I have been a surgical RN for 18 years, and have worked with Dr Birkbeck at 2 separate hospitals, with a decade of time separating the occasions. Additionally, my husband suffered a very traumatic on-the-job injury which severed the tendons on the back of his dominant hand and was treated by Dr Birkbeck. I have worked with many, many surgeons over the years-but none with hands as skilled as Dr Birkbeck’s when it comes to Hand/Microsurgery. He is unquestionably the very best I have seen! My husband’s surgery lasted over 6 hours, and the work was meticulous! I am astounded at the negative reviews I am reading here. I can’t speak to the competency of his office staff, etc-it would seem Dr Birkbeck is being held accountable for these extraneous factors by those leaving negative ratings here. I suppose that’s fair enough, as the entire experience a patient has with their care providers reflects on an overall opinion. This is unfortunate, because in my own humble opinion, when seeking surgical care, it is the skill of the surgeon’s hands that should be sought! That is what separates extraordinary from average! Bedside manner, pleasant staff members, a nice office with a panoramic view (...) are all wonderful things, but the key really is skilled hands...the rest can be obtained by a nice family practice doc. I would travel across the country, wait hours and hours in a crowded office, tolerate rude and offensive office staff and whatever else I needed to do to obtain surgical care from Dr Birkbeck should I ever need hand surgery. That is how great I think he is at what he does!

Let me start by saying that Dr Birkbeck is one of the nicest people I have met since moving to the North Bay three years ago. Not only is he a very gi ...

Rudest office staff ever.

I had to wait a good deal of time to see Dr. Birkbeck, but I understood why once I got to see him. First I saw his PA, who was delightful, and took my history. Then Dr. Birkbeck came in the room after she updated him. He moved my hand around, asked pointed questions, looked at my x-rays and explained them to me and answered all of my questions - which were numerous. He has a lot of experience and it didn't take long before he gave me a diagnosis. He told me that I could have surgery but I might like to try an injection and some physical therapy for my problem first. So far, that's working for me. I found him congenial, knowledgeable, and I would and may return to see him.

I saw Dr. Birkbeck for a second time. I think he missed something especially since he did not even take the time to look at the ex-ray . Now I have to take the time to go to Santa Rosa to another Dr. I sure hope they have more time to examine my hand and look at the ex-ray. Don't waste your valuable time.

I have never been treated so badly in my life. I spent an hour waiting to see him for 5 minutes and all he had to say to me was too bad. After glancing at my hand for a second he decided to injected me with Cortizone which caused the skin to become discolored and weak. Now there is almost nothing left of my thumb muscle. I am in so much pain.

I have been a patient of Dr. Birkbecks for a few years. He has been nothing but helpful, and knowledgable since my first visit. His office staff is fantastic. He has done my surgery, which went perfect. I am nothing but pleased with him and his entire office.

Why would anyone go to him? Don't crack jokes, sir. I am a professional as well. Your manner disgusts me with your Medical Assistant. My second opinion prooved to be successful, yours would have been a grave error. Look at MRI films correctly. Take note, you were not well trained or have become lazy. How do they ...allow you to be at this respectable medical office? Staff could use sime front desk friendliness training as well. Leaving a wheelchair patient hanging is not my idea of a quality staff (I was not that patient but made mention of his needs). Shame on you.

Waiting time was over 2 hours to see Birkbeck. Staff could care less about you. Go somewhere else!

The experience that I had with Dr. Birkbeck, was that he didn't do a thorough diagnosis. He also just took an approach where let's just do the surgery and see what happens and see how you feel afterwards. My carpal tunnel symptoms did not go away and therefore I consider the doctor and the surgery up a failure. After the surgery, the only follow-up I got was to look for money. Nothing proactive to recommend the CHT is certified hand therapist or any phone calls to see what the problem is or to come up with a follow-up solution.