Physician-led plasma exchange at our Mill Valley clinic — about 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco without traffic.
655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370, Mill Valley, CA 94941
For San Francisco patients, our clinic is just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Mill Valley sits a few miles north of the bridge in southern Marin, so the trip from the northern neighborhoods of the city is a short one.
Below is what a visit looks like from San Francisco — the route over the bridge, how the toll works on the way home, ferry options if you would rather not drive, and what to expect once you arrive.
Communities we see patients from
Marina & Pacific Heights · Presidio & Richmond District · Sunset District · Downtown & SoMa · Noe Valley & the Mission
Typical times without traffic. Check live conditions before you leave.
The Golden Gate Bridge toll is collected southbound only, so you pay it on the return into the city. Tolling is all-electronic — FasTrak or pay-by-plate — with no cash lanes.
Golden Gate Ferry runs from the San Francisco Ferry Building to Larkspur and Sausalito. From either terminal, the clinic is a short taxi or rideshare away.
There are no restrictions on driving after a session, so most San Francisco patients drive themselves back across the bridge. A companion is welcome if you prefer.
The procedure itself takes about two hours. Plan for about three hours at the clinic to allow for setup and wrap-up — plus your drive, about 30 minutes each way from downtown San Francisco without traffic.
Hydrate well — about three liters of water a day for several days beforehand. Rest the night before, avoid alcohol that evening, and skip strenuous exercise or sauna. Eat a full meal before your session; this is not a fasting procedure.
Wear something with loose or short sleeves so the veins at your inner elbows are easy to reach. One arm is typically free during treatment, so bring something to read, a laptop or your phone. Your physician will review your full medication list with you before your first session.
If you take blood pressure medication in the morning, it is often recommended to hold it until after the procedure. Most other medications can be taken as normal — your physician will advise you specifically.
Leave the bandages on your arms for several hours. Beyond that there are no restrictions: you can drive, travel, eat and go about your day. Most patients feel the same as when they arrived; a small percentage feel a little tired.
Most patients come alone and drive themselves home. A companion is not required, but someone close to you is welcome to sit with you — and if you would rather not make the return trip alone, bringing a driver is entirely reasonable.
We are open Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. A typical protocol involves four to six sessions, and your physician will design a plan specific to you. For a fuller walk-through, read What to Expect During Your First TPE Session.
Global Apheresis is led by Dr. Dobri Kiprov and Dr. Allen Green. Read more about our physicians and our published research.
Dr. Kiprov has practiced therapeutic apheresis in the Bay Area since the 1980s.
Every session at Global Apheresis is physician-led, with a nurse at your side throughout.
Our physicians publish and present research on plasma exchange, including a 2026 journal theme issue.
Plasma exchange protocols informed by the AMBAR trial for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Learn More →Plasma exchange as part of a healthspan program, with biological age testing to follow markers over time.
Learn More →Removing circulating antibodies and inflammatory mediators in conditions such as myasthenia gravis.
Learn More →Plasma exchange to lower circulating environmental toxins, including PFAS “forever chemicals.”
Learn More →Long COVID, PANS/PANDAS and other persistent post-infectious conditions.
Learn More →Without traffic, the drive is about 20 minutes from the Marina or Presidio and about 30 minutes from downtown, north on US-101 across the Golden Gate Bridge. Bridge traffic varies through the day, so check before you leave.
No. All treatment takes place at our clinic at 655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370, in Mill Valley, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Only on the way back. The toll is collected southbound, heading into San Francisco, and is all-electronic through FasTrak or pay-by-plate.
Yes. Golden Gate Ferry runs from the San Francisco Ferry Building to Larkspur and Sausalito, and the clinic is a short taxi or rideshare ride from either terminal. Allow about three hours at the clinic when planning your return ferry.
Yes. There are no restrictions on driving or travel afterward. Most patients feel the same as when they arrived, though a small percentage feel a little tired. You are welcome to bring someone with you if that would put you at ease.
Global Apheresis
655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Schedule a free discovery call with our physicians before you plan a trip. We will talk through your history and goals, and whether plasma exchange is appropriate for you.
Book a Free Discovery Call