Philip O’Keefe, MD

Dr. O’Keefe is the best of the best. I have been seeing him for years. He is consistently amazing. And, he is consistently late — per some of the other reviews — so plan accordingly. But sometimes good things are worth the wait. I personally would rather wait for a wonderful doctor than have an extremely punctual mediocre doctor. And let’s be honest — the reason Dr O’Keefe usually runs late is due the the level of care he provides each and every one of his patients. I have never felt rushed in my appointment and he listens. And I mean — really listens.
I have also worked with Nurse Susan Sullivan who is lovely as well.
All in all — yes, my time is extraordinarily valuable — but so is my health. And I happily wait to see Dr. O’Keefe — who is as good as it gets.

My first time there was sent to see Susan Sullivan, the nurse practitioner. She was great, but it caught me by surprise. It was also very difficult to get through to the office. I won’t be going here again.

dr. o’keefe you are an awesome doctor but your office is run like a hell hole. get rid of debbie who is a slob, lives on the phone & thinks she has a medical license. there is no reason why the wait to see you is so long. after buying a home in sacramento my family & i will no longer be your patients. i asked debbie for copies of our files & she said she would mail them to me. this was 4 weeks ago. get rid of her or you will see more of your patients leaving you.

Before switching to O’Keefe, my doctor was Chief of Staff at Pacific Medical Center, and I never waited even 5 minutes in his office. Since switching, I have found what other reviewers have said: you can end up cooling your heels for quite a while in his waiting room, and communicating with him via phone or fax or email (forget about that one) can be difficult, and his receptionist is very protective. Plus I now live over an hour away, which can make a routine visit to see O’Keefe an all day affair.
That said, I don’t think I will ever see another physician. O’Keefe may very well be the best doctor on the planet. He certainly knows more about virtually everything having to do with medicine than I would have thought possible. I have been in his office when he is dispensing diagnoses to other doctors for their patients. He gets those inquiries constantly. When you do get in to see him, he will take whatever amount of time is necessary for you, which is why his waiting room can be pretty full.
If convenience outweighs getting the best medical attention there is, find another doctor
Otherwise, this is one seriously brilliant physician!

After seeing Dr. O’Keefe for over 13 years, we decided it’s time to leave. He’s a great human being and great doctor but his office is run like an outback fish and tackle shop. Very difficult to get through to make an appointment or to follow up on tests.
Also, plan of long waits in his office but like most folks, we have been willing to do this because he’s worth the wait and is a good doctor. The biggest problem is one has to go through FRONT DESK HELL to reach the receptionist Debbie who makes getting through almost impossible.
They suggest faxing requests in because of the front desk issue. Faxes go to Dr. O’Keefe’s desk where they sit until later in day or evening when he will call back. Return calls come in anytime between 6:00 PM. until 10:30PM. in the evening. Some evenings he never calls back so the next day, we go through FRONT DESK HELL trying to call again. Who knows if he actually receives the faxes.
All through the day, the phones roll to a message, «the office is now closed, or we’re on the other line». Leaving a message usually doesn’t work because many times, you never receive a return call — or until just before they close for the day.
If one is lucky enough to get through Debbie will put you on hold. Then she’ll will come back on and ask what you need — often times, you’re put back on hold as she’s going to check into it for you. Then often after another wait, she’ll come back on and ask again, «how can I help you?» After spending hours at getting through, It’s connectivity HELL. If you happened to be in the waiting room at lunch time, she’ll get up and lock the door, puts all the phones on hold and tells you not to answer the door. She shuts everything down for an hour. But there aren’t any messages that they close for lunch so if you call during that time, you’re calling in vain.
Last year, my partner came down with the flu. The usual approach is to get on a Zpak antibiotic ASAP. He was flying to London to receive an award. And needed help fast. After two days of trying to get help, we finally went to the Farmacia in the Mission and paid cash to see a walk in doctor.
This time we faced a serious health issue. Red blood in urine fever and pain and other internal issues that were alarming. Went to the office first thing on Monday. Debbie who’s not a doctor said, «oh, men usually don’t get urinary infections, this could be something more serious.» Leave a urine sample and we’ll get back with you. Never heard from anyone. Because they lost a urine sample a couple of years ago, we called on Tuesday to make sure they were running tests.
After 2 hours of calling, we finally reached Debbie to see about the test results. She said, «let me check on that» and put us on hold for 12 minutes. Then she came back on the phone and said, «how can I help you?». I said, «you were checking on the urine test… then she cut me off. I again tried to speak, asking if we should just call a urologist but she cut me off again and was about to put me on hold. I asked, would you let me finish? At this point, she said, «I don’t need this god dam shit» and then hung up.
I don’t think she’s the right person for this job. Friends have told me they’ve watched her put people on hold while she takes a break. One of the medical assistant told us that Dr. O’Keefe has tried to work with her but for some reason, she gets her way. A few years ago, she was allowed to put all the phones on hold during her lunch hour. She doesn’t do well with stress and so she pushes back. Moves at a pace that suits her. Meanwhile patients are dealing with medical issues and are often left feeling frustrated they are not able to get medical attention.
Again, great Doctor and he is aware of the front desk problems but for some reason, he’s chosen an archaic office system.
We will miss Dr. O’Keefe. He’s done a lot of good for a lot of people. He has a heart and has a spirit of social justice. But the situation with his front desk for us has put us at medical risk. And it is «actionable» that a front desk receptionist would render a medical opinion that was as alarming as it was to my partner yesterday. It’s also, «actionable» to have a person representing a doctor telling a worried person that they «don’t need this god dam shit» and then hang up on them. Wednesday, we called an urologist who got us in immediately. He’s treating the problem aggressively. If we had waited any longer, it would have become very serious.
Tonight, Wednesday night at 10:37 PM., I received a phone message from Dr. O’Keefe with his two day old test results. My partner who is sick was already in bed. He had a different diagnosis but was shooting in the dark because we never were able to see him to tell him the symptoms.
Sadly, we’ll miss Dr. O’Keefe but his office methodology put us at great risk.

Dr. O’Keefe has kept me well, so now I only have to see him every 3 monthes. I am 75. I need him to call in my prescriptions, and fax one. I made a phone call, sent a letter and a fax form, a few days ago, and haven’t heard from him. I am concerned, as I need the medications. It is true there is a long wait, but I know what he is doing for his patients. He can also be impatient, but he usually apolagizes. He was my husbands Doctor for a few years, until he passed away. He really worked on his case very hard. I miss seeing Dr, O’keefe, as I feel more secure when I see him. It is like I am flying without a net when I don’t see him. God bless Dr. O’Keefe. Susan Sullivan rocks it big time.

I’ve only ever seen Susan Sullivan, who is just great. She takes her time and is willing to talk about the emotional side of health issues. Can’t recommend her enough. According to their reviews, lot of people have had to wait, but I never have. I have had trouble getting through on the phone a couple of times, but most times I get through. It’s also possible to just fax a request to 415−558−8288. It’s important to remember that this is a popular, busy doctor’s office in an expensive state and city that has pre-​determined, low reimbursement rates for medical services. I’m even paying out of pocket, and the rate is ridiculously low, at least during the current recession/​downturn.

I’ve had it with Dr. O’Keefe’s Office! Done. I’ve found a new doctor and gladly. There is no doubt that Dr. O’Keefe and Nurse Practitioner Susan Sullivan are great medical professionals but at what cost? Never being able to get an appointment? Having to wait minimum 24 hours for a call back from Debbie IF you even get one? Having to wait 2+ hours in a waiting room for an appointment you scheduled months prior? Having to put up with one of the worst and rudest receptionists I’ve ever come across?
In my opinion unless you are suffering a disease or life threatening illness forget your petty ailments. Take them to another doctor’s office or go to the urgent care. From my experience you won’t get in and you are not a priority. You’re lucky to get a call back in a reasonable timeframe. On one occasion I’ve had to wait up to four days to get Debbie to call be back about scheduling a flu shot when I had a brand new high risk newborn in the house only to be told I couldn’t get one. It was understandable why I couldn’t but a simple one minute call back within the first 12 – 24 hours might have been useful and acceptable. «We are low and are only giving them to senior citizens». Great. Quick and to the point. Not four days later and after I had to leave 3 different messages. This has happen on a number of other occasions for simple information you would turn to your Doctor for and expect medical help or guidance. Debbie seems to be the gate keeper and unfortunately a not very caring or pleasant one.
I guess I’ve kept Dr. O’Keefe as my unseen doctor for as long as I have for two reasons. First is Susan Sullivan who is absolutely wonderful. She is professional, smart, straight to the point and very caring. She is who you will end up seeing 90% of the time. She’s the best Nurse Practitioner and I will miss her. The other reason I guess is because O’Keefe is supposed to be such a great doctor I though I’d keep him in my back pocket in case I REALLY got sick. The error in that is it does you no good when you’re only kinda sick or kinda injured.
The last straw was after a recent injury. The injury was not severe enough to go to the ER but it was severe enough to keep me out of work and one you would expect to turn to your doctor for for assistance. I called the office Monday morning about 8:00am and left a message. Called a few more times throughout the day without getting through. It was Tuesday at 2:00pm when I finally got a call back from Debbie and by then I’d already spoken with and scheduled an appointment with my wife’s doctor. It’s an office where they answer the phone with a pleasant voice and actually go out of their way to be helpful. I let Debbie know instantly that I appreciated her finally getting back to me and that I had already found a new doctor and did not want to waste her time. Her exact word response was rudely, «Good luck with that.»
I think that sums it up perfectly.

Great doctor. Thorough, brilliant, funny. Works like a dog. Be prepared to wait for a couple of hours, but he’s well worth it. Susan Sullivan is great too. Great office staff.

Dr. O’Keefe is not just an extremely intelligent, capable M.D. He is a wonderful human being. I have been seeing him since 1979. I have spent endless hours sitting in his waiting room and he has spent even more time trying to help me overcome my health issues. He has done so with kindness, compassion and a firm insistence that I follow his direction. I have a great deal of respect for Dr. O’Keefe and know that his peers regard him as one of the very best. If you really need help figuring out what is wrong, he is your man. If he can’t figure it out, no one else will.

Phillip has been the family doctor for 15 years now. Susan has been seeing us almost as long.
Given how messed up health care is in general it just doesn’t get any better than this.
Phillip has treated my cranky father’s long term juvenile diabetes better than any diabetes specialist he ever saw. He is very forward thinking and stays current of all the new stuff and is VERY judicious about what he recommends.
The office is a mess. Calling is difficult, I fax (415.558.8288) in requests and questions, and the wait is often long. I call before my appointment and check to see how far behind he is running and when I should *actually* show up.
I would not accept a job that required me to change my doctor from Phillip.
Neither would anyone else in my family who sees him.

I had O’Keefe as my primary in the 90’s, but I always just saw his NP, Sue Sullivan. She rocked my world. I was in my 20’s and had a crazy party life. I had my share of ER visits.
She was always humorous, patient, caring and sincere– even when I got my stomach pumped.
In 2001, I switched jobs and went from Aetna to Pacificare for insurance. And I had to go to another physician who took it.
I liked my new doctor enough, but it was pretty impersonal And as years went on, the office became insanely busy. I could never get through to a human, and I had to book appointments weeks in advance.
I recently switched jobs and had Aetna for insurance again. I also had some health issues and was *extremely* frustrated by my inability to contact my doctor.
In desperation, I called up O’Keefe’s office, explained the situation and boom! They gave me an appointment a week later with my NP.
And yes, she and the receptionist both remembered me, and it was the BEST feeling to have my health care managed by people who genuinely care about their jobs.
I will never leave this office again, even if it means I pay out of pocket.

Through the years, I’ve seen clinics and doctors that try to treat patients with the same care as a jiffy lube. Not this dude. Dr. O’Keefe is old school in that he will take 45 minutes explaining things and checking those issues that might be bothering you. He is rated by San Francisco Magazine as one of the top doctors in the Bay Area, so he is definitely legit. The guy is easy to talk to and cracks decent jokes here and there. Because he is so good, if you’re appointment is 1pm then he normally gets to you at about 3pm. Bring reading material and park accordingly!

Dr. O’Keefe is totally awesome. He’s one of the best doctor’s in the city, and this is why: he’s super busy, and whenever you see him he is rushing around. BUT, when he comes in to see you, all that stops, and he is completely attentive, patient, and compassionate. Not to mention that he knows a lot about, well, a lot. I first saw Dr. O’Keefe as an inpatient at CPMC Davies, and i liked him so much that I asked him if i could continue to follow up with him in the future. One warning though — it’s tough to get an appointment in a timely fashion unless you can be SUPER flexible. if you can, though, it’s totally worth it.