Dr. Divina Oropilla, MD

My wife of 57 years was diagnosed with early dementia. She speaks slowly, but deserves to ask questions about this very serious and progressive disability. We assumed a neurologist would be familiar with this and be more understanding, show more compassion, talk to HER instead of to me, be willing to repeat a few answers, and most importantly, not speak over my wife as she is trying to voice concerns. We have been fairly shocked that this hasn't been the case. My wife rarely gets a sentence in during the very quick visit. I've repeated had to ask the doctor to please stay in the room several times during each appointment to ask a few questions, as she just gets up and walks out mid-sentence. Appointments are randomly changed with no notice and it takes months to reschedule. Direct questions related to the diagnosis and what to expect are glossed over. My wife feels invisible and invalidated, and I feel frustrated with the lack of care and compassion.

I have been dealing with Dr. Oropilla, and have found her to be rude and not be a great listener. She talks really loud and speaks over you. I was concerned my mom would be in a car accident due to her memory issues and had reqeusted Dr. O to intervene and have the DMV send a letter because she wouldn't listen to me. Two months later, my mom was in a horrible accident and she ended up in the ICU. I called Dr. O to remind her of the fact that we weren't moving this process forward because at the ICU I find out that there are other tests that can be done regarding memory issues. It took nearly two weeks for her to call me on a scheduled call I ended up having to make. She claimed that she had done every thing for my mom, however everything was really only getting her referred to a psych eval. I asked why other tests couldn't be done and she said that with ALL her experience there are no other tests. I really felt that I was hitting a block wall with her. She really failed my mom.

Everything went very well as far as explaining to me my wife's ailment/medical conditon. My only comments is her opennes in discussing the inability to cure the disease and end stage consequences in the presence of my wife. I would think it will be depressing and more debilitating for a patient to hear that.

Amazing, she actually relieved my neck pain in 5 minutes that I had been living with for over 3 years. Primary said it was due to arthritis 3 years ago and never referred me to anyone. This time I complained to bad that he did. Referred me to neurology this time and had the fortune to get Dr Oropilla.

She actually listens to me and my family. Takes time with me on all of my condition's and I can always trust her to help me with any questions or concerns and crises that may arise. Very easy to get a hold of through email and responds quickly and with concern.