Cynthia W Chao

Please consider finding a different provider. This is my first pregnancy and I've had nothing short of a terrible experience with this office and its staff. The girls that work in the front are slow and careless. Specifically lily, she has no clue what she’s doing. Any time I needed to call for my lab result or to ask any type of questions regarding my care they could never give me a straight answer about anything. They say they will call you back and never call. After seeing this dr for 5months I went in for an appointment and they told me I couldn’t be seen because I was no longer assigned to them through my insurance!! Dr Chao is a nice lady but not worth the stress of dealing with any of the staff in her office! Another thing to note , she shares this office with another provider and if you call and his staff answer they will act like they don’t know dr Chao even tho they share the office!! If I could give 0 stars I would .

Horrible!!! Sarcasm and rudeness should NOT be a Doctor’s way of handling situations, no matter how long you have been in the medical field. She belittles you and makes you feel dumb even when she knows you’re having YOUR FIRST BABY!!! She is not willing to answer with kindness or even listen to your questions. No empathy in her tone when she talks to you whatsoever. Horrible!!! Sarcasm and rudeness should NOT be a Doctor’s way of handling situations, no matter how long you have been in the medical field. She belittles you and makes you feel dumb even when she knows you’re having YOUR FIRST BABY!!! She … More

If you have any other choice go somewhere else. There is no follow through or accountability. Nobody knows what happened. The doctor is slow to follow up. You have to call to make sure they are putting in referrals. They will say they did and hadn't. You have to call back over and over. It's not Proffesionsl by no standards. I'm sure I will be not seeing her Because my issues don't assist to be gynecological.. thank God. Oh and be prepared to wait for some reason.. its like they are slow as molasses.. from the computer system to the service If you have any other choice go somewhere else. There is no follow through or accountability. Nobody knows what happened. The doctor is slow to follow up. You have to call to make sure they are putting in referrals. They will say they … More

I'm a returning patient and love Dr. Chao. She delivered my Son 3yrs ago and I'm back for her to deliver my daughter. Her office is clean and inviting. I've seen afew comments about wait time, her office is no different then waiting for other offices I've been to. Staff are nice and professional. If I have anymore children I'll diffently be back ???????? I'm a returning patient and love Dr. Chao. She delivered my Son 3yrs ago and I'm back for her to deliver my daughter. Her office is clean and inviting. I've seen afew comments about wait time, her office is no different then waiting for … More

Great doctor, terrible service. They never answer the phone & if so on that rare occasion when they decide to pick up you're on hold for an hour.

note to self: believe the other 1 star reviews. i waited over an hour (others sitting next to me were there for 90+ min) with absolutely no word from the front desk on if Dr. was running behind or what the hold up was. There were 6 patients in front of me, so I cant imagine how long the wait would've been if I stayed. I finally got up and left because I have a job to do. Find another Doctor. note to self: believe the other 1 star reviews. i waited over an hour (others sitting next to me were there for 90+ min) with absolutely no word from the front desk on if Dr. was running behind or what the hold up was. There were 6 patients … More

Stay away from this doctor if you want a doctor who truly cares about you. She treats her staff very poorly. Sadly you can tell by the way the staff treats the patients. "No care in the world " With no guidance from the Dr. in this office. You will witness the doctor speaking portly to her Intern and employees in front of patients. You will also be left in a room for hours because the Dr. Doesn't care and has a attitude "well they know where the door is". The Dr. will disrespect you if you try to have any opinion on anything. She thinks she's better than you and she has every right to treat you like crap. She doesn't truly care for you it's all for show.Honestly!! She DOESN'T care what anybody thinks. If you go to her office for service please know you WILL be in evil hands. What I mean by that is if something is wrong good luck getting the results. She sucks at running a office. I do not understand how this doctor is allowed to give horrible service to staff, students, and patients.

I don't have much negative to say about Dr Chao. But the office is terrible. They schedule multiple people at the same time and make you wait for over an hour. Also, they don't answer the calls and their voice mail is full.

OMG they kept me a room waiting for the doctor for over an hour without so much as checking in to say the doctor was running late. Nothing. Ridiculous my time is just as valuable and important as hers....

Dr Cynthia Chao is very nice and caring doctor but clinic staff was not accommodating. I called the clinic coupled of times today and finally took my calls just to put me on hold for 20mins!!!! We are not going to call your clinic if it’s not important. So please take our concerns seriously.

Worst service ever! Months can go by without a call for follow up. I was supposed to receive a referral for an ultrasound, called a couple weeks later to realize that hadn't even been submitted it. Once the referral was approved, they faxed it but unfortunately this took at least 6 more calls and 2 days going back and forth until the other office finally received it. (The staff had faxed it to the wrong number). Never apologized for the mistake. They are very incompetent, lazy on the phone and lacking information. When setting up appointments, I'm the one who has to ask for the details because they could simply hang up after simply saying: Staff: "Your appointment is on Nov 3d"... Me: "Would you care telling me the time?" ... Or: Staff: "Your referral has been faxed, you can call them in 30 minutes. Me: "And.. who do I have to call?"... The only reason why I have stayed with this office it's because of Dr Chao. Worst service ever! Months can go by without a call for follow up. I was supposed to receive a referral for an ultrasound, called a couple weeks later to realize that hadn't even been submitted it. Once the referral was approved, they faxed … More

Dr. Chao was great. This review is regarding her office staff. They are rude every single time I call. Not one of the office staff has been pleasant to deal with. They insisted I call the pharmacy for an IUD that's being sent to THEIR office. They have no idea why they didn't have it and they didn't bother to call. The pharmacy asks why I'm calling and not them. It took 6 months of me calling them to finally get my IUD, which was WAY past due to be changed by that point. I hope she can get better office staff.

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Cynthia Chao is incompassionate, has no patience, and is extremely rude. Instead of offering a kind word Cynthia makes negative remarks leaving her patient worried and scared. It's unfortunate that a doctor could treat her patient like this.

It took forever to get an appointment. Then I call three different days three different times of day to confirm time, always left a message because they never answer the phone during business hours. Called today to make another appointment no one answered til my third call an said no appointment til middle of march. Doctor might be good but office staff is very incompetent. It took forever to get an appointment. Then I call three different days three different times of day to confirm time, always left a message because they never answer the phone during business hours. Called today to make another appointment … More

Just had a really uncomfortable appointment for an IUD consultation. Waited 30 mins past my appointment time for the doctor to come in even though there was no one else waiting. Dr Cynthia Chao didn’t close the door when she came in the exam room. She didn’t listen to me and would ask me questions I had already answered. She gave me little to no information and told me women in their 20s are supposed to get cysts because that’s how you ovulate - and after she said that I decided no way was I having this woman implant an IUD in me. A huge waste of my $50 copay. Dirty office, poorly managed with no appointment reminder, and I couldn’t get a call back about my appointment time even after leaving messages. If you’re considering this office, don’t do it. Just had a really uncomfortable appointment for an IUD consultation. Waited 30 mins past my appointment time for the doctor to come in even though there was no one else waiting. Dr Cynthia Chao didn’t close the door when she came in the … More

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Such a sweet doctor. She showed so much interest and care! I’m so glad I chose her!

I love Dr. Chao! She is so kind and genuinely cares about you as an individual. You may have to wait a little bit longer at her clinic but that's because she takes the time to actually talk to you and listen. Well worth it in my opinion.

I have been a patient of Dr. Chao's since 2011 when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. She was straightforward, gave clear direction, and took the time to make sure I understood anything I had questions about. I wanted a natural birth, no drugs, but when I was a week past my due date, she told me it was time to induce. I was pretty disappointed, but understood I needed a little kick-start. During the induction, it was discovered that I had a cord prolapse, and for those of you who don't know, it's impossible to deliver naturally - it was also the middle of the night. She was to the hospital within half an hour, and had delivered my baby within the 10-15 minutes it took them to rush me down to the OR for an emergency C-section. I was terrified, and I'll never forget her holding my shoulders while they put the spinal needle in, reassuring me everything would be ok. She's a wonderful person, excellent doctor, and really cares about her patients. She delivered all three of my beautiful daughters, and I will continue to see her as long as I live in Southern California. To those who criticize the long wait times, remember she is a OBGYN and does need to run to deliver babies in emergency situations all the time. To those who criticize her bedside manner, she is a no nonsense person who will give you the honest truth and explain very factually what she will be doing and what she needs you to do. To those of you who criticize her office staff, a lot of them are medical students learning how to care for women from the best. Maybe those things are inconvenient, but in my opinion, she's worth every second you wait for her because she will be there immediately without hesitation when you need her. I have been a patient of Dr. Chao's since 2011 when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. She was straightforward, gave clear direction, and took the time to make sure I understood anything I had questions about. I wanted a … More

Love Dr. Chao, she was my OB during my pregnancy. She helped us through a few bumps in the road during my pregnancy. Including a car accident while I was 8 months pregnant. She goes above and beyond for her patients.

I had two kids with Dr. Chao and she was amazing. She’s no nonsense and straight to the point and took such good care of me during my pregnancies and delivered both. She’s a great doctor from start to finish and I highly recommend her.

Staff is rude. Called to book an appointment 3 separate times and was practically yelled at through the phone. receptionist/ staff was Not helpful, Very off-putting and unessecary.

I wouldn’t even rate her a 1 star after how she made my sister feel. She discriminated her for not speaking good English. My sister went because she is worried and scared about her health and instead of a doctor who swore to help her patients left her there unattended because she didn’t speak good English. My sister has insurance so it’s not like she wasn’t going to get paid. So unfortunate that a doctor could treat her patient like this. She got home crying and sad that she was treated like this. I wouldn’t even rate her a 1 star after how she made my sister feel. She discriminated her for not speaking good English. My sister went because she is worried and scared about her health and instead of a doctor who swore to help her … More

This is my first experience with a gyno and it has been terrible. First things first the office is incredibly unresponsive and the first time I went I waited about an hour and 45 minutes to be seen. I’ve called during regular business hours on MANY occasions and I’m almost always sent to a full mailbox then hung up on. I had a procedure done and was told I would receive the results by phone call within 2 weeks with some potentially life changing information. I called and called after 2 weeks and was never answered. They finally picked up the phone 2 months later to tell me that I needed to make a follow up appointment then shortly after I received a bill that I was not expecting and was not discussed with me prior. This doctor never made me feel comfortable and always looked like she was in a rush to get out of the room. Also while preforming a very scary procedure on me I was never told what was going on while it was happening so I was at yelled by the dr when I felt a sharp pain and I slightly moved and never consoled when I started to get emotional because I was scared. Currently finding a new gyno I can’t stand this place. This is my first experience with a gyno and it has been terrible. First things first the office is incredibly unresponsive and the first time I went I waited about an hour and 45 minutes to be seen. I’ve called during regular business … More

She seems like a very nice doctor very personify all very smart very kind nothing was uncomfortable

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Absolutely amazing. I love how attentive and how she eases you by explaining what to expect and not expect, most especially for a big google searcher I am. She always has the best interest of you and your family.

I've had a lot of recently health issues clearly my body knows I'm about to be 30 lol. Anyways its super difficult to get an appointment but Dr. Chao is so worth it. There is a reason why she is always booked

My husband and I are grateful to Dr. Chao and her office, who have guided and supported us through several difficult pregnancies. Dr. Chao has consistently gone above and beyond in making herself available to us to provide prompt communication and support, often to the point that I feel like I’m her only patient (although I know that’s not the case!). After a recent ER visit and hospital stay, I feel particularly grateful to have Dr. Chao as my OB and advocate, and feel that the outcome and level of care I received is a direct result of her looking our for and going above and beyond what is required to advocate for my best interests. Every member of her office staff has also been extremely professional, kind, easy to work with, and highly competent. My husband and I are grateful to Dr. Chao and her office, who have guided and supported us through several difficult pregnancies. Dr. Chao has consistently gone above and beyond in making herself available to us to provide prompt … More

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I love clean, friendly, and made me feel important.

Love her! She delivered my son and did an amazing job through my pregnancy to help me feel calm and not crazy ahaha. She also delivered my sister 3 daughters and my other sisters 2 sons. Along with my moms last 2 daughters. She has been amazing for our family!

Dr. Chao did a wonderful job in taking care of me during my pregnancy and delivery. I literally drove 40 min. every visit because my husband and I loved the way she cared for us.

I adore Dr Chao and her staff. I didn’t think I could feel so personally loved and cared for during my pregnancies. This doctor and office are more than health care providers. They’re family.

Dr. Chao delivered my daughter. It was a tricky pregnancy & delivery and she handled it so well and approaches everything so strategically. Will use her again in the future.

I was 3cm dilated, she sent me to the hospital without telling me that I was going to get induced. Why not talk to me about this decision?? Long labor, epidural #1 wears off, I can push, baby's crowning, I feel good, Chao's busy. I wait, get dose #2, it wears off, Chao won't come until I can "feel the pressure." I'm pissed, I prove I can push, nurse tells Chao to come, she arrives with sour look on her face. She delivers baby, who has fluid in lungs and sent to NICU. Worst experience ever.

cannot get a hold of the office. Office phone rings busy 24/7.

Very rude pointed finger at me and said to stop talking.. awkward. So unprofessional, told her I have no insurance at end of appointment she started laughing/mocking me would not recommend this Dr to anyone.

One appointment and the front desk girls all have attitude. So not welcoming when I got there. Just bout 7-8 min ago called to ask a simple question and they put me on hold for almost 8 min and I hang up because of long hold time. As I'm calling back.. it's like the office has bad connection or busy line... the only person there that I was comfortable with was the Dr. Cynthia Chao. She needs to hire new girls! ( that 1 star only goes to the Dr. Chao ). One appointment and the front desk girls all have attitude. So not welcoming when I got there. Just bout 7-8 min ago called to ask a simple question and they put me on hold for almost 8 min and I hang up because of long hold time. As I'm … More

I have been with many professional in the same area of course you can tell how different levels and how good they are but my experience with this specific doctor was tremendous horrible. Usually don’t make comments and don’t rate them but lately I’m using more those facilities that provides service to less fortunate people so I’m starting paying attention how good or bad they are ! So Dr. Cynthia was screaming at her student and while performing mine examination she was impatient and angry with the student that was making me completely uncomfortable. To make worse I was pregnant and she couldn’t tell so I’m not recommending this doc to no one !!!! I have been with many professional in the same area of course you can tell how different levels and how good they are but my experience with this specific doctor was tremendous horrible. Usually don’t make comments and don’t rate them but … More

Don’t select Dr. Chao if you’re a new patient!! You will waste time trying to get an appointment and find her to be very curt with her staff with a attitude that I was wasting her time. Did not feel supported by this doctor despite a official diagnosis and her claim she would help me with my extreme pain. She just instructs her staff to pawn me off to the ER even though She’s my doctor. Couldn’t be bothered to call me when I needed her most. She just phones it in! I’ve never been so vulnerable just to be turned away. Changing doctors immediately. Don’t select Dr. Chao if you’re a new patient!! You will waste time trying to get an appointment and find her to be very curt with her staff with a attitude that I was wasting her time. Did not feel supported by this doctor despite a … More

dr chao is a good doctor, but her staff is terrible and can never ever answer the phone!!!!

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I love dr. Chao! I just had my daughter two weeks ago and I had a few complications during my pregnancy and dr. Chao was so personal checking in on me and always available. She made my pregnancy and labor experience very enjoyable for my first child. I will definately go back to her for any other children in the future. ❤️

Office wait times are terrible. Bad communication between staff, patients and doctor Chao. Shockingly rude, condescending and dismissive. Absolutely no help with my concerns/issues. When I had serious complications to hormonal medication, they rolled their eyes at me and dismissed me. I'm in the process of transferring to a new doctor, it's not like these guys will even notice. She has no bedside manner at all, she acts like you are a waste of her time, even when you are polite and concise.

Don’t waste your time as a new patient with Dr. Chao. She makes you feel like your wasting her time. Very short with her staff. It takes weeks to get an appointment. She is spread too thin and phones it in through her staff. Horrible choice in doctor save yourself the grief and she SHOULD NOT accept new patients she cannot give quality care.

I had such a bad experience with her that it's taken several years for me to write this review. Biggest issue was her lack communication on really important news- like the bubbles they found in our baby's head (soft markers for tri-18) at the 5-month ultrasound. Didn't know why I was coming in for 7-month follow up until the attending doctor at the ultrasound facility told me. My husband & I would have kept the baby regardless but Dr. Chao should have told us so we could prepare ourselves.

My first visit, I waited about 15 minutes, and was left in a very cold room (partially undressed) for another 30 minutes before I was seen. After several visits where I was made to wait too long, I was told her Los Alamitos office was faster. I waited 45 minutes (she was just sitting in her office..her RN even took a walk in before me) and then another 15 in the room. The nurse has no idea what she's doing. When I switched, the office was very rude and refused to give my records to the new MD.

Has been my OB/Gym for past 15 years and continues to give the best of care and services each visit.

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I cannot say enough wonderful things about this woman. She is calm yet confident, willing to listen, open to new birth ideas (delayed cord clamping, no shots in hosp, etc.) and mostly she REALLY CARES about whats best for everyone involved from dad, to mom, to baby. I created a great relationship with her office staff, and when it came time to deliver.....Dr Chao was at another hospital performing emerg. surgery......did she miss my birth...NOPE! She made sure she was there for me when it really counted. I am so forever grateful to have such an amazing women in my life, and on top of it she happens to be my Dr. Thank you Dr. Chao, for being exactly the woman you are. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this woman. She is calm yet confident, willing to listen, open to new birth ideas (delayed cord clamping, no shots in hosp, etc.) and mostly she REALLY CARES about whats best for everyone involved … More

Admittedly long wait times to see her but she is worth it if you have the time. The reason for the long wait is that SHE delivers your baby when the baby comes and we all know that can be unpredictable (and exciting). If you have ever been under the care of a group then you understand that while appointments run smoothly, you may have a total stranger deliver your baby. For me, that causes more anxiety than waiting for an appointment. Just pack some snacks and something you can work on while you wait. She is gentle physically too. Admittedly long wait times to see her but she is worth it if you have the time. The reason for the long wait is that SHE delivers your baby when the baby comes and we all know that can be unpredictable (and exciting). If you have ever been … More

Dr. Chao has been amazing from the first time we met her. Her and her staff continue to impress my husband and I with their dedication to providing excellent customer service and overall medical care. During the delivery of our baby, e had many unexpected occurrences but Dr. Chao handled everything with expertise, while keeping us informed and at ease. Not only would I recommend Dr. Chao but hopefully will be lucky enough to have her care for us during our next pregnancy.

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I cannot say enough wonderful things about this woman. She is calm yet confident, willing to listen, open to new birth ideas (delayed cord clamping, no shots in hosp, etc.) and mostly she REALLY CARES about whats best for everyone involved from dad, to mom, to baby. I created a great relationship with her office staff, and when it came time to deliver.....Dr Chao was at another hospital performing emerg. surgery....did she miss my birth...NOPE! She made sure she was there for me when it counted

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She was not respectful and very judgmental, I had questions and concerns but when i asked her a question she gave me a surprised look and just turned around as if it was a stupid questions and she did not take my health seriously and the medical assistant are incompetent and don't do their job when it comes to getting your prescriptions and authorizations.

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Long waits but worth it if you're expecting a baby. I trusted her completely and she didn't let me down. Very understanding and willing to actually do what you want ad not push drugs or anything down your throat

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Dr Chao has single-handedly succeeded at breaking my trust in the medical profession, never mind the long wait, never mind that after you wait outside; the nurse places you in a room and forgets about you for an hour, in the middle of August with AC shut off...never mind the usual unprofessional-ism Dr and nurses display on a continuous base. What really got to me was, that after my wife and I have been communicating for months, our desire to have a natural delivery of our first baby, Dr Chao ratchet up the pressure for my wife to induce two weeks before her due date, used scare tactics, stonewalling and misinformation to get my wife to start labor and have a medicated delivery. I will not go over the nightmarish experience we had to endure while my wife was in labor, with an absent Dr Chao and the terribly unprofessional replacement, Dr Bathia. But thanks to our Doula (Lorraine Shorman) and RN Kelly at St Mary's, we fought a good fight, all of Dr Chao's predictions were wrong and my wife had the birth she wanted...you get the idea... stay away or visit at your own risk. Dr Chao has single-handedly succeeded at breaking my trust in the medical profession, never mind the long wait, never mind that after you wait outside; the nurse places you in a room and forgets about you for an hour, in the middle of … More

Long wait times on the phone. On 12/02/2013 I telephoned Dr. Chao's office just to find out if she was taking new patients. I had to wait 7 mins and 50 seconds just to get that question answered. I really hope this is not an indication of her waiting room wait times.

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