Iris M. Otani

MD

Allergist and immunologist
Dedicated to music and the best possible patient care

Dr. Iris Otani is an allergist and immunologist who cares for patients with a wide variety of allergic and immune deficiency conditions. With special expertise in evaluating medication allergies, she oversees UCSF's drug allergy testing program. In addition, she directs quality improvement and patient safety for the UCSF Allergy and Immunology Clinic and is associate director of the allergy and immunology fellowship program.

Otani's research focuses on improving care for patients with antibiotic allergies and chemotherapy reactions. She has streamlined antibiotic allergy evaluations for hospitalized and immunocompromised patients, and works to develop processes to ensure patients can safely continue chemotherapy after experiencing a reaction.

Otani earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, where she also completed a National Institutes of Health research fellowship in immunology. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

  • Education

    UCSD School of Medicine, 2011

  • Residencies

    Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Internal Medicine, 2014

  • Fellowships

    Massachusetts General Hospital, Allergy and Immunology, 2016

  • Board Certifications

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Allergy and Immunology

I believe in partnering with patients throughout the decision-making process to optimize their care and quality of life.

Conditions I specialize in

  • Allergic rhinitis

  • Drug allergy

  • Eczema

  • Eosinophilic esophagitis

  • Hives

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    88 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 03, 2023
    A very good experience
    Nov 26, 2023
    1st visit with these two Drs. Will be in coordination with my Primary and other 2 Physicians at UCSF. We are only getting started on plans.
    Nov 05, 2023
    Dr Otani is very knowledgable and she takes the time to listen to my questions and concerns. My medical history is complicated making it difficult to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan. This is why I was referred to UCSF. I very much appreciated Dr Otani's efforts in this regard.
    Sep 06, 2023
    I'm very grateful for her experience.
    Sep 01, 2023
    Dr. Otani is professional caring and kind.
    Aug 18, 2023
    They were so awesome - caring and great listeners!
    Aug 02, 2023
    I was assertive and kept recording my questions till we both felt somewhat satisfied with the conversation. If I was an introvert or elderly this conversation would not have been fruitful. As is felt like I was a bother and she would of preferred I just accepted and moved on. This is a basic panel and for serious illness I wouldn't recommend ucsf.
    Jul 12, 2023
    She was great at explaining everything AND arranged her schedule to accommodate my husband's allergy testing at the same time as mine. We are SO grateful.
    Jun 24, 2023
    Dr. Otani and the 2 nurses who recovered me so that I could go home went above and beyond. They absolutely 100% deserve praise. I was called and checked on the next day. I highly appreciated that. Dr. Otani is amazing. She personally pulled meds for me ones that preferred over what was available in the PIXIS right next to us. She ran to get them. She didn't ask anyone to do the task. Great bedside manner!
    May 31, 2023
    There's a friendly atmosphere during the visit. That's a positive comment.
    May 20, 2023
    The care provider both verbally explain things to me and also headed me papers to read through which was excellent and allowed me to understand everything. She also spent an extensive amount of time listening and answering all my concerns and never once said I don't know but instead would explain to me the complications of things like insurance coverage
    May 17, 2023
    Being able to communicate in my native language of Japanese was absolutely a relaxing experience.
    Apr 05, 2023
    It was a smooth process once the nurse and doctor met me. I received great care and attention throughout the testing procedure.
    Mar 08, 2023
    I felt well cared for with Dr Otani she is kind and personable. The same goes for the RNs and MA that assisted with my appointment.
    Mar 07, 2023
    Dr Otani is wonderful
    Feb 13, 2023
    I really like Dr Otani. She is personable and understanding and she explained everything in an easy to understand manner. I feel good being in her care.
    Feb 11, 2023
    Dr. Otani was very proactive in looking for ways to help with my particular health needs.
    Sep 23, 2022
    Good
    Sep 23, 2022
    Dr. Otani was great. She made me feel very comfortable with the tests that were being performed and she followed up with everything after they were all done. She let me know what to expect as far as residual reactions and gave me clear instructions for how to proceed should I have any. She explained the results of the tests clearly and asked if I had any questions about the tests that were performed.
    Aug 10, 2022
    All good thank you
    Jul 10, 2022
    Care provider had no experience with my symptoms or condition. She was online checking symptoms and diagnosed me with the same condition as I had a couple of weeks prior by checking for myself online. And did not have any recommendations on how to treat the condition.
    Feb 24, 2022
    Dr. Otani was patient knowledgeable and clearly explained my options. I had a severe allergic reaction to Moderna vaccine and was seeking her advice about next steps. I had seen other allergists/immunologists in Walnut Creek and Dr. Otani was by far the most helpful and understanding and she was able to work out a plan for me.

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