Southwest Medical Associates at Montecito

Jeff in patient services/​scheduling was amazing! very pleasant to speak with and very efficient! Thank Jeff!

We are new in town and haven’t had the opportunity to interview Pediatrician’s in the area. My youngest son fell ill with a bad cough/​congestion so I took him to Southwest Medical Urgent Care, which also just happens to be 1.1 miles from where we currently live. From check in to check out the front desk staff Catherine was pleasant and professional, Dr. Litman attended to my son, he was very attentive about my concerns and addressed them immediately to his staff. After a chest X-​ray, my baby had pneumonia. They administered Albuterol mist and ibuprofen for his fever. A few days later Dr. Litman personally called me to see how my baby was doing and suggested I take him in for a follow up/​check up the next week. That means the world to me that he took time out in his busy schedule to call. Less than two weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from Dr. Litman thanking me for selecting them for my urgent care needs. I am now in the process of looking into a Pediatrician from their medical group in the same building. Keep up the great work!

The DMV of medical care. You’re just a number. My appointment times were wrong. Referrals were not sent. Feel like they lost me in the shuffle. Not very personal care.

I got new insurance this year and did not expect to need to see my OBGYN for a while, but found out that my IUD was coming out. Since I hadn’t set up my provider yet, and after a week of phone calls back and forth, I realized I needed to just get this taken care of and go to Urgent Care. I DID NOT want to go see a random Dr. for this! But, I went on a Friday afternoon and the whole visit from check in to finish took less than 2 hours! I feel like this is great! Sometimes a scheduled appointment can take that long.
The front desk staff (I wish I remembered names) were awesome and friendly. The intake nurse was also great, I felt really listened to and not rushed. The Dr., who ultimately had to remove my IUD was also great. He was funny, gentle, and patient. I did not feel rushed or awkward. Everyone was so nice and efficient!
It seemed important to write a positive review. It’s so easy to remember to rant about the bad experiences, but this was great! Thank you everyone there for making a horrible, uncomfortable situation nice for me. :)

We were late two min. and they shut the doors and refused to see us. I told them my daughter had a 103 temperature and we drive 25 minutes to get there. Guard said no I begged him to ask her asked the nurse, and they both started laughing said no and closed the door. Great care provider really cares about the people. What a joke, cold hearted and don’t care about patients.

I have been in this place a few times with my son. The doctors you may get are completely hit or miss. If you’re really lucky you MIGHT get a decent Doctor.
My rating mostly has to do with my most recent experience. On Saturday, my mom called meat work saying she dropped my 6 month old so and he wouldn’t stop crying so I had her bring him to urgent care. After x rays of his stomach and rest, it was decided there was nothing wrong and his painful constant screaming (he was screaming in pain for over an hour nonstop) was just being he was scared and hungry. Over the night and early the next morning, I noticed he started to calm down but he wouldn’t move his left leg at all and cried whenever you touched it. I took him back to urgent care and after some more x rays it was established his leg was broken… He went over 24 hours with a broken leg and no treatment because they didn’t catch it the first time.
While we were being seen by Dr. Litman, I explained to him that we had been in the day before, they checked his insides for any organ damage, but now he’s crying every time you touch his leg. Dr. Litman opens his diaper, mumbles under his breath «Oh he’s not circumcised» and starts examining his penis and trying to retract the skin… For a leg injury. If there was anything wrong with his bladder, that would have been caught on the x rays the previous day so it was pointless. I actually picked up Litman’s hand and moved it off my son’s penis.
They already x rayed from his neck to his bladder the first day we brought him in. But with babies that aren’t circumcised, the foreskin is fused to the glans to keep out at foreign particles that can cause damage. When you retract, you actually rip it and cause adhesions that can become infected and cause serious problems. Pulling back a baby’s foreskin is kinda like pulling back a baby girl’s vulva lips to look inside her vagina. It’s unnecessary to do so just to look at the bladder.
Oh, this was on Saturday and Sunday. Today is Tuesday and I just woke up to my 6 month old’s splint falling off his leg that was put on at this location. Luckily, I was able to get his appointment to get an actual cast on in just a few hours so it won’t make much of a different.
The only reason this place is getting 2 stars instead of 1 is because I have seen some of the other doctors and they were great. The staff is great. This experience was just beyond terrible.
UPDATED REVIEW: The manager called me and talked to me about my concerns. Then the doctor from the first day talked to me about my concerns. They were both very sweet and understanding and made sure to let me know to call if I ever need anything. Thank you for taking the time to hear my concerns and speak to me.

This by far, is one of the best places I have come to get treatment for emergency situations. It’s never overcrowded, the wait is not long and the front reception staff are so very friendly! The doctor’s are equally kind and knowledgeable. They really make sure that you are taken care of; from the time you walk in, to the nurse who triages you and the final with the doctor before discharge.
Great service! Great staff!

Their doctors are OK, nothing spectacular, what you would expect from an HMO, but their customer service is absolutely the worst, I just called about my billing, they over billed my insurance and I have a balance for my co-​pay, which should not be allowed, because it is a primary care visit, the issue is them, not my insurance, and the very rude person on the phone hung up on me.

Great staff, great service. I come to Southwest Medical for everything; urgent care, adult med, and OBGYN. Every doctor/​nurse/​MA/​even front desk associate has always been pleasant and friendly. Love this location.

Let me start by saying I sign in at home and hour and a half before an urgent care visit I arrived promptly 15 minutes prior to my urgent care visit just as I was asked to do so. Then once I got here I checked in and the receptionist said that I would be taking back immediately ahead of everybody that was there. Well that was definitely was not the right information. I sat there and watch the whole waiting room clear out and then I got up to ask why everybody was going back ahead of me after 30 minutes, she then proceeds to tell me that I needed to be triaged first! Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place??? Communication is a very big issue! So then I finally get triaged and they take me directly back to a room which I was quite happy about! Then not even 10 minutes later I doctor came in not too bad I got diagnosed and then she told me what she was going to put me on and she was going to get the discharge paperwork ready! So another half hour goes bye! I come out of the room to the nurses station and ask them what’s going on with my discharge paper work? Nobody seems to know anything about it! They say will check with the doctor and will get back to you so I go back to my room and wait! The next thing I know the nurse comes in with my paperwork gets me my instructions tells me everything’s been sent electronically to my pharmacy and out the door I go! Very poor communication! Very poor service! The whole online thing checking in you might as well just go there because your wait time is just the same as sitting at home! Very poor experience! So you can respond to me my name is Jennifer Purcell I was seen in your urgent care on February 28, 2016 let’s just say my appointment was supposed to be at 3:05 I arrived at 2:45! You should be able to find me by that information! The urgent care out here is absolutely horrifying! I’m just glad I wasn’t having a heart attack or something more serious! I would really hate to see what somebody does in a crisis situation I would definitely not use your urgent care I would go to the hospital even if I had to pay a higher premium with my insurance it would be well worth it! Very dissatisfied!

Dr Maxham is a moron. She’s also dismissive about concerns and she lies about guidelines.
My daughter has had high blood pressure for several years. In that time she has never had a normal bp which is ¹²⁰⁄₈₀. Her bp usually runs ¹³⁹⁄₉₅ or higher. Three times the MA said her bp was ¹²⁰⁄₈₀. The first time I informed her it was wrong. She was rude and argued. I also informed the doctor but she did not do another bp and did not believe me. The second time I didn’t say anything as it was a quick sick visit. The third time I informed the doctor once agian and expressed my concern siting human error. She proceeded to recite the previous BP’S that I had already told her were wrong. She was extremely dismissive and when I tried to tell her my daughter’s bp has not been normal in years she told me normal bp is ¹⁴⁰⁄₉₀. I was so shocked that she would not only lie to us but lie in front of a med student I didn’t say anything else. Needless to say she is a horrible doctor and we will not be returning. Avoid her if you want good health care.

Just to be clear: This is specifically aimed at two doctors in the Adult Care area. This rating does not reflect pediatrics, obgyn, or any other area.
Worst Experience I’ve Ever Had. After this review I’ll be contacting the news stations, posting on twitter and facebook and telling any and every person/​social media outlet that I can.
So here’s what happened.
First, I had a doctor for many years that I had a great relationship with. Same doctor, same prescriptions, good all around. Unfortunately my insurance changed and I could not continue care with that doctor. I was very upset and worried about find a new, reliable doctor.
That brings me to Southwest Medical Associates. I called them up and made an appointment. They gave me options to pick from, regarding who would be my primary care doctor. I ended up with Grace Han.
The First Appointment: I went in and met with Grace. I explained that I was on Alprazolam (Xanax) 1mg, twice a day.
Because it took so long to get an appointment at Southwest Medical Associates I was out of my medication. This is not a medication you should run out of. She very helpful in writing out a prescription for me. I then brought up one of my biggest concerns: Tapering off of this medication. I wanted to wean off and not take it anymore. She agreed that that would be a good idea. She asked me to give urine and blood. Off I went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription. All was well.
Part 2. «The Zombie state»
I noticed the medication (Xanax) looked different than what I was receiving before I went to see Grace. I chalked it up to the pharmacy using a different pharmaceutical company. After two months of taking this «different looking» xanax I figured out WHY it looked different. Grace Han had upped my dose!!! I was taking 4mg a day of Xanax. I’ve NEVER taken a dose that high. IF you recall in the first paragraph I stated that I wanted to cut down my xanax dose and wean off. Upon learning Grace Han had upped my dose I promptly made a doctor appointment to downsize the dose, as, they would not do this over phone. Fine. I made the appointment.
Part. 3 «The Crazy Doctor, Dr. INNA ZDOROVYAK»
I arrived at S.W.M.A. only to find out Grace Han had called in sick but that I had not been notified. The front office found another appointment for me with a Dr. Z.
I asked her to put my dose BACK DOWN to 1 mg a day, twice daily.
She did cut it down but not before the lectures began. Dr. Z did not like this medication. She made that VERY clear. I listened to her go on and on and I left but not before giving a urine analysis. I ALSO let doctor Z know that I was experiencing horrible belly and flank pain. She ordered an ultrasound to be done. Guess what she forgot to do? Sign the order. It took 2 weeks to get her to sign the form!!!
Part 4. ‘Belly Pain’
I made another appointment with Grace Han. That appointment was on February 1^st. I went in to discuss belly pain and flank pain. This conversation quickly turned into a conversation about Xanax. How did I know that would happen. Smh. I just knew Dr. INNA ZDOROVYAK would make a stink.
Who cares that I was and still do have pain and it’s becoming worse. Grace Han still continued on about the Xanax. Turns out Dr. Z ordered a urine panel on me.
Part 5 «We’re stopping an important Medication»
My drug panel came back. I tested positive for 2 medications that my previous doctor had given me as well as an Over The Counter Diet Medication. Apparently this was not acceptable to Grace Han or INNA ZDOROVYAK. This is what Grace Han told me: «It’s not okay to take medications you’ve been given in the past. I’m giving you a warning.»
I said «I wasn’t aware that I couldn’t take medications my previous doctor gave me, but I understand now. I’ll discontinue use.» Grace Han then gave me a copy of the agreement I signed during our first ever appointment. She told me to read it over. I did. NO WHERE IN THE AGREEMENT DOES IT SAY YOU AREN’T ALLOWED TO TAKE MEDICATION FROM YOUR LAST DOCTOR.
Whatever though. I agreed to the terms and left.
Part 6. «The Phone Call»
Grace Han called me today (Feb. 2, 2016) to inform me that she will NO LONGER be filling my Xanax prescriptions. She told me to «Taper off with whatever medication I have left.»
That was that. I had no say in the matter. I asked to speak to her supervisor. Did I get transferred? Nope. She let me know that Dr. INNA ZDOROVYAK would be contacting me. lol. No thanks.
Here’s what the Target pharmacist had to say: «You can taper down but it will take time. The medication you have left likely won’t be enough, especially because you’ve been on this medication for a very long time.»
Please, do not go to this office. These doctors and physicians assistants do not give a damn. Don’t risk it. This is your health. Do your homework before just simply choosing a random healthcare provider.
Thx for reading.

Great place! My husband went here & was treated fast and with better care than our primary care provider.
We would rather pay a little more and attend this place. The reception check-​in lady was friendly and attentive. The doctor was very thorough. The radiology

Had an appointment was told on two occasions that my appointment was at 11:30 I arrive at 10:50. I was sent to quest diagnostics at first, after waiting 15 minutes I get told I’m in the wrong place to go to the urgent care line. I go there finally get seen am told I should have been in the radiology line, I figured that but was not what I was told. Then the lady once I’m at the desk says to fill out a paper on her table so I do then a few minutes later she says I wasn’t supposed to fill that one out that I was supposed to fill out a different paper that she pulls from somewhere else!?! This place doesn’t know what’s going on. I think part of the issue is that my name and the appointment before me have similar names both kim P… and they messed up confirming somehow.

I walked right into Urgent Care for a rash that had been spreading on my chest. I sat down to get comfortable and then my name was called! Dr Lee diagnosed it right away as pityriasis rosea just by looking at it but took some extra tests and prescribed precautionary medicine just in case! I felt he went above and beyond what any other doctor would of done! He took his time to explain everything to me. I couldn’t of had a better experience at 5 o’clock on a Friday afternoon. I’m very impressed!

The only thing this place is interested in is how much of your money they can take you for. They do not put patients first, only their red tape bull. Life threatening illnesses do not even prompt them into another gear. You never even see the same doctor twice. They are hands down the WORST «medical group» I’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with.

I normally have no issues here. Easy scheduling, friendly staff and clean. The pediatricians are ok and Dr Romero-​Joseph (Obstetrician & Gynecologist) is excellent! If I were basing the star rating off of just that, I’d give 5!
However, I did have an issue recently. I scheduled an appointment for my fiancée with Dr Catherine King for an annual check-​up/​physical. Upon checking in for the appointment, the staff up front, confirmed that the appointment was preventative. During the appointment, and after being asked by Dr King «What’s going on?» my fiancée did mention that she’s been having some heartburn, at which point Dr King did prescribe some meds.
A month or so following this appointment, we received an explanation of benefits from the insurance company stating that we are responsible to pay a balance to Southwest Medical Associates. I contacted Southwest for an explanation since this appointment was preventative and should have been paid 100%. I was told that Dr King would not have the code changed to the preventative code because other issues were discussed and that she had prescribed meds!
I am beyond furious! Seriously?! The bill isn’t the issue but the point is, this appointment was scheduled almost 2 months in advance for a check up! If heartburn was the real issue here, the appointment would have been scheduled for that reason and for a date much sooner.
I am now confused… During a check up, even when asked, are we not to bring up any problems that we’re having with our bodies? Or was Dr King even aware of the fact that this appointment was preventative? Was it not communicated between the Dr and the staff? These are all problems!
We will continue to see Dr Romero and our children will still see the pediatricians but never again will we see Dr Catherine King or recommend her to anyone.

I HATE this company and ALOT OF the staff SUCK. Literally act as tho they all have the worst ATTITUDES. Their ultrasound machines are CRAP literally a nurse told my husband and I that ALL THE ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT SUCKED. THEY TOLD ME TO PEE RIGHT BEFORE AN ULTRA SOUND when it clearly says to keep your bladder full then had the nerve to tell me they couldn’t see my baby !!! They make you feel as though they cannot help you and there is never an alternative. In my opinion a lot of them are lazy snooty and completely unhelpful especially the urgent care on rancho this Hispanic lady was a complete asshole like 1 no one asked you to work there 2 it’s not my fault your pay checks SUCK and 3 maybe you should quit if your going to treat ppl in such a horrible manner especially if you see they are in NEED ! Alot of the staff just literally suck at life and don’t care about you what so ever. Literally DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. I’m only with them because of my moms insurance but I’m looking around for better because these ppl will literally make you lose your mind

INNA ZDOROVYAK MD is horrible! Now I know why we got a same day appointment with her. My fiancé went in to see her for a shoulder issue and numbness in his fingers. She told him he had a torn muscle. I forgot to mention this Doctor didn’t even bother to take his shirt off or order an ex ray. She may have been concerned with the giant lump on his shoulder blade. Needless to say three weeks later and he’s still in pain. We were referred by a friend to Dr. Mathew Otten. He is in good hands now. I have a Dr. At SWM who is fantastic so I feel bad about reviewing the whole office. My fiancé on the other hand will never go back. Stay far away from that lady!

I went here in excruciating back pain. I drove myself with one of my kids because I couldn’t get a same day appointment with my regular doctor.
Location is convenient. A little difficult to find if you don’t know just where it is, which makes having an urgent care situation more difficult.
Clean waiting area. I didn’t feel like I was in a petri dish of bacteria and viruses from a ton of sick people, but the waiting room was also mostly empty.
I was seen rather quickly. Staff at the front desk and triage were very nice and helpful.
The doctor was okay-​ish. He first told me to take ibuprofen, but I reminded him I couldn’t because it interacts with another medication I’m on. He gave me 2 prescriptions he said would be safe. I filled them both and looked them up when I got home because I didn’t recognize the generic names.
When I looked them up, I discovered he had prescribed Vicodin and Valium… to take together! This felt like a bad idea, so I took one vicodin that night so I could sleep. I woke up the next day and couldn’t move.
Every doctor I spoke to since then said that combination of meds is ridiculous and dangerous! I was very upset that the doctor prescribed those together. I’m glad I didn’t take them both and then disposed of them.
Not very reassuring. :(