Northwest Skin Specialists

If I could give them a 0, I would. I received a $ 50 bill for a no-​show appointment. When I called to explain that I actually had cancelled the appointment, they said they couldn’t waive the fee and basically called me a liar. I don’t EVER no-​show to an appointment, I understand how important it is to a business and to other patients. It’s beyond frustrating that it’s my word against their word, and I can’t do anything about it.

Again, I love the care here but I’m finding that the appointment times aren’t quite true, especially lately. Expect to have a longer wait time from your scheduled appointment. It seems to average about 30 – 40 minutes past what gets scheduled. Just plan accordingly especially if you’re on s tight schedule. Seems to be the status quo for most medical appointments any more. But again, it’s great care.

Met the doctor for 5 min and was charged $ 120.00 to hear him say, yes I think laser is a good idea.

I came in to have an overall review of my Eczema and cystic acne. The reception area is really nice and office staff are also friendly like others have mentioned.
I’m used to a pretty thorough and concerned review and loved my treatment plan with a practitioner out of state.
I saw Dr. Grabowski and when I asked for recommendations for my cystic acne he just replied that he would give me cortisone, the same as what’s used for the eczema. I asked, so you treat acne with the same medication as eczema??? Basically that was his response.
Normally I would have a monthly appointment with my derm that consisted of a chemical treatment but I really wasn’t given any good treatment options here so I’ll be looking elsewhere.
On top of that, I received a substantially high bill, over $ 140 with insurance, just for the very quick and routine appointment because it was considered a «thorough» exam.

Got an appointment right away as a new patient. Staff was courteous, even though I was a little late (note that the building is recessed from the street attached to a larger clinic so the address isn’t immediately visible!) and the facilities spotless.
I was going in for acne. Met with the doctor who listened to my issues carefully and went over my treatment options. I spent at least ten minutes with the doctor herself and felt that she was completely focused on me and eager to help. It’s been almost two months and my skin is looking and feeling much better, even though it’s been a rather slow recovery. I’d recommend them.

Amy Sarkie is awesome. Great bedside manor and very good critical analysis of problem spots. Northwest Skin is a great facility too — beautifully decorated and easily assessable. I highly recommend Amy and Dr. Garbowski!

Dr. Grabowski is awesome! He had me in and out in under 30 minutes, and he had completely addressed all of my long time – some very embarrassing – skin concerns. Including the removal of a mole in a very sensitive and self-​conscious making area… The removal happened right on the spot and was totally painless! He was very professional and courteous throughout the entire experience and his staff treated me with respect and dignity. Thank you!

I was a potential new patient at Northwest Skin Specialists and honestly, I have experienced better. i originally came in to see Dr. Diane Thompson, but unfortunately she was not accepting new patients. So I settled for Dr. Grabowski as he had fairly good reviews. When I arrived at the clinic, it was well designed and modern. The receptionist was nice enough, but also appeared slightly distant. Dr. Grabowski came in 15 min late and he appeared to be in a rush the whole time. I expected a more understanding and thoughtful doctor to assist me with my approach to deal with my skin régime, but I got someone who wanted to rush me out of the appointment and didn’t pay attention to my needs. I would not recommend anyone to see Dr. Grabowski.

I haven’t been to a really great Dermo office in a long time. I have a lot of skin issues unfortunately and its never comfortable to have it looked at or dealt with. Today I called them after finding them on the internet and asked f I could be seen today as an emergency. I was worked into their schedule, their staff was friendly and extremely helpful. I was able to print my paperwork off their website, fax it over to them ahead of time which was great when I checked in they had everything ready to go! Mrs. Sarkie is who I saw and she was amazing, she took the time to actually talk to me about all my concerns, gave me a sample of the medication she was RX’ing me to tie me over until the next day when I could get to the pharmacy and because I didn’t have insurance, she discounted my visit AND was helpful in letting me know where I could get the RX for less possibly. I had such a wonderful experience, this will be my new go to Dermo office! I was treated so wonderfully when I was feeling so icky about physical appearance, and they made me so very comfortable. Thank you Northwest Skin Specialists, well done!

I went to see Dr. Whipple and I was not at all impressed with her. First of all, from the moment she walked in til the moment she left the room she was talking… and talking AND talking… really fast! She would NOT even listen to what I had to say at all! Not for one minute. Overall, she lacked professionalism and ended up being pretty useless in fixing my problem. I will not be returning to her. I also dont recommend her if you want someone who isnt in a rush to say something and run out the door. Oh and they did I mention that they charge a lot?

I have seen Dr. Grabowski twice regarding some skin inflammation/​dermatitis on my hair line, chest, and forearm. Dr. Grabowski is great. He seemed to listen and willing to try a number of different treatments. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Grabowski to others.
However, I have have lab work done twice, and received confusing messages from the assistant about the results. The messages left out important details, and in one case, seemed to disregard the intent of the test. I had to call back twice to get the full picture. I can’t tell whether the chart was incomplete, the chart wasn’t reviewed, or what. Bottom line it was annoying and makes me question whether I want to go back.
The first incident was a culture I had done to determine what type of organism was causing the inflammation. He suspected staph, but I wanted to rule out MRSA. The assistant’s message confirmed staph, but left out anything about MRSA. Seemed like an important detail especially considering I have open sores, I have 3 young kids at home, and my wife is a pediatrician who spends all day in contact with infants.
About a year later in Sep 2014, I had a biopsy of a lesion on my forearm. The biopsy was done at my request because I wanted to be sure it wasn’t something else like auto-​immune, viral, fungal. Her message mentioned «the mole we removed from your forearm» and that it was «benign». Mole? Benign? Who mentioned anything about a mole or cancer? If it’s a mole, that’s actually relevant, because we had never talked about a virus. The only part of this message that was correct was the «right forearm» part.
This has happened twice, and I can’t say whether it is yet a pattern. Regardless, when you fill out the patient information form, I would not select the option that allows them to leave a message on your voicemail. Make sure you talk to someone directly.
I would give Dr. Graboski a 5, but the follow-​up service from the assistant s a 1, so I am giving the whole thing a 3.

I drove from Bellevue to Seattle for this place and will keep on doing so– Quick, thorough and really friendly. This is one of the best dermatology offices I have ever been to. Having battled eczema flare ups ever since I was in middle school, I’ve been to several different dermatology offices in my life. I called and received a same day appointment with Dr Robin Whipple. She provided an outstanding level of professionalism and care. This dermatology clinic also provides free coffee, water and free samples and coupons of sensitive skin care products. I highly recommend them.

My daughter and I have been patients of Amy Sarkie, P.A. for several years. She has treated us both for acne (seriously, how old do I have to be for this to go away?), rashes, removed moles, and biopsied some pre-​cancerous places. In 2009 we were in Europe when my daughter broke out in a terrible rash she’s had before, we had no meds with us, and Amy called a Rx into a pharmacy in Paris. Now THAT is service!
Parking here is pricey, but convenient, (under the building.) The office is lovely and the view is stunning. There’s tea, coffee, water, and Ande’s mints for a while-​you-​wait, which is never very long.
Amy knows her stuff; she is personable and thorough. She took my sweet teenage daughter from having terrible acne to being acne free. We are both so grateful.
I highly recommend Amy
!

I went to see Dr. Robin for my yearly skin exam for basal cell skin cancers in November. This is my third year with her and I am very pleased. She is thorough and also spray freezes any unsightly growths that seem to grow about every six months. I haven’t had skin cancers in five years and the last one was removed by Dr. Gogenola of Bellevue Dermatology Clinic (also an excellent Dr.). Dr. Robin schedules me for an exam every year. The only drawback for me is the distance I now drive. I am making plans to relocate to Bellevue within the year so I won’t have that issue. She has always taken an interest in me, talking briefly with me and asks what I am doing, how college is going, etc.

I normally see Amy Sarkie but when I called the beginning of November she was booked until January. I was able to make an appointment the next week with Dr. Grabowski. During the appointment he was very professional, kind and informative. He answered all my questions and was extremely helpful. I will definitely be back to see him for future appointments. I highly recommend Dr. Grabowski if you are in need of a skin care doctor.

I have received one of the best medical services here for my eczema by Dr. Amy (I think she is a PA?). The office discovered that my insurance had expired in June since I had just graduated, and while everyone was being very awkward about this in the office– (yes people, there are people w/​o insurance), my doctor Amy did EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING in her power to save cost on my part. She was super straight forward with me and was supremely helpful.
Most of all, all the derms I have seen in my life have just thrown steroids at my face, whereas Amy really walked through with me what a brand new skin care régime can do to my eczema and the maintenance of it. She really was empathetic with my flare up and I will undoubtedly go back to her for all my skin needs!!!

Dr Grabowski elevated my comfort level in the first 30 seconds. His approach is calm and thoughtful. He listened intently while scanning the areas of concern. After finding only a case of paranoia on my part, he smiled, encouraged me to continue to be diligent with my health and shuffled me off with the suggestion that i return «in two or three years»!
He gets 5 stars. Though good, i thought the receptionists could have been a touch warmer as i felt i received a cold reception when walking in on my own ambition. They were good at their jobs, just not much in the way of inviting. Not a deal breaker.

Dr. Grabowski is EXCELLENT. He reminded me of my doctor that I sadly left when I moved from Boston to Seattle — very smart, thoughtful listener, and interested in educating the patient. He wrote down the names of the diagnoses and treatments so I could look them up later at home and sent me home with free samples of my perscriptions as well as the Rx if they were working well and I wanted to get more. The office is very professional, nurses can be paged wirelessly to each exam room, and fast, proactive service (the nurse taking down my info heard that I had lab results at another office and had contacted that office and put together my medical release form before my appointment was over). It was a 180 degree experience from Dermotology of Seattle in Burien who had given me no treatment options.
I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT NORTHWEST SKIN SPECIALISTS!

OK, I have eczema, and I mean I HAVE ECZEMA. I popped out with it and it’s still with me some 3 decades later… To give you an idea of how bad i had it. friends were scared to touch me because they thought i would break, i was excused from running in gym class because the back of my legs would crack and puss/​blood would come out, people thought i wore a red necklace all the time… that was my life from aged 10 to about 22… it has since gotten better but I am no means low maintenance when it comes to my skin. Most recently, the past 7 months, I have been hit very hard with it again and this brings us to the point of my review.
I started going to this clinic maybe 8 –10 years ago and I honestly don’t recall what or whom led me to them. I have seen a few here for various issues but this review will be for Dr. Thompson. She’s rad, …she’s blunt, she’s straightforward and she sure is smart. In my stubborness of avoiding meds I saw a naturopath first,…um No. Not for me, maybe for you but not for me. ANyways, when Doc saw me she exclaimed, «WHAT happened to you??» then she and her assistant proceeded to culture me, to take notes, exchange wide eyed looks at one another and then she told me that she wanted me on prednisone, antiobiotics, a help me not itch at night sleepy pill, some clothing advice, one slightly strong topical steroid for the worst parts and then Ellidel for my more sensitive parts… I know, this would frighten some but for my fellow eczema friends, all I can say is «halleh-​effing-​lu-​yah!»
I am like 85 percent better and it has been 8 days I think since I started. I will see her in a few days and I will be hugging that woman.
I gave this 4 stars because sometimes the front desk are very stern, some not, some not one day and then the next time yes so that’s why.
They have a beautiful little office and they have tea/​coffee and i think mints once in a while in the lobby.
They carry a wide range of skincare stuff, too.

I had really bad eczema on my hands. I went here and was prescribed three different types of creams as well as provided with lots of free samples. The creams worked within 2 – 3 days, my skin cleared up, and now I just use one prescription, non-​steroidal cream for the maintenance of my eczema. Although I am ashamed to admit I have eczema on my hands, I’m hoping that by writing about it here that people who have it too can get some help at this place. I would highly recommend it!