Oakland Arthritis Center

"The doc was absolutely horrible..I have never felt so ignored..I live with pain everyday and she did nothing to help me..said my scans were fine and sent me out of the office with no help, no referral to get more help. I found a PCP who recognized my symptoms and set me up with physical therapy. The front desk staff also are not welcoming, barely speak two words to you while signing in and checking out. I don't recommend this office or the doctor if you want to be heard and treated with good customer service."

"I've been coming here for 4 years. The staff and doctors are nice enough but so many areas are lacking. First, this is supposed to be an arthritis center. Most patients are going to be suffering from painful, debilitating arthritis. This center does not reflect that in any way. Starting with the entrance. It is not handicap accessible. It is a heavy door that you have to pull. Next you go to the reception desk. They ask you to fill out forms. They hand you a clip board and a regular, skinny pen. You have arthritis. You're in an ARTHRITIS CENTER. Why don't they have thicker pens to help arthritic hands grasp? Or at least have the removeable grips that you can slide on the pens? Then you sit in the waiting area where all of the seats are standard height. Not one option has lifts to accommodate arthritic knees. Then the assistant comes to take you to a room and is practically sprinting down the hall, not accommodating for your slower movements at all. Basically, nothing about the experience informs me that this is a specialized CENTER FOR ARTHRITIS. In my years of coming here to treat my RA, I have been under the care of two different doctors. With both, I have only been offered medicine as a treatment plan. They've never discussed nutrition. They've never discussed exercise. It's always about which pill or shot we should try. I am in constant pain from my arthritis. I tell them that at every visit. Not once have they suggested x-rays to see what's going on, nor have they recommended physical therapy to help ease the pain. I have gotten x-rays and PT because I was the one who requested them. Again... all they've ever done is whip out their prescription pad to medicate me. In my opinion, there is nothing that OAC does that my general practitioner couldn't do. This is supposed to be a specialized arthritis center catering to (and understanding) a specific patient market. Well, I don't see a differentiation at all. I don't think it'll hurt you to go here, but you could do so much better than this place."

"I had an appointment with Dr. Joseph Skender in July 2021. I found him to be very kind and caring, and most of all BRILLIANT. When one suffers from Arthritis the way I do, I am only interested in the BEST, and that's exactly what I got!! If you have issues with Arthritis, I strongly recommend Dr. Skender."

"Had appointment in most d January, first time in years. A very pleasant experience. Dr Slender was very attentive and willing to listen as well as give advice that has been helpful. Portal is an excellent idea and have used it. I have fibromyalgia, asthma, and macular degeneration making many things challenging but my visit was not one of them."

"Always have a good experience here. The doctors are pleasant, the staff always greets me and makes me feel comfortable. The phlebotomist in the lab is so nice! She knows its a task for me to get blood drawn and she is very patient with me."