Lee Patrick, MD – Cotliar & Lee Mds

I had an old bug bite that swelled up evolved into a dry, rough patch of rashy skin. After months I saw Dr. Lee based on a referral from my GP. Dr. Lee was very friendly and knowledgeable. I was in and out in 30 minutes with some samples that cleared it right up. While I was in, he also checked over moles, etc. at no extra charge. Good Dermatologist.

I have and will continue to recommend Dr Lee to my friends and family looking for a dermatologist. I can’t stand that these review sites are the first to pop up when I look for dr offices contact info– I think its an unfair representation. So I must do my part in saying I think he is a knowledgeable doc that I don’t hesitate to recommend and will continue to see.

I wouldn’t normally write a review for medical professionals on Unilocal.However, after just one visit with Dr. Lee, I was so impressed with my experience that I felt like I wanted to share it with the world!
First of all, I was 30 min late for my appointment (partly due to misunderstanding on my end with my appt time and partly due to traffic). Not only was the office staff understanding, Dr. Lee stayed after his regular hours to see me. I expected him to rush me through my appointment but the opposite happened. He was a good listener, extremely nice and most of all, he was very patient with me. He did not rush the appointment and was very thorough.
The office staff is also extremely nice. They made the whole appointment stress-​free and easy.
Thank you, Dr. Lee, and staff!

Sorry, any professional office that handles in-​bound calls by immediately putting the call on hold WITHOUT a formal greeting asking the caller to «please hold,» is a company I refuse to do business with. It is disrespectful and extremely unprofessional.
This office just lost a family of three (3) looking for a local (Tustin) dermatologist.
NOTE TO DOCTORS OFFICE: Take heed, THIS IS NOT HOW POTENTIAL NEW BUSINESS SHOULD BE GREETED.

Dr. Lee is one of the best dermatologists Ive seen. He is very patient, thorough and takes the time to explain the treatment plan and why he’s doing it. He treated my husbands acne condition successfully… a problem he has had for over 8 years and seen many doctors. The nurse is super friendly. You will come out feeling very well taken care of!

I tend to agree with other posters that Dr. Lee is good at what he does, but I just couldn’t get over the attitude and arrogance when I went in for my recent visit.
He was a referral from a friend and I was able to make the appointment right away. (actually, now that I think about it… kind of makes you think… why so easy? Is he not that busy? I wonder why? Hmmmm…). Anyway, I went in and the staff seemed nice, but not overly for a new patient. More transactional than warm and inviting. Not really a big deal for me actually.
But once Dr. Lee showed up in the exam room, that’s when it started. First, I have never met the guy. Yet, he comes in, doesn’t really introduce himself, makes no eye contact and gives me the feeling HE HAS SOMETHING BETTER TO DO — WHY ARE YOU HERE WASTING MY TIME?! The pompous attitude was just too much and immediately felt. I mean, what else am I to think as he was constantly looking away and when he did look at me direct, he gave me this look like, I can’t believe you are asking me these questions… these are BENEATH ME and my top-​notch, name-​school education.
I do get it (on some level)…I had what turned out to be a pretty simple skin condition. And I do see where, given his experience and education, he focuses on more complex skin diseases, but, dude, aren’t you happy you are getting a paying patient during these difficult economic times? Aren’t you happy people are giving business to you? And I didn’t know my condition was «simple» when I made the appointment. As far as I was concerned, it was a major issue with my skin and I thought a «specialist» like Dr. Lee could take care of it. Well, a «specialist» I did find… a specialist in making his patients feel like they are beneath him. His attitude just made the situation feel like it was all about him and NOT about his patient’s concerns. Very selfish if you ask me.
The unpleasant feeling, the awkwardness, the rush-​rush appointment, the transactional nature, all made it for a VERY unpleasant experience. The only reason he is getting 1 star is because the treatment he prescribed did work. Otherwise, the awful experience I went through to get to a prescription was the absolute worst I have ever had at a doctor’s office, PERIOD.
Please take it for what it is worth. One man’s recent experience. Maybe I got him on a bad day??? Perhaps not since I read another poster experience something similar. I am telling you, this attitude is blatant and obvious. The bedside manner needs a major upgrade!

I made an appointment with Dr. Lee when my normal dermatologist couldn’t get me in for 3 weeks! I made an appointment for only 3 days in the future. The appointment started on time and he was very knowledgeable and helpful. I had a severe facial accident and he helped me handle it. He also took my insurance which was Aetna so I only had a $ 20 co-​pay. Anyone saying anything negative about Dr. Lee must have some other hidden motive as he was one of the best dermatologists I have come in contact with. I will definitely see him again in the future rather than my former dermatologist. He is far closer to me and was very accessible appointment-​wise but just as knowledgeable. 5 Stars!!!

I visited Dr. Lee and unfortunately did not have a positive experience. I felt rushed during my time with him and he didn’t let me talk. Also, I thought he was tactless. To my dismay, his staff carried the same (office) culture in interacting with me — thoughtless and to the point of being rude. Dr. Lee and his staff should be more humbled and patient-​oriented. Moreover, I will not be making a second visit. It makes me wonder if the positive comments I see here are really his family, friends, and staff doing damage control.

Ignore the review about him being arrogant or conceited.
One, his front office staff were ok (in person — over the phone they are wonderful. They ask for your insurance information beforehand to double triple make sure that it’ll be covered), but his back office/​techs were phenomenal. Dona gives such outstanding service to everyone that she helps.
I was in the exam room for maybe about 5 – 10 minutes before Dr. Lee walked in. He was friendly and yet extremely to the point. I had some recurring issues and he actually took the time to LOOK at my previous medication list, ask me how they were working, then suggesting different dosages/​strengths/​etc to see if it would work better for me. Before writing anything down, he asked me if I thought it was a good idea, if I was comfortable, etc (not just rattling off what HE thought I should do — and not listening). Asked me if there was anything else I had questions about at the end — and I actually did remember something that I’ve been meaning to ask a dermatologist, but have always forgotten as it is almost tertiary to other concerns.
Afterwards, Dona came back and they have a wonderful sample table waiting for you as you exit — all sorts of little skincare and suncare goodies. How awesome is that?
Only a little sad that I don’t have to come back for regular check ups, as I have finally found a dermatologist in the area that I like.
Cost-​wise, very reasonable (for those of you who are private pay or with high deductibles like me).
Only downside is his building was a LITTLE hard to find (there must be about 15+ different medical offices in this one plaza) — but not much. I did come in from a rush between shifts. Oh, and that the waiting room is built awkwardly — hardly enough space for a party entering/​checking in and a party exiting at the same time.
Highly recommend!

2^nd time seeing Dr. Lee and he is an excellent Dermatologist and very patient.
Explains things clearly and gets the job done.
I’ve referred some patients to him as well based off the great work he’s done and his background!

This doctor’s educational experience (Cal, USC, UCLA faculty) is exceeded only by his level of arrogance. He expects his patients to «Kiss-​his-​ass» like his UCLA resident students. He thinks the pecking order is… patient, nurse, student, doctor instead of understanding it is nurse, student, doctor, customer/​client. An arrogant doctor is one who is unreliable. I want a physician who is thoughtful, not one that «shoots-​from-​the-​hip» because he already has all the answers. If he second guesses himself, he will reach the right answer. If he is arrogant, he is right immediately and knows he is right. He is also perfunctory because his time is more valuable than yours. There is noting wrong with a strong ego, but when you start believing «your own press clippings», then like the «client that hires himself as a lawyer», he has a «fool for a client». Learn some humility before it’s too late. Strong successful people are humble, not arrogant. The latter comes from insecurity not self-​confidence even for a surgeon.