Dr. Cheryl Bernstein, MD

I decided to book with Dr. Bernstein after hearing so much great stuff about her. First appointment was great. Second appointment she argued that I was on medication that I was not taking, before realizing she was reading from someone else’s file. But most recently I ordered a refill of one of my medications about a week before I was set to run out. The pharmacy said they’d need to contact the doctor. By the end of the next week I hadn’t heard anything, so I called the pharmacy. They said they’d been trying to reach Dr. Bernstein’s office but no calls or messages had been returned. I then received a voicemail and a message in the myUPMC app that I needed to make an appointment before they would refill. They never reached out prior to that to schedule anything. I’ve now been out of the med for 5 days and am experiencing severe withdrawal. Dr. Bernstein’s office still hasn’t responded, and my dear pcp had to call the script in instead. I’ll be looking for another doc asap.

I wish I would have looked at her reviews which are all an average 1.3 stars out of 5. Walked into the room immediately with attitude legitimately gave the feeling through body language and the hurried manner she spoke that I was annoyingly bothering her. Was extremely short. Labeled me a drug abuser after telling me a medication my pcp recommended she called me a liar and said “no doctor would recommend that for you I have a hard time believing you”. Absolutely no bedside manner. She absolutely walked in with an agenda. Terrible doctor would not recommend even if another provider has a longer wait choose the other provider she will not be any help to you.

We are all parrots with these reviews. She’s not there to help anyone but herself to a paycheck at the expense of her patients’ pain and suffering. After reading these reviews I feel sad for the people in pain she made feel like drug abusers or badly about themselves. Especially when it’s obvious to me that she is the problem. UPMC GET RID OF THIS DOCTOR. I plan on following up with her superiors.

Could not even get passed the office staff as they refused to even answer a simple question. The woman i spoke to was extremely unwilling to answer any of my questions as all. She suggested I research and get the info on my own then call back for an appointment.

Dr. Bernstein may be the worst doctor I’ve ever been to. Extremely short with her time. She was 30 minutes late for my appointment. Don’t waste your time and money.

Why is Cheryl Bernstein MD afraid to do the right thing?

I have a hip/ lumbar/ injury with an array of other health issues. I’m in a lot of pain. I am in the care of an orthopedist and several other specialists , all of whom advised that I needed to see a pain management specialist. I had read (very negative) reviews about this Doctor and was skeptical, but decided to give it a try because she had 3 available appointments the following day. No other doctor did. After a comprehensive history and exam performed by her associate, ( I assume that he reported his findings to her) , she asked no questions, seemed uncaring and offered no useful “pain management “ medications. She refused to prescribe anything other than therapies that I have tried or that I am now engaged in. She suggested that I go back to the doctors who had suggested pain management in the first place, for any medical Rx. She did not offer to consult with any of them for treatment plan. She seemed not to care and to want to “ pass the buck”. A poor excuse for a doctor.

If I could give a zero star I would. Her assistant is very nice but she has no business in the job. She basically took about 3 minutes, no personality and was gone not even dealing with my issue. She didn't even look at me. I would never reccommend her to anyone, let alone a dog. I left in the same pain and yet she took my payment. She is awful and did nothing to help me. My history shows I do not have a drug problem. She could have helped but she chose not to.

2 thumbs down. I wish I had 3. She was rude. She was not helpful. She was downright ignorant as to my pain and treated me like dirt under her nails. She was in a wrinkled dirty lab coat, very unprofessional looking. Her assistant, call me Connor..was as disheveled as she was. It took me over an hour to get to my appointment and it was a total waste of time..and energy. Shame on UPMC for having the likes of her to treat people in pain. A Joke.

This “doctor” spent 2 minutes with me, never read my records, never examined me, and treated me with no respect. As a 51 year old with a history of 4 lumbar fusions, 2 cervicals, and a legitimate diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome by my surgeon, the only treatment option she provided was a “pain psychologist”. Probably the worst experience I’ve ever had with a doctor— rude, condescending, close-minded, and absolutely no concern for my issues. I wouldn’t recommend her to my worst enemy. Please, please stay away.

As charming and as knowledgeable as a banana peel.

Dont go to her. Horrible person and Dr. Rude, no compassion and basically just doesn't care about your pain. She's in the wrong field. No help at all. WILL NOT EVER RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON.

Dr. Bernstein was very hurried and spent little time talking with me, let alone examining me. Zero empathy. It seemed as thought she really hated her job. She handed me a bunch of flyers/coupons for various products I could try and sent me on my way. She was not responsive to contact after my visit... and there will not be a second one. If you have pain, try someone else.

I've been dealing with chronic pelvic pain since 2009 so I have been treated for it with other physicians but the most recent one moved. Dr. Bernstein listened to my "story" with what I've tried and what works and doesn't work... She was very attentive to what I wanted and what she thought my condition warranted. Her staff and her fellow, whom I spoke to the most, were also caring and attentive. I like that they offer a program for fibromyalgia suffers. I am working with a trauma therapist currently so I am not going to do Dr. Bernstein's program until I have completed the one that I am in.

Our experience,; via referral was an initial positive video conference , during the COVID 19 pandemic several weeks ago while my mom was in the SNF, with compression fractures of the spine. That initial contact was very positive. Since ( 3 weeks) , we have not been able to reach her directly for pain mgmt followup , as was encouraged . Phone calls are unreturned, emails directed are responded only by a medical assistant. Dr Bernstein has also not responded to our Primary care physician's outreach,. All attempts to reach Dr Bernstein seem to be excessively screened and context is lost. I can only imagine something is broken in this communication channel and as a result, my mom, has paid the price .Ive been a senior executive in healthcare for many years, and I can tell there is something broken in the way the office is being managed. With positive reviews on the UPMC website,, this could be an office mgmt issue. I hope this helps others make an informed decision

Please please listen to all of the bad reviews. Sadly I didn't check reviews before my appointment and I got treated exactly like all these people described. RUDE, unprofessional, spends no time with you before she shoves you out the door with referral to psych and physical therapy which is documented that I tried and cannot do. I left in tears because she didn't address half my issues, treated me like a drug addict after I come in saying I'm on opiates and do NOT want to take them anymore. If some one wants off dangerous pain meds why in the world would you push them away instead of helping. Psychology ??? Really?? After I tell her i already have one so why would I see another one. She has no compassion for people. I felt so low when I left I cried the whole way home. Please save yourself the trouble of being treated horribly!

Wow. I’m shocked to read all these negative review. I thought Dr. Bernstein was very attentive and professional. I also was treated very nicely by the entire staff at her office. Maybe some of you thought she should just hand out pain pills. I’ll admit I wasn’t happy that I had to go to a “pain management Doctor” for a prescription. Pain medication has become a real problem in America because of those who choose to abuse them. D. Harvey

She tried to change my diagnosis froma conective tissue dissease to fibromialagia. Then perscribed me medication that i did not need and could hurt me. I think she is dangerouse, I stayed untill she corrected her sloppyness and enterd in to the system my correct diagnosis.

I have never had an issue with Dr Bernstein. In fact, she has been one of the most compassionate, attentive and knowledgeable doctors I have had in the last 8 years. I have multiple and complicated diagnosis that she seems to acknowledge and sincerely want to help me out with. If I did not see her I would be in unimaginable pain every day. She has given me a small piece of my life back......so I'm shocked by the reviews on here.

Absolutely would never recommend her to anyone. If she as only direct and not mincing words I could handle that. She is rude, demeaning, judgemental, uncaring. She makes up her mind and will not listen to you in the three minutes she spends with you. She makes you feel like an addict, and scum. Do not waste your money or time on her. Go somewhere where they care about you and try to actually help