Dr. Valerie V. Gafori, United States

I visited Dr. Berg, a highly skilled and compassionate physician. The only reason for the one-star rating is the bill I received for a five-minute consultation about my blood-test results and follow-up treatment options. Despite having insurance, I usually pay only a $30 copay. However, I was unexpectedly billed $249. I could have received my test results by phone or been charged a reduced visit fee. I have had other appointments that required more time but cost less, including lower charges for subsequent office visits. I tried calling billing representative Jenny and left a voicemail. I also called the number listed on the bill but received no response. I was unable to communicate my concerns effectively.

I am writing to share my disappointing experience with IGO Medical Group. As a first-time expectant mother, I anticipated receiving the care and support I needed during this important time. Unfortunately, my experience fell far below expectations. From the beginning, I encountered major communication problems. I left several messages hoping to discuss my concerns but received no return call. After receiving test results, I was told an urgent genetics referral would be sent the next morning. Several days passed without any update or referral. It is incredibly frustrating to feel that I must advocate for the most basic communication and support. Reliable care during pregnancy is essential, and I expected better from an organization specializing in this field. As a registered nurse, I fully understand the demands on medical offices and the challenges of their workload, but I still find the lack of timely communication and responsiveness difficult to accept. I hope the office addresses these issues for future patients because timely communication and responsiveness are essential to providing the care expectant mothers deserve. I also encourage others to consider this information when choosing an OB/GYN, especially when considering IGO Medical Group.

The best care. Dr. Gunnarson was my doctor for two pregnancies two years apart, and she gave me excellent attention during visits. She took time to answer concerns and explained important information very clearly, helping me feel calm and prepared for delivery. My first delivery was managed by Dr. Gafori. She handled it very well. Everything happened so quickly that I almost needed a cesarean section, but she managed the situation impressively. I felt her confidence, experience, and knowledge. Dr. Gunnarson attended my second delivery, and I had an excellent experience. Everything was perfect. She was very patient and calm, and I truly appreciate her and her team. I now live in Mexico and miss her. Abie in her office was always very friendly and responded quickly to messages whenever I had questions. Dr. Berg examined me before discharge and gave me the best advice for caring for myself. I recovered in only a few days and felt very well. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this medical team! Highly recommended!

I just interacted with a woman with long curly hair behind the desk and forgot to ask her name. I asked her colleague whether she was the manager because her kindness and attention to detail were outstanding! I have received excellent care here and trust Dr. Berg with my healthcare. She is very kind and present and never seems rushed or dismissive. I do sense that they may be understaffed because scheduling appointments is very difficult and can sometimes become confused. It is always best to advocate for yourself, slow the process down, understand which tests are being scheduled and why, and prepare a hard copy of your test orders.

Wonderful staff and doctors. I highly recommend Dr. Katherine Diefenbach.

A year ago, I had the privilege of having Lauren Robertson as my obstetrician when I delivered my twins, and I am deeply grateful for the experience. After moving from Florida to be with my partner, Lauren and her team at IGO Medical generously accepted me as a new patient despite her busy schedule. I am so glad I chose IGO! The entire team at IGO is exceptional—professional, communicative, respectful, and kind. They truly make you feel heard and understood. I will never forget one day after an ultrasound when hormones, anxiety, and tears overwhelmed me. Dr. Robertson took the time to comfort me and spent extra time with me, showing such genuine care. She was like a therapist that day, and I will always be grateful for her personal touch. I would not trust anyone other than IGO's excellent providers to deliver my baby. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking compassionate, first-rate care. Just when I thought I could not be more impressed, I found out I was pregnant again 😅! Dr. Robertson goes out of her way to accommodate me and even arrives early to care for me 🥹😭 Once again, I am amazed by IGO's incredible service. I could not ask for better care!

I called to make an appointment and spoke with possibly the rudest operator I have ever encountered. Her attitude was so obvious that even my husband, who overheard her on speakerphone, said we should look elsewhere. She could not be bothered to explain the difference between a viability appointment and a new obstetric appointment.

I walked in to learn about the services they provide and the insurance plans they accept. I was also fortunate to speak with Holston. They provided excellent customer service and went out of their way to make sure I left with all the information I needed.

I saw Dr. Dieffenbach at IGO. My experience was excellent. She is a wonderful doctor, and she and the other staff members were very sensitive and communicative. They were also excellent at answering questions quickly through MyChart. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly they could see me when I had a concern, which has not been my experience with other providers. I recommend her and IGO to others.

I love all the doctors at IGO—Drs. Robertson, Gunnarson, Bui, Wilkinson, Berg, Dieffenbach, and Taylor. You cannot go wrong with any of them, and they will provide excellent care throughout your pregnancy. Even if your own obstetrician is not on call for the delivery, all IGO doctors are highly skilled physicians and surgeons whom I would trust with my life.

I cannot praise Dr. Gunnarson enough. Transferring from Scripps Hillcrest to Dr. Gunnarson was the best decision I ever made. She managed my high-risk pregnancy extremely well and always listened to my concerns. She answered all our questions and was exceptionally kind!

This review is mainly about Jenny, a sonographer who performed my obstetric ultrasound on April 14, 2025. It was my second ultrasound with her. Both times, on 12/6/24 and 4/14/25, she was extremely unfriendly and cold toward me. At the first visit on December 6, 2024, I personally saw her greet other patients much more warmly; she did not even say hello to me first. I did not dwell on it because I thought she might simply be having a bad day. When I saw her the second time, however, I received exactly the same cold treatment. After calling my name in the waiting area, we essentially stared at each other until I said hello, and she replied, ‘Hello, follow me.’ During the ultrasound, she then forcefully inserted the wand, causing severe discomfort. I had undergone several ultrasounds with my IVF doctor, who was so gentle that I barely felt the wand enter. The difference from Jenny's technique was night and day. I was already confused by her coldness, and then the forceful pressure left me speechless and angry, especially because I was extremely vulnerable: my baby had no heartbeat, and my IVF doctor had determined the previous week that the pregnancy was not viable. I told Jenny this before the ultrasound, so I cannot understand why she was so unprofessional, lacked compassion, and had no bedside manner. No patient should endure such treatment, especially someone still traumatized by a failed pregnancy. In the future, I will specifically request not to see Jenny for any obstetric ultrasounds so I never have to experience this again. Everyone else in the office was kind, professional, and friendly. Special thanks to Dr. Robertson and the nurse who took my blood pressure and told me when the doctor would enter the room. I am glad Jenny was the only poor healthcare professional I encountered and that 2 other sonographers work there; otherwise, I would transfer my obstetric and gynecologic care to another office.

Dr. Wilkins is one of the kindest and most intelligent doctors I have ever met. His work is excellent!

Billing is an absolute nightmare. I received several duplicate bills for charges I had already paid, and they often billed without going through insurance, leaving me with no idea how much I had actually paid. It is nearly impossible to reach anyone for help; you get stuck in an endless loop and cannot reach the right person. At my second visit, I sat alone for more than an hour in a dark, stuffy room with no air conditioning. Eventually, I had to return to the front desk to make sure they had not forgotten me. The only positive was the doctor and the care I received; she was knowledgeable and helpful.

I seriously love IGO and the entire staff! I have been with them through two pregnancies and because my first pregnancy experience was so great I was genuinely excited to call the office and do it all over again with baby #2. Dr. Berg has been my doctor through both of my pregnancy journeys and she is AMAZING. I had a few things to navigate in both of my pregnancies and she was so thorough explaining every step to me, the team responded to all of my (probably annoying) my chart messages, answered all of my million questions, respected & accommodated my birth plan, boosted my confidence as a first time expecting mom, and really respected me and my vision of coming into motherhood. This office has strong feminine energy and I feel like that was exactly what I needed through these moments in my life. My babies both had plans of their own of when they wanted to come into the world (neither of them are on anyone’s expected time frame even now), so Dr. Berg wasn’t able to deliver either of them. But Dr. Wilkinson delivered my son and Dr. Robertson delivered my daughter both via c-section and I was just as comfortable and confident with both of them. I cannot recommend IGO enough. Thank you for treating my family with so much attention, respect, and compassion. We are so lucky to have you as our care team. Love always, The Verdon Family

Without question, this was the worst healthcare experience I have ever had. I chose Dr. Lauren A. Robertson because many online reviews described her as an excellent doctor. Unfortunately, my experience was entirely different. I felt treated like a number rather than a patient. She lacked empathy and compassion. I previously suffered postpartum congestive heart failure, so I know how important it is to have both a skilled and caring doctor in a high-risk situation. I was fortunate to have an exceptional care team in Massachusetts and hoped to receive the same care and professionalism from her. After this experience, however, I cannot trust her because the way she treated me was unacceptable. My appointment was at 2:00 p.m. It was my first visit, and I had waited months for it. I drove from Encinitas, arranged childcare, and carefully planned my day in advance. I arrived 30 minutes early, but the address instructions in the text message were unclear. Parking was limited, and I initially entered the wrong building, on the second floor with urology and sports medicine. A kind nurse saw that I was lost and directed me to the elevator and another building. Even in the correct building, the front desk was difficult to find. I searched around, and another nearby patient was also lost. At one point, I entered the wrong door and was redirected again. When I finally found the correct check-in desk, it was 2:10 p.m. Only one receptionist was helping another patient. By the time I could check in, it was 2:15. I was then told I could not be seen because I was past the check-in time, even though the receptionist had seen me enter and wait in line. Given the circumstances and confusing facility layout, I politely asked for flexibility. She showed no understanding and only said she would ask the doctor. A few minutes later, she returned and asked whether I had completed the new-patient forms. I had never received an email or notice saying they needed to be completed in advance. I was then asked to fill out six pages. Soon afterward, another staff member told her that because I was taking too long to complete the forms, the doctor would not see me. I understand that I reached the front desk slightly late. However, despite unclear directions and a confusing clinic layout, I arrived early and did my best to check in on time. Being dismissed under these circumstances felt demeaning and extremely unprofessional. I am glad I learned about the culture of this clinic now rather than during pregnancy, when continuity of care is essential.

I saw Dr. Dana Telle, and she is absolutely the best OB-GYN I have ever had. She delivered my son, and my experience with her was wonderful from start to finish.

During my time at IGO, I had an excellent experience with several highly skilled, compassionate doctors: Dr. Bush, Dr. Robertson, and Dr. Bui.

I found IGO Medical through my insurance and feel very fortunate! I had my first prenatal visit here, including an ultrasound and an appointment with Dr. Kim Bui. The clinic offers garage or valet parking. Allow some extra time to become familiar with the facility. Parking is not validated during visits, but given the clinic's size, that is understandable. First, the clinic staff were very kind, welcoming, and professional. I especially liked Dr. Bui. She was friendly, humorous, and approachable and felt like an old friend. She is knowledgeable and eager to provide all the resources you need to make the best choices for your family. As a first-time parent, I sincerely appreciated this thoughtful communication and professionalism. My husband and I were very satisfied with the attentive care we received. All our questions were answered, and the doctor explained additional testing in detail without pressuring us to decide immediately. She gave us options to consider before our next visit in two weeks. I completely understand why Dr. Bui is so busy—she is excellent, and so is her team. I look forward to her support during this important time in my life.

We are immensely grateful to have found IGO and Dr. Bui, who accompanied us throughout this journey of conception. I had been seeing Dr. Bui since I started preparing for pregnancy a few years ago. She took meticulous care of us, from my uterine fibroid surgery to my pregnancy, providing us with unwavering attention. I could not have asked for a better OB-GYN. She always put us at ease, and we are truly fortunate to have had her by our side during this journey. Additionally, Dr. Dieffenbach was responsible for our delivery. On the day of childbirth, she gave us tremendous support and encouragement, allowing us to have a very wonderful birthing experience. We sincerely thank all the staff at IGO for their attentive care and guidance throughout the birth of our child.

I had a very disappointing experience with the phone customer service at IGO Medical Group. The person who handles appointment calls was consistently rude and unprofessional. Instead of being courteous and helpful, they came across as impatient and dismissive, making what should have been a simple scheduling process unnecessarily frustrating. Good customer service starts with the first point of contact, and unfortunately, the way patients are treated over the phone does not reflect well on the clinic. I hope management addresses this issue and provides better customer service training, because patients deserve to be treated with respect.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to Dr. Dieffenbach. She guided me through two pregnancies with extraordinary compassion, medical expertise, and unwavering support. Her professionalism and dedication to her patients are admirable. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking exceptional obstetric care. I have been a patient at IGO Medical Group for more than 15 years. Although all the medical staff are wonderful, Dr. Dieffenbach has always been the doctor I trust most.

If you have Tricare, do not bother—they will reject you... What a way to support the military!

Dr. Gafori is wonderful. She always makes me feel comfortable, and I truly believe she cares about my well-being.

Dr. Gafori is knowledgeable and approachable. I always trust her opinion because I know she cares and has accumulated extensive experience over the years.

I love IGO and Dr. Gafori. For 16 years, she has given my family and me guidance, help, and kindness. She is brilliant.

I had a terrible experience with Dr. Gafori. She told me I was a bad patient and showed no compassion for my concerns. I left feeling very stressed and distressed.

Dr. Gafori is excellent. She listened carefully and identified an issue that had previously been overlooked. She is also knowledgeable about menopause-related concerns and available treatments.