My story begins in my pulmonary doctors office, Dr. John Abe, when I began to cry. I explained that I felt terrible and all I got from my current primary doctor was that my tests were all within “national guidelines”. Dr. John Abe had been my pulmonary doctor for around 5 years and I thought he was wonderful and I respected his opinion. I asked Dr. Abe if he knew of a good primary doctor. Since Dr. Abe had just joined UCLA Health group, he suggested Dr. Gloria Kim. To make a long story short, Dr. Kim listened to what I had to say. She took a lot of blood tests. Then Dr. Kim sent me to a rheumatologist, Dr. Marian Kaldas. Dr. Kaldas also took a lot of blood tests. Dr. Kaldas diagnosed my problem, and put me on prescribed medication. Since UCLA has East-West medicine, Dr. Kim went one step further, sending me to Dr. Lawrence B. Taw for acupuncture. Acupuncture has done wonders healing my body.

All of the doctors mentioned above are very professional, but they always take the extra steps…they listen…they are kind…and they are compassionate. I just can’t say enough good things about them. My whole life has changed due to the doctors at UCLA Health. I will never forget what Dr. Kim said to me on my next visit when I was thanking her profusely for how much better I felt. Dr. Kim said, “I bet you were thinking you were just getting old” and that was exactly what I was beginning to think. Good news is that I might be getting older [68], but I don’t have to feel terrible everyday.

Tags: acupuncture, blood tests, Dr. Gloria Kim, Dr. John Abe, Dr. Lawrence B. Taw, medication, patient stories, Primary Care, pulmonary doctors, rheumatologist, Rheumatology, UCLA Center for East-West Medicine