my youth.