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

  • Academic Title

    Associate Professor

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 (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    91 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 20, 2024
    Dr. Otani is the ultimate professional, allowing space and time to sit with me and answer all of my questions and took time to explain things in language that I could understand.
    Feb 28, 2024
    ALL GOOD
    Feb 07, 2024
    My experience with Dr. Otani was excellent. She listened to me carefully, made me feel like a partner in my care, and provided especially helpful after-care instructions. Her notes and after visit summary were completely accurate and did not include any errors. I find there are often small errors in my notes or summaries, but hers were perfect. This was consistent with how carefully she listened to me and involved me in decision making. I generally believe that I am receiving good high quality care at UCSF, but Dr. Otani stands outs out for her excellent listening and attention. I felt and continue to feel meaningfully better from having seen her, separate from any treatment. I feel less anxious, more cared for, and more confident about next steps as I move forward with my high risk pregnancy.
    Jan 22, 2024
    Dr Otani provided excelllent care as always!
    Dec 19, 2023
    Dr. Otani is an excellent doctor. I would recommend to anyone.
    Dec 08, 2023
    I have been a UCSF patient for more than 10+ years and have always gotten very good service
    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.

    Selected research

    See all research

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