Physician-led plasma exchange at our Mill Valley clinic — about 45 minutes from Santa Rosa without traffic.
655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370, Mill Valley, CA 94941
For patients in Santa Rosa and across Sonoma County, our Mill Valley clinic is a single highway away. US-101 runs south from Healdsburg through Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma and passes within minutes of our door, so most Sonoma County patients make the trip without a single turn off the freeway until they reach southern Marin.
Because a therapeutic plasma exchange series usually means several visits, we think it is worth being specific about what each trip involves — how long the drive is, how long you will be with us, and how you are likely to feel on the way home — so you can decide whether the commute fits your life before you commit to a treatment plan.
Communities we see patients from
Santa Rosa · Petaluma · Rohnert Park · Cotati · Healdsburg · Windsor · Sebastopol · Sonoma
Typical times without traffic. Check live conditions before you leave.
Southbound US-101 through Petaluma and Novato is busiest on weekday mornings. If you have flexibility, a late-morning appointment lets you drive in after the peak and head home before the evening northbound traffic builds.
The drive from Sonoma County to Mill Valley stays north of the Golden Gate Bridge, so there are no bridge tolls in either direction.
SMART trains run from Sonoma County stations down to Larkspur. From Larkspur station the clinic is a short taxi or rideshare away. Check the current SMART timetable against your appointment time before you plan around it.
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 45 minutes each way from Santa Rosa 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 from Santa Rosa to our Mill Valley clinic is about 45 minutes straight down US-101 South. From Petaluma it is about 30 minutes, and from Healdsburg about 1 hour 5 minutes. Weekday morning traffic heading south can add time, so build in a cushion before your appointment.
No. All treatment takes place at our clinic at 655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370, in Mill Valley. Many of our patients travel from Sonoma County for each session.
Yes. There are no restrictions on driving or travel after a plasma exchange. Most patients feel the same as when they arrived; a small percentage feel a little tired. If you would rather not make the drive home alone, a companion is welcome to come with you and sit with you during treatment.
SMART trains run from Sonoma County to Larkspur, and the clinic is a short taxi or rideshare ride from Larkspur station. Check the current SMART schedule against your appointment time, and allow for about three hours at the clinic.
It depends on your condition and goals. A typical protocol involves four to six sessions, each taking about three hours at the clinic including setup and wrap-up. Your physician will design a plan specific to you during your free discovery call, and you can tell us then that you are traveling from Sonoma County.
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