Akerman Allan, MD

Just another doctor that cares about money and is not passionate about medicine. He is dismissive to legitimate questions and is also condescending to my husband and I. He encourages taking cough syrup when you’re sick during pregnancy and does not think taking birthing classes are a good idea (he said, «why are you gonna do that for»?) He was not there when I delivered and it wouldn’t have made a difference anyway.
I would not recommend this doctor or St Joseph Hospital at all. They just wanna speed up your labor by breaking your water (which is not the natural procedure of birth) and eventually get you to have a C-​section which pays more money through insurance companies. They will hook you up to anything they can, with no regard to the complications that may arise. I didn’t need to have a C-​section, but they took advantage that I was in pain, that I was a first time mom, and that we have been taught to believe that doctors know best. Almost all deliveries that day were C-​sections. After the C-​section, you obviously need to take pain medication. The nurses are all trained to say that the Percocets dont transfer to the baby through the breast. THEY DO. My advise to whoever is reading this is to not let any doctors just mandate what should be done with your body and even more when it comes to your baby’s well being. Sad but true… all they care about is monetary gain, not your well being. Always question doctors and be well informed on your own.

I am concerned about Dr Akerman’s ego getting the best of him when it comes to my pregnancy. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant with my first child. I have been complaining of cramping since 19 weeks, and his response then was «it’s normal, don’t worry» and I felt very blown off. Fast forward 4 weeks, I see his NP Debbie with the same complaints. She put me on limited duties at work but said it’s too early to take me out, and that if I complain of back pain she’ll just send me to physical therapy. I like Debbie, I wish I had her again today… not the case.
2 weeks go by, I call their office multiple times reporting contractions, they finally send me for 1 preterm labor monitor appt at 25 ½ weeks, and I still have yet to get those results (2 weeks). Instead, the nurse at the facility kept blowing me off saying «you’re ONLY 26 weeks pregnant…» As if to treat me like I’m crazy that I’m having contractions? 2 of which I had there and she blew off as nothing. I know what strips look like… those were «mild» but they were still there. No results yet for that appt.
Today, I go in to see Dr Akerman for my 28 week appt. I tell him I’ve had 5 contractions today, 3 of which were 30 minutes apart and he says he doesn’t care, that the baby will come when he wants to and there’s nothing he or I can do to stop it. I am not impressed with the apathy he has shown me over and over, especially when this is my first pregnancy and I am especially worried about these contractions. He told me my cervix measurement 8 weeks ago on ultrasound was normal and that I should only be concerned if the contractions intensify and are close together. I asked him then about the increasing pressure I have, he said that’s normal too. Bottom line is he said «historically there’s a 12% chance your baby will come early and there’s nothing we can do about it so don’t worry.» I don’t like that answer. Also, shouldn’t he measure my fundal height or something today? And tell me my diabetes screen was negative? I don’t even think he cared to look at my labs, nor what I’ve been thru the last 4 weeks.
I am not sure if I should continue to stick it out with this Dr, or if I should switch. All I know is I am losing confidence in his actions and in his staff, and it feels like his ego overtakes all questions and concerns I have. Also, the office has NEVER ONCE called me to give me test results. I don’t know what to do.

He doesn’t even deserve one star. He delivered my twin boys because my doctor wasn’t available. I went into preterm labor so we all knew what the outcome was going to be when the babies arrived (they weren’t going to live long). However, he didn’t even give them a chance. He was quick to go in and break my water so we can just «get this over and done with.» I hate myself for not asking for another doctor once I noticed he was just trying to get my delivery over with.

Where do I start? Dr Akerman was by far the best Dr i have ever met! I switched to him after i had a horrible experience with my first obgyn. I was determined to try for a vbac & my dr would not allow it, thats when i decided to look for a new OBGYN. Am i glad i found Dr. Akerman. He asked for my birth plan & he listened to every single thing i had to say. & he agreed to my birth plan. Up until the day i had my baby girl he kept telling me we would try for the vbac, but i wasn’t dilating at all & my blood pressure kept increasing every single week. My belly was numb & i couldnt take it anymore. I was on no sleep daily & i just wanted my baby. 38 weeks came & we scheduled the c section with the idea of Dr. Akerman inducing labor as long as my cervix was low. My cervix was still very high & no signs of dilating so he asked me «want to wait another week or should we proceed with the c section» i said «c section» i just wanted my baby out. He was always on my birth plan with his professional opinion, which I absolutely loved! I also developed PUPPPS which was very irritating, which gave me another reason to just want baby out. Dr Akerman is very professional & very informative! He made me feel like family! My husband & i are very happy we found him. & if we ever decide on a third baby, we sure know where to find Dr. Akerman! I definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a great OBGYN!

I wish i could give 0 stars. I had the worst experience, all thanks to Dr. Akerman’s NP, Debbie. Went in for my first appt. and she could not find my baby’s heartbeat (she calculated i was 7 weeks since my LMP). I asked, is that bad? (this is my first child, i have no idea what i’m doing and relying on professionals!!) She instantly, without ANY hesitation, replied «yep, it doesn’t look good». My husband and i didn’t know what to say. She instantly stopped the ultrasound and started explaining to us the process of miscarriages and how by 7 weeks from your LMP, the heartbeat MUST be seen in the ultrasound. We were devastated.
She sent me to get labwork done to test my levels. After 4 days nobody would tell me results! Finally at almost 5:30pm, one of the MAs called. All she said was «Debbie says the results are fine, just come in next week» Click. After being an emotional wreck for 4 days, that’s all i get?
We thankfully didn’t give up hope. We switched MDs, and i am so thankful we found Dr. Garg over in Santa Ana. I had my chart faxed over to the new office, and first thing my new (amazing) MD asked was, «so you’re spotting and cramping already?». I was dumbfounded. I instantly replied no, she was shocked. She said «the NP over at the other office charted that you were already miscarrying?» ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SHAME ON YOU DEBBIE!!! I cannot believe Dr. Akerman lets someone like her represent his name.
Low and behold, 6 days after Debbie said she couldn’t find my baby’s heartbeat and i was miscarrying, I saw AND HEARD my growing baby’s heartbeat.

Dr Akerman is a phenomenal OBGYN. Very personable, funny, knowledgable, skilled, informative and trustworthy. He has delivered 3 of my 4 kids (he provided the prenatal care up to 7 months for 1 of my kids then I had to move an hour way).
Debbie is also the best NP around. She’s also very funny, personable, knowledgeable and skilled. She always takes the time to teach/​inform.
I have trusted the 2 of them with the most important and meaningful events of my life and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Highly, highly recommend!

Before I explain my experience, I want to say that Dr. Akerman has a wonderful reputation with the doctors at St Joe’s. I have run into so many surgeons and doctors that say Dr. Akerman delivered their child. That speaks volumes of his expertise.
My experience wasn’t great. My first visit I waited over an hour. I get it– babies don’t arrive on a schedule and we were patient. Upon meeting him, it seemed he cared more about the sound of his own voice than the questions I had. The one thing he said that stuck with me was, «miscarriages happen and there is nothing you can do to stop them. If you start bleeding do not go to the ER, come to my office.»
I woke up at 3 a.m. bleeding and waited until his office opened and I was the first person there. His staff said, «Dr. Akerman is in surgery go to the ER.» That was the complete opposite of what I was told, but I went to the ER and after spending all day there they told me to make a follow-​up appointment with Dr. Akerman.
The first thing Dr. Akerman said upon my arrival at my follow-​up appointment was, «Why did you go to the ER, I told you to come to my office if you experienced bleeding.» Seriously? After that he spent about zero minutes explaining my diagnosis and that was what led me to my two star review. It has nothing to do with his ability as a DR., but that I just didn’t like him.
However, my husband did like him. And, his office is very nice with state-​of-​the-​art equipment.

I had been experiencing horrible pain during my period, and none of the moronic obgyns would help relieve the pain. All they wanted to do was to put me on birth control which made my symptoms worse. My body does not like synthetic hormones. This doctor listened to me and performed a hystertomy. He was compassionate and kind. He also I’d pretty funny too. I totally recommend this doctor.

If you want a smart, caring and amazing doctor, Dr. Akerman is who you need to see.
Wonderful bedside manner, he is patient and takes time to answer all your questions.
I can’t say enough good things about him
Thank you Dr. Akerman, I will always sign your praises.

Dr. Akerman is a very skilled and educated OB. My babies are the happiest healthiest and were in very good hands from day 1. I highly recommend him as your OB.

The Very Best at what he does. Couldn’t ask for better Bed Side Manner. He’s truly a Blessing

Amazing and Attentive doctor. Had the best experience in delivering my baby by c-​section.

dr akerman delievered my son by csection, hes amazing and Debbie is so sweet and caring. I never waited longer than 10 minutes for all my appts. they took such great care of my OB care. I have 6 aunts and all of them have been going to him for all their babies. all of us love him and his rnp!

I have seen Debbie RNP for more than 10 years and I love her. She always has time to listen and offer her expertise. I am seen within 20 minutes of my scheduled appointment. Yes it is a busy office but only because Dr. Akerman is a great doctor!

Dr Akerman and his staff are amazing. I had Dr. Zepeda with my first two kids and Dr. Akerman delivered my third. He has great bedside manners and I would recommend him to anyone. I’m very picky about what drs I have. Debbie is wonderful. She took time to talk to my other kids who are 3 and 5. She even let them help her listen to my baby’s heartbeat. There was an issue that arose during my labor and Dr Akerman was able to safely and quickly deliver. You won’t be sorry if you have him for your Dr.

My whole family (female only of course) have been going here. I personally have only seen Debbie. And she is amazing. I always feel very comfortable and at ease with her. I have been going to her for well over a decade. She has always been very helpful on deciding what type of birth control is best to use for me. And she has also helped me out with a few personal problem that I was to embarrassed to bring up to my regular doctor. I highly recommend this office to anyone who is looking for a new gyno/​obgyn.

He hasn’t lost a father yet! All jokes aside; he is a great doctor. He has delivered my two children and it was a great experience. He is a very intelligent doctor and god forbid something were to go wrong, he would know exactly what to do without panicking. My wife had some complications during the birth of our second child and Dr Akerman was calm and in control of the situation. He has a great staff also.

Dr. Akerman has been the most supportive, assertive, and knowledgeable doctor I have ever had! He has delivered 2 beautiful boys for me and I have never been so comfortable or confident in a situation that could be so scary and unknown. Through my two pregnancies and deliveries everything has gone wonderfully with Dr. Akerman and Debbie Tobin, they have been there for me every step of the way. Whether it be for some random concern that was probably my just being a paranoid soon to be mom or anything else I might have asked.
He had the patience to check on me every few hours during my 23 hour delivery and even made sure my second planned c-​section was delivered promptly on time!
He is just an all around amazing doctor! If i could give him more than 5 stars I would!

I love Dr. A, Debbie and the staff. My experience during pregnancy and post pregnancy was perfect. Dr. A’s jokes were perfect for me. During tough and awkward moments, a joke is all one needs. Despite being a single parent, I felt very welcomed and well treated during all my visits. My don was born via c-​section that took 2 hours since prep to the moment I was in my room. I recovered quickly and was walking the night of. I was fully healed sooner than expected. The cut was very low and you would never notice. I’m very grateful for Dr.A.

His jokes are lame & inappropriate. He’s dismissive of husbands. When I was delivering my baby at the hospital, more than a few nurses said he wasn’t the nicest doctor they knew (wasn’t news to me). That’s very telling.
Wish I would’ve gone to dr. Juan Velez. Everyone I know LOVES him. Do yourself a favor & hit him up instead of this guy.
That said, Debbie & the front office staff at this office are very very nice.