Southern California Institute: Stern Mark S MD

"Highly recommend to all my family and friends and anyone who wants a high level of care! Dr. Stern listens and cares and is the most compassionate about his field! I feel so lucky to have him as my doctor! I have my life back with two new discs and I can’t thank Dr Stern and his amazing staff enough!"

"This guy is a master of back surgery! My operation was great success. I feel better than I have in a decade. The nerve pain is all but gone and my paralyzed leg is truly fixed. The staff was receptive and helpful. The fusion and bi level disk replacement went seamlessly. Dr. Stern is amazing! A champion for people with chronic back pain!"

"I have NEVER been treated with such disrespect from any Doctor. The unprofessionalism from Dr. Stern is uncalled for and he should be ashamed of himself. I have been a Nurse for 27 years and I've seen alot of different personalities a d beside manner but never anything like this. He tried telling me there was nothing wrong without even looking at my MRI. When I asked him if he even looked at my MRI he went out of the room for 2 minutes and said your MRI was normal. Reviewing a MRI takes time, that is if you care enough to take the time. He spoke to Me like I was stupid and said I was referred to him because the Ortho doctor that referred me didn't want to deal with me. . All I wanted was to be treated with the respect all patients deserve. I just can't fathom this Dr's behavior. Dr. Stern maybe it's time to retire because obviously you have checked out already. When you start treating people bad with disrespect it's time to go. Remember you took an Oath and you are letting people down. I didn't ask you filor drugs or pain meds, I went to you trusting you with my life, my body and you stomped on me like I was trash. How would you like it for a Dr. To treat you or your family this way? I just can't believe you, I am blown away! And one more thing, your office staff is also very rude. They are loud and talk with each other about patients on the phone out loud. Total HIPPA violation. Another Hippa violation my 1st visit they had my name on another patients chart. Luckily I noticed it and brought it too your attention. I will be speaking to CDPH about that. Thanks for referring me to UCSD, I think that's what you do when YOU don't want to deal with a patient."

"completely disregards his patients and their disability/ ailments , always cuts you off when you’re talking, and all he cares about his running through his patients as fast as he can so he can go sit in his office.. Just find someone else and don’t waste your time. i regret going here ."

"This doctor had seen my mother after a referral for an ongoing neck issue she has been dealing with with multiple symptoms still unexplained. She saw Mark Stern and the end result was he prescribed my mom a anti seizure medication and to disregard her previously prescribed med. He prescribed her to take it without explaining what it was for. She has had ZERO history of seizures or anything close to seizures! Her first night of taking it she had a severe reaction where she was taken to the ER by ambulance. Extreme dizziness, loss of eye sight, difficulty of breathing. She was in the hospital for 1.5 days before being released. Multiple people reached out to this office, the referring neurologist reached out and they’re received no call back either. Horrible excuse of doctor and office to not even care to respond and explain why a anti seizure medication would be prescribed to someone not having seizures, instead who came to his office because her cervical spine issue. May God have mercy on this place, may they realize his and their actions affect lives."