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Home > CA Providers > Geriatric Doctors

Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD

(Dr. Verna R. Porter)

(59 Ratings)

Specializes in: Psychiatry & Neurology, Geriatrics (Elderly Care) and Neurology (Brain & Spinal Cord Disease)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine (1994)

Professional interests include: pituitary disorders, subdural hematoma, chorea, and more.

1301 20th Street #150
Santa Monica, CA 90404

(310) 582-7641

Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD is a null in Santa Monica, CA specializing in psychiatry & neurology, geriatrics (elderly care) and neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). She graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine in 1994 and has 32 years of experience. Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD is affiliated with Providence, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Pacific Brain Health Center and Saint John's Health Center Cancer Clinic ' Santa Monica.

Office Locations

1301 20th Street #150
Santa Monica, CA 90404

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Some issues Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD can help you with:

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in children. Nine percent of children in the USA have been diagnosed with ADHD. Symptoms, which include hyperactivity and difficulty maintaining focus or paying attention, can last into adulthood for some patients. Boys are four times as likely to be diagnosed as girls, although experts don't know why this is.

There are three main types of ADHD:

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive types show symptoms such as constant fidgeting, talking non-stop, touching everything, having trouble sitting still and waiting their turn, and interrupting others.
Predominantly inattentive types tend to be distracted, get bored and wander off during tasks, forget things or instructions, daydream, and appear not to be listening. This type is sometimes misdiagnosed because they are not hyperactive and there are fewer behavior issues.
Combined types show symptoms from both categories. This is actually the most common type of ADHD.

When diagnosing ADHD, it is important to rule out other issues that may be causing the symptoms. Seizure disorders, hearing loss, anxiety, and domestic problems are some examples of problems that can cause behaviors similar to those seen with ADHD.

Treatment can include stimulant medications, behavioral therapy to teach patients ways to navigate their world and control symptoms better, and accommodations at school or work. A structured environment (with lots of organization and well-defined rules) seems to help most kids with ADHD function at their best.

ADHD is mainly thought of as a disorder that affects children, but symptoms can last into adulthood for a third to half of those diagnosed. In adults, ADHD has similar symptoms as when it is seen in children: impulsive behavior, difficulty maintaining focus, being easily distracted, or a tendency to fidget. These symptoms can cause problems in a patient's careers and relationships. Additionally, adults with ADHD are at increased risk for substance abuse. Medications can be an important part of treatment for adults, as well as stress reduction techniques and organization skills training. Specialized ADHD coaches can help adults with ADHD manage their symptoms and succeed in all areas of their life.

Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis is an inability to move the muscles in the face. It often affects only one side, and it can happen quite suddenly. Facial paralysis may make one's face feel frozen or numb.

Facial paralysis can happen when there is inflammation or damage to either the part of the brain that controls the facial muscles or the nerve that carries signals from the brain to the face. Some common causes include:

Stroke, which can affect the part of the brain controlling the face and prevent those muscles from working
Bell's palsy, an inflammation of the main facial nerve
Lyme disease
Birth trauma or difficult birth, which can cause facial paralysis in babies (usually temporary)
Head trauma in which nerves are damaged

Facial paralysis is a frustrating and frightening experience, but many cases are temporary and go away on their own. Even with more difficult cases, there are treatment options available, including rehabilitation, pain management, and surgery.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain suddenly ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common than ischemic strokes, and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Hemorrhagic strokes are particularly dangerous, as they may go undetected. For example, someone who forcefully hits his head may simply ice his wound and not seek medical treatment, unaware that blood is leaking into his brain from a ruptured vessel. When blood leaks into the brain, the blood gathers and begins to compress the brain tissue. At the same time, the damaged vessel does not deliver blood as it normally does. Since the brain cannot function without a steady supply of blood oxygen and nutrients, the brain begins to die and may cease functioning. Hemorrhagic strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, and physical functioning and may even cause death.

Certain risk factors may increase one's likelihood for developing a hemorrhagic stroke:

High blood pressure
Bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia)
Blood vessel abnormalities
Brain tumor
Liver disease
Drug abuse

There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke: intracranial hemorrhage stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage stroke. Intracranial hemorrhages cause bleeding inside of the brain, while subarachnoid hemorrhages happen when bleeding occurs in the region between the brain membrane and the brain. Both types of hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment, which can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of hemorrhagic stroke include:

Fever
Disorientation or confusion
Difficulty speaking
Difficulty walking
Impaired vision
Weakness in the face, legs, or arms
Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment generally begins immediately if a stroke is detected.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges) rupture, surgery might be performed to stem the bleeding. Another treatment is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) is used to place a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. A similar technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Hemorrhagic stroke patients who may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from a neurologist, who can develop individual treatment plans, and rehabilitation psychologists who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, rehabilitation from hemorrhagic stroke can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of hemorrhagic stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately, since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate hemorrhagic stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

In The News

“"A growing body of research has implicated a strong link between metabolic disorders and impaired nerve signaling in the brain," explains Dr. Verna Porter, a board-certified neurologist and...”—"Preventing Dementia and Alzheimer's: 8 Habits to Reduce Your Risk", Washington Top News, May 2024

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA during 2012 were hospital care, inpatient care and electroencephalography (EEG).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	488
electroencephalography (EEG)	11
hospital care	82
inpatient care	82

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA during 2013 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	531
hospital care	35
inpatient care	35

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	135
Female	217

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	263
Black	35
Hispanic	23
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	131
85 and over	75
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2013

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	26
Dementia	38
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	549
hospital care	60
inpatient care	60

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	154
Female	249

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	301
Black	35
Hispanic	30
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	146
From 75 to 84	159
85 and over	64
Less than 65	34

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2014

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	27
Dementia	40
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	717
hospital care	23
inpatient care	23

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	446
Female	628

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	802
Black	62
Hispanic	86
Asian	92
Other	32
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	316
From 75 to 84	500
85 and over	198
Less than 65	60

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2015

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	25
Dementia	54
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	870

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	242
Female	337

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	433
Black	34
Hispanic	38
Asian	50
Other	24
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	188
From 75 to 84	268
85 and over	103
Less than 65	20

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2016

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	27
Dementia	71
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA during 2017 were chronic care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

chronic care	130
doctor visit	913

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	259
Female	341

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	455
Black	28
Hispanic	37
Asian	57
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	200
From 75 to 84	282
85 and over	107
Less than 65	11

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2017

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	46
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	26
Dementia	75
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA during 2018 were chronic care and preventive care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

chronic care	193
doctor visit	618
preventive care	25

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	218
Female	277

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	390
Black	23
Hispanic	23
Asian	39
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	156
From 75 to 84	243
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2018

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	53
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	28
Dementia	75
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	554

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	180
Female	207

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	0
Hispanic	13
Asian	16
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	193
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2019

Hypertension	63
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	44
Depression	49
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	26
Dementia	75
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	546

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	159
Female	209

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	303
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	23
Other	19
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	100
From 75 to 84	192
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2020

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	44
Depression	48
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	24
Dementia	75
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	674

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	175
Female	254

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	359
Black	11
Hispanic	12
Asian	29
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	136
From 75 to 84	196
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2021

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	47
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	20
Dementia	75
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	642

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	183
Female	256

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	355
Black	16
Hispanic	16
Asian	34
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	115
From 75 to 84	216
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD in 2022

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	26
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	23
Dementia	70
Cancer	21

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated as a null in Santa Monica, CA were chronic care, hospital care, inpatient care and preventive care.

chronic care	161
doctor visit	645
electroencephalography (EEG)	11
hospital care	50
inpatient care	50
preventive care	25

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD.

**Gender**
Male	195
Female	270

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	22
Asian / Pacific Islander	30
Non-Hispanic White	332
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	25
Other	10

**Age**
75 to 84	216
85 and over	49
Less than 65	14
65 to 74	144

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD treated were dementia, hypertension, high cholesterol and depression.

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	15
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	22
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Dementia	58
Cancer	12

Education & Training

Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine in 1994. She completed residency at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology and has a state license in California.

Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine (1994)

Residency: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Affiliated Hospitals (1998)

Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence

Providence Saint John's Health Center

Pacific Neuroscience Institute

Pacific Brain Health Center

Saint John's Health Center Cancer Clinic ' Santa Monica

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA HMO, Blue Shield of California, MultiPlan PPO, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, Interplan PPO, TriWest, Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Health Net PPO, Health Net HMO, Anthem, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare HMO, US Family Health Plan, Aetna Medicare PPO and CoventryFirst Health PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna PPO

Aetna HMO

CIGNA PPO

CIGNA HMO

Blue Shield of California

MultiPlan PPO

Medicare Advantage

Humana Medicare Advantage

Interplan PPO

TriWest

Anthem Blue Cross HMO

Anthem Blue Cross PPO

Health Net PPO

Health Net HMO

Anthem

United Healthcare PPO

United Healthcare HMO

US Family Health Plan

Aetna Medicare PPO

CoventryFirst Health PPO

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 59 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Santa Monica, CA.

Overall Rating

(59 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Verna R. Porter, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Biogen, Inc.	$1,181 $1,181
UCB, Inc.	$216 $216
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc	$202 NUPLAZID $202
CSL Behring	$199 Hizentra $199
Lilly USA, LLC	$135 AMYVID $135
Other	$887 REXULTI $119	MK-4305 $75	VYVGART $67	GAMMAGARD $64	Nuedexta $50	Other $512

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$1,521
Consulting Fee	$1,256
Education	$42

Biography

Dr. Verna Porter works as a neurology (brain & spinal cord disease) and geriatrics (elderly care). Dr. Porter's average patient rating is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Clinical interests for Dr. Porter include visual evoked potential test, tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure, and ambulatory EEG. Dr. Porter is affiliated with Providence Saint John's Health Center. Dr. Porter seems to honor Anthem, Blue California, and HealthSmart, as well as other insurance carriers. Dr. Porter obtained Dr. Porter's medical school training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine and Emory University School of Medicine and performed Dr. Porter's residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Porter's distinctions include: Southern California Super Doctors and Top Women Southern California Super Doctors.