About Me

My name is Michael Biberstein and I practice the medical specialty of Nephrology. My interests and training include chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, dialysis, disorders of body fluids and electrolytes, and medical aspects of kidney transplantation.

Biography

I grew up in Northern California but San Diego has been my home since 1978. I am married and have two grown children and a grandchild. I’ve been practicing nephrology at Kaiser Permanente since 1984. I think that what I’ve enjoyed most about the experience has been the opportunity to get to know and help many people who were in difficult situations but who went on to overcome their problems and make good lives for themselves.

About my practice

My practice emphasizes the in-hospital and outpatient care of people with advanced kidney disease, some of whom are on dialysis or have had kidney transplants. I am part of a team consisting of Kaiser Permanente doctors, nephrology nurses, case managers, and pharmacists. We have close relationships with community dialysis providers and transplant centers so that we can provide a very comprehensive approach to the management of kidney diseases. We offer most dialysis options including in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and various forms of peritoneal dialysis. I also provide consultation to Kaiser Permanente primary care physicians to help them better manage patients with earlier stages of kidney disease.

How I thrive

I enjoy spending time with my family which is now somewhat dispersed around California and the United States. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle in terms of diet. I exercise regularly by both jogging and swimming, though I’m accomplished at neither. I enjoy travel and seeing new places. I like walking and hiking (nothing too arduous). Although I like theatre and opera, an evening with a book or some new music seems to provide just as satisfactory a respite from the demands of medical practice.