Advanced Institute of Dermatology: Maryam Sickinger, DO

I went back after five years to give them a second try. My first experience was horrible, but my insurance uses them. My primary doctor seems to like her so I tried it again. It was a second horrible experience, including an extremely long wait to even be seen -the second time I left without even seeing her. They say I won’t be billed, we will see.
I cannot recommend someone who goes into any patient room ahead of the one she is supposed to see next, while I sit in my paper clothes in the over heated room that has become uncomfortable after 30 minutes of waiting. She affected my getting to work on time and it apparently is no consequence to her.

It’s really my fault for trying them again. Lesson learned.

Ive seen this Dr quite a few times. Shes always been very kind and helpful. Staff has been great too. Wait times are as expected at a Dr's office, I just try to keep my schedule clear in case its a longer wait.

My husband has been a patient of Dr Sickinger for several years . We are very upset on how long the wait times are in the waiting room and the patient room. My husband recently had an appointment for a basil cell removal and the removal of the stiches 2 weeks later on a Saturday at 9:00 AM . When we arrived the office was locked and no employees were present. We waited until 9:15 before the office receptionist arrived. We were placed in a exam room and waited . After waiting in the room the receptionist came in and started to remove the stiches then the tech finally showed up and came in the room and took over the removal. A week later my husband pulled a stitch out that the tech missed. So today he had an appointment for a follow up . We sat in the waiting room for 20 minutes then were taken to the exam room. There we sat for 40 minutes and finally got up and left because nobody came in the room to check on us or let us know why it was taking so long. We think they overbook the patients . We won't be going back. P.S. When we left the waiting room was full of people waiting !

I was lucky enough to discover that Dr. Sickinger was my neighbor during the pandemic and we became friends, and I became one of her patients. Every time I visit, she is absolutely fantastic, efficient and pleasant and always listens to whatever I need.

Dr. Kim is unprofessional, and a exceptionally condescending kid. Dr. Kim seems confused the moment he walks into the exam room. He lacks leadership skills. The assistants at this office are more friendly and willing to answer questions. Dr. Kim could be much more knowledgeable about his practice. I've gone to many dermatologist all over the world and Dr. Kim by far has the most difficult time answering basic questions. Once again, Dr. Kim is condescending and should make basic edits on himself to be taken seriously as Doctor.

Everytime I go to see Dr Sickinger, I wait at least 30 min past my appt. One time it was 1hr 15 min. Then when she comes in the room, you are very rushed because she is so far behind. She only works 1 day a week in the office. Usually, it is at least a month before you can get an appt. I am done with her.

I have visited the office a couple times and the staff is very helpful and friendly. I have never had to wait for Dr. Kim to see me. Very straight forward and kind demeanor. I went in for a concerning mark on my nose that would not accept makeup and at times would bleed. He gently biopsied the area and found another spot on my shoulder I hadn't noticed (biopsied that as well). Both came back as basal cell carcinoma. The surgery for the shoulder was scheduled right away and even though I was quite nervous, he was amazing! I didn't feel the lidocaine injection or the excision! I go back to visit Dr Hou for my Mohs surgery tomorrow and feel confident she will be just as professional as Dr Kim.

Mike Kim is an amazing doctor. Great bedside manner. Not sure why all these reviews are negative- make an appointment in advance!

I am one of the fortunate people that has not waited more than 10 minutes for the doctor to show up. My appts were in the mornings. I’ve seen Dr. Sickinger 3 times in 4 years. Always had a good experience. She is sharp and knows her stuff. There are usually other doctors in the room with her which indicates to me that she is highly regarded with her skills. I am a Canadian who gladly pays a small price for a quick service and proper treatment where I would wait 6 months in my country to get a referral.

The patient care at this office is subpar, to say the least. I made an initial appointment more than a year ago. I requested to be seen by Dr. Sickinger, who owns this practice. I was assigned to a junior physician she brought on staff. I spent many years under the care of a dermatologist in Los Angeles before moving to the Coachella Valley full-time, and have never been asked to make constant follow up appointments after almost every visit. Perhaps Dr. Kim wishes to be thorough, but my sense was that they are motivated by billing, confirmed by my most recent incident. I came in for an appointment with a skin condition I had not had before. I was given a prescription, which I filled and applied. Several days later, when the prescription did not seem to be providing any relief, I telephoned the office and asked to speak to Dr. Kim. I was told that he was with a patient and would call me back. He did not call me back. I called the following day, and left another message. The entire weekend went by, and I did not receive a return telephone call. In fact, I have never received a return telephone call from the office.. Finding this disturbing, I wrote a letter to the owner of the practice, Dr. Maryam Sickinger, informing her of the fact that my calls were being ignored. And guess what, she never answered me. It seems to me, that they are only interested in attending to matters for which they can bill, and I guess a phone call isn't one of those items. Speaking of billing, they have erroneously billed me more than what Blue Shield says I owe. Their billing service also does not respond to inquiries. I had to address the incorrect billing in person in the office to get it straightened out.