Accepting New Patients
Pamela W. Yao, DO
- Internal Medicine
Average rating:
5.0
Star ratings are displayed only for those physicians who participate in UCLA Health’s patient experience survey program and have received a minimum of 30 survey responses.
Montecito Primary & Specialty Care
|
1187 Coast Village Road, Suite 10A, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
US
About
Dr. Pamela Yao is a UCLA Health primary care physician who is serving patients throughout the greater Santa Barbara area. As an internal medicine physician she focuses on treating the patient with an emphasis on osteopathic medicine. Dr. Yao was raised in Sacramento and is a proud UC Santa Barbara alumna. Upon graduation she moved into medical research concentrating both on MS and burn injuries at Shriner’s Hospital for Children/Northern California on the UC Davis Health System campus.
She then went on to graduate medical school from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During her time there she took on extra course work and hands-on training to become recognized in Osteopathic Medicine. Once she completed her training she moved back to California in order to be closer to family.
Outside of the office she enjoys going to the beach, movies, cooking, watching live music and sports (basketball and soccer) with her family.
Languages
Education
Medical Board Certification
Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2023
Residency
Internal Medicine, MountainView Regional Medical Center, 2023
Degree
DO, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2020
Locations
Santa Barbara
Montecito Primary & Specialty Care
Montecito Primary & Specialty Care
Internal Medicine| Cardiology| Cardiac Imaging
Hospital Affiliations
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Areas of Focus
Videos
Meet Pamela W. Yao, DO
Insurance
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield of California
- Centivo
- Cigna
- First Health
- Health Net of California
- Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
- Medicare Advantage
- MultiPlan
- UFCM Health System
- Prime Health Services
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- TRICARE
- UnitedHealthcare
The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change.
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.
Visit our health insurance information page for more details.
Reviews
Overall Rating:
5.0
Star ratings are displayed only for those physicians who participate in UCLA Health’s patient experience survey program and have received a minimum of 30 survey responses.
292 total ratings | 207 reviews
5.0
September 30, 2025
Dr took her time, listened to me, and disgusted the next steps. Very pleased with the appointment.
5.0
September 30, 2025
Dr Yao is awesome!
5.0
September 29, 2025
She is attentive and listens to concerns as well as explains issues and answers clearly. Kind and patient
5.0
September 29, 2025
She is great!
5.0
September 22, 2025
Dr. Yao is amazing!
5.0
September 22, 2025
Personable and efficient
5.0
September 18, 2025
Dr. Yao and her support staff are always kind, efficient, knowledgable and helpful. I see her regularly for OMT and have some very complex medical issues. I appreciate her brilliance.
5.0
September 15, 2025
I could see it was a busy morning for her, but she took the time and I didnt feel rushed, even though I came in with an unexpected physical complaint, she brainstormed it with grace.
5.0
September 11, 2025
Dr. Pamela Is a good and compassionate listener and very knowledgeable. I appreciate her wisdom and advice. Love that she’s willing to discuss the research and options with me.
5.0
September 10, 2025
Dr. Yao is extremely organized and thoughtful. She listens and really cares about her patients and their wellbeing
1.0
September 10, 2025
the treatment that I received is great I feel so much more relaxed in the tense spots I'm very thankful the doctor is very very good
5.0
September 9, 2025
Dr Yao is always very easy to talk with about any problems. She listens as well.
5.0
September 9, 2025
I love my doctor
5.0
September 8, 2025
Knowledgeable and friendly
5.0
September 6, 2025
Very nice, thorough, listens to concerns
5.0
September 4, 2025
Dr. Yoa knows what she’s doing.
5.0
September 3, 2025
Listens to my concerns. Excellent doctor
5.0
September 3, 2025
Very professional and complete.
5.0
September 3, 2025
She was on time, very professional. Asked about other Dr's I'm seeing and any changes to medications etc.
5.0
August 29, 2025
Dr Yao is fantastic! She takes time to explain everything to me and she is just so amazing!!
5.0
August 28, 2025
Dr Yao is an amazing physician. She is very knowledge and results oriented. She quickly figures out what the problem is and then comes up with a solution. Probably the best primary care physician that I’ve ever had.
5.0
August 27, 2025
Dr Yao is fantastic! She is caring and listens to concerns. She makes me feel hopeful about treating my chronic pain condition.
5.0
August 25, 2025
She is a great doctor!
5.0
August 22, 2025
Dr Yao was concise, personable and thorough. So pleased she is our new Intrrnist.
5.0
August 22, 2025
Excellent!! Dr Yao is great listener, compasionate, caring.
5.0
August 21, 2025
Dr. Yao is great. Always friendly and informative.
5.0
August 18, 2025
She is kind and thoughtful as well as knowledgeable.
5.0
August 15, 2025
Dr. Yao was well-prepared, patient, knowledgeable and thorough. I appreciate her directness and consideration.
5.0
August 14, 2025
Dr Yao is fantastic!
5.0
August 9, 2025
Very thorough
5.0
August 9, 2025
Fantastic
5.0
August 9, 2025
Dr. Yao is so caring and makes me feel very comfortable and welcome
5.0
August 7, 2025
She is warm, approachable, and listens carefully. I appreciated her thoroughness, and willingness to respond to questions.
5.0
August 6, 2025
She is professional and listens to my concerns
5.0
August 5, 2025
Dr. Yao was very thorough in her review of my health issues and showed a lot of concern for my well being.
5.0
August 5, 2025
Great listening skills and follow up. Always have great experiences with UCLA Health
5.0
August 4, 2025
Very professional knowledgeable and Caring
5.0
August 4, 2025
So good from Entry and Front Desk to the Nurse who took my vitals and to my highly loved and respected Dr Yao!
5.0
August 4, 2025
Everything worked out !
5.0
August 1, 2025
Doc incredibly on top of every detail in the CT imaging.
5.0
July 31, 2025
I love Dr. Yau. She listens and explains things
5.0
July 30, 2025
I am delighted that Dr Yao is now my primary care physician. I felt immediately comfortable with her. She asked great questions and listened carefully to things i shared, answered my questions thoroughly. I appreciate her warmth and energy, and feel i am in excellent hands.
5.0
July 30, 2025
Dr Yao inquired about overall health and then targeted how my back was as I am facing the possibility of a second fusion. With exercise and OMT the goal is to stave off surgery.
5.0
July 29, 2025
Thorough! Went over recent hospitalization and surgery
5.0
July 29, 2025
All my issues were resolved in a timely manner
5.0
July 29, 2025
Love dr Yao. So caring, compassionate, on- top of everything, thorough,
5.0
July 24, 2025
She listens, is thorough, and takes care of things immediately.
5.0
July 23, 2025
fascinating. Learning new technical know-how, and then having the time for OMT and feeling the blessings of the beneficial changes afterwards - how intuitive Dr Yao is
5.0
July 23, 2025
Dr Yao asks the right questions, listens tome and together we come up with a plan. I am very happy with her care..
5.0
July 23, 2025
Listened to my needs
5.0
July 22, 2025
She was very thorough and answered all my questions.
5.0
July 21, 2025
Friendly knowledgeable people
5.0
July 17, 2025
She is always focused on what really matters. I feel very well-cared for. Plus, she is so nice!
3.0
July 17, 2025
Rushed
5.0
July 14, 2025
Dr. Yao is friendly, easy to talk to, knowledgeable and professional. She made me feel so comfortable and is so caring.
5.0
July 12, 2025
Understands my issues, take the time to be thorough and yet she's efficient.
5.0
July 11, 2025
Dr. Yao is wonderful. She is so thorough, knowledgeable and takes the time to explain everything.
5.0
July 10, 2025
Dr Yao so good. She thought of things I never would. Set up a plan of action.
5.0
July 10, 2025
She was and is always kind, informative answering all questions and reiterating the plan of action going forward which i appreciate.
5.0
July 9, 2025
Dr. Yao is the most competent, personalble, and caring doctor I have ever experienced! I love her ❤️🔥
5.0
July 9, 2025
Dr Yao is the best!
5.0
July 7, 2025
My provider listened to all my concers and addressed all my ailments. I was very pleased with my visit. The technician was also very efficient and helpful.
5.0
July 5, 2025
Dr Yau is a great doctor
5.0
July 5, 2025
I was so appreciative that Dr. Yao was able to see me within an hour of when I called for an appointment. The doctor was very thorough in her exam and questioning, kind, compassionate, warm, and with easy to understand medical explanations and diagnosis.
5.0
July 2, 2025
She’s thorough and wonderful
5.0
July 1, 2025
Doctor was thorough, listened carefully and stresses all of my concerns
5.0
July 1, 2025
Dr. Yao is thorough, professional, and dedicated to ensuring all of my questions are answered and concerns resolved
5.0
July 1, 2025
Dr Yao is timely, kind, intelligent, and a great communicator. She has a very rapid response time to messages I send in the messaging portal.
5.0
June 26, 2025
Dr Yao was very professional. Reviewed my symptoms and treated them. She reviewed my medications, and made additional suggestions. She provided referrals for specialist care. She explained various options for treatment.
5.0
June 25, 2025
Dr Yao great as always!
5.0
June 24, 2025
Dr Yao is one of the best primary care physicians I have ever had. She is an extremely kind, receptive, attentive and responsive doctor. Her care always feels tailored to my specific needs.
5.0
June 24, 2025
Dr. Yao is incredibly smart, attentive, and personable. It is very reassuring to be treated with such care.
5.0
June 24, 2025
Good listener. Explained things well.
5.0
June 24, 2025
She listens and gives clear explanations.
5.0
June 24, 2025
She is attentive, informative, helpful, kind and skilled.
5.0
June 18, 2025
First time with Dr. Yau. Came away knowing I’ll be well cared for
5.0
June 18, 2025
I love Dr. Yao. She is always friendly and professional.
5.0
June 17, 2025
She listened and explained things well. We covered all of my issues
5.0
June 17, 2025
Feel fortunate to have Dr Yao as my Primary Care Provider. She is thorough and explains her care instructions as well as reasoning behind them very well.
5.0
June 13, 2025
I felt cared for, respected, and listened to. It gave me hope for the future of care here.
5.0
June 12, 2025
Initial visit, very comprehensive, feel like my healthcare is in good hands.
5.0
June 12, 2025
She was excellent and took care of my needs.
5.0
June 11, 2025
Dr Yao is an excellent, thorough and professional physician!
5.0
June 10, 2025
On time and thorough video appointment
5.0
June 9, 2025
Dr. Yao is very professional, a good listener and inspires confidence.
5.0
June 6, 2025
I felt comfortable talking to her. She listened to what I said. Dr. Yao was very thorough, going over each lab result carefully.
5.0
June 5, 2025
Dr. Yao is so caring and compassionate. The staff is really nice. Great job!
5.0
June 5, 2025
Dr Yao Is a great Dr. She is patient and listens to my concerns
5.0
June 5, 2025
Dr Yao was so empathetic, supportive, responsive and detailed in working with my complicated medical history. I have recommended her to friends who also feel she is “top notch”!!
5.0
June 4, 2025
Love Dr. Yao. Professional, attentive, just a great doctor.
5.0
June 4, 2025
Dr. Yao is the best. Such a caring, compassionate, thorough doctor. I am so fortunate to be her patient.
5.0
June 4, 2025
She is very thorough, listens carefully, takes her time with me. Dr Yao is excellent
5.0
May 29, 2025
Felt comfortable from the start. Like that my doctor was swift and very knowledgeable and informative.
5.0
May 29, 2025
On line meeting went smoothly and advise was clearly presented.
5.0
May 29, 2025
Dr. Yao is caring, competent and prepared. She is personable and professional. I was handled professionally by the staff, and everything ran on time.
5.0
May 29, 2025
The nurses assistant warned me that they were a little behind and gave a realistic estimate . The dr was thorough and friendly. I also overheard her coaching the staff on something outside the exam room. She was also very positive in her interactions w them.
5.0
May 29, 2025
Dr Yao listened to me and then ordered some blood work which I had done right in the exam room. I did not have to make an extra trip to a lab. It was great
5.0
May 29, 2025
I love Dr. Yao. I always feel better after OMT
5.0
May 28, 2025
Dr Yao is the best doctor at UCLA!
5.0
May 28, 2025
Concerned about my welfare
5.0
May 23, 2025
Listens thoroughly
5.0
May 21, 2025
Doc and Nursing Staff took good care of me.
5.0
May 21, 2025
Dr. Yao is great, always answers all of my questions and is thorough and professional
5.0
May 21, 2025
Everyone was kind, professional, and timely.
5.0
May 20, 2025
It was outstanding. Dr Yao is extremely conscientious, intelligent, compassionate, insightful, and a great listener and explainer. I could not ask for a better doctor.
5.0
May 20, 2025
Asked excellent questions and is setting my up on an OMT program
5.0
May 20, 2025
Dr. Yao is friendly, reassuring and answered all my questions. Very happy to have spoken with her.
5.0
May 20, 2025
Very helpful and through.
5.0
May 20, 2025
It was a nice follow up She is really helping me
5.0
May 19, 2025
Great communicator. Helpful knowledgeable kind
5.0
May 19, 2025
Dr Yao is caring, professional and goes the extra mile to help
5.0
May 17, 2025
Very nice, professional and good use of time.
5.0
May 15, 2025
I love Dr. Yao! She listens and gives me useful feedback.
5.0
May 15, 2025
Dr Yao is thorough, caring, and very efficient. She’s the best Dr I’ve ever had
5.0
May 14, 2025
Very personal front desk over the phone and in person. Ex. “Good morning, who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?” Love my Dr. Yao, felt very looked after.
5.0
May 14, 2025
Dr Yao is the best!!
5.0
May 12, 2025
Dr. Yao was very professional, knowledgeable and caring. Even though she was behind her schedule, I did not feel rushed.
5.0
May 11, 2025
Dr. Yao was prepared, listened to my needs, and came up with an appropriate plan.
5.0
May 9, 2025
Dr. Pamala is always kind,never seems rushed and elicited more information than I knew I knew…
5.0
May 9, 2025
Doctor is very knowledgeable and efficient, kind and patient.
5.0
May 9, 2025
Dr Yao was just awesome today. Very attentive!
5.0
May 8, 2025
Dr. Yao is timely, efficient, thorough, knowledgeable, and responsive. I am confident that I am in good hands.
5.0
May 8, 2025
Well prepared, responsive, get to the problems quickly, provided answers and a plan quickly.
5.0
May 7, 2025
Dr Yao Is just the BEST in all aspects
5.0
May 5, 2025
Expert in her field and charismatic.
5.0
May 1, 2025
Dr. Yao is great. She's professional, friendly, easy to talk to and we'll informed.
5.0
May 1, 2025
I love Dr. Yao. She is easy to talk to and she listens to my concerns. She is great about reviewing test results and discussing my concerns.
5.0
April 30, 2025
Dr. Yao was very nice and professional. I appreciated her complete attention.
5.0
April 30, 2025
Dr. Yao is amazing! Takes the time to listen!!
5.0
April 28, 2025
Very knowledgeable, professional, attentive, and caring. Great doctor, no complaints whatsoever.
5.0
April 25, 2025
I have chronic pain that she is addressing. She really listens to my weird series of symptoms and has a plan to address it.
5.0
April 25, 2025
Dr Yao is very knowledgeable and caring and always makes the session pleasant
5.0
April 24, 2025
Dr. Yao is the best doctor I’ve ever had. She listens and gives excellent feedback and advice.
5.0
April 24, 2025
comforting, pleasant, informative and cordial
5.0
April 23, 2025
Dr. Yao is wonderful ! She listened attentively and gave me great feedback. I felt very cared for, she was very thorough.
5.0
April 21, 2025
Kind and thorough doctor. Her treatment made me feel much better.
5.0
April 16, 2025
Dr. Yao is always friendly and thorough.
5.0
April 12, 2025
Very positive and informative
5.0
April 11, 2025
Explained everything that I needed to know for my treatment today
5.0
April 10, 2025
Dr Yao is always on time, ready to go, with a positive attitude and good energy.
5.0
April 9, 2025
Excellent!
5.0
April 8, 2025
Lots of information, answered all my questions with a smile. Offered services i didn't think about. Knowledgeable. Great experience.
5.0
March 24, 2025
Responsiveness
5.0
March 20, 2025
OMT with Dr Yao. She is an excellent doctor. Always professional!
5.0
March 14, 2025
She showed concern and was very considerate of my conditions
5.0
March 12, 2025
Dr. Yao is very thorough and listens well. She has a great bedside manner.
5.0
March 9, 2025
Friendly and explained things in an easy to understand manner.
5.0
March 4, 2025
Really great, was a bit fast but understand the constraints.
5.0
March 3, 2025
Dr Yao is best!
5.0
February 24, 2025
Great-professional yet welcoming desk staff, medical tech/nurse and physician!!
5.0
February 20, 2025
She was prepared, spent time asking about my health issues, and then addressing them.
5.0
February 20, 2025
She is awesome, competent, caring, diligent. Just the best :)
5.0
February 20, 2025
Dr. Yao explained my test results in a way I could understand
5.0
February 19, 2025
Very thorough intake. I’m very happy with my first appt.
5.0
February 19, 2025
Dr. Yao is always warm, informative and seems genuinely interested in helping me.
5.0
February 18, 2025
Dr Yao is always on time and provides excellent care!
5.0
February 13, 2025
Dr Yao was friendly and knowledgeable. She also cares about her patients.
5.0
February 13, 2025
Dr. Yao is the best! She is very caring and kind. She remembers everything about me. Love her!
5.0
February 13, 2025
Dr Yao is fantastic! Always on time always professional!
5.0
February 13, 2025
Listens to concerns, answers thoroughly
5.0
February 12, 2025
She was thorough and caring as always.
5.0
February 11, 2025
No wait - great staff - great doctor!
5.0
February 8, 2025
Dr .Yao is very patient, friendly, and knowledgeable! I like her a lot
5.0
January 30, 2025
Dr. Yao provided excellent care today. She saw to the issue that I came in for, and I felt very listened to, and like I had a lot of agency to make my own medical decisions. She also took my opinions and experience in to account while providing care, and it was very appreciated!
5.0
January 30, 2025
Dr Yao is always professional and always on time! A valuable asset to your clinic!
5.0
January 28, 2025
Thorough and detailed, present, referrals and follow up excellent.
5.0
January 24, 2025
Dr. Yao is knowledgeable and pleasant to work with and is good with sharing data with me.
5.0
January 23, 2025
She is pleasant and her OMT skills are so wonderful.
5.0
January 23, 2025
She was on time, prepared, seemed to care about my health issues and finding solutions.
5.0
January 22, 2025
Dr. Yao does a great job doing OMT and has been very proactive in trying to resolve my hip and back issues.
5.0
January 22, 2025
Very efficient, kind, and focused.
5.0
January 14, 2025
She listens and clearly reiterates plan of care.
5.0
January 12, 2025
As a new patient, Dr Yao, was able to look over test results and give her suggestions and reasons why she wanted medications tweaked. Her explanations were simple to understand and she listened to my concerns which she acted upon.
5.0
January 11, 2025
She was very helpful
5.0
January 11, 2025
New patient. She was thorough and understanding
5.0
January 9, 2025
Dr. Yao is so efficient and effective. She is the best doctor I’ve ever had.
5.0
January 9, 2025
She was on time, got through a lot in time allocated and listened to my concerns. She is also always very pleasant and upbeat.
5.0
January 8, 2025
Helpful with multiple concerns and attentive
5.0
December 20, 2024
Dr. Yao is so caring and kind. She manipulates my back and it eases the pain. She has been so attentive with my back issue.
5.0
December 19, 2024
Dr Yao is the best! Always on time and always thorough and professional!
5.0
December 18, 2024
Kind, attentive, knowledgeable and the best Doc I’ve ever had!!
5.0
December 18, 2024
Dr. Yao is a great doctor. She is now my primary and OMT. I’M EXTREMELY GLAD I FOUND HER.
5.0
December 16, 2024
Dr. Yao is very attentive and receptive to concerns brought up during any visit. She’s truly the best!
5.0
December 15, 2024
She was more through than any doctor I’ve ever been to.
5.0
December 14, 2024
Thorough, clear, efficient.
5.0
December 13, 2024
Receptive to my concerns and update was helpful.
5.0
December 13, 2024
Wonderful Doctor
5.0
December 12, 2024
Wonderful Doctor
5.0
December 10, 2024
Dr Yao is a great listener and very thorough!
5.0
December 10, 2024
I appreciate my patient/doctor relationship with Dr Yao. I communicate my medical priorities and issues, and we work on a plan forward. I am very pleased to have my primary care physician understand how to help me navigate primary care and specialist needs to keep me healthy
5.0
December 6, 2024
Extremely patient and kind. Made sure to answer my questions and concerns. Didn't belittle or condescend to me as can be the case with some doctors.
5.0
December 5, 2024
Dr. Yao is an excellent doctor. I have been to 9 UCLA doctors in 2024. They have all been fantastic. Dr. Yao is the BEST of the best!
5.0
December 5, 2024
Dr Yao is an exceptional physician. Always on time and very caring and competent!
5.0
December 3, 2024
Dr Yao is the best doctor I have ever had. So caring, compassionate, cautious, researches issues and medications before making a decision in what is best for me.
5.0
December 3, 2024
I really liked Dr. Yao. I was nervous before the call and she immediately put me at ease. She listens, explains well, and is very friendly while still being professional. I am very pleased with her!
5.0
December 2, 2024
She is wonderful! She is so caring and kind.
5.0
November 25, 2024
She listens and answers all my questions. She gives me great advice. Plus, I always feel better after the appointment.
5.0
November 21, 2024
Dr. Yao was very skilled in administering OMT. Her technique worked well to relieve my pain.
5.0
November 20, 2024
All good
5.0
November 20, 2024
Dr Yao was professional, considerate and caring for me and my needs. She listens and takes action, recommending new options for treatment and pros and cons of changing medications and treatments.
5.0
November 20, 2024
Overall good experience
5.0
November 19, 2024
Dr Yao is always thorough, professional, and organized.
5.0
November 17, 2024
No problems
5.0
November 8, 2024
I appreciate how knowledgeable and cheerful Dr. Yao was. She explained my new medication well
5.0
November 8, 2024
Terrific
5.0
November 5, 2024
Dr. Yao is outstanding. Calm, reassuring and professional, but clearly invested in my wellbeing and dedicated to providing excellent care. Great listener, which is crucial in a primary care provider. She’s truly a medical partner, not just a consultant.
5.0
November 5, 2024
Appreciate Dr Yao thoroughness and care.